{"id":52425,"date":"2021-02-23T08:00:43","date_gmt":"2021-02-23T16:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=52425"},"modified":"2025-08-21T10:22:54","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T17:22:54","slug":"toronto-first-timers-winter-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/toronto-first-timers-winter-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"A FIRST-TIMER\u2019S GUIDE TO TORONTO IN WINTER"},"content":{"rendered":"

First time in Toronto? I can guarantee you\u2019ll fall in love with this sparkling, vibrant city. With a bustling city center, magnificent skyline, and wonderful public transit system, it\u2019s far too easy to spend days wandering around.<\/p>\n

Most people flock south during the winter, but despite the well-below-freezing temperatures, Toronto makes for a wonderful getaway.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re visiting Toronto for the first time in the winter, here are some things you don\u2019t want to miss!<\/p>\n

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Toronto Background<\/h2>\n

The Toronto we know and love today is situated at the mouth of the Humber River, but in the 17th<\/sup> and 18th<\/sup> centuries, it referred to the area of Lake Simcoe.<\/p>\n

Now, it\u2019s the bustling capital of the Canadian province of Ontario and is home to 3 million inhabitants, and a vacation spot for over 40 million visitors every year.<\/p>\n

With 7 major sports teams, 8,100 restaurants, over 400 acres of green space, you\u2019re guaranteed to have something to do here no matter where you turn.<\/p>\n

I had the good fortune to visit Toronto in February last year and I had a blast! I only spent a 3-day weekend there to take advantage of my no-class Fridays in college, but I was able to see and do plenty – not to mention stuff my face with all their amazing food.<\/p>\n

Toronto Lights Festival<\/h2>\n

The Toronto Lights Festival<\/a> is an exhibition that happens every year in the winter and spring in Toronto\u2019s Distillery District.<\/p>\n

The area is full of interesting restaurants, and the light exhibits are breathtakingly beautiful! It\u2019s entirely free to enter – simply take a walk in the evening and enjoy the artists\u2019 creations!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re here at the right time, this would be my number one suggestion of what to do in Toronto. The festival usually runs from mid-January to early March, but make sure you check the dates as they change each year. <\/p>\n

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CN Tower<\/h2>\n

The CN Tower<\/a> is, as of the time of writing, the tallest free-standing building on the North American continent and boasts the highest glass floor elevator in the world. In fact, it\u2019s touted as one of the modern 7 wonders of the world!<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not cheap for a ticket ($38), but you\u2019ll certainly love the experience.<\/p>\n

We managed to get a hotel room with a clear view of the tower and it was so tall that I couldn\u2019t even see the top in the snow! Because of its unique shape, it\u2019s instantly recognizable in any skyline photo, and you can see it from practically anywhere in the city.<\/p>\n

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Polson Pier<\/h2>\n

Polson Pier is my favorite spot for seeing the Toronto skyline. It\u2019s also the perfect place to watch the sunset over the buildings and watch the city lights sparkle to life!<\/p>\n

In the winter, the crashing waves and below-freezing temperatures mean that it\u2019s almost entirely covered in thick sheets of slick ice, so watch your step and don\u2019t slip. It\u2019s also extremely cold and windy at night, so bundle up!<\/p>\n

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Nathan Philips Square Skating Rink<\/h2>\n

This one is a classic winter activity in Toronto and you can\u2019t miss it! Framed by the giant Toronto sign, you can ice skate for free on Canada\u2019s largest artificially-frozen outdoor rink<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Even better, it\u2019s set along the shoreline of Lake Ontario! Skate rentals are not free, but a few dollars is a small price to pay for endless hours of skating around.<\/p>\n

Every hour and a half, they clear out the rink to re-smooth the ice out, which is always entertaining to watch!<\/p>\n

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Art Gallery of Ontario<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re looking to get away from the cold. weather, nothing is better than the beautiful AGO.<\/p>\n

The design is altogether stunning, and the exhibits are thoughtfully curated and put together. Don\u2019t miss seeing the hallway with the caf\u00e9; it\u2019s one of the most picturesque spots in the entire museum!<\/p>\n

I also loved the asymmetrical spiral staircase leading to a 360-degree view of the city and the temporary Yayoi Kusama exhibit. You can learn more about all the Yayoi Kusama exhibits I\u2019ve seen here – she makes the best immersive installations!<\/p>\n

You can purchase an annual pass or one-time visitor tickets on their website.<\/a> <\/p>\n

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Winter Stations<\/h2>\n

This is another cool local art installation collective located at the Beaches waterfront! The structures here are often beach-themed, even though the event is held during the wintertime.<\/p>\n

Definitely a lovely place to walk around and marvel at the artistry on a sunny winter afternoon!<\/p>\n

Related Post:<\/strong> The Ultimate City Guide To Toronto<\/a><\/div>\n

The Bentway Skate Trail<\/h2>\n

The Bentway<\/a> features an ice skating trail under the Gardiner in the winter, which means that instead of being limited to a small rink, you have a whole path at your fingertips.<\/p>\n

Best of all, the skate trail is free! Skate rental is only $10, and you can enjoy whizzing past the Toronto buildings and structures on your way through.<\/p>\n

Graffiti Alley<\/h2>\n

Graffiti Alley<\/a> is exactly what it sounds like – a whole string of alleys completely covered in street art graffiti. Due to its ever-changing nature, you never know what you\u2019ll find here, but that\u2019s one of my favorite things about street art!<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll warn that not all of the art is necessarily an \u201cInstagram mural\u201d material, but it\u2019s so immersive that you can\u2019t help but love it.<\/p>\n

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Winter Light Exhibition<\/h2>\n

This is yet another winter lights exhibition in Toronto. This one\u2019s located at Ontario Place, and also happens to be free to enter!<\/p>\n

There are fewer light exhibitions than at the Lights Festival – only<\/em> 12 illuminated creations by local artists. There is also a free skating rink and a bonfire on the north end of Cedar Cove!<\/p>\n

Casa Loma<\/h2>\n

This Gothic revival castle<\/a> is located a short way outside of Toronto and is absolutely the coolest thing!<\/p>\n

With endless rooms to explore, an oven big enough to roast a whole ox, and even a seasonally decorated dungeon (I can\u2019t make this up), you\u2019ll feel like you\u2019ve stepped back into Hogwarts!<\/p>\n

It costs $25 and the last entry is at 4:30 pm, so make sure to get there early enough to explore the whole thing.<\/p>\n

I spent hours enjoying the grandiose halls and libraries, walking around the beautiful grounds, and yes, looking at their dragons in the dungeon.<\/p>\n

My personal favorite room is the charming tea room with its natural light and fresh ambiance, which they still use today to host parties and events.<\/p>\n

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Seven Lives Tacos<\/h2>\n

Seven Lives Tacos y Mariscos<\/a> is pretty much a staple in Toronto. It\u2019s not fancy by any means, but delicious and a must-try place to grab a bite if you have the time.<\/p>\n

Seating is quite limited, and the never-ending cloud of people in this cramped store will let you know that it\u2019s the real deal. Located in the Kensington Market area, you can enjoy a meal and then spend countless hours browsing the small shops that fill the district.<\/p>\n

Chinatown<\/h2>\n

I may be biased because I\u2019m Chinese, but Toronto\u2019s Chinatown is the place I keep going back to! The food is inexpensive and incredibly delicious, and you\u2019ll find every sort of snack, dessert, and boba shop walking down the street.<\/p>\n

Here I\u2019ve listed a few of my favorite restaurants and cafes in the Chinatown area:<\/p>\n