Toronto Holidays

Best time to visit Toronto

Toronto is a year-round holiday destination. Looking to enjoy the outdoors? Visiting in the summer is a great choice, especially if you want to see the nearby Niagara Falls. The weather at this time of year has average highs of between 24°C and 26°C, with lows of between 14°C and 17°C. 

In autumn, Toronto is cooler and quieter and flight prices tend to drop. It is the ideal time to visit if you are looking to book cheap Toronto holidays. 

The winter can be cold, with temperatures down to -7°C in January or up to 2°C in December. However, at this time of year the city turns into a winter wonderland and a great Christmas or New Year holiday destination. 

In spring, the weather warms up again and the city is particularly magical with the trees in blossom. 

Entertainment and Culture

Toronto is Canada’s cultural and entertainment hub. It’s fast-paced, buzzing with energy, fun, and offers endless excitement. Home to many museums, theatres, festivals, and sporting events, as well as a diverse array of peoples and traditions, you will find a rich cultural scene in the city. 

Music fans will want to head to the home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at the Roy Thomson Hall or spend time at the beautiful Koerner Hall listening to jazz, classical and world music. 

The Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada can be found at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, and you won’t want to miss the historic venues of Toronto’s theatre district for dramatic plays, comedies, musicals, and cabaret.

Swipe left or right to find out about other Toronto highlights.

Toronto food scene

On top of the city’s world-class attractions and entertainment, Toronto's food scene is unrivalled and has recently been announced as the most diverse in the world. 

Head to the vibrant St Lawrence Market, previously named the world’s best food market, for local delicacies as well as popular foods from across the globe. 

With over 7,500 restaurants across the city, be sure to bring your appetite so you can sample as many of the different culinary options as you can.

Toronto nightlife

From its thousands of restaurants to its bars and nightclubs, Canada’s largest city is home to a diverse and vibrant nightlife that has choices for every taste. 

From Vegas-style lounges, after-hours nightclubs and relaxed sports bars, to breweries, traditional pubs, and famous comedy clubs, there is so much you can do. Whilst these venues are dotted across the city, the Entertainment District and Fashion District are two particularly lively spots.

Shopping in Toronto

Shopping is a significant part of any Toronto holiday. It is a pillar of Toronto’s cultural offering, with the city known as being one the world's premier shopping destinations. 

The Eaton Centre is a must-visit location - the most visited of all Canada’s attractions and North America’s busiest shopping centre. Boasting 230 stores and restaurants, visitors have plenty of opportunities to treat themselves or pick up a gift for someone back home. 

Yorkville and Queen Street are also hotspots for shopping with their designer boutiques.

Toronto events and festivals

Toronto offers so much for visitors to sink their teeth into and plenty of opportunities for immersing themselves in local life. The city boasts a collection of exciting events and entertaining festivals to enjoy, with something for every taste. 

In the spring, visitors can enjoy the likes of Canadian Music Week, whilst in the summer they can experience outdoor art festivals, jazz festivals, and one of the oldest events on the tennis calendar - the Rogers Cup. 

In the autumn, you can spend time at the world-famous Toronto International Film Festival and the Toronto Caribbean Carnival as well as experience the beauty of the Cavalcade of Lights. 

During winter, the Toronto International Boat Show takes place which includes hundreds of vendors, thousands of boats, and entertainment.

Day trips from Toronto

Another great thing about Toronto is the surrounding area is packed with attractions to enjoy. Niagara Falls, one of the most iconic natural attractions in the world, is just a short 90-minute drive from Toronto, allowing you to experience this breathtaking location for a day or a few nights if you want to enjoy a range of exciting Niagara experiences. 

A few hours’ drive away is Algonquin Provincial Park, offering lakes, forests and rivers that hikers, nature lovers, and kayakers will love to explore. 

Other nearby attractions include the Blue Mountain ski resort, the Stratford Festival for Shakespeare lovers, and Canada’s Wonderland – the country’s premier amusement park.

Ascend the CN Tower

One of Toronto’s top attractions is the CN Tower, a world-famous landmark and iconic feature of Toronto’s skyline. It’s more than just a pretty sight from ground level, however, as visitors can ascend the CN Tower to enjoy unparalleled, panoramic views of the city and Lake Ontario, providing amazing photo opportunities and great memories. 

