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Introduction – A Birthday Weekend with Toronto CityPASS®
We recently headed to Toronto to celebrate my birthday — and even though we’ve been to this city dozens of times, this trip was different. We decided to be tourists for the weekend and experience the very best things to do in Toronto with the Toronto CityPASS®. It turned out to be one of the most fun, convenient, and value‑packed ways to explore the city’s top attractions.
The Toronto CityPASS costs CAD $129.96 + tax for adults and CAD $92.92 + tax for children (ages 4‑12), saving you nearly 40% compared to paying for each ticket individually. That’s a huge win for both your wallet and your time — certain attractions offer timed reservations, meaning you can often skip the ticket lines and head straight to the entrance. Just note that the pass includes General Admission, so special exhibits or premium activities may require an extra fee.
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Our CityPASS adventure was a 2½‑day whirlwind — arriving Friday afternoon and returning late Sunday evening. If you want to follow a similar pace, I recommend starting with a romantic evening cruise on Friday night, then visiting the ROM or Casa Loma on Saturday, and ending your weekend with the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium on Sunday. We had other plans sprinkled throughout the weekend, but still managed to fit in all of these attractions — and it was worth every minute.
The beauty of the CityPASS is that you don’t have to do it all so quickly. You have nine consecutive days to redeem the included attractions, so you can spread your visits out at your own pace. I do suggest making advance reservations for popular spots like the CN Tower and ROM to ensure smooth entry.
Here’s a closer look at what we saw — and what you could experience — on a Toronto CityPASS weekend getaway.
City Cruise Boat Tour
To start our Toronto CityPASS adventure, we took a relaxing City Cruise around the harbor. The cruise offers an excellent chance to see Toronto’s waterfront from a fresh perspective—beautiful views of the skyline, the Harbourfront, the new Bend waterfront developments and the islands scattered in Lake Ontario. It’s a calm, enjoyable way to get an overview of the city’s layout and history with a knowledgeable guide narrating along the way.
The views of Toronto’s skyline, especially the iconic CN Tower and Rogers Centre, were simply stunning from the water. The narration offered during the cruise added fascinating historical stories about the city’s waterfront, making the experience both entertaining and informative.
The City Cruise sails near the picturesque Toronto Islands, a cluster of interconnected islands with sandy beaches like Centre Island Beach and the locally beloved Hanlan’s Point Beach, which is clothing optional. Families can enjoy Centreville Amusement Park with over 30 rides and attractions, while nature lovers can explore biking and hiking trails or rent kayaks and canoes.
History buffs will appreciate the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, standing for over 200 years as a symbol of Toronto’s rich maritime heritage. The islands also feature charming neighborhoods, cafes, and picnic spots, blending culture and relaxation.
Whether you prefer indoor cozy seating or an open upper deck, the cruise is enjoyable year-round. Many guests combine this cruise with other harbourfront activites, making it a flexible and memorable outing.
A key tip: keep your eyes open for Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, as planes take off and land nearby, adding a dynamic wow factor to the serene cruise. Plus, the eastern harbor area is undergoing exciting revitalization with new parks, flood control projects. ‘The Bend’ has plans for a Waterfront East LRT to improve connectivity.
Overall, this cruise offers breathtaking views and a unique perspective of Toronto’s vibrant waterfront — perfect for romantic evenings, family fun, or a peaceful lake escape.
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Our visit to the Royal Ontario Museum was unforgettable from the moment we saw the striking Michael Lee-Chin Crystal—a bold, modern contrast to the historic building. Inside, we found ourselves immersed in galleries filled with ancient artifacts and beautiful art. We spent a lot of time exploring the European, Egyptian, and Roman collections; the craftsmanship, stories, and unique treasures in those areas held our attention and made our visit truly memorable.
Inside, the ROM offers an incredible journey through time and around the world. With over six million artifacts, you’ll find treasures ranging from ancient Egyptian mummies and European medieval armor to dazzling minerals and fossils of prehistoric creatures.
Although we didn’t explore every gallery, visitors can also enjoy interactive exhibits, hands-on galleries like the CBC Discovery Gallery, and fascinating rotating special exhibitions. For example, the temporary Auschwitz exhibit was well worth the extra charge—mature, graphic, and deeply moving—but we wouldn’t suggest it for kids under 12.
