How to Use the Toronto CityPASS and City Sightseeing Bus for the Perfect Day
Toronto, Ontario, is a thriving Canadian city just under two hours from Niagara Falls. It is the perfect place to use a Toronto CityPASS with a City Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour to explore and enjoy a full day of sightseeing of the top attractions in Toronto this summer.
We found our way to Toronto after visiting the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. The Toronto CityPASS combined with the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus allowed us to see the best Toronto attractions without having to drive, park, and contend with traffic.
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What is the Toronto CityPASS?
The Toronto CityPASS is a simple way to purchase one ticket that includes admission to five attractions throughout Toronto. You can buy the Toronto CityPASS online and download the pass directly onto your phone. Use your mobile ticket to bypass the line at the attractions.
The Toronto CityPASS is sometimes available on Groupon, a discount coupon site. Check there first to save even more money. You have nine days to use your pass.
What is Included in the Toronto CityPASS
The CityPASS includes admission to the CN Tower and admission to four more from the following Toronto attractions:
- Casa Loma
- Toronto Zoo
- City Cruises Toronto
- Royal Ontario Museum
- Ontario Science Centre
Combine Your CityPASS with a City Sightseeing Bus Tour
The best way to utilize a Toronto CityPASS is by combining it with a City Sightseeing Tour.
You can catch a City Sightseeing bus at Yonge Dundas Square. This is an area similar to Times Square in New York City, with large marquee signs and a bustling center.
Buy your tickets for the City Sightseeing bus for the Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour in advance to save time or through one of the ticket agents in the area.
The red and yellow City Sightseeing signs are hard to miss.
Purchase your tickets online and use the mobile voucher for a more convenient option.
The bus’s upper deck is open-air, allowing you to get great pictures throughout the city.
The bus stops at all the major attractions, and the tour guides give great information about each place you see along the way. Some tour guides are better than others!
If you purchase the Toronto CityPASS, this tour is an excellent addition as it provides transportation around the city.
Eaton Centre
Eaton Centre is located close to the Yonge Dundas Center. It is the largest shopping mall in North America. It has countless shops and restaurants. The food court here has an outstanding selection of choices and is where we ate dinner the first night.
Casa Loma
- Location: 1 Austin Terrace
- Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily
- Cost: $40 Adults (18-64), $35 Youth (14-17), $20 Child (4-13)
- Reservations required for admission
- Included in Toronto CityPASS
Casa Loma is the first attraction we chose to see. This castle is located in the middle of the town and is owned by the City of Toronto.
The home was originally built by Sir Henry Pellatt, an entrepreneur and the first investor of electricity for the city.
He invested over $3 million in the early 1900s to see the dream of his castle built. Unfortunately, the significant and risky investments that brought him riches also bankrupted him.
Eventually, the castle was sold and used as a hotel and other entertainment venues. However, with the Great Depression, the venue sat vacant, which led to it being sold to the City of Toronto for a little more than $25,000, the amount owed in back taxes.
The views from the top floor overlooking the gardens are unbelievably beautiful and give you a glimpse of the entire city. The gardens are a popular spot for professional photographs and movies.
You should expect to spend about an hour to an hour and a half here.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
- Location: 288 Bremner Blvd
- Hours: 10 am. – 8:00 p.m.
- Cost $44 Adults (14-65) $29 Youth (6-13) $12.50 child (3-5)
- Online reservations and timed entry required
- Not Included on the Toronto CityPASS at this time
Another popular stop on the City Sightseeing tour is Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. The aquarium is next to The Rogers Centre, where the Toronto Blue Jays play baseball, and near the CN Tower. The aquarium is crowded during summer days, but the crowds are manageable.
The displays of fish are stunning. The Aquarium includes North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel and over 100 interactive possibilities.
CN Tower
- Location: 290 Bremner Blvd.
- Hours: 10 AM – 9:00 PM
- Cost: $43 Adults (14-64), $30 Youth (6-13), $14 Child (3-5)
- Reservations required
- Included on Toronto CityPASS
Just a minute’s walk from the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is the CN Tower. The Canadian National Tower is a broadcast tower for 16 Canadian television stations and numerous FM radio stations.
Visitors ascend to the top of the Tower for views spanning over 100 miles on three different observation decks.
360 The Restaurant is located in the CN Tower. It is a rotating restaurant that makes a complete circle offering full window views of the entire city.
For an additional charge, visitors can add on other experiences such as the SkyPod, which takes you even higher, or the Edgewalk, where you walk outside on the edge, harnessed, of course!
