15 Unmissable Things To Do In Toronto At Night
Toronto is the most multicultural city in the world with about half of its citizens being born outside of the country. It is the capital city of the province of Ontario and is also proudly listed as the 7th most livable city on the globe. There are lots of reasons to visit Toronto, whether you want to try food in some of the 8,000 restaurants, visit the largest zoo in Canada or see the former tallest skyscraper in the world.
Thanks to the over-200 ethnic groups living here, the city is energetic and lively so its citizens can enjoy an active nightlife. There are lots of fun things to do in Toronto at night and the activities listed below are some that you just won't want to miss. Some nighttime activities can get crazy so you might want to store your belongings and large away at a bag storage facility in Toronto, so you can see the sights hands-free!
Catch a Show at a Theatre
Toronto has a great entertainment scene and there are often events, concerts or performances being put on somewhere around the city or in a nearby theatre. Most of the live shows and comedy clubs are permanent although there are also traveling shows visiting Toronto so you can always experience something new.
There are lots of places to be entertained in Toronto, like the Royal Alexandra Theatre, the Harbourfront Centre, The Hole in the Wall, The Opera House or the Princess of Wales Theatre. Check their schedules to see what is happening near you when you are in town!
Follow Food Tours or do a Pub Crawl
What better way to spend the night than to eat good food and try new drinks? Toronto has a great culinary scene and there are lots of excellent restaurants and bars that are well worth stopping by. Try signing up for a nighttime food tour or visiting some food trucks that are open late.
The benefit of booking a tour is that you will be guided by an expert who knows the city well and exactly where to find some of the best dishes. It can also be a great way to learn about the different Toronto neighborhoods and the history of the city.
Try Skydiving at iFly Toronto
If you have never tried skydiving but have always wanted to then you can try it right here in Toronto. You won't be jumping out of an airplane here but you'll get to experience the next best thing by entering a powerful wind tunnel that will make you feel like you're freefalling.
You will be guided by experts who help make the experience fun and safe. The iFly Toronto location is open during the day and into the night making it a great nighttime activity for anyone who wants to get a rush of adrenaline. The latest time that you can book is at 8:30 pm local time and they recommend reserving your tickets in advance since they fill up quickly.
Sign Up for a Haunted Toronto Walking Tour
If you are feeling brave and want to get spooked you should grab a ticket for a local haunted walking tour. There are lots of creepy folklore tales and scary stories for you to learn about, and what better way to do it than to take a tour and hear the stories in person? During the tours, you will take a stop by the Mill Street Brewery where you can try some of their excellent drinks.
You can find this event in the popular Distillery District and tours begin after the sun goes down. You can hear tales and see areas where people have been hanged as well as buildings that are supposedly haunted. Guides are dressed to suit the theme and it can be a thrilling event that will get your heart racing.
Watch a Medieval Times Tournament
A great way to spend the night in Toronto is watching a live medieval times show. You will get to see the best kind of entertainment; jousting and sword fights! You will also be treated to a four course meal so you can dine like kings while you watch the battles.
This is a great activity for families, and young guests will love seeing the knights and their cool armor. The latest shows begin at 7:30 pm and last for two to three hours which makes it a super fun nighttime activity.
Visit Niagara Falls
Chances are you might have seen pictures of the beautiful Niagara Falls before your trip to Toronto but you may not know about all of the activities that are offered here, including those that are put on at night. Some may say that the best time to visit this picturesque landscape is after the sun goes down when everything is lit up.
The Niagara Falls Illumination events fill the Falls with colors and the experience can be unforgettable. If you really want to take part in everything that the Falls have to offer, you should sign up for a boat tour of the area. These night cruises go as late as 6 pm or 8 pm depending on the season.
Climb the CN Tower
You have probably heard of the CN Tower, which was once the tallest skyscraper in the world. What you might not know is that you can enter the tower as late as 10:30 at night and there are some fun and exciting things going on later in the day.
Make sure to stop by the SkyPod which offers an amazing view under the glass floor, and if you get in before 8 pm you can reserve a spot on the EdgeWalk where you can venture outside of the glass and see the city from above. Like climbing an incredibly high mountain peak, this can be frightening but is great for anyone who enjoys an adrenaline rush! Another great thing to do here is to eat some food at the elegant 360 Restaurant which offers some nice views at 1151 feet above the city street.
