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One Day In Toronto Itinerary – Exploring the neighbourhoods

Last Updated August 23, 2022 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Itineraries » One Day In Toronto Itinerary – Exploring the neighbourhoods

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Whether you're a local or you're visiting, there are a lot of good reasons to grab your car and take a spin around Toronto.  Toronto is a city made up of distinct neighbourhoods and sprawling communities that have their own personalities and calling cards.  With this one day in Toronto, you'll get a glimpse of what makes Toronto an amazing melting-pot of diversity and why it's one of the best cities in the world.

Read on about Toronto

  • Toronto parks you can BBQ in
  • 16 Popular and Secret Weekend Trips from Toronto
  • What to do in Yorkville, Toronto
  • Best and easy hiking trails in the GTA
  • Curling clubs in Toronto and how to plan your group event

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Here's what we're covering:

  • 1 Day in Toronto Road Trip
    • Bloor Annex
    • Trendy Bloor and Yorkville
    • Kensington Market
    • Skylines
    • Centre of Action
    • An Unforgettable Sunset
    • Distillery District

1 Day in Toronto Road Trip

If you have an extra day in the city, grab your rental car and it's time to hit time to explore with this 1 day in Toronto.

Bloor Annex

Image via Flickr by chung123

Start off your day the right way with a hearty breakfast in one of the city's friendliest neighbourhoods – The Annex.  With more restaurants packed in a square meter than anywhere else in the city, you really can't go wrong.  I'd recommend checking out Insomnia Restaurant & Lounge which has one of the city's best eggs benedict.  It gets packed here so make sure you make reservation.

The diversity really shines through in this neighbourhood.  To the West of Bathurst you have Korean-town and to the East you'll see remnants of the large influx of Hungarian immigrants back in the 50s and 60s.  Everywhere else is a cross between hipster and grungy college establishments.

Read next: Check out these Toronto patios when you're in the city this summer.

Trendy Bloor and Yorkville

Image via Flickr by The City of Toronto

If shopping is your thing, head East along Bloor towards Yonge Street.  High end fashion and boutique shops line the streets.  The best walk is along Yorkville Avenue where there's often a high chance of spotting celebrities or Lamborghinis but also deeply rooted history as well.  If shopping isn't your thing, you're going to want to make sure you stop by the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM for short) to look at awe at the jagged crystalline structure that stretches out onto the streets or go inside to explore Canada's largest museum filled with cultural and natural history.

Kensington Market

Image via Flickr by Metrix X

If there's one place in the city that punctuates the diversity of culture and richness in eclectic personality, it's Kensington Market.  Expect a little sensory overload here as you'll encounter streets lined with graffiti, a treasure trove of second-hand shops, aromas of spices and fresh produce, and wild mix of food from all corners of the globe.  This is one of the spots that I recommend you go to in the list of top free things to do in Toronto.

You'll be no doubt hungry at this point so I highly suggest heading over to Rol San (323 Spadina Avenue) for authentic Chinese dim sum.

Skylines

Image via Flickr by JackVinson

A visit to Toronto wouldn't be complete if you didn't go to North America's tallest free standing structure, CN Tower.  The views from the top are spectacular as you'd expect and well worth the admission.  In addition, those feeling daring can also plan on doing the new Edge Walk experience which has you harnessed at the edge of the tower's roof.

Across from CN Tower is the new Ripley's Aquarium and so if that is of interest, you're only a short walk away.

Centre of Action

Image via Flickr by dakaye

Right along King Street West and John Street is where you'll find Torontonians out and about whether for work or for pleasure.  Here you'll find many world-class theatres including Princess of Wales Theatre, the Royal Alexandra Theatre and TIFF Lightbox.  The unique Roy Thompson Hall is right around the corner as well and home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.  Besides that you'll find the buzz and beats to the numerous restaurants, clubs, and bars.

An Unforgettable Sunset

Image via Flickr by ramanan.r.86

While not exactly the most glamorous area, a local secret for the best skyline views of the city is at Polson Pier.  There's not a ton here except for Cabana Pool Bar and the industrial remains of the Port Lands but drive to the end of Polson Street, sit on one of the few park benches there and watch the sun rays dance behind the coming to life of the skyline lights.

Distillery District

Image via Flickr by Kevin Cabral

To round out your road trip, make your way to the former Gooderham & Worts distillery land that has been recently gentrified into its own village.  This is a great place to explore local art galleries, modern boutique shops and try delightful chocolate at Soma Chocolatemaker.

There are plenty of food options here including El Catrin if you fancy Mexican, Mill Street Brew Pub for some good ale, or Archeo for Italian.

Read next: After your day in the downtown core, don't forget about the suburbs and check out these top 8 things to do in Scarborough.


This one day in Toronto is really just the tip of the iceberg.  There is so much more that I'd want any visitor of Toronto to see whether by car or by RV but the idea of this itinerary is that it'll give you a good flavour of what our great city is about and give you more reasons to either stay longer or come back soon.

What you should read next

  • 16 Popular and Secret Weekend Trips from Toronto
  • Exploring Yorkville Toronto – Stories of the Neighbourhood
  • Ultimate Guide to Free Things To Do in Toronto
  • 5 Cheap Hotels Near The Toronto Airport
  • Waterfalls To Visit Close To Toronto – Day Trip Ideas
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About William Tang

William is the Chief of Awesome at Going Awesome Places which is focused on off-the-beaten-path, outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring others to travel, writing detailed trip itineraries to help others plan their own trips, and providing helpful tips and tricks to guide readers to travel better. He is based in Toronto, Canada but you'll find him on the road more often than not. Make sure to learn more about William to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

author will tang going awesome places profile photoHey, my name is Will and I'm here to help you travel to some awesome places around the world and my home country of Canada by providing insanely detailed itineraries, travel guides, and packing lists.

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