Six Days in Toronto, Landing to Departure

Getting into Pearson doesn’t have to be the stressful part of this trip. The UP Express train covers the 28 minutes to Union Station on a fixed schedule, every 15 minutes, 12.35 CAD cash or 9.25 with a PRESTO card, and it beats sitting in taxi traffic if you’re arriving anywhere near peak hours. A taxi or rideshare downtown runs roughly 60-70 CAD depending on traffic, use the official taxi stand rather than anyone approaching you inside the terminal.

Day 1: Arrival and downtown

Check into wherever you’re staying, Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton cover the luxury end, Shangri-La too. Lunch at St. Lawrence Market if it’s not Monday, that’s when the South Market building closes. Afternoon at the CN Tower, general admission from about 45 CAD. Ripley’s Aquarium sits right there too, but it’s a separate ticket, don’t assume it’s bundled. Evening in the Entertainment District, Casa Loma if you have energy left (about 32 CAD, secret passages and gardens), dinner at a local pub to end the day easy.

Day 2: Islands and Harbourfront

Ferry from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal out to the Toronto Islands, roughly 9.57 CAD round trip, no timed slot needed. Spend real time here, Centre Island, Ward’s Island, Hanlan’s Point Beach, this is a better half-day than most paid downtown attractions and costs a fraction of the price. Pack a picnic rather than relying on island food vendors being open. Afternoon back at Harbourfront Centre, walk the Martin Goodman Trail along the water. Dinner somewhere doing seafood or Italian, your call.

Day 3: Art and culture

AGO in the morning, general collection often free or pay-what-you-can under 25. Afternoon split between the Bata Shoe Museum, a small odd collection worth an hour, and the ROM, dynamic pricing roughly 20-31 CAD with a summer promo through early September (free 4-17, half price 18-24). Dinner at a Mediterranean or Middle Eastern spot, then a show at Mirvish Theatre or Soulpepper if something’s running.

Day 4: Distillery District and Kensington Market

Morning in the Distillery District, free to wander, cobblestone streets and boutique shops. Lunch nearby, then afternoon in Kensington Market for vintage clothing, food stalls, and street art, a genuinely different energy from the polished Distillery District you just left. Dinner somewhere doing West African or Canadian comfort food to round out the day’s contrasts.

Day 5: Sports and parks

Morning in High Park for the trails and Grenadier Pond, cherry blossoms if the season lines up. Afternoon: if a Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, or Raptors game is on, go, it’s a better use of an afternoon than most museum stops. If nothing’s scheduled, visit the Hockey Hall of Fame instead, worth knowing it’s not a standalone building, it’s inside Brookfield Place downtown, so don’t go looking for a separate structure. Dinner somewhere upscale to close out the sports-and-parks day properly.

Day 6: Departure

Use the morning for anything you missed or last-minute souvenir shopping rather than cramming in one more major attraction, you’ll just be rushing to the airport instead of enjoying it. Grab a final meal somewhere you already liked from earlier in the week rather than gambling on something new with limited time. Head to Pearson with enough buffer for security, and take the UP Express if traffic looks bad, it’s the more predictable option.