Complete Guide to Things to Do in Toronto Canada | Homejourney

Toronto, Canada is one of the most liveable global cities in North America – a multicultural hub with world‑class attractions, diverse food, and a lifestyle that often gets compared with Singapore’s. For Singapore travellers, expats, and investors, understanding the best things to do in Toronto is the first step to deciding whether it’s just a holiday destination, a potential second home, or part of a diversified property portfolio alongside Singapore.

As a Singapore‑focused real estate and lifestyle platform, Homejourney has built this complete guide to things to do in Toronto Canada to help you plan safe, enjoyable trips while also giving you the context you need if you’re thinking about long‑term stays, study, work, or investment – in either Toronto or Singapore. This guide blends first‑hand travel experience in Toronto with Homejourney’s data‑driven approach to safety, transparency, and trustworthy decision‑making.

1. Toronto, Canada Overview for Singapore Travellers
2. Best Time to Visit Toronto Canada
3. Getting to Toronto from Singapore
4. Currency, Costs & Money Tips
5. Top Toronto Attractions & Must‑Do Experiences
6. Neighbourhoods, Culture & Hidden Gems
7. Food & Dining: What to Eat in Toronto
8. Practical Travel Tips & Safety for Singaporeans
9. Where to Stay in Toronto: Area & Hotel Guide
10. Suggested 3‑Day & 5‑Day Toronto Itineraries
11. Day Trips from Toronto (Niagara Falls & Beyond)
12. Connecting Toronto to Singapore Property with Homejourney
13. Toronto Canada FAQ for Singapore Travellers & Investors

1. Toronto, Canada Overview for Singapore Travellers

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and its main financial and cultural centre, comparable to how Singapore functions as a regional hub in Southeast Asia.[5][1] It sits on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario and is known for its dense downtown skyline centred around the iconic CN Tower, world‑class museums, diverse neighbourhoods, and a food scene that reflects more than 250 ethnic communities.[1][5]

From a Singaporean perspective, Toronto feels familiar in several ways: it is relatively safe, walkable in the downtown core, strongly multicultural, and has efficient public transport in the centre. But it is also distinctly North American in scale – streets are wider, distances longer, and weather much more extreme than Singapore.

Why visit Toronto Canada?

Iconic attractions like the CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Casa Loma, and Toronto Islands.[1][3][7]
Multicultural experiences in neighbourhoods such as Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown, Koreatown, and Little India.[2][5]
Proximity to Niagara Falls – one of the world’s most famous natural wonders, just about 1.5–2 hours away by car or tour bus.[3]
Vibrant arts, sports & festivals, from ice hockey and basketball to TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival).[5]
Quality of life that attracts international students, professionals, and families considering a longer stay or second home.

Toronto vs Singapore: quick feel comparison

Aspect	Toronto	Singapore
Climate	Four seasons, hot summers & very cold winters (often below 0°C)	Tropical, hot & humid year‑round, afternoon showers
Public Transport	Subway, streetcars, buses (best in core, patchier in suburbs)	MRT and buses island‑wide with high frequency
Safety	Generally safe, but downtown can feel rougher at night in some areas	Very safe, low crime, strict enforcement
Cost Level	Accommodation and dining similar to major Western cities	High housing costs, but wide range of local food at lower prices
Property Market	Detached homes/condos, more land, cyclical pricing	HDB/condos/landed, strong regulations and stability

Insider tip (from a Singapore traveller’s perspective): Downtown Toronto feels most like a mix of Raffles Place, Orchard, and Bugis district combined – high‑rise offices, shopping, and culture. But unlike Singapore, many attractions and neighbourhoods are spread out; expect more walking and longer public transport rides between key sights.

2. Best Time to Visit Toronto Canada

Toronto is a true four‑season city, and your experience will vary dramatically depending on when you go.

By season

Spring (April–May): Cool to mild, cherry blossoms at High Park typically bloom late April to early May. Fewer crowds, but weather can be unpredictable.
Summer (June–August): Peak tourist season. Warm to hot (25–30°C), long daylight hours, many festivals, patios and Toronto Islands in full swing.[5]
Autumn (September–October): Often the “sweet spot” for Singaporeans – mild weather, beautiful fall colours, and fewer crowds after Labour Day. Perfect for walking tours and day trips.
Winter (November–March): Cold and snowy, especially December–February, with temperatures regularly below 0°C. Christmas markets, ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square, and indoor attractions like ROM and Ripley’s Aquarium shine.[3][2]

Best time for first‑time Singapore visitors

If this is your first time experiencing a cold climate, late May to early October is the most comfortable window. For those wanting a true winter experience (Christmas lights, snow, ice skating), aim for mid‑December to February, but pack proper winter gear – including thermal base layers, waterproof boots, gloves, and a down jacket. Compared with Singapore’s constant heat, Toronto winter can be a shock if you’re not prepared.