The CN Tower in Toronto is located in the heart of the city’s entertainment district at 553 metres tall. Your adventure begins in the glass elevators that whisk you to the LookOut Observation level in a mere 58 seconds. For a further thrill, you can attempt the EdgeWalk while harnessed to the side of the tower or simply relax while sampling exquisite cuisine at the revolving 360 Restaurant.

Swipe left or right to learn more about other activities you can do on a Toronto Holiday.

Toronto museums and art galleries

Toronto has an array of world-famous museums and art galleries. The Royal Ontario Museum is one of Canada’s most well-known museums boasting a collection of natural history, art, and cultural artefacts. Amongst Toronto’s top museums is the Art Gallery of Ontario, too. It is home to an impressive 95,000 pieces of artwork from Canada and the rest of the world. 

The Gothic castle of Casa Loma is another top attraction on Toronto holidays. The city is home to some unique museums with the Aga Khan Museum, one of North America’s largest galleries dedicated to Islamic Arts, and the Bata Shoe Museum, a museum dedicated to shoes, both being popular attractions.

Day trips to Niagara Falls

A day trip to Niagara Falls is a must and is easy to do from Toronto. If you have hired a car in Canada, you can be there in just over an hour, or you can book to go on one of the tours that leave from Toronto. 

At Niagara Falls you can enjoy a cruise on the Voyage to the Falls boat tour that takes you to the foot of the waterfalls and a trip on the Whirlpool Jet Boat on the Niagara River. 

At the top of your bucket list should be a visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is regarded by many as the prettiest town in Ontario. Niagara has also gained international recognition for its wine with over 50 wineries located in Niagara, making a winery tour a popular activity to do in the region.

Toronto family attractions

Toronto is a perfect destination for a family holiday in Canada as there are so many attractions that people of all ages can enjoy together. 

The Toronto Zoo is a must-visit attraction and is home to around 5,000 animals. 

From the land to the sea, the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is another family-friendly attraction that you can visit during your Toronto holiday. As well as seeing the resident sharks and other marine mammals, you can visit the CN Tower as it is located at the base of the attraction. 

The Ontario Science Centre has lots of exhibits which will entertain the children, ranging from space travel and meteorology to biology and physics. With so much to do, Toronto really is a perfect place for a family holiday.

Wander through St Lawrence Market

By walking through St Lawrence Market, you can soak up the buzzing atmosphere and enjoy the smell of foods from around the world being cooked by the different vendors. 

This historic market was built back in 1850 and has been featured in many films and TV shows. It is a dream destination for any foodie and has been named as one of the world’s best markets to visit as you can try local delicacies as well as popular dishes from around the globe. You can also find vendors selling flowers and other speciality items.

Watch a musical or dine in the Entertainment District

The Entertainment District in the centre of Toronto is where many of the city’s most popular attractions are located, such as the CN Tower, the Rogers Centre and lots of museums. The district is Toronto’s answer to Broadway in New York as it is the best place to see major theatre productions, musicals, concerts, and other performing arts. 

Two of the best venues for attending a musical, show or performance are the Roy Thomson Hall and the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Many of Toronto’s top restaurants are located in the Entertainment District so you can wine and dine before or after watching a show.

Explore the historic Distillery District

Toronto’s Distillery District was once the largest distillery in the British empire, but now this historic area has been transformed into a trendy entertainment and shopping district. The Victorian Industrial warehouses are now home to charming boutiques, galleries, artists' studios, and restaurants. 

During your visit, you can also attend one of the many events that take place in the Distillery District - the most famous being the Toronto Christmas Market which features hundreds of wooden stalls selling unique festive gifts. If you want to learn more about the district during your visit you can book a walking tour or a Segway tour.

Toronto outdoor activities

Although Toronto is the biggest city in Canada, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor activities. 

During your holiday in Toronto, you can go biking, hiking, and kayaking around the Toronto Islands. 

Come summer you can sunbathe on the shores of Lake Ontario at the likes of Woodbine Beach, Sugar Beach, or Bluffers Beach. 

On the outskirts of Toronto, you can head to the stunning Scarborough Bluffs and soak in the towering white cliffs and enjoy lots of trails that are perfect for hiking or mountain biking. 

Downtown Toronto is home to High Park and here you can enjoy lots of green space and an outdoor swimming pool.

