Toronto in the Summer
Published: Jul 22, 2024
The Best Things To Do in Toronto this Summer
A day trip to Toronto is a day filled with vibrant events, world-class attractions, iconic landmarks, and incredible food. In a city with so many different types of experiences, you can create a day trip itinerary that’s just right for you — and it all starts with convenient travel to Toronto on GO Transit!
Take GO Transit to Toronto
By bus or by train, you’re good to GO with a relaxing ride into downtown Toronto. There’s no need to include traffic jams and frustrating parking searches on your trip itinerary. Instead, your day will begin with free music, eBooks, videos & more on the GO Wi-Fi Plus entertainment portal.
Your relaxing ride is also an affordable one! A One-Day on the Weekend Pass is just $10 for your Saturday or Sunday round trip to Toronto, and a Weekday Group Pass starts at just $30 if you’re planning a midweek day trip with friends or family. Kids 12 and under always ride free on GO Transit so your family summertime memories truly are priceless!
Explore the Best Toronto Attractions
There are so many fun things to do in Toronto that you won’t have time to fit in everything during your day trip. Pick two or three Toronto attractions to include and save the others for your next visit!
CN Tower
When you think of the Toronto skyline, the iconic CN Tower is always the first thing that comes to mind. If you’ve never ridden one of the high-speed glass-fronted elevators up to the Observation Level and braved the Glass Floor, this attraction is a must-do. It’s exciting for kids and an especially perfect choice if you’re visiting with out-of-area friends or family and you want to give them the quintessential Toronto tourist experience.
An easy walk from Union Station, you can start your day with this attraction to get a bird’s eye view of the city before you continue to explore it, or end your trip here to enjoy the skyline at sunset. The CN Tower is open daily from 9:30 am - 9:30 pm.
Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey might be Canada’s official winter sport, but you can still celebrate your love of the game in the summer with a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Just a 5-minute walk from Union Station, you’ll find exhibits and entertainment for hockey fans of all ages. Check out the largest hockey collection in the world (including the original Stanley Cup!), explore interactives that challenge your own hockey skills, and enjoy vintage game footage and an exclusive 3-D film in the two theatres.
The Hockey Hall of Fame is open daily from 10 am - 6 pm, and you’ll save 20% on regular admission rates when you show your PRESTO card in person.
Toronto Island Park
There are so many things to do on Toronto Islands that this could easily be your entire day trip. Summer is the perfect season to visit Centre Island because you can take full advantage of all the island attractions. Build a sandcastle on the beach, find your way through William Meany Maze, and explore Franklin Children’s Garden. Pause for a picnic lunch near Saturn Playground and some fun for the kids at the nearby splash pad. Then head to Centreville Amusement Park to enjoy a few rides and say hi to the animals at Far Enough Farm.
The ferry ride to and from Toronto Islands is part of the adventure, and a great opportunity to snap some pics of the Toronto skyline. You’ll board the Centre Island ferry at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal — just a 7-minute walk from Union Station.
City Sightseeing Toronto
If you’re the type to want to see ALL the things, the City Sightseeing Toronto “hop on, hop off” tour bus is perfect for you! Your ticket for this double decker bus is good for 24 hours, and it stops at 15 top Toronto attractions — including Casa Loma, the Distillery District, the CN Tower and more. You can hop on and off as many times as you like and you’ll get some great photos while riding in the open-air upper level!
Show your PRESTO card in-person at the City Sightseeing booth at Yonge-Dundas Square and you’ll save 15% on your regular adult 24 hour ticket!
Toronto Blue Jays Game
If you’re a baseball fan, you’re probably already planning a trip to Toronto to catch one of the Toronto Blue Jays home games. Get on the GO and don't miss a single pitch, stolen base, or homerun. After 9 innings of cheering “GO Jays GO!”, you just have a quick walk back to Union Station instead of a long wait in the post-game traffic.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Your day trip to Toronto can include an underwater adventure when you visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada! Discover sharks, rays, sea turtles, and so many more aquatic creatures. Hands-on experiences and an interactive play area make Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada educational entertainment that’s fun for the whole family.
Take advantage of PRESTO Perks to save 15% off General Admission Flex Tickets at this attraction. Show your PRESTO card in-person to redeem the discount!
Attend Summer Events in Toronto
The atmosphere in Toronto is extra lively during the event-filled summer months! Schedule your day trip so you can join in on the fun.