Whether you’re fascinated by world civilizations, intrigued by natural history, or simply looking for a family-friendly attraction, the ROM has something special for everyone. Family favorites include the hands-on biodiversity exhibits, and the lively dinosaur collections that captivate young imaginations.
If you want a place to ignite curiosity, spark creativity, and experience the richness of human history and the natural world all under one roof, the Royal Ontario Museum is a must-visit on your Toronto CityPASS adventure.
Casa Loma
Visiting Casa Loma felt like stepping into a real-life fairy tale. The castle was built by Canadian financier Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, who began construction in 1911 after purchasing 25 lots on a hill overlooking Davenport Road. It took about three years, 300 workers, and $3.5 million (in early 20th-century Canadian dollars) to complete this lavish 98-room mansion. Casa Loma officially opened around 1914, and though Pellatt lived here only until 1923, the castle has since become one of Toronto’s most iconic landmarks.
From the stunning Great Hall with its soaring ceilings to the elegant lady’s chamber and the adjoining terrace, the interiors boast exquisite craftsmanship and remarkable details. We were particularly struck by how beautiful and luxurious the lady’s chamber was, with its delicate furnishings and charming access to the terrace that overlooks the gardens and the city beyond. The bathrooms were especially spectacular for their time — ornate, spacious, and equipped with modern conveniences that reflected the Pellatts’ wealth and taste.
Walking through the stately rooms, secret passages, and grand staircases gave us a true sense of stepping back into Toronto’s golden age. Outside, the meticulously maintained gardens and impressive fountains add to the castle’s charm, making it a serene place to wander and take in the views.
Casa Loma is also famed for its Hollywood connections, having appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including the X-Men series where it served as Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. For movie buffs, the Hollywood Film Gallery in the basement showcases memorabilia celebrating this cinematic legacy.
If you’re planning a visit, consider joining a guided tour to uncover hidden tunnels and learn more about the fascinating history of this grand estate. The castle is especially beautiful during the warmer months when the gardens are in full bloom.
Whether you’re drawn by history, architecture, or Hollywood allure, Casa Loma offers a magical experience that feels like a true escape from the city’s bustle and a glimpse into the life of one of Toronto’s most legendary figures.
CN Tower – Toronto
Visiting the CN Tower was an impressive experience. Standing 553 meters (1,815 feet) tall, it’s Toronto’s most recognizable landmark and a symbol of the city. The high-speed glass-fronted elevator took us up to the main observation level in just 58 seconds. Once there, the 360° views of the city and surroundings were nothing short of spectacular.
From the observation deck, we could clearly see how close the Toronto Islands are to the downtown waterfront, with their cluster of green spaces surrounded by Lake Ontario. To the west, the view stretched through the lakefront neighbourhoods into Mississauga and Port Credit, offering a real sense of the city’s size and growth. Looking east, we could see the Beaches and the Scarborough Bluffs, as well as the newer residential and commercial developments along the waterfront. Watching planes take off and land at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport added an interesting and constant movement to the scene.
On a clear day, the panorama can extend up to 160 kilometers (100 miles), even reaching Niagara Falls and parts of New York State across the lake. One standout feature is the Glass Floor, where you can look straight down 342 meters (1,122 feet) to the ground below—a thrilling experience.
If you’re hungry, the CN Tower offers the revolving 360 Restaurant, which completes one full rotation every 72 minutes, providing changing views – an entertaining option on a date perhaps. There are also more casual dining options in the bistro on the observation deck and restaurant on the ground floor.
For those seeking a thrill, the EdgeWalk lets you walk hands-free around the outside edge of the main pod, 116 stories above the ground. It’s a safe but exciting activity that requires an additional fee on top of general admission.
The CN Tower is also an engineering marvel, and visitors can use an interactive app to identify over 90 landmarks visible from the observation deck.
CityPASS tickets include general admission to the CN Tower. We found that making timed reservations helped us skip long lines, maximizing our time enjoying the views and activities. Most people spend about an hour here, though you may want more time if dining or exploring multiple levels.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
After our ascent into the sky at the CN Tower, we came back down to earth and walked next door to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Its location directly beside the CN Tower makes it an ideal second stop when using your CityPASS — no extra travel time, just a few steps away.
