Toronto city breaks

Where to stay in Toronto

For families

If you’re visiting Toronto with little ones, consider staying in its Harbourfront neighbourhood. You’ll be close to family-friendly attractions such as Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and the CN Tower as well as lakeside parks to burn off some energy. And if you’d like a day at the beach, you can catch a ferry from here to Toronto Islands.

The city’s West End is another good option as this is where you’ll find the enormous High Park with a children’s zoo and plenty of activities to keep all ages entertained. The Roncesvalles area here is a lovely, quiet place to stay.

For travellers on a budget

If you’re after a cheap Toronto city break, look for places to stay near Yonge Street in Downtown Toronto. There’s plenty of choice in this bustling area and you’ll be surrounded by shops, places to eat and attractions, meaning that you can keep transport costs to a minimum.

There’s a good range of budget options and interesting street art near Kensington Market, also in Downtown. Nearby Chinatown has some great options for inexpensive meals.

For food and drink

The Kensington Market area of Toronto has such an eclectic range of dining options that there are several food tours of the area available. In this hip part of the city, you can choose between tacos, pies, German street food and more. There are also plenty of laid-back venues to sip a perfectly brewed coffee or pint of beer.

Old Town is another fantastic option for foodies, as you’ll find the St Lawrence Market here as well as the trendy restaurants and bars in the Distillery District.

For nightlife

To have hip bars and clubs on your doorstep, consider staying in West Queen West, which Vogue once declared, was one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world. You’ll find live music venues, cutting-edge cocktail joints and rooftop bars here, as well as independent boutique shops to kit you out for your stylish soirées.

If you prefer your nightclubs to be big and booming, the Entertainment District might be the best area for you. Drink in a vertigo-inducing rooftop bar then dance until late or head to a comedy club or show after a drink or two.

For culture

The Bloor Street Culture Corridor in Toronto’s Midtown has around 20 arts and cultural attractions ranging from the Royal Ontario Museum to the Bata Shoe Museum. The Annex, also in Midtown, is home to many of the city’s students so there are plenty of bookshops. You’ll even find a castle, Casa Loma. Once the home of Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, it’s now a museum.

Alternatively, stay in Old Town, known as Toronto’s historic heart, where restored buildings are home to performing arts venues and you can wander through the St Lawrence Market buying tasty treats.

When to visit Toronto

Toronto has four distinct seasons with temperatures in winter averaging -2C and those in summer hovering in the early 20s. Temperatures start to cool down in autumn but remain in double figures until around November; you’re likely to see snow from December until February. In spring, days are warmer (around 7C in April) but expect chilly evenings.

The summer months are a popular time to visit, as highs of 25C are perfect for days on the beach and al fresco dining. Toronto’s summer calendar is also packed with festivals and events such as Pride Toronto in June and the Toronto Caribbean Carnival at the end of July. However, this means that hotel rates are likely to be at their highest.

If you’d like to combine pleasant temperatures in the late teens with cheaper Toronto city break prices, September is a great month to visit.