District · Toronto
Union Station, CN Tower and the waterfrontUnion Station
The transit hub; the CN Tower and the ferry to the islands are within 15 minutes on foot.
Key facts
- Suits
- First visit, transit, the tower and the ferry
- Room prices
- $$$
- price band of 5
- Sights here
- 2
What it's like
- Feels:
- Big buildings, ferry terminals and wide walks by the lake
- Suits:
- First visit, transit, the tower and the ferry
- Best time:
- Morning and sunset
- Watch out for:
- Midday queues at the tower.
- In short:
- The transit hub; the CN Tower and the ferry to the islands are within 15 minutes on foot.
About these names
Almost everything a first visit needs sits within about 4 km of Union Station, in a strip along the lake and Bloor Street. Downtown is the base; the waterfront is south, the market east, Chinatown and Kensington west, and the museums and Yorkville north.
Where exactly
This district is highlighted. Shapes follow this guide's walking areas and places, not official boundaries.
Union Station, CN Tower and the waterfrontUnion Station
sleepseePrice $$$
The transit hub; the CN Tower and the ferry to the islands are within 15 minutes on foot.
Suits: First visit, transit, the tower and the ferry
On the map: CN Tower, Toronto Islands (ferry)
District guideWalk: Union Station, CN Tower and the waterfrontSleep: Downtown core (Union Station)In the districts table
Where’s what, as a list:
- Union Station, CN Tower and the waterfront (Union Station): The transit hub; the CN Tower and the ferry to the islands are within 15 minutes on foot. Suits: First visit, transit, the tower and the ferry. Price band $$$.
- St. Lawrence Market and Old Town (St. Lawrence): Flat and walkable; quiet on Sundays when the market is closed. Suits: Market lunch, brick streets, the Distillery District by streetcar.
- Kensington Market and Chinatown (Kensington): A walk on Baldwin, Augusta and Spadina; best on weekdays. Suits: Food counters, vintage shops, dim sum.
- Yorkville and the ROM (Yorkville): Quieter and more upmarket; the ROM is 6 minutes on foot. Suits: Museums, quiet nights, shopping. Price band $$$.
- Sleep area Downtown core (Union Station): suits First visit, transit, the tower and the ferry, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Yorkville: suits Museums, quiet nights, shopping, price band $$$.
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), about 20 km12 mi from the centre, 40–75 min by the usual route.
Stay here?
How this district's sleep area scores for five kinds of traveler, ranked against the other Toronto districts that have scores. Scores are this guide's 1–5 judgements.
First visit
best of 2
The CN Tower and the market are on foot.
Families
best of 2
Large hotels with lifts and family rooms.
Light sleepers
2nd of 2
Busy streets and construction; ask for a high floor.
Better for this: Yorkville and the ROM
Night owls
best of 2
The Entertainment District is a short walk.
On a budget
best of 2
Higher prices; rooms fill for events.
See
Opening hours and prices from each place page; (check) means typical hours, not yet verified.
- CN TowerBook a time
Go up on a clear morning: cloud and haze hide the view, and queues are longer at midday; book a timed ticket ahead.
- Hours:
- Open daily; opening times change with the season. Check the official page for your date.(check)
- Toronto Islands (ferry)Book a time
Take the ferry on a dry day for the skyline, beaches and bike paths; go before 11:00 in summer and check the last ferry back before you leave the dock.
- Hours:
- Ferry times vary by season; check the timetable.(check)
Sleep
First-timers: Union Station, the subway and the UP Express to the airport are at the door; choose a hotel on or near Front Street with a 24-hour desk.
Rooms: C$220–380 (≈ US$160–300) (check)
Skip this if: Expensive; business hotels fill on weekdays.
6–10 min walk to Union Station, CN Tower and the waterfront · 12–18 min walk to St. Lawrence Market and Old Town
Getting there and around
Where to get off
- Walk from Union Station via the SkyWalk · for CN Tower
- Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, foot of Bay Street (walk from Union Station about 15 minutes) · for Toronto Islands (ferry)
Walks inside the district
- CN Tower → Toronto Islands (ferry): 16–22 min on foot (Walk along Queens Quay to the ferry terminal)
On to the next area
- Walk east or streetcar: about 20 min to St. Lawrence Market and Old Town
- Streetcar or car west: about 20 min to Kensington Market and Chinatown
Nearest arrival point: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ): about 20 km in a straight line; the usual ride to the centre takes 40–75 minToronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ): about 13 mi in a straight line; the usual ride to the centre takes 40–75 min.
Minutes are this guide’s typical walking and ride times (p50–p90); traffic and heat stretch them.
Half-day walk
In the day plans: Day 1 — CN Tower, then St. Lawrence Market lunch (Toronto in 3 days)
Photo and sunset spots
Light: Morning
The tower from the base with the sun behind you.
Light: Sunset
The skyline over the water; check the last ferry back.
Streets in this district
Street names that appear in the addresses of this district’s places and eats: useful to type into a map or show a driver.
- Bay Street
Safety at night and noise
Union Station and the waterfrontday: oknight: ok
Pickpockets in crowds and on the streetcars.
Quiet nights
Busy streets and construction; ask for a high floor.
Nightlife
The Entertainment District is a short walk.
Late arrival
24-hour desks are the norm.
Nearby districts
Built from this guide’s Toronto districts table, place, eat and sleep pages, route graph and city notes. Hours, prices and rules change: anything marked (check) is typical, not verified. checked: 2026-09.