A Family Guide to Toronto: Where to Eat, Stay & Explore
Toronto is a vibrant, family-friendly city filled with unforgettable attractions, one of the best food scenes in North America, and an amazing sports culture. From hockey and baseball games to castles, aquariums, island bike rides, and Broadway shows, there’s something exciting for every age.
We explored the city’s top sights, stayed in the heart of downtown, and tasted our way through incredible restaurants, markets, and sweet shops. This guide covers the best places to stay, must-see attractions, the sports scene, and the foodie spots you won’t want to miss.
🏨 Where to Stay in Toronto
*Our Pick: Downtown*
For our Toronto trip, we stayed at the Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown | Entertainment District. The location was perfect for walking to major attractions like the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium, and the hotel made it easy to plan our days without long commutes.
Our downtown Toronto home base
Other Options: Downtown + Mississauga Suburb
Holiday Inn Express Toronto-Downtown by IHG
Free buffet breakfast, short walk to St. Lawrence Market, Hockey Hall of Fame and many other attractions.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown
Indoor pool, cooked-to-order breakfast available (not free), walkable to The Path, PATH Underground Shopping Mall, CF Toronto Eaton Centre
One King West Hotel & Residence Toronto
Hot tub, dogs & cats allowed, walking distance to the Rogers Centre, Scotiabank Arena and CF Toronto Eaton Centre
Indoor pool + hot tub, self-serve breakfast included
Indoor pool w/ a water slide, full-service spa, full breakfast for a fee
Homewood Suites by Hilton Toronto Mississauga
Indoor pool, buffet breakfast included, nice outdoor seating area
Residence Inn by Marriott Toronto Mississauga West
Indoor pool, buffet breakfast included, 24-hour fitness center
Downtown vs Suburbs (Money‑Saving Option)
We considered staying in Mississauga, a suburb outside the city, to save money. Hotels there are often newer and more affordable.
However, staying downtown was worth the extra cost because we saved time, avoided commuting, and could explore more with less planning.
| Feature | Downtown Toronto | Suburbs (Mississauga) |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Cost | Higher | More budget‑friendly |
| Convenience | Walk to attractions | Drive or use transit |
| Time Savings | More sightseeing time | Daily commute required |
| Parking | Expensive | Easier & often free |
| Atmosphere | Lively city energy | Quieter residential feel |
| Best For | Families wanting convenience | Families prioritizing savings |
💡 Driving Tip
🎮 Our Favorite Family Fun Spot
The Rec Room Roundhouse
If you only choose one evening activity, make it this.
• Arcade games & VR experiences • Billiards • Live music • Pub‑style comfort food • Local beer for adults
⭐ This was one of our kids’ favorite restaurants and entertainment stops of the entire trip.
🍽️ Toronto Foodie Bucket List
🥇 Our Favorite Restaurant
PAI Northern Thai Kitchen
• Best Thai food we’ve ever had • Order the Khao Soi curry noodle dish • Make reservations in advance
🍔 Casual Family Favorites
Rudy • Famous smashed burgers • Often cash‑only • Quick and delicious
Maker Pizza • Trendy wood‑fired style pizzas • Great for takeout nights
King Slice • Giant classic pizza slices • Fast and affordable
Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar • Fantastic late‑night option • Fresh house‑made pasta • One of our favorite sit-down meals
🍟 Canadian Comfort Food
Nom Nom Nom Poutine • Classic Canadian poutine • Also serves crêpes and croissants • Casual and kid‑friendly
Carousel Bakery (St. Lawrence Market) • Famous peameal bacon sandwiches • A must‑try Toronto specialty
🍳 Brunch Worth Planning Ahead
School Restaurant • Extremely popular brunch spot • Make reservations two weeks in advance
Maha’s Egyptian Brunch • Unique Egyptian-inspired breakfast • Go before 10 AM to avoid crowds • Closed Wednesdays • Try the Egyptian Po’Boy
🍩 Sweet Treat Stops
Pancho’s Bakery (Kensington Market) • Fresh churros • Perfect while exploring the neighborhood
Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery • Famous stuffed ice cream sandwiches • Creative flavors kids love
🌎 Unique Fusion Eats
Rasta Pasta • Jamaican-Italian fusion cuisine • Bold flavors and hearty portions
🛍️ Markets & Cool Neighborhoods
STACKT Market
Trendy shopping and food stalls built from colorful shipping containers. A fun first-day exploring stop.
Kensington Market
An eclectic neighborhood filled with global eats, vintage shops, and colorful streets.
St. Lawrence Market
Historic food market featuring local specialties and famous sandwiches.
📸 Toronto Market Highlights
💡 Market Hours Tip
🏙️ Must-See Toronto Attractions
Toronto has a convenient CityPASS option that bundles tickets to multiple attractions, saving money and skipping lines. Consider adding this to your itinerary: 🎟️ View Toronto CityPASS options
CN Tower
🎟️ Reserve tickets in advance • Iconic skyline views • Glass floor experience
Rogers Centre & Blue Jays Stadium Views
Eat at the attached restaurant overlooking the field for a unique perspective, even on non-game days.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
🎟️ See ticket options & skip-the-line passes • Walk-through shark tunnel • Hands-on exhibits • Perfect for kids and teens
🏰 Casa Loma
A real-life castle with secret passages, towers, and beautiful architecture that feels straight out of a storybook.
🎟️ Check ticket availability & tour options
Casa Loma offers several tour types:
- Daytime castle tours – explore the rooms, towers, and secret passages at your own pace
- Self-guided mystery tours – solve clues and puzzles while exploring the castle
- Halloween haunted night tours – immersive spooky experiences in October
- Special seasonal events – photography tours, themed exhibits, and more
🎃 October Halloween Haunted Tours
🏒 Toronto Sports & Maple Leafs Tickets
Catch an exciting game at Scotiabank Arena! Whether it’s hockey or other major events, be sure to reserve your tickets in advance. 🎟️ Get Maple Leafs tickets
🧩 Toronto Museum of Illusions
Step into a world of mind-bending exhibits and interactive illusions. Perfect for kids and teens for fun photo ops and puzzles. 🎟️ Reserve Museum of Illusions tickets
🐾 Toronto Zoo
Home to over 5,000 animals and immersive exhibits for the whole family. Make a day of exploring and learning about wildlife. 🎟️ Buy Toronto Zoo tickets
🏛️ Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Canada’s largest museum, featuring art, world cultures, and natural history exhibits. A must-visit for curious kids and teens. 🎟️ Reserve ROM tickets
🚲 Unique Toronto Experiences
Toronto Islands
• Ferry ride across the harbor • Rent bikes and explore car-free paths • Great half-day adventure
Ride the TTC
Take the subway or streetcars at least once for the full city experience. We used transit to reach the ferry docks and loved it.
🎭 Evening Entertainment
Catch a Broadway-style musical or live performance in the Entertainment District for a memorable night out.
🍁 Foods Toronto Is Famous For
• Butter tarts • Poutine • Peameal bacon sandwiches • Portuguese custard tarts • Multicultural street food • Wood-fired pizza
✨ Final Thoughts
Toronto blends big-city excitement with family-friendly convenience, incredible sports, and one of the most impressive food scenes in North America. Whether you’re exploring markets, biking the islands, enjoying skyline views, cheering at a hockey or baseball game, or discovering incredible restaurants, the city offers something unforgettable for every age.
Niagara Falls is an easy and unforgettable day trip from Toronto. From boat rides into the mist to fireworks over the Falls, it’s one of the most exciting stops for families visiting Ontario.
Collect Moments 