The region between Toronto to Niagara Falls is one incredible place to explore, especially if you want a mix of city and nature during your holiday. That’s the thing that makes this region so special – the fact it has a little piece of everything.
That being said, organising a week-long itinerary to travel from Toronto to Niagara Falls can be tough, especially if you’re looking to see as much of the region as possible. That’s why I wanted to share our plan and travel itinerary we did for our trip. Hopefully, it’ll make planning your very own trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls that little bit easier (well, I hope so anyway). 🇨🇦
Take a look at our 1-week travel itinerary to explore Toronto to Niagra Falls. As this was personal to us, feel free to take stuff out that you don’t like, or substitute the accommodation for something you’d prefer. Either way, you’ll hopefully have an amazing time.
As with all our posts, if you need any more tips or advice, just pop us a message – we’re always happy to help out on your trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls. 🤗
Day 1
1500: Arrive in Toronto
Arrive at Toronto International Airport and take a cab directly to your hotel ✈
1600: Check into your hotel in downtown
We checked into the Shangri-La Hotel on University Sreet, it’s about a 10-minute walk from the CN Tower and totally stunning.
2000: Go for dinner
Head over to Joso’s, a pretty well-known joint in Toronto for some of the best seafood in the city. Make sure to try their Octopus Salad, it’s amazing.
2300: Catch some Zzzzz’s
Day 2
0800: Breakfast in the hotel
Pop downstairs to the restaurant within the Shangri-la.
1000: Head on a graffiti tour of Toronto
Organised with Tour Guys, you” get to see some of Toronto’s best street art that are scattered across this city. This two-hour tour is definitely something to do if you’re interested in art but if street art isn’t your thing, you might wanna give this a miss and head to St Lawrence Market instead.
1300: Lunch at Seven Lives
Seven lives (at 69 Kensington Avenue) is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Ontario and certainly has the best fish tacos ever! Make sure to rock up early as this place does get busy around midday.
If Mexican isn’t your thing, take a look at some of these best restaurants
1500: Take some time to stroll
Take a walk near your hotel and explore the downtown area of Toronto, it’ll let you get a good sense of the downtown whilst also making your way across to the CN tower for sunset.
18:00: Watch the sunset from the CN Tower
Well over 500-metres high, the CN Tower has some incredible views over Toronto and the lake. Once at the top, make sure to experience the world-famous Glass Floor, SkyPod and glass-fronted elevators, too.
In my opinion, the CN Tower is one of the best spots to watch the sunset as you can literally see the city basked in an orange glow. It really is very special and totally stunning.
Just be aware that crowds do form to get to the top around peak times, so plan your visit to accommodate a little queueing. After all, no one wants to be stuck in the queue as the sun sets! ☀
20:00: Dinner at Byblos
This Eastern Mediterranean restaurant is one of my favourites in Toronto and a great place to gorge on baklava, too! Once here, make sure to see if they have Turkish Manti Dumplings available too, you won’t be disappointed.
If Mediterranean isn’t your thing, take a look at some of these best restaurants
23:00: Catch some Zzzz’s
Day 3
09:00: Breakfast in the hotel before driving from Toronto to Niagara Falls
Pop downstairs to the restaurant within the Shangri-la.
11:00: Pick up a rental car to drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls
AS you’ll be based in the downtown area of Toronto, make sure to book a hire car place that’s close by. I booked a viechle with National Car Rental that was just a few minutes walk from the Shangri-La Hotel.
11:30: Drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls region
After picking up the car in downtown Toronto, make the 2-2.5 hour drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls. The Best way to drive here is via Queen Elizabeth Way. If you have a GPS system, obviously use this but if not, download offline Google maps for directions to your next exciting spot.
13:45: Hop on board a helicopter tour after driving from Toronto to Niagara Falls
After the drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls, you’re gonna head right over to Niagara Helicopters that’s about 10-minutes away from Horseshoe Falls by car. Now it’s best to book your helicopter tour online but you might be lucky and able to rock up without any reservation.
During the 12-minute flight, you’ll fly right over Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, see the rapids and Rainbow Bridge alongside the giant whirlpool. It really is a unique way to see Niagara Falls.