Spirit of the Distillery District Ghost Tour
Looking to add some spooky vibes to your trip? End your day at one of the most haunted spots in Toronto — the historic Distillery District. Follow your guide down narrow alleyways and along cobblestone streets on this lantern-lit walking tour. You’ll hear chilling accounts of paranormal occurrences that have been reported in this iconic area. Will you leave with your own story of a ghostly encounter? Only the spirits know!
The Spirit of the Distillery District Ghost Tour runs nightly at 8 pm. Book your spot online and save 15% when you use promo code PRESTOPERKS15. Be ready to show your PRESTO card when you check in for the tour.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Lose yourself in the rhythm and move your body to the beat! The Toronto Caribbean Carnival fills the downtown streets with music and colourful costumes from Aug 1 - 5, 2024. Join in the party and celebrate Caribbean culture during your day trip to Toronto. Take GO to Exhibition Station for the easiest way to stake out a good spot along Lakeshore Blvd to watch the pageantry of the Grande Parade on Aug 3!
Save 20% on tickets for this year’s carnival events with PRESTO Perks and promo code PRESTO20.
Find Foodie Experiences in Toronto
Don’t worry — it’s going to be a busy day on your trip to Toronto, but there are lots of opportunities for great eating along the way. With so many options, it’s easy to find places where you can fill your belly without emptying your wallet!
Dine Around in Union Station
Did you know that there are a ton of dining options right inside Union Station? And, you can savour some savings when you show your PRESTO card at certain locations!
Pop into Hazukido when you first arrive in Toronto to grab a coffee or tea and try one of their unique flavours of croissants. You could pick up a few croissants to bring with you on your visit to Toronto Island. Your PRESTO card gets you 20% off here!
Before you catch your GO bus or train at the end of the day, save 20% off your dinner at Union Chicken, Mikey’s Smash Burgers, or Amano Italian Kitchen. You’ll be full and happy on your ride home!
St. Lawrence Market
It’s a Toronto attraction and an eating experience in one! St. Lawrence Market is worth a visit just to walk around and explore the various booths and vendors. But it’s also a great place to grab some lunch after your morning at the Hockey Hall of Fame, or during your stop here on the City Sightseeing Toronto Tour!
Check out Destination Toronto’s sandwich tour of St. Lawrence Market to plan your snacking strategy. The peameal bacon on a bun from Carousel Bakery is renowned for a reason!
Rec Room
Before the Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre, or after your visit to the CN Tower or Ripley’s Aquarium, head to the Rec Room for lunch or dinner — it’s just steps away. The Rec Room combines eating with entertainment. Chow down on tacos, burgers, pizza and more, then check out the arcade games and challenge your family to some competitive fun!
You Can Shop Til You Drop in Toronto
There’s no shortage of great shopping in Toronto!
Whether you’re looking for luxury brands, cool gifts, or back to school essentials, you’ll find it at the CF Toronto Eaton Centre. With over 200 retailers, it’s not an exaggeration to say that there really is something for everyone at the Eaton Centre!
The Distillery District is home to unique boutiques and galleries. Browse through Blackbird Vintage Finds, pick up something indulgent from Soma Chocolate Maker, and support local artisans by shopping at Craft Ontario.
It’s easy to spend several hours wandering through the shops in Kensington Market and Chinatown. Produce, clothing, handcrafted goods, and kitschy knick-knacks — you can find all this and more in these eclectic neighbourhoods. On the last Sunday of the month, from May to October, Kensington Market is a pedestrian-only zone so you can stroll through the streets at your leisure!
Let’s GO to TO
There’s so much to discover in Toronto! How many day trips does it take to see it all? That’s up to you — it’s always easy to GO!
Land Acknowledgement
Metrolinx acknowledges that it operates on lands that have been, and continue to be, home to many Indigenous Peoples including the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat peoples. We are all Treaty people. Many of us have come here as settlers, as immigrants or involuntarily as part of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, in this generation, or generations past. We acknowledge the historic and continued impacts of colonization and the need to work towards meaningful reconciliation with the original caretakers of this land. We acknowledge that Metrolinx operates on territories and lands covered by many treaties that affirm and value the rights of Indigenous communities, Nations and Peoples. We understand the importance of working towards reconciliation with the original caretakers of this land. At Metrolinx, we will conduct business in a manner that is built on a foundation of trust, respect and collaboration.