Harbour and Islands Cruise
The City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off bus ticket included the Harbour and Islands cruise. We took advantage of the cruise as a new way to see the city. The skyline is beautiful from the water. The CityPASS ticket now offers a 60-minute sightseeing tour as well.
This Is a lovely way to learn about the city from a new perspective.
Berczy Park Dog Fountain
When you are done with your cruise, hop off at the next stop to visit Berczy Park and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Berczy Park is where you can see the iconic and whimsical dog fountain. The fountain features a variety of dog breeds playing in the water while staring down the bone in the center.
While you are there, see if you can spot the one cat and two birds placed at the fountain.
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto. I love sports, but hockey is one sport that doesn’t get a lot of coverage in South Texas, where I live. We chose to skip the Hockey Hall of Fame this time, but if you are a fan, check it out while you are in Toronto.
Nathan Phillips Square
The Nathan Phillips Square is where the brightly lit Toronto sign is located.
It was initially installed as a temporary exhibit for the Toronto Pan American Games but became a permanent fixture because it was so popular.
You can also find an outdoor skating rink in this area.
St. Lawrence Market
St. Lawrence Market is a vast indoor farmers’ market with shops and food vendors. You can find some souvenirs here, along with some fresh produce. We found it to be a specialty grocers market more than anything. It is worth a look around when you are in the area.
Love Locks Sculpture – Distillery District
Located on the City Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off route is the Distillery District which is 100% for pedestrians only.
The Distillery District is a trendy spot with art galleries, restaurants, and bars.
It is here that you will find The Love Locks Sculpture. Couples bring a lock to add to the wall. While we were there, a man was selling locks for $10. We settled for a picture instead.
Other Included Attractions on the Toronto CityPASS
Admission to the Royal Ontario Museum, the Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Science Centre, and City Cruises Toronto is also included, which could save you even more money when sightseeing.
Royal Ontario Museum
- Location: 100 Queen’s Park
- Hours: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (closed Mondays)
- Cost: $23 Adults, $18 Youth (15-19), $14 Child (4-14)
- Reservations required
Toronto Zoo
- Location: 2000 Meadowvale Rd.
- Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Cost: Adults $27.99 + tax Child $18.30 + tax
- Tickets must be pre-booked
Ontario Science Centre
- Location: 770 Don Mills Rd
- Hours: Closed Monday & Tuesday, W-F 10:00-4; Sat – 9 -5; Sun 10 – 5
- Cost $22 Adults, $16 Youth, $13 Child
Other Toronto Tourist Attractions
Toronto Graffiti Tour
Toronto is accepting of street artists and their work. We booked a free Graffiti Tour with the Tour Guys.
The tour takes you through the streets of Toronto, where you will find prominent street art. Areas like these are becoming very popular in other cities, including Santurce in Puerto Rico, and Magazine Street in New Orleans.
Going on the Graffiti Tour is a fun way to spend the afternoon walking around the city after the bus and harbor tours.
The Underground City PATH way
Toronto has over 19 miles of underground paths connecting central Financial District offices.
Along the PATH, you will find many shops and restaurants. There are maps to help you navigate the PATH, but we found it tricky to navigate, no matter how hard we tried.
You can enter the PATH at Yonge Dundas Square, one of many entrances and exits. We exited at Saks Fifth Ave.
At night the PATH is less crowded, and you may find the homeless camped out. I recommend visiting during the day when more people are out and about.
I imagine this PATH is highly beneficial during the winter months.
Plan Your Next Trip to Toronto
This summer, consider purchasing a Toronto CityPASS and the City Sightseeing bus tour for a fun way to see the top Toronto attractions.
My overall review is the Toronto CityPASS offered excellent value for the price and convenience. When combined with the City Sightseeing Bus Tour, you will save money and see the best of Toronto with a full day of sightseeing.
Where to Stay in Toronto
The Cambridge Suites, located at 15 Richmond St E, Toronto, is the perfect place to stay in Toronto.
It is within walking distance of many of Toronto’s famous sights, including the Eaton Centre, St. Lawrence Market, Brookfield Place, and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The hotel is also connected to the Toronto PATH, where you can reach the Rogers Centre and Ripley’s Aquarium.
The Cambridge Suites has large rooms with a separate living area and bedroom. Most units have a wet bar area with a sink, a small fridge, a microwave, and a coffee maker.
The employees are friendly and extremely helpful, answering questions about parking, and giving directions and recommendations as needed.
Want to make sure you don’t forget anything on your trip? Check out our suggestions for The Best Traveling Essentials for Women.
