Toronto, Canada

 out of 50  reviews

Best Toronto Reviews: Honest Truths from Black Travelers

 

Green Book Global is the  only website and app that has authentic Toronto reviews  from the perspective of Black Travelers. If you want to know where to stay, where to eat, what to do etc.  but also what it’s like Traveling While Black in Toronto, then these reviews and travel tips will be essential to your trip planning for Black Travelers and allies alike.

 

Quick Summary:

Toronto’s downtown is a bustling hub with iconic landmarks such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum, drawing both locals and tourists alike. The Distillery District, with its charming cobblestone streets and historic Victorian architecture, is a favorite for its boutique shops, galleries, and cafes. Kensington Market, known for its bohemian vibe and eclectic mix of shops and eateries, showcases the city’s multicultural essence. Each area provides a distinct experience, making exploring Toronto’s different parts a delight often mentioned in Toronto reviews.

When it comes to nightlife and dining, the Entertainment District is the heart of Toronto’s nightlife, boasting numerous clubs, bars, and theaters, including the renowned TIFF Bell Lightbox, home to the Toronto International Film Festival. Food enthusiasts rave about the city’s culinary scene, which features everything from high-end restaurants in Yorkville to diverse food markets like St. Lawrence Market. For those seeking relaxation, the extensive waterfront offers scenic walks, while High Park provides a green oasis with trails, gardens, and even a zoo. The combination of vibrant nightlife, diverse food options, and ample relaxation spots makes Toronto a well-rounded city that garners consistently positive Toronto reviews.

 

Interesting Facts:

  • Cultural Diversity: Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with over half of its population born outside Canada. More than 140 languages and dialects are spoken here.
  • Underground City: Toronto is home to the PATH, the largest underground shopping complex in North America. It spans 30 kilometers and connects over 1,200 stores and services, making it easy to navigate the city during harsh winter weather.
  • Music and Festivals: Toronto is home to a thriving music scene and hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, such as the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana), the Toronto Jazz Festival, and North by Northeast (NXNE), celebrating music, film, and interactive media.
  • Toronto Islands: This chain of small islands in Lake Ontario offers a tranquil escape from the city, with beaches, picnic areas, and outdoor activities. The islands are accessible by ferry and provide stunning views of the Toronto skyline.

The combination of vibrant nightlife, diverse food options, and ample relaxation spots makes Toronto a well-rounded city that garners consistently positive Toronto reviews.  Want to see reviews for more cities? Click this link to see destinations reviews for other cities in Canada

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Traveling While Black

50 Reviews

  1. author
    LAinMiami
    26 Feb 2024
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    Found the people of Toronto to be friendly. Diverse community. Did lots of sightseeing and traveled over to Niagara Falls. Great 1x trek but don’t need to do it again. The food was great!

  2. Brianna Mills
    Brianna Mills
    27 Aug 2023
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    Incentivized

    Visiting Toronto is a must-do, especially in the summertime to experience all that this waterfront-city has to offer. From the iconic CN Tower to the tasty Beavertail pastries, I never tired of food to eat or things to do while visiting. All the streets near downtown are super walkable and safe. It felt like going on a world tour as I ventured into different neighborhoods taking in their architecture and environment. In one block, I felt like I was in Havana, the next felt like Lisbon, then Cozumel.

    If you’re looking for a brunch spot that has great music, food, and a beautiful outdoor ambiance, you must visit The Morning After. They have lots of umbrellas in their outdoor seating area for extra sunny days. After that, walk off all the calories and visit the Toronto sign for a cute photo opp!

    Important tip for U.S. travelers: If you’re checking out and they ask if you’re using debit or credit, you should say ‘credit’ since they consider debit only as a certain bank card in Canada, and they also incur a fee if they swipe it as a debit and it’s a credit. Trust, this will save a very confusing and frustrating conversation with any cashier.

    I wish my trip was longer than the weekend, but know that you can definitely cross several things off your travel bucket list in just a few days while visiting Toronto!

  3. Clementine Affana
    Clementine Affana
    27 Aug 2023
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    Incentivized

    Toronto is one of the most vibrant cities in North America! For travelers coming from around the world (including the USA), there are direct flights to the city from most major airports. Toronto is also a popular summer destination during the summer! It’s cultural diversity makes it very welcoming for all travelers, including black travelers. When visiting Toronto during the summer, my top recommendation is to use public transportation: it not only helps you save on cost, but also helps you navigate the popular and trendy neighborhoods like the locals, and get a better vibe of the city!

  4. author
    Morgan Fray
    21 Aug 2023
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    I went to Toronto for a solo trip in November 2022 and personally loved my time! I had a friend visit me for 2 of the days that I was out there so we were able to experience fun activities like escape rooms, VR games, and more. Toronto is one of those locations that you’ll most likely visit every 2 years or so. The people there are welcoming, friendly and helpful. I honestly felt like I was in a nicer and safer part of the USA.

