Best Area To Stay In Toronto

Best Areas To Stay For Family Activities

Toronto has great family activities across all its neighborhoods. A North York hotel is very convenient for one of the city’s most popular family attractions, the Ontario Science Centre. Stay in Scarborough to be close to the Toronto Zoo, a favorite for kids of all ages. Also in this neighborhood, Rouge National Urban Park is an exceptional wilderness treat with wetlands, meadows and forests just a short ride from Downtown Toronto. Hotels in the Old Town section of Toronto are walking distance to numerous attractions with great appeal for kids, including the CN Tower, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Raptors basketball, Blue Jays baseball and the Toronto Harbourfront. Vaughan is a good place for families to stay, where kids can enjoy thrills at theme parks and adults can find bargains at shopping malls.

Recommended hotels in Vaughan

Where To Stay For Shopping

Toronto draws visitors from around the world for its excellent shopping, ranging from luxury brands to outlet bargains. One of Downtown Toronto’s most famous shopping venues is the huge Toronto Eaton Centre in the Yonge Street Shopping District. Aboveground hotels here are also great for access to the PATH Underground Shopping Mall, with more than 1,200 shops, a perfect spot for comfortable shopping even on the coldest winter day. Stay farther north on Yonge Street in the Midtown neighborhood of Bloor-Yorkville, where upscale boutiques and art galleries fill beautifully preserved Victorian buildings. Book a hotel in suburban Vaughan to shop at the large premier outlet mall, Vaughan Mills, with nearly 250 stores.

Where To Stay In Toronto Canada: The Best Hotels & Areas

Struggling to decide where to stay in Toronto? Its no surprise. Toronto is Canadas biggest city and one of its most popular travel destinations. And with its size & popularity comes the difficulty of booking your Toronto accommodations.

Toronto is a vibrant & energetic city with a sprawling downtown area. For travellers, the best areas to stay in Toronto ring in & around here. The Toronto city centre teems with trendy shops & restaurants, and fun tourist attractions. Its a wonderful place to stay and to explore. The downtown areas, districts & neighbourhoods are also home to best hotels in Toronto.

Ready to book your Toronto lodgings? Find the perfect area & hotel for your trip with this complete guide to the best places to stay in Toronto.

Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our Canada Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!

Don’t Miss: Where To Stay In Kahului Maui

Things To See And Do In The Annex

Casa Loma It is a little north of the Annex, but you must visit Torontos only castle. Its grand and there are regular events. Toronto Small Group City Tour Explore Toronto in a deluxe Mercedes Benz van in this exclusive small group tour.

University of Toronto The massive downtown university covers 180 acres of prime real estate. Wander through the quiet grounds and get lost in the architecture dating back to 1827,

Spadina Museum The Austin family estate dates back to 1866 showing what it was like to live in Toronto at the turn of the 20th century.

Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema enter a centurys old cinema to watch the latest documentaries. Special presentations, showcases and screenings.

Little Italy What was once a very distinct Italian community is now the hip strip of College Street. It still has a very Italian vibe with fresh markets, the Italian Walk of Fame and Torontos premier Italian restaurants. VIP Tours of Little Italy or Ossington Enjoy the VIP treatment and dinner with a chef enjoying the local culture and food.

Lees Palace Fantastic concert hall on Bloor Street welcoming the hottest upcoming acts.

Madison Pub A favorite university hang out spanning three huge mansions. The fun part is trying to find your friends when you arrive.

Getting There

Best Toronto Neighborhoods For Tourists

Torontos main tourist areas are located downtown. We suggest choosing a more central location to stay in Toronto to be able to get around easily and enjoy the citys top attractions. In this guide, we will showcase 7 Toronto neighborhoods to help you plan your itinerary.

• Entertainment-district Where to Stay in Toronto for Nightlife

These are the places where we recommend tourists visit and where the top attractions in Toronto are located.

Get your Toronto City PassEnjoy entry for 9 consecutive days to CN Tower, Casa Loma, Ripleys Aquarium, ROM and more!

