InterContinental Toronto Centre, an IHG Hotel

The best time to visit Toronto is from late May to early October, with June and September offering the most pleasant weather: warm days, lower humidity, and fewer rain days. July and August are the hottest and rainiest months, with frequent afternoon showers. Spring (April) and fall (November) are cooler and wetter, while winter is cold with occasional snow. The Toronto International Film Festival in early September is a famous draw, but the city is enjoyable throughout the summer and early fall.

Downtown Toronto suits first-timers, with the CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium, and easy transit. Yorkville is upscale and walkable, near the Royal Ontario Museum and boutique shops. The Entertainment District is lively, close to theaters and the St. Regis or Shangri-La. The Harbourfront offers lake views and a relaxed pace, with the Radisson Blu nearby.

Start with the CN Tower for skyline views, then Ripley's Aquarium of Canada for its underwater tunnel. The Royal Ontario Museum offers natural history and world cultures, while Casa Loma is a castle with gardens and towers. Nathan Phillips Square is the civic heart with its reflecting pool and Toronto sign. The Art Gallery of Ontario holds a strong Canadian and European collection.

The full-day tours from Toronto all go to Niagara Falls, where you can see the falls up close, take a boat ride, and often stop at Niagara-on-the-Lake for its wineries and historic charm. If you prefer to stay closer, well-known day trips include a visit to the Distillery District for its Victorian architecture and galleries, or a trip to the Toronto Islands for parkland and skyline views. These are easy to reach by transit or ferry.

Plan 3 to 4 days. In 3 days, you can see the CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium, the Royal Ontario Museum, and Nathan Phillips Square, plus Casa Loma or the Art Gallery of Ontario. Add a fourth day for a day trip to Niagara Falls, which needs a full day on its own.