your ultimate guide to exploring solo in toronto, ontario
Toronto is the capital of the province of Ontario, Canada. There are many good reasons why 2.9 million people call this city home. Known for its high quality of living, Toronto also has well-connected transportation systems, amazing food scene, and active outdoor lifestyle. The city is situated on the shore of Lake Ontario, offering beautiful views and opportunities for every season. The residents here are diverse and proud of their heritage and culture, making Toronto a melting pot of exploration, history, and traditions of old and new. Ranked one of the safest and largest cities in North America, all signs point to YES for traveling solo in Toronto.
why travel solo in canada?
I ended up in Toronto almost by accident. The story goes- I went on a cruise and met a guy. A very nice guy. He was funny and charming and we spent the week in paradise sipping cocktails by the pool, rehashing stories of our excursions with our families and laughing. He was Canadian, and I thought- what they say is true! Canadians truly are inherently kind! We vowed to visit each other after this cruise had come to an end, and that is exactly what happened. Until it wasn’t. Love story aside, I hopped on a plane with the intention to visit him in Toronto. While my love story crashed and burned, I found a new love- traveling solo and the city of Toronto. In fact, I loved it so much that I planned another trip the very next year for my birthday, completely solo in Toronto.
Solo traveling is not a style of travel I had ever thought about until I was in this position. I had two clear choices: feel sad and sorry for myself, or step outside my comfort zone and explore this new place. My Northern Maine resilience told me to get up and get going. So, that’s what I chose to do.
small town girl navigating a big city
On my first trip to Toronto, I made mistakes. Most of my mistakes were the result of under planning and under researching. I was unaware of how easy transportation would be, the sheer size of the city, and what the main attractions were. As a result, I now have a ton of advice for my readers traveling to Toronto for the first time!
airport transportation
The first mistake I made was using Uber to get from the airport to downtown. The ride was long- about an hour- and very expensive- $60+ if memory serves. It was overwhelming to fly from a very familiar small city to an extremely large one, only to be plopped in the middle of it with no idea where to go or which direction was North. For this, I highly recommend using the UP Express train which runs between Toronto Pearson Airport to the centrally located Union Station. Each one-way adult fare will cost just $12.35 and get you there in 25 minutes. Plus, you will get views you can’t see from an Uber sitting in traffic.
where to stay
Though I loved both locations, I should have done way more research on which neighborhood to use as my home base. For my first trip, I stayed in the arts district of downtown Toronto. It was centrally located and close to endless choices of restaurants, shopping, and sights. However, walking around here at night was not as comfortable as I had hoped. The street below my airbnb was not well-lit and became empty at night, which can feel unsettling as a female solo traveler.
I doubled down on research for my second Toronto adventure. As a result, I was much happier with the location and feeling of safety at night. Again, I rented an Airbnb, but this location was close to the waterfront and Scotiabank Arena. As a bonus, I went during hockey season so there were crowds of loyal Maple Leafs fans everywhere. And, if you are anything like me, people watching is an essential activity on any trip.
dining alone
The first challenge I faced after finding myself in a new city alone was dining. I knew Toronto had amazing restaurants and I wanted to experience this for myself, but how? Once again, I decided to throw myself into the unknown and make a reservation for one. I found a seat at Ja Bistro, a sushi restaurant recommended to me by a local. I sat at the bar top, where I had a front row seat to the chefs making sushi. Their knives were used with surgical skill, and I remember being in awe of this as I soaked in this new experience. Moments later, my sushi arrived and I was in heaven. A few courses of sashimi sliced to perfection, hot sake, and a freshly made mochi ice cream later, I left with a big smile on my face and a core memory in my heart.
decompressing as a solo traveler
Stepping out solo in Toronto was, in fact, overwhelming at times. This first solo trip was extremely transformative for me in many ways. Traveling alone forces you to rely on yourself and become more in tune with what your body needs and what your senses are telling you. It is important to know when and how to decompress when traveling solo. For instance, if you spend 4 hours walking around a bustling city and you are from a small town, you may experience sensory overload and fatigue.
Listen to this feeling and respond accordingly. This can mean something different for everyone, such as ducking into a coffee shop and ordering your favorite hot drink, sitting and watching the world go by for an hour. It can mean going back to your accommodation and reading a book, turning on the tv, or taking a nap. Whatever it is, try to stay in tune with yourself and what your body needs to recharge and optimize your time traveling. Give yourself grace, time, and be present in the moment.