You May Like: Unique Places To Stay In Panama City Beach

Suggested Toronto Tour Operators

Tour Guys Is a local tour company specializing in small group tours. Running everything from Graffiti, food, history and beer tours around Toronto.

For city tours, we use Get your Guide. Its easy to book in advance and most tours have easy cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and Get Your guide offers last-minute booking too.

Plan Your Toronto Travel

• Lonely Planet Toronto Great pocket guide for planning a city getaway
• You can get access to the most popular Toronto Museums and attractions with your Toronto Pass.

Harbourfront Where To Stay In Toronto Nightlife

If you like to be outdoors, you might consider staying in Harbourtown, just on the edge of the downtown district. This waterfront area is bustling in the summertime, with cultural food and arts festivals at Harbourfront Centre. Harbourfront is the best area to stay in Toronto for nightlife year-round.

Wide open spaces and walking paths are perfect for runners or bicyclists. Along the way, youll spot several restaurants which are perfect for al fresco dining in the summer. For even more nature, hop on the ferry which leaves from Harbourfront, and explore the Toronto Islands.

Also Check: Places To Stay In North Hollywood

The Harbourfront For Water Views

If you want to stay close to the water of Lake Ontario, then The Harbourfront is the place for you. This part of town is known to be very scenic and social.

Check here for hotels at The Harbourfront

There is a wide pedestrian sidewalk for exploring and piers that you can check out for basically as far as your eye can see.

Youll have views of the Toronto Islands, Billy Bishop Airport, and be close to attractions like The Harbourfront Centre, Boat/Sailing Cruises, and Amsterdam Brewery.

Another good thing about this area is that you are still well-connected to transit via streetcar along Queens Quay West. Union Station is also not far to walk to from here.

Featured Accomodation at The Harbourfront

Below are some top accommodations in or very close to the Harbourfront area.

There arent actually that many hotels located in the actual perimeter of the Harbourfront so two of the hotels mentioned are located just north of this area. Its only a quick walk to the shores of the lake.

The Westin Harbour Castle Check Now

• Style: A Classic and Scenic Hotel
• Price Range: Upscale

The Delta by Marriott Check Now

• Style: A Stellar and Luxurious Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
• Location: Located right in the heart of downtown, close to Ripleys Aquarium, CN Tower, and more.
• Featured Amenities: Modern and fancy rooms, rooftop lounge, pool, parking onsite, great breakfast!

Radisson Admiral Toronto Harbourfront Check Now

Best Places To Stay In Toronto

The diversity of the city can make it difficult to choose where to stay in Toronto. Each neighbourhood is unique, from the bohemian streets of West Queen West to the high-end shops in Yorkville.

The southern portion of the city hugs the harbour, with downtown just a few blocks to the north. The neighbourhoods and districts surrounding the downtown area.

To the west, youll discover some of the more affordable and eccentric parts of Toronto containing many boutiques and hipster galleries. The main entertainment and shopping streets lie between downtown and the harbour while the University of Toronto campus and designer shops are to the north.

Keep in mind that most areas are easy to reach, thanks to the extensive subway system and dozens of kilometres of underground walkways.

The best areas to stay in Toronto include:

Also Check: Best Places To Stay In San Diego Area

Best Toronto Hotels For Every Budget

Now that you know the perks to staying downtown primarily the ease and convenience of getting to nearby attractions and dining and other nearby neighborhoods where you could stay, Im sharing some of the top-rated hotels in Toronto broken down into the categories of luxury hotels , mid-range hotels , and hostels .

Things To See And Do In Downtown West

• Take the ferry, or a towering sailing boat tour, to the Toronto Islands and explore this green oasis not far from the city.
• Cheer on the hometown Blue Jays at a major league baseball game.
• Dine at Arriba. Located within Rogers Centre, this restaurant has an amazing view of the field and an extensive kids menu.
• See hundreds of fish, plants, sea creatures and more at the Ripleys Aquarium of Canada.
• Ride the elevator to the top and take in the stunning panoramic views of Toronto from the top of the CN Tower.
• Sit amongst the diehard fans at a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game.
• Enjoy a delicious meal at Ricardas, a family-friendly restaurant that has a monitored play place and a bouncy castle to keep kids entertained.

