After a late night of music and margaritas, we allowed ourselves a slow start to Day 6 of our East Coast USA and Canada road trip. The sun was shining, the city was waking up, and Toronto was ready to show us a softer, more relaxed side. This was our first full day to properly explore Canada’s biggest city — and it didn’t disappoint.
Brunch at St Lawrence Market
We wandered down to the St Lawrence Market for a much-needed brunch. The market was already buzzing with locals and tourists alike, the smell of fresh bread and coffee drifting through the air. We settled on huge bacon sandwiches and steaming coffees — the perfect start to the day — before wandering the stalls and admiring the rows of produce, cheeses, and souvenirs.
Walking to the Distillery District
After breakfast, we set off on a long, leisurely walk towards the Distillery District, following tree-lined paths through quiet parks and residential streets. The area itself was a pleasant surprise — full of independent boutiques, hipster coffee shops, and art galleries. The cobblestone streets and converted red-brick warehouses gave it a relaxed, European feel. We browsed the shops, picked up a few souvenirs, and soaked up the sunshine. Toronto felt friendly, creative and unhurried.
Up the CN Tower
From the Distillery District, we made our way across town to the CN Tower and Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite my dislike of heights, we decided to head up the tower — and I have to admit, the views were incredible. The city stretched endlessly in every direction, the lake glinting in the distance. We could even look straight into the Blue Jays stadium below, where a baseball game was in full swing.
It’s not for the faint-hearted, though — those glass floors are unnerving, even for someone who claims not to be afraid of heights. Still, the experience was well worth it.
The View from the lift up the CN Tower
Post-Game Drinks
When we came back down, the Blue Jays game had just finished and the area around the tower was buzzing with fans. We joined the flow of people heading towards the bars and found one selling German and European beers. We grabbed a table, ordered a couple of cold pints and let the atmosphere wash over us. Toronto was beginning to grow on us.
Mexico Day at Nathan Phillips Square
Later in the afternoon, we walked north to Nathan Phillips Square to see the famous Toronto sign. As luck would have it, a Mexico Day celebration was in full swing — live music, dancing, and food stalls filling the square with energy. The smell of tacos and burritos was irresistible, and Deb was thrilled to find a stall selling Oaxaca wooden animals, which she’s collected ever since our honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta back in 1997. We stayed for a while, soaking up the sunshine and the festive atmosphere before heading back to the hotel to freshen up.
Dinner and Canada’s Favourite Comfort Food
That evening, we wandered into a nearby pub for dinner. Deb finally got to try the Canadian classic, poutine — a dish of fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. It’s about as comforting as food gets, and while she loved it, I wasn’t completely convinced. Still, when in Canada, it has to be done!
Ending the Day
We lingered over a few pints, chatting with locals, before grabbing a final Tim Hortons stop for coffee and a box of Timbits (small doughnut bites) on the way back to the hotel. An early night followed — after all, tomorrow we’d be back on the road again, heading east for our last night in Canada.
Next Up
Tomorrow we leave Toronto and drive towards the Thousand Islands region, stopping overnight in the lakeside town of Gananoque — our final stop in Canada before crossing back into the USA.
