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The Ultimate Guide to Toronto (for a quick getaway)!
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items I love spending time visiting Toronto. There's always so much to see and do. If you're looking for a quick weekend getaway, here's my list of places to visit, eat and stay to enjoy every aspect that this city has to offer.
Map
Sections
6
Eats and Drinks
Stays
Touristy and Cultural Things
Shops
Spa and self care
Sports
Eats and Drinks
There are lots of amazing places to eat in this city. Here are my top places to visit if you only have 3-4 days on the ground here.
Arguably one of my most favorite Saturday night dinner spots. What did I order on the last visit? The Tomahawk steak with roasted cabbage and potatoes.
Prime Seafood Palace
Book this spot for a late dinner and drinks. It's located right around the corner from Melrose. Just be careful - their portions are insanely large. 2 can share their schnitzel dish! Assuming they're both hungry. 3 - 4 if it's just a snack.
Town Crier
Stop by Friday afternoon after you check into the hotel for happy hour. Their simple tapas menu offers lots of great snacks before dinner. Try the hummus! It's one of my favorites.
Melrose On Adelaide
Stop by Sunday afternoon after check out for brunch before you leave Toronto. Their eggs benny - chefs kiss.
bosk
This is a Queen Street West institution. If you skipped out on Sunday brunch, pop by Queen Mother and enjoy their broad range of menu items. There's everything from burgers to Asian inspired dishes. My favorite is their Pad Thai!
Queen Mother Cafe
10/10 chicken spot. I serendipitously stopped by this diner with my siblings once. The 45 minute wait was worth it! The best chicken sando ever!
Chica's Chicken – Toronto - a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
If you're ever in the mood for Chinese dumplings, this is the spot! We stopped in once for dim sum. Order A6. The pork dumplings are 10/10!!
Mother's Dumplings
Stays
These are my favorite spots to stay while in the city. Needless to say, there's many options you can pick from pending on your budget and location.
I've stayed here a few times and have absolutely enjoyed every stay. It's ideally situated in Yorkville allowing for easy access to some of the city's best boutique shopping, eatery's and spas!
Four Seasons
I am a huge fan of the Fairmont brand and have stayed with them across so many different cities globally. The service is impeccable. Their on site dinning options is also world class. The only draw back to this hotel is the room sizes. Some of them a...
Fairmont Royal York
If you're heading into the city to catch a baseball game, you can't get any closer. Some of the rooms open into the stadium. Call ahead to see if you can book accordingly.
TORONTO MARRIOTT CITY CENTRE HOTEL
I've stayed here for business travel and it's a great location. You're walking distance to everything! Parks, eateries, The Eaton Centre, and Nathan Philips Square!
SHERATON CENTRE TORONTO HOTEL
This 5 star hotel is hands down, my favorite spots to stay. The rooms are exceptionally cozy and were recently updated. But I love this spot the most because of their food menu. I love their salad rolls that I order late night while sitting by the fi...
SHANGRI-LA TORONTO )
Touristy and Cultural Things
This is an iconic landmark that is a quick 15 minute walk from Shangri La. Pop by Saturday afternoon for a quick retail therapy.
CF Toronto Eaton Centre
Another iconic Toronto spot for some outdoor skating before retail therapy. Located next door to the Eaton Centre for easy access.
Nathan Phillips Square
If you have an hour or two to fill, I highly suggest stopping by the RGO. Their curated art collection is absolutely amazing.
Art Gallery of Ontario
Weather permiting, I always suggest if you have an hour or two, pop down to the waterfront for a stroll. There's lots of eateries and cafes. Lake Ontario is beautiful.
Harbourfront
This inner city park is a quiet santuary from the hustle and bustle of big city life. In the summer time, it's a great spot to bring a iced coffee and blanket and lay outside to catch some sun.
Trinity-Bellwoods
Book your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in lines. This place can be pretty busy when it comes to summer time tourists.
2025 Royal Ontario Museum Admission (Toronto)
I love visiting this market during the summer months. It's always so lively. With over 200+ vendors, it's a great way to enjoy all the cultural foods you can imagine, along with small micro breweries.
St. Lawrence Market (2025) -
If this is your first visit to this amazing Canadian city, I highly recommend a stop to this iconic landmark. Take the elevator up to the observation deck to get an entire birds eye view of the city, and of Lake Huron.
CN Tower
This train station offers such a unique look at the architecture that is peppered throughout the city. For many, they refer to Toronto as a concrete jungle, but if you look closely, you'll find some beautiful buildings!
Toronto Union (2025)
Shops
I don't love malls. I love unique shopping spots. Here's my list of my favorite spots to find unique things in the city.
Located in the lobby of the Shangri La - book an appointment at Leah Alexandra for a permanent bracelet. Select from gold, rose gold or silver. There's so many different options at various price points. It's the perfect way to celebrate a special occ...
Leah Alexandra
Just one block north of the hotel - grab a coffee and stroll outside for some fresh air and retail therapy. You'll find everything from Aritzia, Brandy Melville, to Aldo. There's also plenty of local shops and eateries along the way.
Shopping in Queen West | Destination Toronto
Spa and self care
Short on time but need a quick skin refresh? Book their 30 minute skin booster. You'll need to catch an Uber (about 10 minutes) but it's well worth the trip!
SKIN 30 - Korean Spa Toronto - Facial & Massage
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This spa offers very indulgent and illuminating facials. I love the orange and ginger tea they serve while you're getting your treatments.
Spa at Four Seasons
Sports
Toronto is home to many professional sports teams! NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS, and CFL!
Depending on timing (and if you're into NBA) it's easy to go and catch a Sunday afternoon game before leaving the city.
Raptors - The official site of the NBA for the latest NBA Scores, Stats ...
I love summer time visits to Toronto. There's something nice about grabbing a hot dog and catching a baseball game in the city.
Rogers Centre (2025)
This is the spot to catch NBA and NHL games.
Scotiabank Arena
This venue is home to FC Toronto and the Toronto Argonauts.
BMO Field (2025)