Travel Muse Magazine

Toronto is just cool. The vibe here is welcoming, friendly, hip, modern and appreciative to the varied history of the people that make it such a unique place. As you drive in, you can tell in the architecture of the buildings that welcome you to this bustling metropolis that you’re in store for something special. I’ve only been a hand-full of times and I’m always left wanting to stay longer (except for those steep hotel prices)! Here’s five special Toronto things to do that have nothing to do with their beloved skyline icon – or hockey or maple syrup. You’ve probably heard enough about those, eh…

Visit the Toronto Islands

These islands are car-free and a short ferry ride into Lake Ontario. There, you can happily rent bicycles and leisurely ride to or along a pretty beach (complete with outdoor showers to rinse off), pedal past gardens and parks and visit a (haunted?) old lighthouse. There’s a theme park for little ones and free places to have a picnic with harbor views. We had the best time renting bikes and taking in the sites, worry-free about traffic or getting lost. Plus, it’s simply gorgeous! You can spend a few hours here or a very full day of relaxing in the sun or shade and get some great skyline pics to boot.

Be inspired by the AGO

AGO is a great name for an art museum, so of course its what they call the world-class one in Toronto, short for the Art Gallery of Ontario. Here you’ll find a wonderful variety of cutting edge modern art, classic Canadian landscapes, amazing First-Nations work, and even a section dedicated to miniature ships. We could have spent an entire day enjoying this place. The architecture looks like some sort of spaceship from the outside and inside looks to be the bones of a boat. They have a really cool (and free) add-on experience that involves being suited up with a biometric watch that will tell you which art intrigued you with a free post-museum report. We were delighted by the variety and thoughtfulness of the exhibits here. On the top of my must-see recs here (thru May 2026): Yayoi Kusama’s “INFINITY MIRRORED ROOM – LET’S SURVIVE FOREVER” that lets you experience an immersive experience by yourself (or with your group only)… and only for one minute. But you walk out invigorated and excited about the world. I’d also recommend making sure to see Canada’s most famous woman artist Emily Carr’s “Trees in the Sky, exhibits by Sarindar Dhaliwal and Luke Parnell, Kazuo Nakamura’s Blue Dimension, and the collection of Canada’s “Group of Seven,” who paint the gorgeous Canadian outdoors. Of course, they have classic European greats like Picasso too.

Delight at the Berczy Park Dog Fountain

If you love dogs (and cats), you will love this outdoor fountain at a small triangular park that features all kinds of dogs as sculptures frolicking in the water. What’s at the center of this super friendly piece that seemingly captures the spirit of the kindness of people here: a dog bone, but of course. Plus it’s right by St Lawrence Market where you need to go to get some authentic Portuguese tarts that are pretty much as good as the ones we enjoyed all across Lisbon.

Shop Vintage & Eat Across the World at Kensington Market

Kensington Market is a neighborhood that has been transformed into boutique vintage shops and great little eateries. You can basically travel the world on your tastebuds, all the while upcycling your wardrobe and accessories with new-to-you unique finds. Try the Jamaican jerk chicken on coco bread at Golden Patty, the black sesame lattes at Little Pebbles Cafe, the Chilean version of empanadas at Jumbo Empanadas, and the cardamon ice cream affogato while relaxing on the lovely back patio of the Sweden-inspired coffeeshop Fika. You’ll go home happy.

Eat your heart out in Little Italy

If somehow you’re still hungry, go for dinner in the next neighborhood over (just head west on College Street) to further transport your globe-trotting tastebuds to none other than Italy, well Little Italy. In addition to all the Italian pizzerias, trattorias, gelato shops and wine stores you’d imagine, they also have a walk of fame celebrating the best of entertainers with Italian heritage.