Amazing things to do solo in toronto
Casa Loma: an unexpected slice of history
Casa Loma is a castle in the city of Toronto dreamed up by Sir Henry Pellatt and drawn by Canadian architect E.J. Lennox. Built in 1914, the castle was used as a private home for Sir Pellatt where he hosted social gatherings and events. Sir Henry Pellatt was born to British parents in 1859. He left his college program early to join the family business, stock brokerage Pellatt and Pellatt. His success continued with the development of steam generated electricity by Thomas Edison, realizing he could monopolize the supply of electricity to Toronto. Pellatt founded the Toronto Electric Light Company in 1883. After his father retired, Sir Henry continued his business ventures by investing in major Canadian companies. Among them were the Canadian Pacific Railroad and the North West Land Company. These risky investments paid off tenfold, and Sir Henry enjoyed huge profits.
In 1905 Sir Henry Pellatt was knighted following his service with the Queen’s Own Rifles.
In addition to hosting private events, Sir Henry Pellatt was involved in philanthropy. He was a trustee and benefactor of Trinity College and a strong supporter of Grace Hospital.
Casa Loma, or “Hill House,” took 3 years and $3.5M to build. Today, it is still the only true castle in North America. The castle is full of curated artwork, secret passageways, a steakhouse and a large wine collection. Regular entry tickets to tour the castle are $40 and include a guided audio tour. Expect to spend a couple hours exploring the expansive home and grounds.
Steam whistle brewing co.
Appropriately, both of my Toronto trips began with a stop at Steam Whistle Brewing. Canada is cold. Canadians are hardy. So, brewing great beer not only helps ease the brutal winter, but sparks a desire to take pride in quality work. Located in the famous “Roundhouse” train station, Steam Whistle produces only one type of beer- pilsner. Choose from a tall or a short pour, find a seat at a family style table and unwind from your travel day before checking into your accommodation.
distillery district
Perhaps one of my most recommended activities in any city is exploring by foot. Toronto is the perfect place to set off on a wander. The distillery district of Toronto is a historic area filled with boutique shops, dining, and art galleries. Also, you can catch festivals like the lights festival and European style Christmas markets. Catch an old style prohibition feeling on the cobblestone streets and spend some time dipping into the unique shops, bars, and art exhibits.
catch a game! world class sports unite the solo in toronto
Toronto is known worldwide for its professional sports teams. See the Raptors or the Maple Leafs brawl at the Scotiabank Arena, enjoy an afternoon outdoors with the Blue Jays at the Rogers Center. You might end up with new best friends. You might end up at the pub later. One thing is for sure, you will not feel alone while cheering alongside the diehard Torontonians.
kensington market
Another walkable area, Kensington Market has a hippie vibe with indie shops and vintage stores to match. Trendy coffee houses and unique bakeries can be found hidden around every corner. I recall a particular donut shop called Dipped Donuts. This place had a line around the corner eager to taste the divine treats handcrafted fresh daily. Paired with a coffee from Moonbean Coffee, I spent the afternoon window shopping and enjoying the eclectic group of people expressing themselves through art and commerce.
St. Lawrence Market
This bustling market is more similar to a traditional public market you might find in any other big city. This market has been an important culinary focal point for over 200 years, the result of the hardworking vendors who have dedicated generations to public service. You can expect to find everything from fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh caught fish, cured meats and cheeses, wine, fresh cut flowers, and more. Hence, wandering through the multiple levels of St. Lawrence Market can take hours. My favorite stall was undeniably the handmade crepes, complete with fillings from fruit to Nutella to jam and peanut butter. Sweet, sticky, Heaven in Canada.
More to do solo in toronto
- CN Tower– the iconic tall skinny building in Toronto’s skyline
- Ripley’s Aquarium– complete with an underwater tunnel!
- Toronto’s Islands– a great summer activity
- CF Toronto Eaton Centre– a giant indoor shopping mall
- Toronto Path– a mostly underground pedestrian system built to help avoid the bone-chilling winter
finding myself solo in toronto
Toronto has solidified a special place in my heart. It is the city that sparked my interest in solo travel and gave me to the courage to step outside my comfort zone. I will continue returning to this vibrant city time and time again, eating my way through the amazing restaurants, enjoying the views from a high rise, and exploring every corner of every neighborhood on foot. Regardless of size, Toronto is a fantastic place to dip your solo toes in the water. It is equally safe as it is diverse, and deserves the attention of every traveler looking for a place to find themself and grow.
Just book the trip. Just do it. I promise, you will find bits and pieces of yourself along the way. Solo travel has a way of unraveling what you are grateful for, and I am endlessly grateful for you, Toronto.
- For more Travel Guides, check out my other posts!