    I walked back to my room on most nights but was followed to my hotel for 2 miles by a homeless man on my final night. That was a scary moment because a lot of people saw him following me, but weren’t able to do anything about it. Luckily the hotel I stayed at has a night time security guard so I felt much better when arriving.

    I would suggest staying at the Gladstone House. It’s beautiful with themed rooms, a funky decor lobby, drag brunches on Sunday and an active bar on the first floor!

  5. PERRY WADE
    PERRY WADE
    10 Aug 2023
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    Toronto is the largest city in Canada, it reminds me of NY but I told some of my friends its a boring version of NY. I didn’t stay long because I was heading to Canada’s capital. However I did have a walk around downtown, saw the CN tower and the art gallery. I think give Toronto a chance it is the 4th largest city in North America but because I didn’t stay long I cant give the best review however I think it will be a fun place to visit. BTW Drake is from Toronto. Go check it out if up north.

  6. travelbae
    travelbae
    01 Aug 2023
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    Toronto is an amazing city in general, but absolutely comes alive during Caribana. It is a must visit for black and brown people, whether you are Caribbean or not. It is an awesome way to immerse yourself in different Caribbean cultures while enjoying the bands and their beautiful costumes. If you have not attended a Caribbean festival yet, this is a great place to start :).

  7. Sherelle H
    Sherelle H
    31 Dec 2021
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    I traveled to Toronto with a friend group to experience Caribana. It was a lot to do and take in during this time. The parade was great, although we only watched from the side. We were able to find a spot with great views, but at the time you typically had to pay to watch the parade. Prices are high, but Toronto is also notorious for this (out of all the provinces). It is a beautiful city with a great history, and plenty of things to do. If you are looking for fast paced, you can find it here. I would definitely like to return and experience even more of what Toronto has to offer.

  8. author
    Treana Armstrong
    31 Dec 2021
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    Toronto has it all should be the slogan. There plenty to do in Toronto. While there explored the Ripley’s museum, also the CNN building. The CNN building was great you can even “step off the ledge”. It’s for sure an adrenaline rush but very safe. Rich history in Toronto. The food choices are great as well. BETA TEST

  9. author
    Sterling8200
    19 Oct 2021
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    Visited Toronto in 2007, for a long weekend. It was cold and rainy.

    It’s pricey and the dollar wasn’t very strong then.

    Tons of shopping options. Easy to navigate and get around and rental cars was not too expensive.

    Went to Niagara Falls and it was nice.

    The food was okay, nothing to write home about.

    I recommend walking by the water. Visiting their downtown Area and of course Niagara Falls. No issues travelling while black, felt very safe and accepted.

  10. author
    ImanC
    27 Jun 2020
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    I visited Toronto for the first time last year with three friends. We timed our trip to explore the city and experience Caribana. Prices spike due to the influx of tourists, so be sure to book your flight and lodging well in advance.
    *
    I liked the city’s diverse and cosmopolitan vibe. The City Sightseeing Bus is a great way to get around and see the city’s major highlights in a short amount of time. The ticket also includes a short cruise to the Toronto Islands, making it more than worth the price. If you’ve been wanting to see one of Yuri Kurasama’s Infinity Rooms, you can at Toronto’s AGO Museum. We arrived shortly after opening and only 3 people were ahead of us on line.
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    Toronto is known for its diverse array of food and it did not disappoint. I went on a great food tour in Kensington Market, which included food and covered the neighborhood’s history. St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District are two more great spots for a meal. Dinner at the top of the CN Tower was also a cool experience.
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    Half of our group played mas, while the other half watched. I paid for tickets to watch the parade from inside the CNE grounds and would NOT recommend doing this. There was no shade and an hours-long delay between bands crossing the stage. My friends who played mas said their band was disorganized. Food was limited and they decided to leave after waiting forever to cross the stage.

  11. author
    ImanC
    27 Jun 2020
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    I visited Toronto for the first time last year with three friends. We timed our trip so we could explore the city and experience Caribana. Prices throughout the city spike due to the influx of tourists, so be sure to book your flight and lodging well in advance.
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    Toronto is a large city and I liked the cosmopolitan vibe. We went on an excellent black history walking tour (booked thru Airbnb) with Jacqueline, a black Canadian PhD candidate. The City Sightseeing bus tour is a great way to get an overview of the city and see a number of highlights quickly. The ticket also includes a cruise to the Toronto islands in the summer, making it more than worth the price.
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    Toronto is known for its diverse array of food and it didn’t disappoint. I highly recommend going on a food tour. I went on a great tour of Kensington Market that included food and history. St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District are two more great spots for a meal. Dinner at the top of the CN Tower was also a cool experience.
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    Half of my group played mas for Caribana, while the other half watched the parade. I paid for a ticket to watch inside the CNE grounds, which I do not recommend. There was no shade and there was an hours-long delay between bands crossing the stage. My friends who played mas said their experience was very disorganized. There was a limited amount of food and they left after waiting hours for their band to cross.

