Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Toronto and GTA Recommendations
28
items My go-to local guide to Toronto and the GTA! From hidden gem food spots and relaxing waterfront parks to fun playgrounds and top city attractions, here’s a handpicked list of places I love taking friends and family. 🍕🌷🏰☀️
Map
Sections
5
For Foodies!
Parks and Gardens
Outdoor Playgrounds
All day fun
Waterparks and Pools
For Foodies!
Here are some delicious local food spots to grab a bite before starting your day or unwind after a long one! Featuring my personal favorite breakfast spots, authentic pizza, incredible seafood, and fun date-night dinners around the GTA. 😋✨
Think fluffy Korean-style pancakes (K-pancakes!), delicious breakfast favorites.
📍 Add it to your Toronto brunch list — especially if you love discovering breakfast spots beyond the usual eggs-and-toast routine!
📍 Add it to your Toronto brunch list — especially if you love discovering breakfast spots beyond the usual eggs-and-toast routine!
Eggs Morning
Their grilled calamari appetizer is absolutely to die for, their pizza is charcoal oven baked and desserts are made in house! YUM!
Sorento Italian Kitchen
For those who love great seafood - this is your place! Grilled squid, grilled octopus are just amazing as well as everything else, along with yummy desserts :)
Adega Restaurante
Somewhat on the expensive side but the experience is totally worth it. This restaurant puts together flavors you would never think to combine and it tastes superb! Perfect for a dinner date or girls night out :)
Lee Restaurant
I love absolutely everything in this place - great appetizers, amazing pizza and pasta as well as delicious desserts :)
Monte Bianco Italian Cuisine and Pizzeria
Parks and Gardens
Some of my favorite places where you can spend your time walking around, playing, taking beautiful photos, admiring all kinds of beautiful flowers and trees. You can even have a picnic! 🤩
I love this place because it is perfect for practically anything - walks, rest, photo sessions, a picnic! 🫶 FREE admission to 17 award-winning themed gardens that seamlessly connect to the larger Edwards Gardens.🌷 🌹 🍀
Toronto Botanical Garden
One of my absolute favorite spots for a scenic outdoor walk in Toronto. Walking along the Harbourfront boardwalk and water’s edge is so peaceful, with stunning views of Lake Ontario, passing boats, and green park spaces. It’s the perfect place to gra...
Harbourfront
You should check out this Toronto’s famous hilltop castle. Explore secret passageways, vintage car collections, and tower views, then head outside to wander through 5 acres of breathtaking estate gardens and lush parkland. 🌷🏰
Casa Loma
Easily one of my favorite day trips around the GTA for fresh air! RBG gives you the best of both worlds - beautiful manicured floral displays and peaceful, wild hiking trails. Take your time exploring the lush garden spaces, grab a coffee at the cafe...
ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
Outdoor Playgrounds
Looking for the perfect afternoon escape? Here is my personal collection of the most engaging outdoor playgrounds for kids of all ages.🎠
There is so much to do here: slide, climb, play, splashpad. This one is our go-to on any day! Oh and there is a library with the play area there as well
North Thornhill Community Centre Playground and Splash Pad
This playground is unlike others. A massive, castle-themed wooden adventure playground tucked inside High Park. You can easily pair a visit here with a trip to the free High Park Zoo to see the capybaras and llamas, or grab a coffee and stroll around...
Jamie Bell Adventure Playground
This isn't your average cookie-cutter park. It features a brilliant rubberized-mound playground with giant slides, a water play area, a splash pad, wide open lawns, and even a floating marsh with turtles and frogs.
Corktown Common
This playground here was inspired by the nearby St. Lawrence Market. It features whimsical, food-themed climbing structures and play elements that are as charming for adults to look at as they are fun for kids.
St. James Park
It features an imaginative design with a giant, friendly bronze dragonfly and giant frog water-spouts in the adjacent splash pad, sensory-rich play equipment, a mini turf soccer field, and an accessible layout for all kids.
Neshama Playground
Not your regular playground here! A modern playground, it features brilliant street art and graffiti murals, basketball courts, and a skateboard, scooter area - making it the ultimate spot to play on a rainy or scorching hot day since you're fully sh...