Just one note, helicopter tours are weather dependent so if there’s heavy snow or severe conditions, expect your tour to be cancelled.
14:30: Drive to the Table Rock Welcome Centre
Right next to the edge of Horseshoe Falls is the Table Rock Welcome Centre and the falls parking lot. Although parking is chargeable here, it’s the easiest place to rock up and be right next to the falls, especially after your long-ish drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls.
1500: Grab a quick bite to eat at the Welcome Centre
There’s no need for anything fancy but they do have a restaurant that overlooks Horseshoe Falls and is pretty nice for the views.
16:00: Walk the promenade right by the edge of the falls
Take around 30-minutes, or so, to walk around the promenade that looks right over the edge of the falls. It really is so surreal to be that close. The promenade starts right by the Welcome Centre… you can’t miss it! 💦
16:30: Explore the Journey Behind The Falls
Head underground to Journey Behind the Falls that is accessed through the Welcome Centre.
Once you’ve purchased your tickets, you can head down the elevators and stroll through the historic tunnels and view the falls from “behind” the tunnels. Afterwards, head to the platform area – where you can see the falls from a different angle and see the frozen ice formations (in winter), too. It really is a unique view.
Read More: The 7 Best Views Of Niagara Falls
18:00: Go up the Skylon Tower
Similar to the CN Tower in Toronto, the Skylon Tower is Niagara’s version that’s got some pretty amazing views of the falls.
Although you might see a hefty amount of queues from the bottom, be assured that these move pretty fast and you’ll be up to the top before you know it.
19:00: Drive to Niagara-on-the-Lake
This drive will take you about 30-minutes from the Welcome Centre in Niagara Falls. That makes your total drive time from Toronto to Niagara Falls and the town about 3 hours. 🏘
19:30: Check into your hotel at Niagara-on-the-Lake
We stayed at the incredible 124 On Queen Street at Niagara-on-the-Lake. It’s right in the heart of this gorgeous (and historic) town. Best of all, you have your own roaring fire and breakfast baskets brought to your room each morning.
20:30: Dinner at Treadwell
Literally, next door to your hotel (124 on Queen Street) is Treadwell, a farm-to-table establishment that prides itself on serving the highest quality local produce. I literally gorged here… it’s so tasty!
They’ve got an epic wine selection, too. So make sure you have a cheeky nightcap. 🍷
Read more: 8 of the best places to eat in Niagara-on-the-Lake, here
23:30: Catch some zzzz’s
Day 4
0900: Breakfast
Wake up with your breakfast basket to your room and gorge in front of the fire.
10:00: Take a stroll around Niagara-on-the-Lake
After that hefty breakfast, head out into town and wander through Queen Street to get your bearings. the town itself is pretty small, so a 1-2 hour walk around (with window shopping, of course) is a great introduction to everything you might wanna do and see.
Be sure to head to the Niagara Bakery and gorge on an Ontario favourite – the butter tart! 🍰
11:30: Hop on board a horse and carriage tour
This has to be one of the best ways to explore Niagara-on-the-Lake. Once on board the carriage (and wrapped up warm with blankets), you’ll get to trot off around the town and learn more about this incredibly historic town.
Tours can be anywhere from 30-minute to 60-minutes.
12:30: Head for lunch at the Winery Resturant at Peller Estate
After working up an appetite exploring the town, drive for about 10-minutes to the Peller Wine Estate that’s just on the fringes of the town border. Once here, pop into the Winery Restaurant that serves up some of the most delicious cuisine and local produce to try. Best of all, the dishes can be paired with some of the Peller Estate wines, too.
Just make sure to have a designated driver. No one likes a pickled driver!
14:00: Explore the Winery and Vineyard
join the 10 Below Lounge and estate tour to taste some of the very best wines and ice wines in the region. The 10 Below Lounge is really cool, too – completely made of ice, it’s the perfect bar to have an ice wine tipple!
Read more on the best vineyards to visit for ice wine, here
16:00: Time to relax before dinner
Chillout and take some ‘me’ time.
20:00 Dinner at Masaki Sushi
Most definitely one of the best restaurants in the town, Masaki Sushi prides itself on it’s fresh and unique Japanese cuisine. Once here, make sure to try their sparkling sake and Aburi Sushi… it’s delicious.
