Charmaine Noronha

Whether you’re looking for a hotel, motel, or Holiday Inn, (say what?!) Toronto’s got you covered. Just as new condo buildings are popping everywhere, new or newly renovated hotels are also expanding the city’s accommodation offerings, while reframing its skyline with hip rooftop bar views and architectural creativity.  In this city, known for being a mosaic of ethnic enclaves and neighborhoods, there’s a hotel to match the energy of its surroundings. You can find everything from unique boutique stays in hipster hoods to bougie big brands in the bustling downtown core. Head east to gentrified hoods or up your glitz factor in upmarket Yorkville. Whatever your flavour, we’ve got a hotel for you to savour! RECOMMENDED: 🇨🇦 Add these top Toronto attractions to your list🛏 Stay at the best Airbnbs in Toronto🏙️ How to spend 48 hours in Toronto This guide was recently updated by Toronto-based writer Charmaine Noronha. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

AFAR Magazine named Toronto one of the top cities to visit in 2024, and if you’re up for heeding their advice, the city welcomes travellers with open arms. With a bevy of options for things to see and do, from visiting the city’s iconic CN Tower to its waterfront, its charming Distillery district or the hipster hoods of West Queen West or Parkdale, there’s a condo, apartment or quaint converted Victorian home waiting for you.As the city develops and expands at a rate that feels faster than the speed of light, one of the benefits of that is the surplus of Airbnb offerings for every budget and location. And you know what they say location, location, location is everything, especially as the traffic woes take grip in the downtown core. So, you’ll want to shack up in a spot that doesn’t require too much driving (or transit really). So get those walking boots ready and pop into one of these sweet stays. Updated December 2024: If like us, you go wild for a good waterfront view, you'll fall in love with this lakeside apartment in downtown and this charming blue home on Ward's Island. Looking for more inspiration? 📸 The best things to do in Toronto🦀 Amazing Toronto restaurants🍸 The best bars in Toronto This guide was recently updated by local travel writer Charmaine Noronha. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured

Toronto’s been on the international travel map long before Drake started from the bottom here, but it’s definitely evolved since he introduced the ‘6ix’ to the world. Today, the city is blanketed with construction cranes as its downtown core undergoes rapid development, including building burgeoning new neighborhoods and sites such as a newly opened, design-forward 320,000-square-foot retail space, The Well. Aside from the iconic CN Tower that stands proud before Lake Ontario, the city’s skyline has been transformed and redefined to meet the needs of an ever-evolving population. Roll through the 6ix for the best ethnic eats in one of the world’s most diverse cities (more than half its population of 3 million was born outside of Canada, and upward of 180 languages are spoken here). And stay for its urban green spaces, world-class museums and family-friendly attractions. Below, the best things to do in Toronto for tourists and locals alike.  This guide was updated by Toronto-based writer Charmaine Noronha. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED:🍽️ The best restaurants in Toronto🥑 Where to eat the best brunch in Toronto🍷 The best bars in Toronto🖼️ The best attractions in Toronto🏨 The best hotels in Toronto

Toronto is at the top of many travel rankings and personal wishlists for many reasons. Not only is it the most diverse city in the world, and one on a rapid development tip, it’s also packed with a vibrant arts and culture scene. It seems like every year, Toronto gets a new museum or pop-up showcasing captivating exhibits and world-class art. But you can also find some niche offerings you won't see anywhere else, like a museum dedicated solely to shoes or one that looks more like a royal castle rather than a place to admire art. Whether you’re seeking a history lesson, international art exhibits or a perspective of notable footwear from the past and present, you're covered at the best museums in Toronto. RECOMMENDED:🏛️ The best attractions in Toronto 🍴 The best restaurants in Toronto🍳 The best brunch in Toronto🧖‍♀️ The best spas in Toronto🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Toronto

Ain’t no party like a T-dot throwdown, where the beats are bumpin’ and the walls are thumpin’! Toronto boasts one of the most diverse populations in the world; as a result, its party scene is just as varied, with everything from Afrobeat jams to disco-music-fueled debauchery to salsa dance sessions. (Be weary of the lines, though; you will surely encounter a few if you’re heading out on the town.) And, its pre-party game is just as strong with hipster and hidden bars galore, and exciting eateries to soak up some of that booze. Here’s the low-down for the best throwdowns! And while you’re in the 6ix, indulge in the city’s signature cocktail—a blend of Canadian whisky, Fernet-Branca, angostura bitters, and simple syrup, natch at some of the best Toronto nightlife spots below. This guide was updated by Toronto-based writer Charmaine Noronha. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED:🍸 The best bars in Toronto🥑 The best brunch in Toronto📍 The best things to do in Toronto🍽️ The best restaurants in Toronto🧖‍♀️ The best spas in Toronto

Temptresses, tigers, and tall tales abound at this historic hotel. Ride Toronto’s bustling Broadview streetcar eastbound to this 1891 Romanesque Revival landmark nestled between the city’s gentrified Riverside and Leslieville neighborhoods. Sitting on the corner of Broadview and Queen, this red-brick building is a standout in an otherwise down ‘n dirty hood with a side of slight seediness. But it’s this colourful, sordid past (and present to some degree) that contributes to this hotel’s standout status.   The building, originally founded as a gentlemen’s social club, has seen several hospitality incarnations, including when it was a 1970s boarding house with the notorious Jilly’s Strip Club. Local lore says a live tiger once shared the stage with dancers. The hotel honours this history throughout with fancy furnishings including bronze poles repurposed with hooks as hanging units in some rooms, custom wallpaper that replicates the original print, and an art installation above the lobby elevators made from the original fire escape. Deemed a historic landmark, the exterior has been maintained while the interior has been meticulously restored and reimagined as a 58-room beautiful boutique hotel. The spacious and airy rooms are replete with record players, locally-sourced mini bars, luxurious crimson drapes, and lovely light fixtures. Among the hotel highlights are the glass-encased near-360 rooftop, which is slated for renovations next year. Nosh on a small plate of tuna tartare