Holidays to Toronto

Toronto is more than just a city break, it’s a gateway to the majesty and excitement that Canada has to offer. You can spend time exploring Canada’s largest city, visiting world-famous attractions like the CN Tower. You can treat yourself to some of the best retail therapy on the planet at the busiest shopping centre in North America. Toronto is Canada’s entertainment and cultural capital, so sitting down to a wonderful show is another exciting possibility, as is enjoying top events and festivals, including sporting highlights such as the Rogers Cup.

Toronto also provides easy access to surrounding gems, such as the iconic Niagara Falls - a short 90-minute drive away. There are stunning provincial parks on Toronto’s doorstep, providing plenty of opportunities to experience Canada’s unrivalled natural world. We offer a wide range of holidays to Canada and Toronto, so just get in touch and let us craft the perfect trip for you.

Swipe left or right to learn more about the types of Toronto holidays we offer.

Toronto City Breaks

Want to book yourself an exciting Toronto city break holiday? With iconic attractions like the world-famous CN Tower, one of the world’s best food scenes, historic neighbourhoods, picturesque beaches on Lake Ontario, festivals and a vibrant nightlife, a Toronto city break is a must. 

With direct flights year-round and Ontario’s biggest city being just an 8-hour flight from the UK, Toronto is easily accessible. So, if you fancy a few nights away or a week-long getaway to Toronto, you can get in touch with our experts and book your dream trip today.

Toronto and Niagara Falls holidays

Adding a trip to Niagara Falls during your Toronto holiday is a must and with it being just a 90-minute drive from downtown Toronto, you can easily enjoy a day trip to the world-famous waterfalls. Seeing the natural wonder from above on a helicopter tour or aboard the Niagara Cruises Hornblower, is once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

If you want to spend more time at Niagara Falls you can split your stay between Niagara and Toronto on a multi-stay city break or you can hire a car and freely explore the region. It is famous with its wines and a trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is just 30-minutes away, is a popular addition to Toronto holidays. Browse through our itineraries or call one of our experts to tailor-make your own.

Toronto self-drive holidays

If you want to explore Toronto and other places beyond the city, then a self-drive holiday in Canada where you rent a car or a motorhome is the perfect way to do this. With your own car or RV, you have the freedom to see what you want, when you want. 

Why not drive and take in the sights of the Niagara Falls, or head to the Algonquin Provincial Park, which is famed for its stunning lakes and spectacular wildlife viewing. 

You can drive to the popular ski resort of Blue Mountain or Muskoka where Hollywood A-listers retreat to enjoy the great outdoors. As Québec borders Ontario you can even visit the likes of Québec City or Montréal during your holiday.

Toronto escorted tours

At Canadian Affair we offer itineraries for escorted tours so you can visit iconic destinations in Ontario and Québec. With us you can book an escorted tour and visit the likes of Toronto, Québec City, Montréal, Ottawa, and the Niagara Falls in one trip. 

By booking an escorted tour to Toronto you don’t have to worry about a thing as we will book your flights to Canada from the UK, organise your accommodation and sightseeing tours. On an escorted tour with us, you will have a tour director with you every step of the way and they will help with any queries or needs you may have. 

We also offer luxury escorted tours where everything is taken care of while you relax and enjoy VIP experiences, exceptional dining and luxury hotels.

Family holidays in Toronto

Family holidays in Toronto are a popular choice as the city has lots of family-friendly attractions you can visit. You can see wildlife from all over the world at Toronto Zoo or walk-through a tunnel underneath a shark tank at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. 

There are kids-oriented museums in Toronto like the Ontario Science Centre with its hands-on exhibitions or the Black Creek Pioneer Village which teaches kids about Canada’s history. 

If your children are thrill-seekers you can head to Canada’s Wonderland which has a whole host of rides, rollercoasters, and a waterpark.

Winter Toronto holidays

Toronto should be high up on your list of places to visit in the winter as there are a collection of vibrant festivals, events and winter sports to get stuck into. 

You can visit the likes of the Eaton Centre and get all your Christmas shopping done within a day or enjoy the annual New Year’s Eve celebrations in Toronto. 

The city is thriving during the winter months with a host of festivals taking place like the Bloor-Yorkville Ice Fest, the Winter Festival of Lights, the Christmas Market, and Glow Toronto – Canada’s premium indoor festival. 

With Niagara Falls just a short drive away you can spend a day there and see the incredible sight of the Niagara Falls frozen.