2 perfect days in Toronto

To see all of Toronto in two days is impossible—it is Canada’s largest urban center, you know. But two days is enough time to get a feel for the city, check out the highlights, and discover some hidden gems along the way. With one of the biggest immigrant populations in the country, Toronto is a city of neighborhoods (158 in all) and each has its own personality, so don’t make the mistake of spending your whole trip downtown.

This two-day itinerary takes you to the big hits but also hops in and out of districts like historic Old Town, bohemian Kensington Market, and up-and-coming Leslieville. Beyond my own native Torontonian picks, I've included real Tripadvisor traveler reviews and ratings, so you're guaranteed to get to the good stuff.

Fuel up for the day with a sampling of Canadian eats at St. Lawrence Market. Since its establishment in 1803, the market has been a go-to for locals to enjoy a relaxed lunch and pick up fresh produce, meat, and cheese. The market spans three buildings but South Market is your destination. With 120 food stalls spread between two floors, it’ll be hard to settle on one vendor. For something quintessentially Canadian, try  Carousel Bakery’s peameal bacon sandwich, the market’s most famous. A second option is Buster’s Sea Cove, where you can find a fresh lobster roll year-round. Cheese-lovers won’t want to miss local favorite Alex Farm.

Step outside the market, and you’re in the heart of Old Town—the perfect neighborhood to introduce you to the city. Originally named the Town of York, Old Town is Toronto’s founding neighborhood that marks the city’s official beginning in 1834. Take in the historic red-brick buildings that house its many restaurants, cafés, and bars (the neighborhood boasts the biggest concentration of 19th-century buildings in the province), and make sure to stop by the Gooderham Building, referred to by locals as the Flatiron Building.

ST. LAWRENCE MARKET AND OLD TORONTO TOURS

From Queen Street, hop on one of Toronto’s famed red streetcars and head east. While visitors typically spend most of their time downtown or in the trendy West End, there is so much to discover on the east side of the Don River that divides the city.

At the end of Queen Street, The Beach (known locally as The Beaches) is a quaint, town-like neighborhood that lives up to its name with a natural, swimmable beach that spans 37 acres along the coast of Lake Ontario. If you’re looking for inspired eats and one-of-a-kind shops, get off the streetcar sooner in Leslieville. The line is worth the wait for a hearty Egyptian lunch at Maha’s. Despite rising to national acclaim in recent years, largely due to co-owner Monika Wahba competing on Top Chef Canada, the family-run business still maintains the homey, inviting feel of a neighborhood restaurant. I recommend the Egyptian falafel (think: a crispy falafel wrapped around a gooey soft boiled egg) and the chef’s appetizer platter, which gives you a taste of all their vibrant dips.

Craving a refreshing brew? Walk down the street to Left Field Brewery, a local hangout for baseball-inspired craft beers. Meanwhile, those with a sweet tooth should get an ice cream cone at Ed’s Real Scoop (if you’re in the Beaches, don’t miss the flagship location there). Round out your living-like-a-local afternoon by wandering Leslieville’s many shops. The up-and-coming neighborhood is a thrifting paradise—Gadabout, Good Juicebox, and Second Voyage are some of the best vintage shops. For local crafts, Arts Market displays the creative works of more than 50 artisans and purveyors.

On your way back, the Distillery District is the perfect place to spend an evening. Cobblestone streets give way to restored Victorian industrial buildings that house galleries, boutiques, and cafés. Closed to traffic and lined with twinkling string lights, it’s a quiet reprieve from the bustle of nearby downtown. Of the district’s few restaurants, the most popular is El Catrin, thanks to its heated patio and colorful, mural-decorated interior. The tapas-style menu is ideal for sharing and the restaurant boasts an impressive 120-label collection of tequila and mezcal. Not in the mood for Mexican? Cluny Bistro serves decadent French fare like fried frog legs, steak frites, and cheese fondue. End your evening with a thought-provoking play at Soulpepper Theatre.

Now that you’ve explored Toronto’s underrated East End, it’s time to see what all the West End fuss is about. West Queen West gained international recognition when Vogue named it one of the world’s coolest neighborhoods in 2014, but its main thoroughfare, Queen Street, has been the trendy part of town for decades. Sip a latte from White Squirrel Coffee Shop while savoring a delicate French pastry from Nadege in Trinity Bellwoods Park, one of the best places in the city for people-watching. Afterward, browse the neighborhood’s many independent shops. Music fans can get paw through the records at Rotate This while thrift-hunters can get lost in the racks at Black Market and its sister vintage store, Public Butter.

A 10-minute walk north of Queen Street is the city’s most eclectic neighborhood—Kensington Market. A National Historic Site of Canada, its pedestrian-only streets are always filled with visitors and locals perusing the thrift shops, restaurants, and cafés, many of which are inside Victorian houses. Despite Toronto’s rapid growth, Kensington Market feels like a bohemian village from a bygone era. You’ll find the top vintage shops on Kensington Avenue, and restaurants on Augusta Avenue, a block over. Don’t miss Wanda’s Pie In The Sky for the city’s sweetest slice and the ‘Garden Car,’ an art installation that doubles as a community garden.

Speaking of arts and culture, the nearby Art Gallery of Ontario, with its distinct rounded glass façade, is hard to miss. One of the biggest museums in North America, the gallery is renowned for its collection of iconic Canadian and Inuit works, as well as visiting contemporary exhibits. Continue further north to Bloor Street to visit the city’s other standout institution, the Royal Ontario Museum. Since opening in 1914, the museum has amassed some six million objects, showcased today across 40 exhibition spaces. One of the country’s leading research institutes in biodiversity, paleontology, and earth sciences, this is the museum for kids who get excited at the sight of dinosaurs. For something a little out of the box, head to the nearby Bata Shoe Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of footwear.

KENSINGTON MARKET TOURS

End your Toronto trip on a high note with dinner on the 51st floor of the Manulife building in the glamorous Yorkville shopping district, a 10-minute cab ride north of Kensington. Named after the celebrity chef at the helm, Antonio Park, AP, presents a melange of international flavors inspired by the chef’s Korean heritage, and Canadian and South American upbringing. Toronto isn’t the first city to come to mind for sushi, but you’ll want to order it here with fresh catches like Ora King Salmon and Canadian lobster. The six-course tasting menu paired with sake, wine, and one of the best views in the city, makes for an unforgettable meal.

If you have the energy, end the night bar-hopping in Yorkville. Tucked away in an unassuming alley, you’ll find the lauded Alobar, where you can take your pick of the swanky lounge, bar, or outside terrace to sip on refined cocktails in Michelin-starred style. For a more casual vibe, Bar Reyna is a Mediterranean retreat set in a two-story Victorian townhouse with an intimate back patio. Those looking to groove and party, will want to hit Skylight, the rooftop bar at the W Toronto.