  12. author
    Wandering.britt
    03 May 2020
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    I took my mom to Toronto as a birthday gift to her, and as a much needed mother daughter trip. We stayed at someone’s home through Airbnb, and rented a car so that we could explore Toronto and Niagara Falls. Toronto was fun! I feel as though the people I came across in Canada are way more friendly than the people here in America. The only real adventurous thing we did in Toronto was the sea and tower edge walk, which consists of walking around the edge of the tower. It was pricy, but fun to check off our list. If that interest you I would suggest booking ahead of time as they get pretty busy, the experience itself was exhilarating and definitely scary initially. In Canada from what I’ve heard poutine is the go to so that’s what we made sure to eat lol. There was one restaurant in particular that serves “souk fries” at the Green Wood. DO IT. They have outdoor seating, and they were probably the best fries I’ve ever had. I definitely plan on going back to explore nightlife some more, as I didn’t get a chance to.

  13. author
    worldtravelerroxy
    03 May 2020
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    Caribana!!! I flew WOW airlines for the first time and it wasn’t awful. Opt for the extra legroom or big seat if you want it to be more like a normal plane ride. They charge for everything so bring all your own snacks and such. Every flight connects in Iceland! That airport is small but crazy! So be ready to maneuver crowds if necessary.
    Arrived in Canada on a Wednesday night. Stayed at the Hilton Toronto. Nice property overall. Centrally located and attached to a Ruth’s Chris! Yay happy hour foolery. We did eat at a steak restaurant called the Keg! Delicious! They also have lots of food delivery and a variety of apps to chose from. Thursday we spent the afternoon in the distillery district looking for cool little shops and Canada only experiences. We definitely found them.

    Thursday night officially started Caribana for us and we went to a white (dress attire) boat party. Turned out to be just ok. We could have lived without it but made the best of our time.

    Friday. Friends from all over arrived! Spending time was my favorite part of vacation. 4 days. 7 parties! We are officially old! I could barely hang! Lol we moved to a different host hotel. Marriott city center. It’s right at blue jays stadium! From the restaurant you can watch baseball games right inside the stadium. And Taylor swift happened to be performing that weekend and we could peek at her on stage from a certain window!

    Each day they had day time and evening activities. Saturday was the parade day. Costumes were great and really naked lol! See pics.
    Monday was our last full day in town and we were able to get to niagara for some quick pics! What a gorgeous sight to see! Amazing!
    All in all a great trip and lots of fun. Would definitely visit the city again for less partying :)
    I would go back Toronto again in a heartbeat! Stay at the Marriott city center! Awesome!

  14. EVH
    EVH
    10 Mar 2020
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    I went to Toronto last year August 2019 for Caribana for my friends birthday and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED TORONTO! I could live there, at least in the summer! Caribana was amazing and my first time at a Caribbean festival but not my first time in Canada. There was ALWAYS something to do that weekend, several parties, cruises, rooftop lounges, mini festivals and of course the parade itself. The city is pretty big so I would pick somewhere close to the festivities and parties you plan to go to because uber rides are kinda pricey but not if you don’t have to go far. I would suggest getting any tickets to parties you want to go to in advance online because it will make things easier at the door and cheaper to my knowledge. Also get to parties early because locations can be difficult to figure out sometimes because thee are multiple events and traffic everywhere and you will probably have to stand in line whenever you find the place. I would highly recommend Caribana weekend but book your place to stay as soon as you can because the best locations go fast and bring a decent amount a spare cash depending on how long you are staying, I was up there for 5 days, because things were slightly more expensive in Canadian dollars. But the people are kind, it’s easy to find liquor stores for turn ups, and the weather was great!

  15. msmena87
    msmena87
    21 Feb 2020
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    I came in because I was in the Carnaval parade. This place is very fun. No need to worry what you will do at night because they have many things to do. The weather was very beautiful and everyone was very nice to us. They have restaurants everywhere. I rented a car and was able to drive around with no problem. They have a lot of history here.

  16. author
    Fullyliveandtravel
    20 Jan 2020
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    Canada has easily become one of my favorite countries, well maybe just the city of Toronto. While people everywhere in the U.S was celebrating Thanksgiving, I took a 5-day trip to the city of Toronto, where the people are very polite and welcoming.

    With all the attractions I wanted to see, it was a lot cheaper to get the Toronto City Pass, which can be purchased online and picked up at any of the partnered attractions. The CityPASS allows you to see as many attractions that you can fit in your itinerary not to exceed the value that you paid for the pass.
    Not a fan of zoos either, but Toronto Zoo is spectacular.Toronto Zoo has over 700 acres available for you to explore. Animals like the grizzly bear and bison that are not usually present at your local zoo are on display at the Toronto Zoo.
    From Toronto, you can take a coach bus to Niagara Falls. For cheap bus prices, use busbud.com. It takes about 2hrs to get to the Niagara Falls.

