Planning a Toronto Weekend
Toronto is large, but most of what a first-time visitor wants to see in a weekend is within a few kilometres of the waterfront and can be reached on foot or by TTC streetcar and subway. This plan suits arrivals on Friday evening or Saturday morning and works best from late spring to early autumn, when the Toronto Island ferries run their full schedule.
If you fly into Toronto Pearson, the UP Express train runs to Union Station downtown in about 25 minutes. Union Station is also the hub for the subway, GO Transit trains and VIA Rail. For the TTC, the simplest way to pay is to tap a credit or debit card or a PRESTO card at fare readers; transfers are included within a two-hour window.
Saturday Morning: St. Lawrence Market
Start at St. Lawrence Market, a few minutes' walk east of Union Station. Toronto's market tradition at this site goes back to 1803. The South Market building houses permanent food stalls, bakeries, butchers and cheese vendors, and is open Tuesday to Sunday. Upstairs, the Market Gallery occupies the former Toronto City Council chamber.
The new North Market building, across Front Street, opened in 2025. It hosts the Saturday farmers' market and the Sunday antique market. Arrive early on Saturday, when the farmers' market is busiest and the South Market food stalls have the shortest lines.
Saturday Midday: The Distillery District and Old Town
From the market, walk east about 15 minutes to the Distillery District, the former Gooderham and Worts distillery. Its brick Victorian industrial buildings and pedestrian lanes now hold galleries, shops, cafés and theatres. On the way, the area around St. Lawrence Market and King Street East is part of the old Town of York, with some of Toronto's oldest buildings, including St. James Cathedral.
Saturday Afternoon: The Waterfront and CN Tower
Head back west to the waterfront. The CN Tower, beside Union Station, has observation levels with views over the city and Lake Ontario; tickets are timed, so book online ahead, especially on weekends. Nearby, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is a popular indoor option.
Walk west along Queens Quay through the Harbourfront area, which has a lakeside promenade, public art and the Harbourfront Centre's cultural programmes. In the evening, the Entertainment District around King Street West has many restaurants and theatres.
Sunday Morning: The Toronto Islands
Ferries to the Toronto Islands leave from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay Street. They serve three docks: Centre Island, Ward's Island and Hanlan's Point. No private cars are allowed on the islands, which are connected by paths and bridges.
- Centre Island has gardens, beaches and Centreville, a children's amusement park that runs in summer.
- Ward's Island is a small residential community with quiet streets and a beach.
- Hanlan's Point, next to Billy Bishop airport, has a long sandy beach.
The view of the city skyline from the islands, especially near Ward's Island and the Centre Island pier, is one of the best in Toronto. Buy ferry tickets online in advance to skip the ticket line, and expect long boarding queues on warm weekend afternoons. You can walk the length of the islands in about an hour, or rent a bike in summer.
Sunday Afternoon: Kensington Market and Chinatown
Back on the mainland, take a streetcar to Kensington Market, a neighbourhood of narrow streets filled with independent food shops, vintage clothing stores and cafés. It borders Chinatown along Spadina Avenue, which is good for an inexpensive late lunch. Nearby, the Art Gallery of Ontario on Dundas Street has a large collection of Canadian and international art.
If you have extra time, the Royal Ontario Museum on Bloor Street, a short subway ride north, is Canada's largest museum of world culture and natural history.
Practical Tips
- Getting around: Walking and the TTC cover this whole plan. Driving and parking downtown are slow and expensive.
- Mondays: St. Lawrence Market's South Market is closed on Mondays, so schedule it for the weekend.
- Weather: Toronto summers are warm and humid, while spring and fall can be cool and windy near the lake. Pack layers.
- Island season: Ferry service is reduced outside summer, and in winter only Ward's Island is served regularly.
- Bookings: Reserve CN Tower tickets and popular weekend restaurants in advance.
