Canada’s most cosmopolitan city, Toronto is a cultural hub with museums, street art, diverse neighbourhoods, incredible food, and a litany of must-see attractions. Naturally, a destination with so much to offer and such a vibrant atmosphere attracts travellers from near and far throughout the year.
Like many other major urban areas around the world (like Amsterdam, Paris, and New York), Toronto never shuts down. However, it does go through periods of increased tourism and quieter months, something to consider when planning a trip. For example, if you enjoy sunny strolls around the waterfront and are fine with crowds, summer might be the perfect time to book, while travellers who don’t mind bundling up in order to explore solo would be better suited to visit in January or February.
With the help of concierges at two of the top luxury hotels in the city, we’ve broken down the best times to visit Toronto for great weather, outdoor adventure, fewer crowds, and more. To get started, here are the main tourist seasons in Toronto:
- High Season: June to September
- Shoulder Season: April to May and October to November
- Low Season: December to February
The best times to visit Toronto
Best times to visit Toronto for smaller crowds
“Crowds tend to be slightly smaller during March break when many families go on holiday, and into April. It’s a nice time to visit as there’s still unique Canadian-focused programming like the Maple Festival near the waterfront,” says Ronaldo Breton, chef concierge at The Hazelton Hotel, a member of Leading Hotels of the World. Because the seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors extend into the spring, sports fans might even be able to catch a game while in town.
Related Stories
Best times to visit Toronto for good weather
To enjoy pleasant weather without the peak-season crowds, visit during early or late summer. According to Harry Hollywood, chef concierge at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, the best months for beautiful weather are June and September, which tend to be mild and pleasant for walking around. Those are also great times for taking advantage of outdoor dining and joining in the seasonal festivities, whether that’s Toronto’s International Jazz Festival in late June or the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in early September.
Shop the best travel experiences here
Best times to visit Toronto for lower prices
On a budget? The best time to visit Toronto for lower prices is from December to February. Hollywood encourages travellers to plan ahead to score some excellent deals on airfare and luxury hotels. Despite the more reasonable rates, these months are still really exciting with winter markets and outdoor skating — just make sure you pack plenty of layers to stay warm during this chilly time of year.
Best time to visit for a day trip to the Toronto Islands
Summer is both the best and busiest time for a day trip to the Toronto Islands with several ferries and taxi boats available for seamless transport from the city. “Families in particular love Centre Island because it has beaches, an amusement park, food stalls, and bike rentals to cycle around and explore in the beautiful weather,” explains Breton.
Worst time to visit Toronto
February tends to be the coldest month — with temperatures that drop below freezing — so it’s not really prime for walking around. Travellers who do plan to visit during this time of year should bring warm clothes and plan on filling their itineraries with indoor activities, such as visiting the Royal Ontario Museum.
Book your stay at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto via Booking.com
Book your stay at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto at Yorkville via Agoda.com
(Hero and feature image credit: Kristjan Veski/Travel + Leisure)
This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com
Related: The 21 Most Beautiful Places In Canada, Picturesque Islands And Remote Mountains Included
Written By