Recommended Reading: Areas To Stay In La

Top 10 Sights To See In Toronto

CF Toronto Eaton Centre

This large indoor shopping complex is in the heart of downtown Toronto. There are over 200 stores in this shopping center, along with an office complex. The Eaton Centre also has access to public transportation within the mall.

The CF Toronto Eaton Centre is actually the busiest mall in North America. It attracts nearly 50 million visitors a year. It beats the Mall of America in foot traffic and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Toronto.

CN Tower

The CN Tower is one of the most prominent buildings in all of Torontos skyline. It is located in the heart of downtown Toronto and easily accessible to visitors. It was once the tallest building in the world and offers amazing views from the top observation deck. The CN Tower is a must see in Toronto.

For thrill seekers and those who arent afraid of heights, try out the CN Towers Edgewalk. Get strapped into a harness and walk around the top of the CN Tower. The Edgewalk is the highest outdoor walkway in the world.

Hockey Hall of Fame

Canada loves hockey, plain and simple. Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame for a more in depth look into the beloved sport. The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in the center of Toronto. It is home to a variety of interactive exhibits that make this museum a touch more fun.

Grab your tickets for the Hockey Hall of Fame here

Casa Loma

Distillery District

Recommended Experience:Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour

High Park

St. Lawrence Market

Yonge-Dundas Square

Kensington Market: Vibrant And Trendy

Kensington Market is hands down my favourite part of the city. This bohemian neighborhood is jammed full of second hand shops but is also home to the Latin quarter. Jumbo Empanadas fits its name, and across the street is a market I cant get enough of with multiple vendors serving up tacos, churros, empanadas and more. Via Mercanti cooks a mean pizza, and for brunch try either of my go-tos: Kos or Aunties and Uncles.

Here you are also just a few steps away from bustling Chinatown where you can grab a quick Chinese bun or dine at Goldstone Noodle the service is less than friendly, but the food is tops. From here you can also waltz over to Little Italy, the University of Toronto campus, or the Art Gallery of Ontario. If youre in need of a pick-me-up, The Walton on College has the most adorable back patio in the back!

Interested in visiting Kensington Market as part of a tour? Check out this Chinatown and Kensington Market walking tour.

Check Price & Availability

Check Price & Availability

The historic colorful houses of Kensington Market are now vintage shops and cafes.

Recommended Reading: Best Place To Stay In Rotterdam

Best Hotels In Bloor Yorkville

• Luxury: Four Seasons The top choice for celebrities and businesses, this 5-star luxury hotel has an incredible spa, popular bar and one of the best dining establishments in Toronto. Trip Advisor / Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Intercontinental Toronto Yorkville What was once the hot hotel for celebrities at TIFF, now an affordable option in Yorkville. Trip Advisor / Booking.com
• Budget:Town Inn Suites Most hotels are expensive around Yorkville, but this is a more budget-friendly choice. Trip Advisor / Booking.com

Where To Stay In Yorkville

BUDGET

Hotel 89 Yorkville A cheap option if you want to stay in trendy Yorkville. If you dont mind plain decor in the guest rooms and basic amenities, this is a good option to save some money while traveling. The hotel offers free breakfast daily to its guests.

You dont stay at this hotel for its beautiful design, you stay here because of its close proximity to Yorkville attractions. It is walking distance to the Royal Ontario Museum and close to public transportation.

Check current availability here

MID-RANGE

Jet Furnished Suites Yorkville A one bedroom one bathroom apartment. Jet Furnished Suites is central in Yorkville and offers the conveniences of a modern home rather than a standard hotel. The apartment is fully furnished with a contemporary design. It has a full kitchen for preparing meals at home.

If you are driving or renting a car in Toronto, this apartment also has parking available at the apartment building. This is a nice bonus because of how difficult parking in the city can be. Pets are also welcome! This spot is an ideal place when deciding where to stay in Toronto.

