In this blog series I show you how easy it is to budgettravel anywhere and I also give you a quick overview of a new city each time ina brief 48-hour itinerary.
Next year we’ve decided to vacation in Toronto. We’ve only ever been to B.C. in Canada, so this will be a newexperience, plus an interesting destination that I doubt many people thinkabout. We were going to make this a friends vacation, but they can’t make it,so we are going to go anyway and maybe do a second leg in NYC, because why not?So, if you’ve been thinking about heading North, here’s my plan for spendingtwo days in the city of Toronto. (Obviously, I’ll be spending around a weekthere, but maybe you can drive up for the weekend, or need a starting point.)
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Day 1
{CityPASS now has the TorontoPASS which could save you up to 43% on 5 of the city’s most popularattractions.} Let’s assume you got in last night or early this morning, so youcan hit the ground running. Start the day off with a healthy and uniquebreakfast at Cora’s. The meals canbe large, so if you aren’t a huge breakfast person, you can easily split an entrée.Most range between $10-12. Look to spendaround $20 for 2 if you split something and have coffee/juice.
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Make sure you’ve packed yourcamera today, because you’re going to head to CN Tower now and get a bird’s eye view of Toronto. It has twoobservation levels, one with a glass floor, at over 1,100 feet above thestreet. If you buy your tickets online,these will cost you $44 per adult, but it’s included in your CityPASS.
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Walk the few blocks to Union Station and take the train to theRoyal Ontario Museum. This is whereyou’ll check out dinosaurs, artifacts from Egypt and Canada’s history. It’sCanada’s largest museum of world cultures and natural history. In between yourbrowsing of exhibits, head to the museum’s café for a bite for lunch. You canget all the usual easy foods like pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs, or you canget something more unique like chicken schwarma or veggie masala. Two people can eat for around $25. Admissionfor the museum is $17 per person, but this is also included in the CityPASS.
If you’ve purchased a CityPASS, Isuggest heading back towards the CN Tower and visiting Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. It’s open late and is Canada’s largestindoor aquarium. There are dive shows each day, local marine life and so much more.This is great if you have kids, or just a lover of stuff in the water. If youdidn’t purchase a CityPASS and this doesn’t sound appealing, head to the Distillery Historic District. It’s ano-car zone and the architecture is fantastic. You won’t find big box storeshere, as they aren’t allowed, so you’ll be surrounded by pure Toronto. The District is free, but the aquarium isaround $32 per person if you pay separately.
Save some bucks on dinner and hitup Nari Sushi to get some fish to goand enjoy it in your hotel room while you relax and prepare for tomorrow. You can pick up three 8-pc rolls for around$15.
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Day 2
Make sure your camera’s chargedand you have a fresh memory card in it, or you have a backup battery for yourphone, today you’re going to explore the fabulous Casa Loma. I’ll just tell you it’s a castle, because what? You canget there right when they open and head to the café for breakfast. They serveeverything from muffins to waffles, so you can grab something light or fill upbefore walking the grounds and exploring hidden passages(!!!). Admission to Casa Loma is $25 per person anda meal in the café for two can run around $20. Casa Loma is included in yourCityPASS.
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Head back to the city and gostraight to St. Lawrence Market.Browse stalls of foods, plants, jewelry and more. There’s even an art gallery!Cobble together a lunch from finds at the market or grab something from a stallwho offers made food for you. The marketis free to wander. Plan to spend around $20 for lunch for two.
Walk over to the Harbourfront Centre where you can checkout free shows and culture along Lake Ontario. You’ll find a wide range offoods here as well from a variety of local food vendors. Look to spend around $20 for two.
Head back to your hotel and packto leave tomorrow. If you do everything on the list, you’ll spend around $292CAD ($226US) – with the aquarium, it’s more like $276 US. If you purchase theCityPASS, you’re looking at $237 US.
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There are plenty of cool thingsto do in Toronto that aren’t on this itinerary. I also want to check out The Lockhart, a Harry Potter-themedbar, have tea at the Kitten and Bearand visit the magical Library at OsgoodHall. Oh, and check out The Danforth(or Greektown), because I’m a nerd and love the line in Barenaked Ladies’ Old Apartment.