See the Fish at Ripley's Aquarium
Ripley's Aquarium is a popular spot for kids and adults to enjoy themselves and see some cool aquatic creatures during the day, but what most people don't know is that the building stays open at night. You can stay here all night participating in fun activities and learning something new about the fish.
It is a great spot for parties or for an unforgettable family activity. After spending the night you'll be treated to a tasty breakfast as well as snacks throughout the evening. The aquarium is amazing during the day but offers a completely different experience at night, so head here when you can.
Catch a Sports Game
You may not know that Toronto is the home of seven different major league sports teams. Locals are quite fond of their sports and attending a game in person is always exciting. With so many different teams, chances are that there is at least one game happening while you are in the city.
Keep in mind that tickets will sell out quickly and it can be a good idea to buy your passes in advance. If you want to watch a hockey game you will be cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the local baseball team is the Toronto Blue Jays, the city's basketball team is the Toronto Raptors, and if you enjoy soccer you will be watching the Toronto FC.
Spend a Night at Scarborough Bluffs
Scarborough Bluffs is a nature reserve in the Scarborough area of Toronto that offers lots of fun activities all day and is a great spot to go hiking. It is a popular area for locals to hang out in so it is a good place to go if you want to make new friends.
Some of the best activities include swimming in the lake and having a bonfire. There are fire pits already installed but you will need to bring your own firewood. Pack food to roast on the fire and some camping chairs and you'll be all set up for a fun night!
Go to the Distillery District
Another great thing to do while visiting Toronto is to explore the Distillery District. This is the perfect spot for anyone who has a passion for entertainment, shopping and food. This place earned its name because it was the former location of the Gooderham & Worts Distillery.
Now the area is home to more than 40 different boutique shops, cafes, art galleries, theatres, bars, coffee shops, gourmet restaurants and more. Almost anything that you can think of can be found here and many of the places are open late so you can stroll around the area at night.
Watch a Movie at Docks Drive In
Docks Drive In is an outdoor movie theater where some of the newest and classic films are played on big screens and visitors can watch them from inside their car. There are two screens here so you can have your pick of which movie you want to see. Once you pay the admission prices you can park your car wherever you want, connect to the sound on the radio and enjoy the movie.
You might also be interested to learn that the site has a golf driving range and mini-golf course so you can shoot golf balls before the sun goes down and the movie starts. This is the best way to spend a Friday night, or any night since the Drive In and golf range are open year-round.
Nerd Nite Toronto
If you are someone who proudly calls themselves a nerd or just someone who wants to learn something new then you can hang out with like-minded individuals at Nerd Nite. This event happens once a month and is where presentations and discussions about some pretty unique topics are put on.
Some of the previous topics revolved around pirates, dark energy and other similar thought processes where people can share their ideas and discuss what they are passionate about. Drinks are also available on site.
Take an Evening Cruise
On the waterfront of the city, you can find a selection of different cruises and boat tours happening at night. You can choose to book a party cruise, a dinner cruise, or just a sightseeing cruise which all offer new experiences for you to enjoy.
There are some beautiful sights of the city from on top of the water and you can snap some great pictures of the Toronto skyline. It is one of the top tourist attractions to try during the day and can be a truly magical experience at night.
Visit the Stantec Window Gallery
At the Stantec Window Gallery, you can see some amazing creative art pieces made by local artists. You can step inside the gallery during the day and although it does close at night there are some pretty impressive works displayed outside for you to see.
The art gallery accepts new pieces every year so the exhibits are always changing. If you are an aspiring artist you can even consider submitting your own work to be displayed at this Toronto institution!
Enjoying What the City Has to Offer At Night
Most nighttime activities in this big city, like the Toronto Music Garden which plays live music, are offered outdoors in the summer, although there is much to do in the winter months as well. Some of the best daytime activities include going to the Toronto Zoo, visiting the Royal Ontario Museum, grabbing some delicious food at the Saint Lawrence Market or buying something at the Kensington Market, but at night the city transforms to suit the night crowd.
If you are spending a while in the city you should take a night to visit the Toronto Islands and see the city lights from across Lake Ontario. There is always something happening in Downtown Toronto and since the city is so lively chances are you can walk through the streets and find somewhere that is still open no matter what the time.