  17. KatKatTakesOff
    KatKatTakesOff
    08 Jan 2020
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    Everytime I have gone to Toronto was for either Caribana. Toronto is calm nothing much going on, nothing too crazy. Their parties are okay, nothing exciting. The streets are super clean and the citizens, from my experience, are super respectful. Even the homeless people. They are NOT big on liquor. Meaning even going to brunch you are more likely to be served beer vs a mimosa or bellini. The food is also alright, nothing fancy. I would say it is mainly for family trips or relaxing getaways with your loved one. If you’re looking for endless fun, in my opinion, you will not find it here.

  18. author
    Kingjoves
    20 Oct 2019
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    Toronto was great, I really enjoyed staying in the middle of downtown in an Airbnb on the30th floor with amazing views for only $200 for 3 nights. As a hockey fan, you couldn’t ask for more. The hockey hall of fame is quite affordable at $20 per person. While best suited for hockey fans. Its a very lively city during the day. For breath taking viewsl of the entire city of Toronto you must experience a trip up the CN Tower, its a must, it was a bit pricey a little over $200 but well worth it.

  19. author
    corkscrewsandcaramel
    17 Oct 2019
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    Toronto is an amazing city and great for a weekend getaway for anyone in living in the Northeast. There’s great food, the people are friendly, and its a very walkable city. If you don’t feel like walking, hop in an Uber and take advantage of the strength of the US dollar. Below are just a few of my suggestions but there is so much more to do.

    1. Visit The CN Tower. If you’re seeking adventure, try Edgewalk and hang out 116 stories above ground or if you’re like me and more interested in wine than fear, visit the highest wine cellar in the world at 360 Restaurant.

    2. Catch a Game at Rogers Centre or Scotiabank Arena. They are both a quick walk from the CN Tower. Whether you’re into basketball, hockey, baseball, or sports just aren’t your thing, experiencing a city as it roots for it’s home team is an almost magical event. Each arena has something special about it as well. Scotiabank has an In-House Brewery, Rickard’s and The Toronto Marriott City Centre is built into Rogers Centre so you can watch a game live from the comfort of your own room.

    3. Take a walk down Graffiti Alley. A fifteen minute walk from Rogers Centre lies a stretch of road from Spadina Avenue to Portland Street, just south of Queen Street West. It’s a free art show for the masses with graffiti artists adding and updating the pieces regularly. Take in the beauty of this urban oasis while getting some perfect Instagram shots and supporting local graffiti artists.

    And most importantly, check out the food scene! There is a ton of good food and craft cocktails in Toronto.

  20. author
    Tracey_Bostic
    10 Sep 2019
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    I went to Toronto in August for my birthday with a friend. We rented a car for a long weekend. Parking was horrible for nightlife. We took a ferry which was around $8 to an island. The view of the Toronto skyline was amazing. There were restaurants on the island and souvenir shops. We also went to Cherry Beach another day. A great view but a lot of people had dogs.
    We went to one night club. Can’t remember the name but it was by the water. The DJ played everything and the drinks were reasonably priced. There was a Mexican food truck with tables that we liked. It was in between parking lots. It was a fun trip. Next time I wouldn’t get a car.

  21. author
    iamfaithleya
    03 Sep 2019
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    Delta Hotel by Marriott in downtown Toronto, is an excellent choice for luxury travelers or a special occasion. The best room award definitely goes to the King Bed, Lake View, Corner Room, with its floor to ceiling windows, beautiful views of the city’s skyline and Lake Ontario, and a gorgeous soaking tub to overlook it all. The location is excellent, only a 20 minute drive from the airport and a 2-4 minute walk from Ripley’s Aquarium and the CN Tower. The hotel offers a buffet breakfast (33 CAD / person), three restaurants, one café, and one bar, however, it is also surrounded by many great restaurants if you rather explore. The amenities include a pool, hot tub, and gym as well as some biking/hiking trails nearby. The hotel rooms start around $200 per night with the corner tub room being around $280, so I suggest using points where applicable or catching a low season sale for a better deal.

  22. author
    Brewsters.Millions
    26 Aug 2019
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    Logistics:

    I fly into Lester B. Pearson airport and take an Uber into the city to get to my hotel. The ride from the airport is usually 30 min and costs 40-45CAD ($30 – $33 USD).

    Breakfast :

    My favorite breakfast spot is Eggspectation, on Bay Street, across from Nathan Phillip Square. It is a very popular spot so you should reserve your table on Yelp 20 – 30 min before arrival. The line moves fairly quickly as there is seating inside and out. I usually sit on the patio because summer mornings in Toronto are cool enough to feel comfortable sitting under an umbrella. The food is amazing but fair warning, they do not season their food like here in the US. Outside of the steak and eggs, I recommend the high rise pancakes. It is a three pancake tower with bacon, potatoes, and sausages in the middle topped with a sunny side up egg. You also get a small container of maple syrup.

