I’ve lived in Toronto and the GTA for almost all of my life, and as someone who recently played at being a tourist in Toronto, I’ve got you covered on what’s actually worth it to visit and what you should give a pass on.
A quick search will yield tons of results on what attractions and spots you should hit up while you’re in the city, but quite a few of those picks are overrated, in my opinion — but some are totally underrated and are well worth the time and money it takes to visit.
So, if you’re headed to Toronto this summer or if you’re a local just looking for something new to do, take a look at where you should and shouldn’t spend your time!
This Opinion article is part of a Narcity content series. The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
Overrated: Yonge and Dundas Square
I occasionally find myself in the area of Yonge and Dundas Square while I’m out and about and almost every time I’m there it’s chaotic.
It’s always a mess of humanity in the form of pedestrians, cyclists and people travelling by car no matter what time of the day it is, and no one seems to be paying attention to their surroundings, which always makes it a bit dangerous.
Yonge and Dundas used to be kind of cool when it gave off New York Times Square vibes, but now it’s just an overcrowded mess of people who are all busy and mostly unhappy.
There’s also that one guy with his microphone who’s been shouting about God for at least the past ten years, which is not the most pleasant experience.
Underrated: Wonderland
Okay, so yes, while Canada’s Wonderland is technically in Vaughn and not Toronto, it’s definitely still a main attraction for people visiting the city, particularly if they have kids.
Although tickets start at $44.99 for adults, it’s honestly pretty great value considering you get a full day’s worth of entertainment out of it! The prices can start to add up if you’re purchasing food and drinks in the park, but if you plan in advance and have a cooler in your car, you can always leave the park for a bit, eat whatever you’ve packed, and then re-enter.
Every year the park adds new attractions, like 2024’s Moosehorn Falls zero-gravity wall in the Splashworks waterpark, and they generally always seem to be doing something new and cool in order to keep things fresh and exciting for repeat visitors.
If you’re looking for big thrills, there’s tons of rollercoasters that’ll have your stomach tied up in knots. On the other hand, if you prefer a tamer experience, there’s also a wide variety of rides that are more suited for fun than adrenaline seekers. There’s something for everyone!
Overrated: Casa Loma
The exterior of Casa Loma.
Casa Loma is one of the top attractions to visit in Toronto, and quite honestly, I think it’s worth skipping in favour of doing something else!
The building itself has a lot of history in the city that’s super interesting, but I find the whole thing to be underwhelming.
Navigating the building is quite hectic (which is fair enough, given how old it is) but I find there to be a lack of signage instructing people where to go. Also, the rooms themselves — which are presented as exhibits — don’t have enough description, so it kind of feels like you’re just wandering around and looking at pretty rooms rather than learning about the family who lived there or the impact they had on Toronto.
If that’s what you’re into, then by all means, but it’s not a spot that I think is worth either the price of the ticket or the time spent there.
Underrated: The CN Tower
A person taking a picture of the CN Tower.
Unlike Casa Loma, the CN Tower is one of those iconic tourist attractions that is 100% worth it!
I recently went up the tower for the first time since I was a kid and I was blown away by how magical the experience is. The Tower is one of those buildings that I see all the time from various angles when I’m out and about, but as a Torontonian, it feels like something you only go to when you have guests who are visiting the city.
I’m here to tell you that if you’re a tourist or a Torontonian, you should definitely visit the Tower because the view from the top is absolutely dreamy and really gives you a view of the city that you can’t find anywhere else.
They also have a concession stand places to sit when you’re at the top, so you can hang out for a bit while enjoying the views.
For those who are brave, you can try standing on top of the clear glass parts of the observation deck that lets you see the ground, which is hundreds of kilometres below you.
Underrated: Kensington Market
To experience the best of Toronto food and culture, you’ll find it all in Kensington Market. Within a one square kilometre radius, you can find the most delicious tacos, momos, pizza, beef patties and pretty much any food in between all of those cuisines.
There’s always some kind of either artistic or food event going on, which is fun to explore, or you can do your own thing and wander around until you find a store that looks appealing.
There are also guided tours available, which is great for tourists, so you can have someone explain the history of the area and point out the hidden gem food finds.
Overrated: the Eaton Centre
The inside of the Eaton Centre.
I know that a lot of people love the Eaton Centre, but honestly, there are better malls to go to!
Eaton Centre definitely has a huge variety of stores, but it’s often very busy and finding a spot in the food court can be very difficult.
Instead, if you’re looking for good deals, it might be a better option to head to Toronto Premium Outlets to stock up on deals, or wandering along Queen Street West to do some vintage shopping.
This article’s cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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