Cheap things to do in Toronto
Markets, parks, dive bars and serious street food for under $50 a day
This is a Toronto for people who eat at counters, drink in dive bars and spend their afternoons in parks rather than tasting menus. The route threads through Kensington, Queen West and downtown's market district, three of the city's most characterful patches, and keeps your wallet almost entirely intact. If your idea of a perfect day ends with cold beer and loud music rather than a bill with a service charge line, this one's for you.
Day 1: Kensington, Koreatown, cheap and good
Start with poutine in Alexandra Park, burn it off at Christie Pits, then follow the night into Koreatown for soon tofu and a legendary dive bar.
- 10:30 AM
Jimmy's Coffee
Kensington Market café on Baldwin Street for a cheap drip coffee before wandering the market.
Map - 12:30 PM
NomNomNom Poutine
Cheap, hearty Quebecois poutine right in Alexandra Park, exactly the kind of no-fuss lunch this neighbourhood is made for.
Map - 2:00 PM
Christie Pits Park
A sunken park on Bloor with a ball diamond in the bowl; free, and a block from Koreatown.
Map - 7:30 PM
Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu
Steaming soon tofu at one of Toronto's most-loved cheap Korean spots in Koreatown, a top-rated, deeply satisfying dinner that won't break the bank.
Map - 9:00 PM
Sneaky Dee's
Legendary cheap dive bar with cold beers, loud music and a great local crowd, the definitive Kensington-area nightcap.
Map
Day 2: Queen West from alley to park
A peameal bacon sandwich kicks things off before a mural-lined walk west, a great-value lunch, and a long afternoon at Trinity Bellwoods leading into Thai food and rock on the jukebox.
- 9:30 AM
- 10:30 AM
Graffiti Alley West
Free, iconic walk from University to Ossington through Graffiti Alley, murals, indie shops and live-music venues the whole way.
Map - 12:30 PM
- 2:00 PM
Trinity Bellwoods Park
Trinity Bellwoods is the heartbeat of the neighbourhood, free, flat, great people-watching and space to decompress.
Map - 7:30 PM
- 9:00 PM
Bovine Sex Club
Bovine Sex Club is a legendary dive bar on Queen W, cheap drinks, rock on the jukebox, exactly the kind of local bar this neighbourhood is famous for.
Map
Day 3: St. Lawrence, City Hall, Church Street
Graze your way through St. Lawrence Market at lunch, take a free spin around Nathan Phillips Square, then finish downtown with fried bao and a proper neighbourhood bar.
- 12:30 PM
St. Lawrence Market
Graze 120 vendors for a cheap lunch: peameal on a bun, a slab of cheese, fresh bread; closed Sundays and Mondays.
Map - 4:30 PM
Nathan Phillips Square
Free public square and Toronto landmark, wander the plaza, see the iconic curved City Hall façade, totally free.
Map - 7:30 PM
Sang-Ji Fried Bao (DownTown)
Cheap, cheerful Chinese fried bao in Church-Wellesley, a solid, filling dinner on the cheap.
Map - 9:00 PM
Woody's
Local neighbourhood bar in Church-Wellesley, unpretentious, cheap drinks, a proper local wind-down.
Map
Where to stay
The Clarence Park
The only dollar-sign hotel in the list, close to Queen West and a short walk from most of the plan.
Make Toronto your trip
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Book ahead
- Toronto Islands: a few days ahead
- Rogers Centre: a few days ahead
- Scotiabank Arena: a few days ahead
- Massey Hall: a few days ahead
- The Second City Toronto: a few days ahead
- Guerlain Spa Toronto: a few days ahead
Skip these
- CN Tower at midday on a Saturday. Go at opening or sunset on a timed ticket instead.
- Clifton Hill at Niagara Falls. See the Falls, boat and gorge, and skip the wax museum strip.
- Ripley's Aquarium as an adult must do, Eaton Centre as Toronto shopping, and King West bottle service clubs as Toronto nightlife.
- Casa Loma on a 2 day trip. It is real and fun, and half a day gone.
The full Toronto travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around