    Things to Do:

    Caribana – This is a must!!! When traveling to Toronto I usually go during the first weekend of August to attend Caribana. Caribana is a lively, Caribbean festival held every summer where thousands of people from all over the world come to share and celebrate Island culture. The parade, which is free, and last all day, is Saturday but there are parties throughout the week and all weekend with Drake’s OVO festival on Monday night to close it out.

    CN Tower EdgeWalk – The CN Tower is the large iconic structure that defines Toronto’s skyline. For roughly $200, a tour guide takes you 116 stories up and around one the highest points to give you a bird’s eye view of the city. They share brief history of the Tower, sports stadiums, other historic buildings and also allow you to lean over the edge. Although you’re tethered by two safety harnesses you can’t help but to think you might go over. Definitely worth the experience! At the end of the Edge Walk, you are given a video of the entire walk as well as pictures in digital format.

    Dinner at CN Tower – This requires a reservation but it is definitely worth it as you’re able to eat while also getting a 360 view of the city from their rotating restaurant. The best time to go is from 6:30pm – 7pm when the sun starts to set. Beautiful view of the city as well as Toronto Harbor

    Photo Opportunities:

    CN Tower – Right before the entrance of the CN Tower you will see Canada spelled out in red and white letters.

    Nathan Phillips Square – In the middle of the square TORONTO is spelled out in colorful letters with a fountain as the backdrop. Your trip is not complete with a photo here!

    Summary:

    The best way for me to sum up Toronto in the summer is that it is a cleaner version of New York City. A melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities with sidewalks everywhere making the city completely walkable. The restaurant scene is as diverse as the people and I felt completely safe walking the streets at night. I fell in love during my first visit and have been going every year since. Hope to see you there as well!

  23. author
    a_t_s77
    19 Jul 2019
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    Hi, this was a family vacation for us. I took my 2 kids with me to Niagra Falls not Toronto. We drove up from Philadelphia which had about 8 tolls to get there. The drive was fairly painless but smooth. We stayed at the Wyndham Gardens which was about $130 per night. They did add on an additional $20 per night for parking. They upgraded our room for us with no additional charge. The hotel is in walking distance of everything. Niagra Falls is definitely a must see but you don’t need to spend that much time here. It’s very beautiful to see the falls move with so much beauty and power. We did 2 excursions which I recommend both. The Journey behind the falls was $17 per person. It gives you an upclose and personal look at the falls. It’s definitely a must see. The boat ride on the lake was awesome too. This was $25 per person. It rode you on Niagra lake and up to the falls. It made you feel like you were in the “perfect storm”. Canada seems to be more expensive than USA. It may be because I was in a tourist area. We went to IHOP and although the service was excellent the food was horrible and it was a bill of $100. We went to dinner at Shoeless Joes. The food was good. The service was good. But it took forever for the food to come out. That meal was $130. The area is nice. It’s a strip of restaurants and scenery. I wouldn’t recommend staying here past 2 days because it’s not much else to do

  24. Kenyatta_McLeod
    28 Apr 2019
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    I went to Canada November 2018. It was cold and snowy but still a lot to do. The nightlife was absolutely vibrant. My friend and I went bar hopping down town; great people and vibes. During the day time we visited the illusion museum, which was extremely fun. We also visited the CN tower, which was also a fun experience. Unfortunately we didn’t get to visit the niagara falls because it was cold. All of the residents of Canada advised that we visit again in the summer time because they have a lot of festivals then. So I will be revisiting Canada soon.

  25. author
    tracheri
    04 Mar 2019
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    There was soooooooo much to do in Toronto! I had no idea how much nightlife was there! Obviously a cold city so plan ahead. There was a secret, and for me surprising amount of African decent there, mainly an island Jamaican vibe. We stayed in an Airbnb in the city and it was a little pricey. All of my options were expensive, because we really wanted to stay in the city for accessibility. All of our Ubers were definitely cheap because of that so it is a trade. The city had lots of restaurants and bars, and also. clubs. It was actually a little overwhelming picking a club! Every night of the week there was something going on. We did an Airbnb tour to Niagra Falls which was accompanied by several wine tastings lol it was really fun. I would definitely visit here again!
    *Our Airbnb https://abnb.me/MQEWugHENU

  26. Tsunami11
    30 Jan 2019
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    I have visited Canada twice and both times I’ve had a great time. Ladies if traveling to Caribana. Please stay in the Hilton Toronto. It’s clean and centrally located.

    Enjoy!