3. Getting to Toronto from Singapore

From Singapore, you will typically reach Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) with one stop, often via hubs like Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, London, or the Middle East. Total journey time usually ranges from about 20 to 24 hours including transit, depending on routing and layover length.

Once you land at Pearson Airport:

UP Express train: Takes around 25 minutes from Pearson to Union Station downtown, with fixed fares and frequent departures.[5]
Taxis & ride‑hailing: Readily available; allow 30–45 minutes to downtown in normal traffic.
Public bus connections: Cheaper but slower, suitable if you’re staying in suburbs linked by TTC or GO Transit.

Insider tip: For jet‑lagged Singapore travellers, the UP Express is usually the least stressful way to reach downtown on arrival. Pre‑load your route and hotel details offline in case mobile data is not immediately available.

4. Currency, Costs & Money Tips

Toronto uses the Canadian dollar (CAD). Exchange rates fluctuate, but a practical mental shortcut for Singaporeans is that CAD is often in the same broad range as SGD, although rates vary over time.

Cost snapshot (mid‑range traveller)

Downtown hotel: Approx mid to high three‑figure SGD/CAD per night, depending on season.
Casual meal: Around CAD 15–25 per person before tax and tip.
Coffee: Around CAD 3–6 depending on café and style.
CN Tower admission: Around several tens of CAD, with higher prices for EdgeWalk and dining packages.[1][7]

Tip for Homejourney users: If you are exploring Singapore property while based in Toronto or earning in CAD, Homejourney supports foreign currencies for key calculations. When you browse listings on Property Search or estimate financing on Bank Rates , you can benchmark Singapore property costs clearly against your budget in Toronto or CAD income.

Money‑saving tips in Toronto

Buy attraction combo passes or city passes when available to save on multiple top sights like CN Tower and museums.
Use public transport (TTC) instead of taxis for most inner‑city travel.
Take advantage of food courts in malls and markets (e.g., St. Lawrence Market) for more affordable meals.[3]
Plan free experiences: waterfront walks, neighbourhood explorations, High Park, and free festivals.[2][4]

5. Top Toronto Attractions & Must‑Do Experiences

Toronto has a good mix of headline attractions and relaxed local spots. Below is a quick‑reference table of the most popular things to do in Toronto Canada for first‑time visitors.

Attraction	Why Visit	Recommended Time
CN Tower	Iconic skyline symbol, observation decks, EdgeWalk, 360 Restaurant views.[1][7]	2–3 hours (longer if dining)
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)	Canada’s largest museum with art, culture, and natural history exhibits.[3][4]	3–4 hours
Casa Loma	Historic castle with gardens, tunnels, and city views.[3][4][7]	2–3 hours
Toronto Islands	Beaches, bike paths, skyline views, family attractions.[1][2][3]	Half to full day
St. Lawrence Market	Historic food market with local and international produce and snacks.[3]	1.5–2 hours
Distillery Historic District	Cobblestone streets, heritage buildings, cafés, galleries.[3][6]	2–3 hours
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)	Major art museum with Canadian and international works.[7][9]	2–3 hours
Nathan Phillips Square & Toronto Sign	Photo spot, skating rink in winter, civic events.[2][3][4]	30–60 minutes

CN Tower

The CN Tower is Toronto’s best‑known landmark, rising 553 metres above the city and once the tallest freestanding structure in the world.[1][7] Visitors can ride a high‑speed elevator to observation decks for 360‑degree views, walk on a glass floor, dine at the revolving 360 Restaurant, or book the EdgeWalk – a hands‑free walk on a ledge around the outside of the tower’s main pod.[1][4]

Insider tip: For Singapore travellers, book a sunset or early evening slot on a clear day: you’ll see Toronto both in daylight and lit up at night, similar to combining afternoon Marina Bay Sands SkyPark views with nighttime skyline shots back home.

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)

The Royal Ontario Museum is one of North America’s largest museums, with over 18 million objects covering natural history, world cultures, and art.[3][4][9] Exhibits range from dinosaur skeletons and fossils to ancient Egyptian artefacts and galleries dedicated to global civilisations, including Asia. This is an excellent backup plan for rainy or cold days and is very family‑friendly.

Casa Loma

Casa Loma is Toronto’s only full‑scale castle, built in the early 20th century with Gothic Revival architecture, turrets, gardens, and sweeping views of the city.[4][7] Inside, you can explore furnished rooms, hidden passageways, and historical displays. Outside, the gardens are especially pleasant in late spring and summer.

Toronto Islands

A short ferry ride from downtown brings you to the Toronto Islands, a chain of 15 interconnected islands with beaches, picnic areas, bike rentals, walking paths, and family attractions like Centreville Amusement Park and Far Enough Farm.[2][3][4] On clear days, the skyline views from the islands are among the best in the city.

Insider tip: In summer, plan to spend at least half a day here. For a Singapore comparison, think of this as a much larger, cooler‑climate mix of East Coast Park and Sentosa, but reached by ferry instead of causeway.