We love to travel around here. If you haven’t caught on by now, welcome to my tiny space on the internet littered with life: kiddos, style, decorating, renovations, and plenty of travel. We talk and plan for trips months and sometimes years in advance, which is what we look forward to doing more than anything else. Typically, family travel is at the top of the list, but this weekend, we jumped on a plane straight for Canada, and it was the most fun adventure—just the two of us.
Twelve significant years of marriage called for an escape to Toronto, and my husband planned the whole trip. I am so happy he did because now I can’t wait to return. Without the kids, we like to maximize our time. Two nights is usually the perfect allocated time for all of us. But finding cool and unique destinations that don’t require much travel can be tricky.
That’s where Toronto enters the chat.
A quick up-and-down, and two hours later, we were landing, through customs, and on our way to the hotel. We checked in, had a quick outfit change, and were eating lunch by midday. It was so convenient. The city is clean and walkable, we all speak the same language, and there is plenty to see and plenty to do.
We chose to stay in the King West Village, and it was an easy and accessible starting point. All three days, we wandered around the markets, exploring. We loved the Distillery District with its cute shops and open-air atmosphere. Octoberfest took place while we were there, with live music and plenty of patios to sit and relax while listening and people-watching.
We also found ourselves at Kensington Market and loved walking through the delis and bakeries. While visiting, we picked up some souvenirs and chocolates. We went big with the “Canada” theme because why not? If you are hungry, they have plenty of sweet and savory options, and it is a perfect stop before a picnic or heading out on one of the ferries for an afternoon.
We hopped on a ferry to Center Island and kept saying how much the boys would have loved the experience. There was an amusement park, beaches, canoes, and plenty of space to run and play. One could easily spend an entire day here. Due to time constraints on our return trip, we jumped on the Pirate Water Taxi, and it was by far one of the funniest and most unexpected experiences. From that point of view on the water, the CN Tower and skyline views were gorgeous. Looking back, I wish we had known about them sooner because they also offer private tours, and Captain Marc was fantastic!
One other noteworthy area is the eclectic Queens Street West. It is worth a stop because it is booming with vintage shopping, from clothing to art and jewelry. We grabbed a cappuccino and headed right after landing to stretch our legs and see more of the city on foot. We couldn’t have asked for better weather.
Our hotel, 1 Hotel Toronto, can be described in many words, but overall, dreamy is the one that comes to mind. The convenience of having yummy food so close made it hard to wander too far away, so we enjoyed our morning breakfast at 1 Kitchen, known for its locally sourced and sustainable farm-to-table offerings. I loved it. We also celebrated in style at Casa Madera. The whole restaurant has a vibe! We also enjoyed the rooftop pool and Harriets Rooftop before our departure; everything was top-notch. The views from the rooftop were lovely.
One other noteworthy bonus about our hotel is that they offer a complimentary car service that will drop you off within the city. Let me tell you, that was a big win! We loved it!
I have had so many conversations about this trip, and more than anything else, I am shocked I haven’t been to Toronto or Canada before. I asked on my Instagram for recommendations and had many lovely suggestions, which helped so much! The city is busy and active.
Writing about it now makes me want to plan a return trip. Someone told me the Toronto Christmas Market is gorgeous, and guess who will go for that? Me. I can’t wait!
All in all, I would jump back on a plane to Toronto in a heartbeat. There is nothing better than a trip that leaves you wanting more.
Thanks for reading, Tamara