Read more: 8 of the best places to eat in Niagara-on-the-Lake, here
2300: Catch some zzzz’s
Day 5
09:00: Breakfast
Enjoy your breakfast basket in front of the fire in your room at 124 Queen Street.
10:00: Take a stroll around Niagra-on-the-Lake
After wandering Queen Street, make sure to head towards the lakefront and discover the little harbour, views across to the United States and the quaint little gazebo that’s actually an amazing spot for a sunrise (well, if you get up early enough).
12:00: Drive to Inniskillin Winery
This drive will take you around 60-minutes.
13:00: Head on an ice wine tour of Inniskillin Winery
Taste a few of their signature varieties, see how ice wine is made and learn much more about the differences in the varieties. The tours themselves last between 30-60 minutes. 🍷
14:30: Dinner in the private Riedel Tasting Room
We organised to have dinner in the tasting room and it was delicious.
15:30: Drive back to Niagra-on-the-Lake
16:30 Relaxation time
Time for an in-house massage before dinner
20:00: Dinner at Backhouse
These guys cook some of the best meat dishes I’ve tasted! Hands down, it’s a great little spot to visit if you’re wanting something a little special.
Make sure to try their lamb dishes, they’re so good!
Read more: 8 of the best places to eat in Niagara-on-the-Lake, here
23:00 Catch some zzzz’s
Day 6
09:00: Breakfast
Enjoy your final breakfast basket in front of the fire in your room at 124 Queen Street.
11:00: Check out of the hotel and drive from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Toronto
The drive itself will likely take between 130-150 minutes, depending on traffic. 🚙
13:00: Return the car at National Car Rental
We dropped it off at the same spot we picked it up, in downtown Toronto.
13:30: Check into Delta Toronto
Based on Simcoe Street, Delta Toronto is a spot that has some incredible views over the city. It’s best to request a high room if possible, the views are stunning.
15:00 Head for lunch at the Distillery District
Take a cab over to the Distillery District for a bite to eat in one of the local joints here. Once inside the Distillery District, you’ll find loads of restaurants, cafes, bars and boutiques to wander around.
17:00: Explore Downtown Toronto and the Harbourfront
After gorging at the Distillery District, head for a walk downtown and through the harbour front to see Lake Ontario.
20:00: Dinner at Figures
Now, this has to be one of my favourite restaurants in Toronto. Drawing inspiration from comic book heroes, Figures is totally hidden by an unassuming door before you enter… but once you’re inside it’s another world.
Cocktails are served smoking, there are TV dinners for mains and some funky beats to suit! I swear, I could have stayed here all night.
Just remember to book a table before you rock up, it ‘s a very busy joint.
Read more: 11 Best Restaurants In Toronto
23:00 Catch some zzzz’s
Day 7
09:00: Breakfast at your hotel
Grab a hearty breakfast in your hotel before you head out for the day.
10:00: Head over to explore Casa Loma
Head to Casa Loma in Midtown to explore one of Toronto’s most famous gothic-style mansions or castle. Once inside, make sure you visit the Great Hall, the stunning conservatory and the view to downtown from the top of the towers.
It’s a fun way to spend a few hours.
13:00: Grab lunch at Rodney’s Oyster House
They have one of the best clam chowders in Canada, so make sure you arrive hungry.
15:00: Stroll around AGO
Explore the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and see some of the 80,000 works of art that are stored inside! It’s a place that’s filled with some of the best and most recognised artists from across the world. 🎨
17:00: Coffee and games at Snakes & Lattes
This is a cool little coffee spot (with hundreds of board games) to visit in Toronto and totally worth a little trip. Now, there’s three Snakes & Lattes to choose from in the city. ☕
You can see the 3 city locations, here.
Read more: 10 Places With The Best Coffee In Toronto
20:00: Head to China Town
After working up an appetite since lunch, head straight over to China Town to find some of the neighbourhoods best food joints. A favourite of mine was the Dumpling House. Yes, it was pretty informal and totally relaxed but the food was so incredible! With restaurants, I always feel it’s substance over style.
Just remember to take cash with you, they don’t accept cards.
23:00 Depart Toronto or stay an extra night at your hotel and leave in the morning
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