Underpass Park
This park has natural-feeling play structures, huge sand play areas, and an incredible community vibe. It’s right across from Dufferin Mall, making it super easy to grab a coffee or treat while the kids burn off energy.
Dufferin Grove Park
All day fun
When a quick park walk just isn't enough - here are the big-ticket spots for a full day out! Whether you're planning a weekend adventure with the kids, a thrill-seeking day trip, or exploring iconic city sights, these places guarantee maximum fun fro...
The ultimate Toronto sightseeing hack! The Toronto CityPASS bundles entry to 5 top city spots for up to 38% off. You get automatic admission to both the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium, plus 3 extra picks like Casa Loma or the Toronto Zoo. Super easy ...
Toronto CityPass for Attractions with discount!
My go-to platform for securing mobile attraction tickets, guided tours, and city passes ahead of time! It makes booking tickets for spots like Ripley’s Aquarium, the ROM, or boat tours super easy. You can skip the long ticket lines on the day of your...
Get Your Guide - App for Online Tickets
If you’re looking for a fun day out near Toronto, Canada’s Wonderland is so much more than just roller coasters! What I love is how it transforms with the seasons, giving you a different experience almost every time you visit.
☀️ Summer? Thrilling rides, sunshine, and Splash Works water park — the perfect way to cool off on a hot day.
🎃 Fall? Halloween Haunt brings spooky vibes, haunted attractions, and all the Halloween excitement you could ask for.
❄️ Winter? WinterFest turns the park into a festive wonderland with sparkling lights, holiday decorations, seasonal treats, and magical winter activities.
I must say living very close to it helps to experience all of the above hehehe
☀️ Summer? Thrilling rides, sunshine, and Splash Works water park — the perfect way to cool off on a hot day.
🎃 Fall? Halloween Haunt brings spooky vibes, haunted attractions, and all the Halloween excitement you could ask for.
❄️ Winter? WinterFest turns the park into a festive wonderland with sparkling lights, holiday decorations, seasonal treats, and magical winter activities.
I must say living very close to it helps to experience all of the above hehehe
Canada's Wonderland
The perfect outdoor spot for all ages! I love taking the ferry over to explore the car-free trails. It’s ideal for families thanks to “Centreville” Amusement Park and “Far Enough Farm” for the kids, plus you can relax on the island beaches or grab a ...
Toronto Islands
Right in the heart of downtown Toronto, this is easily one of the most mesmerizing spots to visit in the city. Walking through the Dangerous Lagoon’s underwater moving sidewalk with sharks and sea turtles swimming right over your head is an incredibl...
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
Looking for the ultimate day trip in the GTA? The Toronto Zoo is an absolute must-visit, especially if you love animals or have kids. In the warmer months, they have a massive two-acre splash pad (Splash Island) which is a total lifesaver for cooling...
Toronto Zoo
I call this “The quintessential Toronto summer experience!” :P Grab public ferry tickets online to head to Centre, Ward's, or Hanlan's Point, or hop on a fast water taxi from Queens Quay. Head over before 10 AM to beat the crowds and enjoy unbeatable...
Toronto Island Ferry tickets
Toronto's iconic gothic-revival castle! Explore secret tunnels, stunning period-furnished rooms, vintage cars, and incredible skyline views from the towers.
Casa Loma
Waterparks and Pools
Here are some fantastic waterparks, ranging from massive amusement park water complexes to inflatable lake adventures and year-round indoor options.🌊
You will find this waterpark inside Wonderland (included with the admission price to the park) and it features 17 different water attractions—including a massive wave pool, lazy river, and high-adrenaline thrill slides like the Muskoka Plunge (a near...
Canada's Wonderland - Splash Works
Our go-to spot for a full day dedicated entirely to water fun. :)
Wet'n'Wild Toronto
The premier option for winter or year-round indoor water fun :) The waterpark is connected to major hotels. It features 16 thrilling water slides, a massive indoor wave pool, a giant tipping bucket, and huge beach areas.
Fallsview Indoor Waterpark
Features a large wave pool, giant tube and body water slides, a lazy river, and a dedicated spray area for younger kids. It tends to be a bit less crowded than Wonderland's Splash Works.
Big Splash