Toronto & Niagara Falls Travel Guide 2025: Insider Tips, Hidden Gems & Must-See Attractions

Ah, Canada. The land of breathtaking wilderness, big skies, and even bigger trucks. From Toronto’s glittering skyline to the thundering roar of Niagara Falls, this trip was a mix of city buzz, natural wonder, and unexpected moments I’ll never forget. I first visited Toronto back in 1993, but this return journey was about rediscovering the city – exploring hidden gems, catching a Blue Jays game, sailing into sunset, and, of course, getting gloriously soaked at the Falls. Whether you’re planning your first trip or a nostalgic return, here’s how to make the most of Toronto, Niagara Falls, and beyond.

Getting from Toronto Pearson Airport to the City Centre

Flying from Manchester to Toronto, we landed and took a taxi to the rental we had organised. A lot of the time we take public transport to our accommodation but this time we had a taxi booked. It was a really fun ride into town as you got to see the iconic yellow school buses all lined up outside of schools and the big traffic lights on the highways.

If you are looking to use public transport there are many options you can take, the most popular being:

The UP Express

The UP Express, is the fastest and quickest option, costing only $12 and as little as $9 with a PRESTO card. The train comes every 15 minutes and takes 25 minutes to get you into the centre. You can catch it from Terminal 1 in Pearson Airport.

TTC Bus & Subway

There are alternative options like the TTC bus & subway, which might be your best option if you want to keep your costs minimal. The TTC Route 900 Airport Express runs between Pearson and Kipling Station (Subway Line 2). From Kipling, you transfer to the subway and ride straight into downtown Toronto. The entire journey costs just a standard TTC fare (around $3.35) and takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on wait times and transfer speeds.

Where to Stay in Toronto: Our City-view Apartment Experience

Our apartment for the visit was at the top of a block of flats , simple nothing too flashy, but it did have a balcony so we could see the view of the city at night. Toronto is split into ‘blocks’ and you could see these ‘blocks’ so clearly from our balcony. It was almost like stepping into an American movie, I had never seen anything like that before. You could see the city lights shine when it became dark, an experience that never fails to bring me a sense of peace and calm. This is one reason I love cities so much, they make you feel so small, which helps make your problems feel even smaller.

Exploring Toronto City: Best Sights, Food & Local Vibes

Toronto is Canada’s largest city with approximately 6.8 million residents. We spent the first couple of days of our trip walking the streets of Toronto, looking at the buildings, the great lake, the parks and the food halls.

Most of the architecture in Toronto is new, with lots of glass and modern style buildings however there were a few older buildings dotted around which were more to our taste. Talking of taste, needless to say we had to indulge in the obligatory hot dogs and the odd pancake covered with maple syrup purchased from some of the  multitude of stalls around the city. Tim Burtons was also a very popular chain in Toronto, you can get them in the UK but they are a lot less common. It almost felt like every corner you turned there was another one! We tried little pop cakes, which were fun to try but didn’t have too much of a lasting impression.

Another great visit is the Ontario Legislative building. While desperately searching for a Tim Horton donut shop for a snack we came across the Ontario Legislative building. If you’re a politics buff or just curious about Canadian history, it’s open for tours, and if you’re short on time like we were, there’s a virtual one on their site. I wouldn’t recommend prioritising this building over other areas and activities in the city though, unless you truly love politics and history.

Watching the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre

We aren’t a huge sports family, but it was hard to not want to go and watch a baseball game when visiting Toronto and with Toronto home to the Blue Jays, we certainly couldn’t miss it.

We joined the queue at the Rogers Centre, snagged budget-friendly seats high in the stands (the view was still fab!), and grabbed some food (from the supermarket) before entering the centre for the game. I ate a strawberry salad – which was interesting to try (but I probably won’t have another).

It was a slow-paced game, though apparently not by baseball standards, and we may not have fully grasped the rules, but we all enjoyed it, although admittedly only my daughter felt like she would go again. One Blue Jays top came home with us, a pricey souvenir, but one we knew would actually get worn.