We’ve been to the aquarium a few times, but it never fails to impress us. Because of its popularity, it can get very crowded, especially mid-day and on weekends. If you can, plan your visit for the evening when things are quieter, giving you more time and space to enjoy the exhibits.
From the moment you enter, you’re surrounded by sea life in immersive tanks filled with fascinating marine creatures. One of my personal favourites was the octopus tank, where the resident cephalopod seemed to play a game of hide-and-seek among the rocks. I also loved the two-story giant kelp forest, with tall swaying plants sheltering schools of fish, and the colorful anemones that looked like underwater flowers.
The highlight for most visitors — and for us every time — is Dangerous Lagoon. This moving walkway takes you through a glass tunnel where sharks, rays, and sea turtles swim all around you, including directly overhead. The sheer size and proximity of the animals is an unforgettable experience that wraps you in the feeling of being under the ocean without ever getting wet.
Other not-to-miss areas include Planet Jellies, where jellyfish drift slowly in color-lit tanks, and the Discovery Centre, where you can touch stingrays, bamboo sharks, and horseshoe crabs under the guidance of knowledgeable staff. If you’re fascinated by the behind-the-scenes operations, there are displays explaining the advanced filtration, heating, and water quality systems that keep the habitats healthy.
Daily dive shows and talks add variety and are worth checking the schedule for before you arrive. General admission is included with CityPASS, making it easy to pair this with the CN Tower for a full and memorable day in Toronto’s entertainment district.
Toronto Zoo
While we didn’t visit the Toronto Zoo ourselves, it’s still worth noting as one of Canada’s largest and most popular wildlife attractions. Located about 30 minutes from downtown Toronto, the zoo spans 287 hectares (710 acres) and features animals from around the world in carefully designed, naturalistic habitats.
Highlights include polar bears and Arctic wolves in the Tundra Trek area, majestic big cats like lions and tigers, the award-winning Gorilla Rainforest, and family-friendly spaces such as the Discovery Zone and seasonal Splash Island water play area. The zoo’s exhibits emphasize conservation, education, and animal care.
With over 10 kilometers of walking trails, exploring can take a full day, though the Zoomobile and other rides make it easier to get around. If you go, arrive early to see more at a relaxed pace, and check the schedule for feeding times, special programs, or seasonal events. Parking and timed entry tickets are generally required, so plan ahead.
Conclusion – Why Toronto CityPASS is Worth It
If you’re planning a trip to Toronto, the CityPASS is an easy choice. It offers excellent value by saving you money on regular entrance fees, and the included attractions are some of the city’s very best. Packing them all into one weekend is surprisingly doable — you could start on Friday night with a scenic evening cruise on Lake Ontario and wrap things up on Sunday afternoon with a charming visit to Casa Loma.
That said, you don’t have to rush. The pass is valid for nine consecutive days, giving you the flexibility to spread out your adventures. I highly recommend visiting the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium on the same day since they are right next to each other — a perfect pairing of views and underwater wonders.
Your plans change? No problem. You have up to one year to activate your pass, so you can still enjoy all the benefits when the timing is right.
Even though we personally didn’t make it to the Toronto Zoo this time, it’s another fantastic option included with the pass, especially for families and animal lovers.I cannot stress enough how much fun we had during our weekend — revisiting favourite spots and uncovering new gems. The CityPASS Toronto didn’t just save us money, it made the whole celebratory weekend seamless, exciting, and absolutely unforgettable.
Other City Pass Reviews:
The Barnes Foundation: A Must-See Museum Every Art Lover Must Visit in Their Lifetime
Plan the Ultimate Mother-Daughter Weekend: A Perfect 3-Day Philadelphia Itinerary
Beyond The Alamo: Discovering the San Antonio CityPASS®
Unlocking Philadelphia: CityPASS® Your Key to Capturing Memorable Moments
Philadelphia’s Most Haunting Attraction: Eastern State Penitentiary
17 of the Best Museums in New York City
Disclosure: Once again, thanks to CityPASS® for the pass to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own. Prices and programs are subject to change. CityPASS® and City Pass® are registered trademarks of City Pass, Inc., and the exclusive property of City Pass, Inc.
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