So, I just got back from Toronto, and wow, what a whirlwind. You're not going to believe half the things that happened. Honestly, when I first got there, I wasn't sure what to expect. People kept asking me if I had an itinerary, and I just shrugged and said, “Meh, I'll figure it out.” You know, the best things to do in Toronto are sometimes the things you didn't plan for at all.
This spot? Total surprise.
Let me tell you about an alleyway I stumbled into while trying to find my bearings. I had my phone in hand, squinting at the screen like some kind of lost tourist—and, well, I was. I ended up in this colorful alley filled with street art, and it just took my breath away. I'd heard of Graffiti Alley before, but seeing it in person was like falling down a rabbit hole of creativity. I almost didn't notice the street performers jamming out on their guitars right there.
I stood for a good half an hour just soaking it all in; there were these vibrant murals on every single wall. You know how sometimes art just hits you in the gut? That's what this did. I mean, I hadn't planned to spend my afternoon there. I didn't allocate time for alleys on my trip—it was more about checking off the CN Tower and the Distillery District. But life has a funny way of taking you places, doesn't it?
The afternoon that changed my whole mood
Speaking of unexpected adventures, I have to tell you about my food escapades—or lack thereof at first! So, I went to this popular brunch spot. I thought I'd be clever and beat the weekend brunch rush. Turns out, the line was still out the door. I started to second-guess my choice, thinking, “Maybe I'm just gonna bail and grab a pastry somewhere,” but I stuck it out.
Finally, after what felt like eternity, I got to sit down. I ordered this avocado toast with poached eggs that sounded so typical, but OMG, it was anything but! The bread had this crunch like it had just come out of a charcoal grill. The eggs were perfectly runny, and the whole thing was topped with feta and chili flakes—it was a whole party on a plate.
Right then and there, my mood shifted. I went from “Why am I standing outside for this?” to “This is so worth it!” I sat, sipping my latte, doing that annoying thing where I kept taking pictures of my food because I just couldn't get over it. A bit cringe, but whatever.
I almost missed this, no thanks to my bad sense of direction
So, let's talk about my crazy sense of direction—seriously, it's like having a built-in compass that only points south. I was trying to find this amazing bakery called Madame D'Amour that I had read about. You need to know, this place supposedly has the best pastries in the city. But of course, I took a wrong turn and ended up somewhere in Kensington Market, which was totally unplanned.
Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from Kensington. I thought it'd just be another neighborhood, but, oh my god, was I wrong! It's colorful and chaotic in this beautifully human way. I ended up poking my head into this vintage shop where I found an old vinyl record of Fleetwood Mac. I have no clue why I decided to buy it, but it felt like a little slice of history to me.
Eventually, I did grab those pastries. They didn't just live up to the hype, they exceeded it. I settled onto a park bench with a raspberry danish that I was still thinking about on the flight home. I could just feel the sun on my face and the world coasting by. For a few minutes, I felt completely centered, like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
An unplanned park picnic that swept me off my feet
And let's talk about my day in High Park. I was wandering around after visiting the cherry blossoms, thinking I'd just relax for a bit. I hadn't packed a lunch or anything—who does that? But I found this cute little food truck selling gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. We're talking cheese that melts before your eyes, with toppings that felt more like culinary experiments than just food.
So, I bought myself one, and in that moment, I felt like I had discovered some kind of hidden gem. I grabbed a picnic table, watching families and couples laugh and enjoy the early spring weather. And at that picnic table, I was struck by this overwhelming feeling of gratitude. I didn't even know people could make grilled cheese that good, and I was just there, soaking it all in. I felt like I could have stayed there forever, soaking up the moments around me.
The moments that made it special
Wrapping it all together, the best things to do in Toronto really turned out to be about these stories, these moments that felt unplanned but landed like soft whispers in my heart. The art, the food, the paths I took that weren't on any map—it all made the city feel alive to me.
I came back with some crazy memories, a few trinkets that won't collect dust, and a new appreciation for spontaneity. You know, I think now I wouldn't even change my set plan if I had one. It's the little detours that make a trip worth remembering, isn't it? Like right now, as I sip my coffee, I can't help but feel thankful for that tiny seed of doubt that sent me chasing adventure instead of just ticking things off a list.
I'd go back in a heartbeat.
