Toronto is the perfect destination for thrill-seekers and art-enthusiasts
From teetering along the CN Tower, kayaking to sleeping in an art gallery, we show you how to make the most out of Toronto in just 48 hours.
Find adrenalin thrills and optical illusions in Canada’s ‘city that never sleeps’ says Senior Beauty Writer Sophie Bronstein.
Enter Aladdin’s cave
The Distillery District’s maze of restored Victorian distillery buildings is now a hot spot for art lovers, shoppers and those wanting to try delish craft beers brewed on site ().
Fangirl over eclectic earrings at Corktown Designs, at the heart of the district ().
Then hit Soma, an artisan chocolate maker, for one hell of a hot chocolate (). West of downtown Toronto, Kensington Market’s alleys are lined with brightly coloured Victorian houses and quirky vintage shops. We loved Courage My Love, an Aladdin’s cave of clothes, home goods and cheap trinkets ().
Take a look in a mirror
The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the biggest galleries in North America – we’re talking over 90,000 works of art from the first indigenous tribes through to modern-day artists. Don’t miss Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room, a space full of reflective spheres tricking your eyes into seeing an infinite field of silver orbs. Entry costs £15 ().
The Royal Ontario Museum hosts fascinating natural history exhibitions – check out 3,000 different types of minerals, gems, meteorites and rocks. Entry costs £14 ().
Later, relax with a cardamom spiced latte, £2, at uber-trendy coffee spot, Fika ().
Reach a new high
Not for the faint-hearted, at 356m high, the CN Tower Edge Walk is the world’s tallest, full-circle hands-free walk. Step out in a harness and teeter along the 1.5m-wide ledge, before leaning out for exhilarating views of the whole city, if you dare!
Edge Walk costs £115 per adult (). Fancy something a little more chilled? Slide into a kayak at Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Center and paddle across to the vast, green Toronto islands for a beautiful retreat from the hectic city.
A three-hour guided kayak tour costs £44 per person (). But if you’d rather save your energy, hop on the ferry to Centre Island, return tickets £5, and chill out with a picnic ().
Dine on a rooftop
Buzzing Baro on King Street West, has a South American-inspired menu packed with sharing plates like pulpo y chicharrón (AKA an octopus, pork belly and vegetable platter), £17.
Then grab a seat on the rooftop patio for stunning skyline views and delicious cocktails – like the signature Baro, packed with pink guava, fresh lemon and vodka, £9 ().
At Mother’s Dumplings in Chinatown, slurp up home-made noodles and tuck into steamed buns, from
£2.35 (). Feeling posh? Byblos on Duncan Street serves eastern Mediterranean cuisine with a twist – trust us, the duck kibbeh, £8, is to die for ()!
Sleep in an art gallery
For a cool spot to snooze, try the centrally located Gladstone Hotel. It doubles up as an art gallery and features a hand-operated Victorian elevator (admittedly a bit of a pain after one too many at dinner, but impressive nonetheless).
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Rooms boast rain showers and natural Canadian toiletries.
And if you love nothing more than pancakes with maple syrup at brekkie, £4, look no further!
Double rooms cost from £150 ().
Toronto has around 301 days of sunshine a year.
Plan your trip at .
Return flights from London Heathrow with Air Canada start from £371 ().
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