  27. grdcwc1911
    grdcwc1911
    23 Jan 2019
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    Loveeee Toronto. So many cultures in one spot. The US dollar is also strong there. Highly recommended especially in the summer time for Carnival. Carnival is typically the first week of August. I didn’t play Mas but next year I will. The costumes can range anything from $50-$800, depending on how detailed you want to be of course. Playing Mas is highly encouraged but not required.

  28. bigmeesh21
    22 Jan 2019
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    I went to Canada when I was a little girl so I don’t have as much details as everyone else. However, I do remember that Niagara Falls was INCREDIBLE. I never had seen anything more beautiful than that waterfall and I recommend everyone take a trip to see it.

  29. author
    Alexis.Pam
    29 Dec 2018
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    Toronto offers a lot of things to do. As any major city, there is always something going on. The 4 days that I went seemed to be perfect timing. It was the first snow of the season, the Santa Claus Parade and Run, Film Festivals, and so forth. Toronto has plenty of art museums to visit. In my opinion it’s a very artistic city. There is a mini Times Square for shopping. Absolutely beautiful with Christmas performances. The Toronto Christmas Market also began the weekend I arrived and was sensational. Kensington Market is another shopping area and so cheap compared the the US dollar. As I arrived on the sports away weekend, i couldn’t catch a Raptors or Maple Leafs games, but I know for a fact if I were able to catch a game, the experience would be incredible. I skipped out on the CN tower as it was cloudy when I went. Felt it wouldn’t be worth it. But on a bright day I could see it being a fun outing. I of course went out to Niagara Falls. Absolutely stunning. It was freezing, but SO worth it. The area in general is fun. Several games and shops that are family friendly. Would even make for a perfect date night/day. On the way to Niagara I did a couple cheese and wine tastings. They’re SO amazing and SO cheap. Toronto China town is an absolute must as well. Food everywhere. I would definitely say 3-4 days is just enough days in Toronto to get the expierence without being rushed.

  30. author
    Hestravelingagain
    13 Dec 2018
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    My trip to Toronto is one of my top three(3) in my life. I went to attend the Caribbean (OVO) festival. It was myself and maybe 15 of my buddies. It was a great weekend. We all participated in the Carnival. Food was delicious just like home in the US. People were nice. I stayed at the Delta hotel in the heart of downtown. I was able to catch a Toronto Bluejays baseball game (1 block from the hotel. Baseball is my favorite sport so that’s a must do on my travel list.
    Round trip tickets are affordable from Washington, DC to Toronto.

  31. author
    AlvynePayne
    11 Nov 2018
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    I enjoyed my stay in Toronto. Canadians are respectful and straightforward people. There are also a lot of cultural events and The weekends are incredible and lit (My fav area : King Street)
    I am planning a new stay in the coming months.

  32. Sue_Monroe17
    Sue_Monroe17
    10 Nov 2018
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    We went to Canada in the winter time and it was way colder than I anticipated. Despite the cold weather I had a great time. The Canadian people are very nice! We went to the Niagara Falls and it was breathtaking! We also went to Toronto tower and ate dinner while watching the views of the city. The aquarium is really nice too! Just walking around the city in itself is a site to see. I’ll definitely revisit Toronto soon.

  33. author
    lstep006
    31 Oct 2018
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    My experience in Toronto was way too short…I definitely plan to go back! So I didn’t actually stay in Toronto I stayed with a friend in Mississauga right outside of Toronto. I did the tourist thing on this trip, we drove to Nathan’s Phillips Square and took pictures in front of the big Toronto sign along with all of the other tourist. I went in June when the city was celebrating gay pride month so there were rainbow symbols everywhere! I mention that to say as we were leaving Nathan Phillips Square a herd of naked men drove up on bicycles, got off of the bicycles and just stood around with their penises swinging. My jaw dropped ….there were tourist and children everywhere I could not believe that this was allowed. Don’t visit in June unless you’re into that sort of thing. Anyways from there we walked over to a ferry boat that docked on one of the islands across from the core of the city allowing you to capture beautiful pictures of the City skyline. As we walked down the streets of the city the sites of the big Billboard signs and lights reminded me of Times Square, New York at times. I definitely will be making plans to go back in the near future. I would love to catch a Raptors game and I have to have dinner in the CN Tower! The highlight of my trip was driving an hour and a half to Niagara Falls, there were lots of cool shops and attractions for kids (perfect for families).