This hotel ace’d it with its location and design, merging both into one beautifully constructed building (possibly cringeworthy pun intended). For its Canadian debut, Ace built a new modernist, industrialist structure in Toronto’s historic Garment District, where textiles and fashion lines were produced back in the day. Canadian architecture firm Shim-Sutcliffe and Atelier Ace created a hotel that resembles the surrounding former garment warehouses but with a modern, elegant twist and standout entryway featuring colossal poured-in-place concrete arches that tower over as you enter. Its 14 storeys of picturesque precast red brick, curvy concrete, and wooden forms feel retro-futuristic, while the chic lobby floor—one of my fave bar-lounge lobbies—seems to float in the air, suspended by steel rods affixed to the beams above. It feels like an inviting living room you never want to leave.  Its earth-chic rooms are serenely charming, drawing in a sense of calm and comfort. Cool Canuck characteristics Canada-fies this Ace Hotel, such as Douglas fir cabinetry, quilts by Canadian artist Kyle Parent, turntables stacked with Canadian vinyl albums, and minibars with local liquors and more. My fave room feature is the sun-soaked deep-set window benches, some overlooking a nearby park, perfect for a little afternoon reading or meditation wind-down before heading out on the town.  Hands down one of the best meals I’ve had recently in this city has been at Alder, a wood-fired restaurant by M

What is the Hockey Hall of Fame? Built in the former Bank of Montreal building in 1993, this museum pays homage to Canada’s favorite sport. Detailing the history of the sport, the site is immersive, interactive and primarily for fans. Is the Hockey Hall of Fame worth visiting? According to the more than 300,000 visitors per year, this museum is worth a stop. Whether or not you’re a hockey fan, the Hockey Hall of Fame makes the visit worthwhile by bringing the game to life through interactive experiences. Step into a replica of an NHL dressing room, call a play-by-play, host your own Sports Center spot, play simulations, view a 3D film, and take a stab at shooting against animated versions of top players in a model rink. And if that’s not your thing, the Hall of Fame has a few traditional galleries showcasing artifacts and trophies from all over the world. Before you leave, make sure to pick up the Stanley Cup for a photo op. The museum is also home to the original and current versions of the iconic Stanley Cup, the National Hockey League (NHL) championship trophy. There are also tons of exhibits about teams and players, and lots of interactive activities to try out. What's the best way to see the Hockey Hall of Fame? The Hall of Fame offers extended hours during the peak seasons (summer, December holidays and spring break), so come early in the day if you’re visiting during those times. Upon entry, you’ll receive a handstamp allowing you unlimited re-entry for the day, so you

What is The St. Lawrence Market? Since 1803, St. Lawrence Market has provided food from around the world in the center of historic Old Town Toronto. Today, it houses 200 vendors selling everything from local mustard to lobster to international cheeses and fresh pasta.  The South Market is housed in a massive turn-of-the-century brick building with a cast-iron ceiling inspired by London’s St. Pancras train station. It’s buzzing with restaurants, artisans and specialty food vendors; the Market Gallery hosts changing exhibits dedicated to Toronto’s art, culture and history; and the Market Kitchen hosts cooking classes. The North Market is home to Saturday farmer’s and Sunday antiques markets. Is St. Lawrence Market worth visiting? National Geographic declared it the “Best Food Market in the World,” in 2012, and while it’s likely been surpassed since then in their books, it’s worth a visit if you’re a fan of architecture and international gourmet goods.  For foodies and even non-foodies, St. Lawrence Market offers an enjoyable experience in a historic part of the city. Stop in for fresh seafood, kangaroo, cheeses from around the world, local wines, French baked goods, and Greek olive oil. There are also a number of artisan shops that sell jewelry and other crafts. St. Lawrence Market is filled with local grocery shopping, but tourists also come for the scene, as well as the well-known peameal bacon sandwich. While you’re here for the food, note the architecture. The current main

What is the CN Tower? The CN Tower is a 553-metre (1,815-feet) high communication and observation tower that stands as the 10th tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. In the 1960s, Toronto experienced a construction boom that blocked TV and radio broadcast transmission towers, so the CN Tower was built to act as a radio tower to help solve this communication issue. Its name refers to Canadian National, the railway company that built the tower, which first opened in 1976. The CN Tower was the tallest freestanding structure in the world until it was surpassed by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in 2009. Is the CN Tower worth visiting? More than 2 million people visit the CN Tower annually to take in panoramic views of the city, making it one of Toronto’s most popular tourist spots. It’s worth visiting to get a full perspective of the city, with an ability to overlook up to 100 miles. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Niagara Falls and New York. If you’re about doing it for the ‘Gram, this spot will provide some of the best cityscape shots. What's the best way to see the CN Tower? Timed general admission CN Tower tickets are available online or in person at 290 Bremner Blvd. You can purchase CN Tower tickets for the main observation level (a circular floor that provides a 360-degree view of the greater Toronto area), or the main observation level plus Sykpod, the latter of which is the highest observation platform in the Western Hemisphere. Skypod is 33 stories