Check availability here

LUXURY

The Hazelton Hotel A luxury hotel option in a luxury neighborhood. The hotels exterior design is unique and its interior is designed for travelers who appreciate high end style. The guest rooms at The Hazelton Hotel are finished with top notch quality designs, including marble bathrooms.

Check availability here

Don’t Miss: Where To Stay In Ottawa

Torontos Best Neighborhoods To Explore

As mentioned earlier, Torontos rainbow of ethnicities are its forte. For this reason your visit should be packed full of cultural neighborhood hopping and plenty of eating too. In addition to the suggestions above on where to stay in Toronto as a tourist, here are some other parts of the city you certainly should not miss.

What Are Best Areas To Stay In

Due to a change of vacation plans, we’re now headed to Toronto in May. I need help in figuring out a neighborhood to choose for an apartment rental. We like having a kitchen for b’fast and wine/snacks before heading to dinner.

I thought I’d found a place in Maple Leaf Square which seems like a good area, but the TA search didn’t catch my price range and it was $50 over budget per night for 8 nights. We like to walk as much as possible, but will take subway and taxis when need be. We buy some groceries and wine upon arrival so we like to be near shops for those. If there is no w/d in the unit, we do laundry at a laundromat as well. What areas should we be looking at?

Thanks in advance for any tips – this is our first trip to Toronto!

Also Check: Where To Stay In Downtown Dallas

Getting To And From The Pearson Airport

Trains leave Pearson International Airport every 15 minutes. The UP Express goes to Union Station. They also stop at Dundas West, but chances are you wont be staying there.

Uber and Lyft can operate at the airportCheck out our best apps for travel.

There are airport limousine services. We prefer hassle-free limo services when landing in a new city. A driver is waiting for you from baggage claim holding a placard with your name.

Toronto Transit: Run by TTCUp Express Train to/from Airport/Union StationToronto CityPass: Access to top Toronto tourist attractions and museums.Toronto Hop on Hop Off: Get around to Toronto highlights with a hop on hop off pass stopping at major attractionsRead: Toronto to Montreal by Train

Driving is an excellent way to get around the Greater GTA And Ontario. Find the best deals on Car Rentals here.

Toronto has grown into a world city. There are many things to keep you occupied should you visit for work, a holiday, or a quick getaway. With nightlife, museums, award-winning chefs, and an abundance of green space, there is something to fit any travelers desire.

So what are you waiting for? Its time to book your trip to Toronto now!

Read More Toronto Travel Tips

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Travel Insurance: Don’t leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

Best Airbnb In Chinatown: Private Room Near Kensington Market

This cozy private room is a great option if youre traveling on a budget but still want your own space. Youll have an ensuite bathroom, as well as full access to the kitchen, balcony, living room, library, and garden. Staying here, youll have bars, cafes, shops, and Torontos top attractions within 20 minutes walking distance.

Don’t Miss: Where To Stay In Universal Orlando

How To Get From Toronto Airports To The Center

The city of Toronto has two airports that serve the city. The most common is Pearson International, which handles most of the air traffic including domestic, long-haul and most international flights. Billy Bishop Airport is located on Toronto Island and is sometimes referred to as the Toronto City Airport. It mainly serves shorter regional flights to other cities in Ontario, Quebec, a few eastern Canada destinations and some US cities like New York, Chicago and Boston.

From Pearson International Airport to the City

Train

Union Pacific Express, or more commonly, UP Express, is an airport express train that leaves from Terminal 1. The journey takes about 25 minutes to Union Station, with stops at Bloor Station and Weston Station as well. The train has free wifi on board. You can buy tickets online, on your mobile, or at the vending machines.

• Adult: $12.35 / $24.70 return
• Seniors: $6.20 / $12.40 return

Note: if you are travelling to Bloor or Weston Station, your ticket will be slightly cheaper.

Taxi:

Flat rate taxi fares are available from the airport. Depending on where exactly you are going, the fare should be about $50-$60CAD.

From Billy Bishop City Airport to the City

Go back to the top