  34. Keena
    29 Oct 2018
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    Toronto, was a great city to visit. I would suggest if you live in the North East part of the USA to drive. It is a good 8 hours from the NYC (Tri-state) area. You can stop in NY and Buffalo, The Niagra falls is a one of the natural wonders of world. You can view the water falls from the USA (NY side) or the Canada (Toronto side). The canada side is a better view and the tours are better. You can either just stand and view the water fall or you can do the tours that take you close to the water and yes you will get wet. But they will give your raincoats.
    Getting to Canada is easy and affordable. However, it is a little costly to spend buying food and entertainment. The CN tower price is no joke. I think it is more than visting the Empire State Building in NYC. Go during the summer. You will have great sunny days and you will have a better time doing the water fall tours

  35. author
    Ayesha
    20 Oct 2018
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    I went to Canada with my parents to visit Niagara Falls in October 2015. We went on a boat tour. Ponchos are provided because you will get sprayed by the mist. Returned in the evening for photos with the falls illuminated. There is a strip with restaurants and shops. I also visited Bird Kingdom. It is a huge facility, with lots of exotic free roaming birds. There is also a chance to feed lorikeets. I also visited Niagara on the Lake. It’s a cute area with boutique shops and restaurants. Stopped at a vineyard for ice wine tasting.

  36. author
    BoogieAbroad
    01 Sep 2018
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    Now I came out here for Caribana 2018’ but BOYYYY Toronto is BLACK and beautiful! Truly had the time of my life, from the nightlife to the day parties and the variation of places to eat. I was lost in a great place

    The neighborhoods in the downtown area are filled with dope photography shots as well as hidden gem restaurants. On top of that you must must visit Graffiti alley, where art work is changing so much it’s always fresh shit to see down there.

    It’s easy to get around because of how populated it is and a large metropolitan. I can’t truly give any “Toronto cuisine” go to besides if it’s your first time you have to eat at Tim Morton’s. Open 24hrs it’s lowkey the plug.. also you must find some Puttine and Trest ya’self

    Oh yeah.. the women here..wow

  37. lyndsiew
    lyndsiew
    31 Aug 2018
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    Toronto is the place to be for people of color. It’s incredibly diverse, and there’s much less racism than you’ll find even in more liberal cities in the US. As you walk around you’ll see mixed race relationships, friend groups of different races, and you won’t find that people treat you differently or make assumptions about you because of your race. If you visit Toronto you can expect that the people there will be nothing but warm and welcoming to you no matter you race. And the food, things to do and see, and nightlife are great too. Highly recommend.
    The Drake Hotel is great to check out at night, and Grand Electric is a delicious taco place and bar worth visiting.

  38. author
    Kendell
    19 Aug 2018
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    Toronto has so many different things to do. We visited the CN tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, Blue Jays game, ventures to the Toronto Islands, and took the train to Niagra Falls. If anything I would have skipped the CN tower. It was so hot and so many people. We went around 9pm at night, you could barely see the because of the glare. It just felt like a waste of money. The aquarium was a lot better. Good place for families and anyone who likes animals. CN tower and the aquarium are located right next to each other. We also bought tickets for a blue jays game, about $20. That was a great experience even if your not into baseball. The atmosphere was fun. We took a day trip to Niagra falls via train. The ticket was about $45 round trip and the ride was about 2 hours each way. While at Niagra falls we did “The voyage to the falls” which was $26. They give you ponchos and you go on a boat that takes you closer to the falls. You get wet but not soaking wet. My shoes and everything were still dry after. We also took the ferry to the Toronto islands and rode bikes to the nude beach. Honestly it was a long bike ride and we were all very sore afterwards. The islands have restaurants, beaches, parks, and other things. The ferry ride was about $5-10 round trip.

  39. author
    Nburro2
    07 Aug 2018
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    I traveled to Toronto for Caribana which is basically Toronoto’s version of Carnival. The festival itself was beyond amazing. There were plenty of people in celebratory attire, loads of Caribbean music, and loads of great food. An all around great experience no matter what your ethnicity may be, though of course majority of the attendees have some sort of Caribbean heritage. The weekends offered a wide array of parties and events so that there was never a dull moment. I attended Jab Jab J’ouvert on Friday night which is a huge outdoor mud party, though you get pretty dirty during the party you hardly notice because everyone is too busy dancing the night away. The parade takes place majority of Saturday, so that was our main event for Saturday. Sunday we got brunch at this amazing urban restaurant called Insomnia, then we went to another preplanned party called Blocko at club Rebel. This was yet another huge party, but this time it took place in an enormous club with multiple floors & didn’t require you getting dirty. I would definitely visit Toronto again, specifically to return for Caribana.

  40. author
    Steffonya Raines
    18 Jun 2018
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    I visited Toronto, Canada solo a few weeks ago and have be contemplating applying for a VISA to move there since then. I stayed in the Historic Fairmont Royal York hotel right in the center of Downtown Toronto which I got a great rate at from booking through Expedia. I currently live Downtown Chicago so the vibes were very similar. There were lots of shopping, restaurants, lounges, patio season was in full effect. Being a solo traveler I have gotten better with communicating with the locals and because of it I was at all of the hot spots the entire trip. Night clubs, Game night, Day parties, etc. My faves from the trip were Wildflower a night club and Cactus a restaurant/lounge with a live DJ . What they say about Canadians is true, they are very friendly people, racism is quiet. I personally don’t engage in lots of tourist activities, I find them quite boring. I read about the culture and history before visiting and that’s about it. I started to view the CN tower but it was my hotel room view for a week. So partying and drinking I give Toronto a 10/10.

