How To Spend 48 Hours in Toronto

In June, I visited Canada for only the second time—Toronto, to be specific. I was in town for the annual North American TBEX conference, so I didn't have much time to go sightseeing, but I did try to squeeze in a few "must-see" things. Below is a 48-hour itinerary I came up with for Toronto, perfect for a quick weekend trip, especially if you're a first-timer. So go ahead and permit yourself to splurge on one of the luxury hotels in Toronto, and let's prepare to hit the town.

Day 1

CN Tower

At 553 meters (1,815 feet), Toronto's CN Tower, completed in 1976, was the world's tallest tower (and free-standing structure). Today, it still holds a respectable fifth place. Adult admission to the Tower Experience is $27.20, but the SkyPod, the highest point, costs $39.20.

The views from either level are sweeping as you look down on Toronto and across Lake Ontario. CN stands for "Canadian National," the railway company that built it. A mere hundred meters from the tower entrance is the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre, where you can walk amongst old train engines and a giant circular switching station.

Steam Whistle Brewery

The Toronto Railway Heritage Centre is a multi-purpose park home to the John Street Roundhouse, formerly used to repair locomotives. Today, it houses the Steam Whistle Microbrewery, among other shops and restaurants. Tours are available every day of the weekend, though it gets busier on the weekends, and each includes a free beer tasting at the end.

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)

Located in downtown Toronto's Grange Park, the Art Gallery of Ontario features over 80,000 works spanning almost 2,000 years. It has the most extensive collection of Canadian art and works from the European Renaissance and Baroque periods. The museum has undergone several renovations, the latest of which was completed in 2008 by famed architect Frank Gehry. Adult admission costs $19.50.

Hockey Hall of Fame

Ice hockey is Canada's most prominent sport and one of its claims to fame. Established in 1943, the Hockey Hall of Fame functions as a museum and a place to recognize the most significant players and coaches. Adult admission costs $17.50.

Eat Poutine

I discovered poutine for the first time in New York City at a TBEX conference back in 2010, thanks to Jodi Ettenberg (proud Canadian). But Toronto was the first time I tried this deliciously bad-for-you snack in the country that first produced it.

What's not to love about French fries and cheese smothered in gravy? If that's not enough for you, you can get all sorts of additional toppings. Poutine is the perfect post-party, late-night comfort food. For a few dollars, you can indulge in this tasty treat. You won't regret it.

Day 2

Niagara Falls Tour

After my conference, I dedicated a whole day to a Niagara Falls tour, which was awesome! You don't need more than a day to make the trip from Toronto, but trying to do it in less time means missing out on incredible opportunities. I'm speaking specifically about taking a helicopter ride over the falls and a ride in the traditional Maid of the Mist boats, which take you up close to the world's most powerful waterfall.

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This post was written by Dave and brought to you by SLH.com.