Ontario is a lot of farmland, but toronto has some gems!
Toronto Tips:
This is a massive, spread out city. Be sure to have a plan so you’re not crisscrossing the city (and sitting in traffic) multiple times.
There are distinct neighborhoods with different vibes to explore.
Expect to pay for parking everywhere you go.
This blog focuses on Toronto, but there are some other Ontario recommendations at the end!
Adventures & Ales Top Toronto Recommendations:
Civil Liberties: This is a cool cocktail bar with no menu where the bartenders craft you something based on your interests. They have free popcorn and a small snack menu as well. Really neat spot!
Hunter Coffee Shop: Incredible little window spot with great coffee, delicious eats, and the nicest people! Expect a line.
Bellwoods Brewery: A cool brewery with a nice patio space, summer slushies, and a food menu. Known for their Jelly King Sour.
Rooms Coffee: Located across the street from the brewery with tasty pours.
Primrose Bagels: Solid spot for bagels and bagel sandwiches with fun branding.
Bandit Brewery: A popular brewery with a great patio space, solid beers, and a food menu.
Toronto Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting:
Wander The Distillery District: This is a cool pedestrian area with a ton of businesses to explore.
Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie: A beautiful restaurant with a lovely patio as well. The food menu has a lot of variety, and they have a daily happy hour.
Pure Spirits: A solid spot for cocktails and seafood.
CN Tower: Head up the highest observation tower in the western hemisphere! There are sweeping views of the city, Lake Ontario, and the Toronto islands from the tower. Book your ticket in advance to skip the longer line, and I would recommend an earlier reservation for less crowds as well.
You can book Timed General Admission or “The Top”. GA brings you to the main viewing platform 114 floors up which has windows, a glass floor, a restaurant, and bar. The Top is 33 floors higher and I did not find it to be worth the added expense. The windows are slanted so the views are actually worse than below. Alternatively you can dine at 360 Restaurant for a fancy occasion with a view.
Toronto Music Garden: This is a nice garden space on the waterfront that has frequent concerts.
Head to the Toronto Islands for trails and parks. The ferries are right at the waterfront near the garden.
Explore Kensington Market: A trendy neighborhood of bars, restaurants and coffee shops.
Wander Graffiti Alley: Exactly as it sounds—an alley with a ton of graffiti. A little underwhelming but neat to see.
Walk the waterfront: Sunnyside Beach has a nice boardwalk and trail.
Other Toronto Ideas:
Blood Brothers Brewing: Solid brewery with a small food menu in a nice walkable neighborhood.
Rorscach Brewing: An average brewery near the Distillery District that also has a food menu.
Alice Restaurant and Bar: A nice restaurant that has a solid daily happy hour.
Halo Brewery: A small brewery with nice folks and average beers.
Skip Oakwood Espresso: This spot is very popular but I found the coffee and scones to be mediocre.
Ontario suggestions outside of Toronto:
Badlands Brewing: A fantastic brewery north of Toronto in Inglewood located on a farm. Highly recommend if you enjoy IPAs.
Cheltenham Badlands: These are badlands just like you are picturing out in South Dakota. It is a small area but neat to see! The parking area requires a reservation. There are a few trail options, but really you just need to visit the viewing platform which is less than a mile roundtrip from the parking area.
The Caledon Trailway is nearby and very boring—definitely skip.
Willibald: A brewery, distillery, and farm in Ayr. Solid beverages and pizzas!
Sparrow Brewing: Another brewery option in Cambridge.