  41. Christian-Nicole_Griffin
    05 Jun 2018
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    I went to Toronto for the first time for Caribana. I had tons of fun at the carnival parade there, definitely the highlight of my trip. I stayed in an Airbnb for 3 nights and paid $350 for a 1 bed room condo in 15 Fort York, a really really nice condo building. It wasn’t until after I left that I realized Drake mentioned this address in one of his songs lol. But it was a good area to stay in we were no more than 15 minutes away from everything. The nightlife in Toronto was not that great to me, places closed a lot earlier than places in NYC so by the time me and my friends were ready most places were about to close…

  42. Bradtm13@gmail.com
    Bradtm13@gmail.com
    03 Jun 2018
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    I recently visited Toronto for Memorial Day and it was amazing ! I was able to visit Kensington Market which hosts an array of food items that will simply blow you away. I first stopped by the Jamaican restaurant (and they were closed sadly) but a few short steps away was the famed Mexican restaurant i saw on a travelers list! I stood in a restaurant for 15 minutes in 100 degree heat (the AC was broken) waiting for my tacos! And it was so worth it! I wanted to eat every bit. I also visited little Italy and Chinatown and tasted menu items that I would never try at home. There are a ton of restaurants set up in the Market place that may not look like much on the outside, but are everything in terms of food taste!

    The most memorable moment for me was dining at the 360 restaurant. The restaurant is 1151 feet in the air and had the most amazing views of all Toronto! There are different levels to the restaurant that allow you to “look out” and view the city. I am a sucker for views so I could have stayed there all day. Going on a perfectly sunny day was even better.

    Harborfront (located right on the water strip) has many different restaurants and water activities such as paddle boating, boat tours, and even city entertainment. There was a delicious ice cream shop located right in the center where i was able to lay on clean but fake grass and enjoy my treat.
    The Harbor front has some great adult places to grab a beer or wine and enjoy a fresh salad.
    All in All i would visit Toronto solely for their food! It was great

  43. author
    Bighungryj
    08 May 2018
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    Nightlife in Toronto was nice! Even the kids loved it. There was something open 24hrs for all ages even McDonalds. Niagra Falls on Toronto side is also the best.

  44. author
    Capt.
    08 May 2018
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    I’m from Toronto, Canada and the number 1 place to find relaxation is at Woodbine Beach. If you’re looking to take a break for a few minutes the Woodbine Beach is the best place to do that. Other places to relax would be in local parks. Toronto is known for it’s many green spaces. The parks and recreation division maintains all city parks. Their slogan is “City within a park.” My favourite park for relaxation would be Morningside Park.

  45. author
    Yannasan
    28 Apr 2018
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    Toronto has the feel of any major city, with decent nightlife, great restaurants, museums and shopping. Having lived in NY it seemed like a smaller version of that, but definitely has its own bit of history and fun.

  46. author
    VxMeech
    06 Apr 2018
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    Visited Toronto; it was a cool place. I went with my best friend just to go ??‍♀️ and for the most part we just walked around and ate food. LOL the food was Americanized so we weren’t a big fan. We did visit “Drake One Fifty” which lead us to our hostess putting us on to a FUTURE concert that was happening that night at REBEL. So you know we went LOL went early so we got to be in the front of the stage and of course I got to touch him ?? And I must sayyyyy the Canadians turrnnnnnn the Hell UP!!! It was a fun night.

    Before we left we visited Nicaragua Falls! That was pretty dope. I will go again with the kids!!

  47. NOstopINme
    NOstopINme
    03 Apr 2018
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    The night life in Toronto is awesome! Rain sleet or snow they are turning up.

  48. author
    Stephan0101
    31 Mar 2018
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    I was in Toronto for carabana. There was a beautiful place to visit great food great shopping great atmosphere not really a whole lot to do as far as adventure. I really enjoyed my visit and b.c seeing the architectural design. Night life was pretty good.

  49. author
    Half_man_hlf_Amazin
    30 Jan 2018
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    We went to Niagara falls! Did the maid of the mist, a boat ride that takes you into the falls, not actually underneath them, but right up close, so close you have to wear a rainsuit! The falls were awesome to see, and humbling to witness the power of the water. Went over to a park nearby and there you’ll find lots of shrubbery cut in Maple Leave designs, lots of ponds with fish, was very nice. We did the tower, went to the top and viewed the falls and Toronto from there. Food was ok, the hotels by the falls were less than impressive to say the least. It was a bit cold when I was there, so I need to go again and experience the night life.

  50. Amanda_Desir
    16 Jan 2018
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    This was funnnnmm! We were there during the winter storm and still managed to have a blast. So close to school I want to visit every weekend

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