As for the iconic CN Tower? We gave it a miss this time. I’d already been up before, and with only a few days in the city, we chose to keep exploring on foot.

Art, Architecture & Must-See Landmarks in Toronto

No matter where I go I always seek out statues and murals, and Toronto did not disappoint.  The Ice Hockey Skaters was by far my favourite sculpture in Toronto and my favourite mural was one which looked like a sheet has been pinned to the side of the building.

Another highlight was the beautiful, Casa Loma, a Gothic Revival castle-style mansion and garden in midtown Toronto, that is now a historic house museum and landmark. Inside the building was stunning as were the gardens and fountains. It’s not a huge building and it is quite a far way to get to (we got there by bus), but totally worth the visit. It’s easily one of the most memorable castles I have been to, it’s unique, stunning and a perfect place to snap some beautiful memories.

Niagara Falls Day Trip from Toronto: How to Get There & What to Do

Of course, no trip to this part of Canada is complete without visiting Niagara Falls. The early morning train to New York from Toronto gets you to Niagara in about 90 minutes. You must book the train in advance as it gets very busy.

You must also have your passport checked as you board the train, even if you are getting off before the border, so don’t forget it! 

Everyone will have seen images and video of Niagara’s Horseshoe falls countless times, however I don’t think anything really prepares you for the sheer size and power of the water as it cascades over the cliffs and discovering just how close the falls are to the main road. You literally stand on the pavement mere meters from the falls. 

There are many tourist things you can do regarding the falls, most of which involve wearing rather silly rain ponchos. For us, the best was the boat trip into the falls, this really gets you into the heart of the falls with wonderful views of both The Horseshoe and the American Falls at the same time. Again however as expected these boat trips are very busy and you must book in advance. 

We also did the Journey Behind the Falls which was an incredible experience too. The power of the water cascading in front of you is immense. However, if you are trying to save some money, its good to know that the viewing points are tiny and crowded, so we would definitely recommend going on the boat trip over this activity.

Hidden Gems Beyond Niagara Falls

Further out of town you will find the Niagara floral clock and the Whirlpool Aero Car – Cable Car Ride over the Niagara Gorge which crosses the river above the Niagara whirlpool. This area of Niagara is much more peaceful than the falls area but is still beautiful. For those of you with money to burn, try the helicopter ride!

As for Niagara falls town, it’s not for me. In my opinion it’s full of cheap and tacky amusement arcades and fast food places (sorry!). That said, if you’re after a town with charm and culture, try Niagara-on-the-Lake, a picturesque spot we, sadly, didn’t have time to visit.

A Precious Reunion & Sailing into the Sunset on Georgian Bay

One of the most emotional moments of the trip came when I reunited with a school friend I hadn’t seen in 37 years!

He kindly made the trip to the outskirts of Toronto to collect us from the last underground station and whisked us off to Georgian Bay, a stunning location where he keeps his boat.

We spent the day sailing on the beautiful lake at Victoria Harbour in Tay, reminiscing and being thoroughly spoiled, with incredible food and company. My friend even taught my daughter how to fish! This whole area is so beautiful and peaceful. Our day visiting Victoria Harbour was wonderful and created precious memories for all of us. One of the best parts was lying on the boats bow with a blanket and the most incredible view of the sunset. Out of all sunsets I have ever seen (and there have been a lot) this was one of the most memorable.

Our only regret was that we couldn’t stay longer! 

Conclusion

Toronto and Niagara Falls offer a perfect blend of vibrant city life, stunning natural wonders, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re wandering through Toronto’s buzzing streets, catching a Blue Jays game, or feeling the rush of the falls up close on a boat tour, every moment promises something special.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to rediscover, these insider tips will help you create your own unforgettable Canadian adventure. Trust my firsthand experience to guide you every step of the way because the best travel memories come from genuine discovery and curiosity. So pack your bags, bring your sense of adventure, and prepare for memories that will stay with you long after your trip to Toronto ends. I hope you enjoy your adventure!