Canada is the second largest country in the world by area. Because of its vastness, there is a ton to explore. From the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies to magnificent city skylines, or the sparsely populated remote Arctic communities to bustling metropolises, you’ll find plenty of variety in Canada. One popular destination is the city of Toronto. Not only is it the capital of the province of Ontario, but it is also the largest city by population in Canada. (It’s not the capital of Canada, thought! That honor goes to Ottawa.) Due to its size, Toronto has plenty of attractions to check out, but it can get overwhelming. So for this post, we’re excited to feature Nauman and Sahrash, the “Khanadians”, a travel-loving family from the Greater Toronto Area. Below, they share the top things to do in Toronto, as well as some other travel memories and tips.
MEET THE KHANADIANS
Nauman and Sahrash Khan live in the beautiful country of Canada, hence the name Khandians! They both have always had the spirit of a traveler, each immigrating to Canada from Pakistan at different stages of their lives. Their love for travel and adventure is one of many things that provides excitement and purpose to their marriage. Together with their two children aged 12 and 9, they try to get away as much as they can afford to. These include day trips, long weekend drives or 2-week vacations to often warmer destinations. They also try and take a kids-free vacation every summer, usually to Europe, which allows them to travel like backpackers and run wild! Their motto? Collect memories, not things.
We will ask them some more questions about their travels later in the post. But now, let’s journey over to Ontario and learn about the top things to do in Toronto!
TOP THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO
Why should someone visit Toronto?
“We live in the Greater Toronto Area and proud to say we are probably the most multicultural metropolis in the world. Come on over if you want to taste cuisines and experience cultures from across the globe!”
What is a touristy attraction you recommend and why?
“Our lakefront is really underrated. From the core of downtown to both the western and eastern suburbs, there are incredible marinas, boardwalks, beaches, cafes and parks. There’s plenty of opportunities for visitors to enjoy and take in views of Lake Ontario on foot or on bike.”
What is a touristy attraction you don’t recommend and why?
“There is a massive Ripley’s Aquarium right downtown. But we feel uncomfortable with the idea of caging up marine creatures behind glass walls and (over)charging people to watch them. They belong in the oceans!”
What is an attraction that is not as well-known that you would recommend and why?
“The Toronto Islands are a short ferry ride from downtown. This attraction is a world unto itself and its rustic charm can be seen through its houses and the tree-lined walking and cycling tracks. You can also get incredible views of the city from here as well!”
What is a must-visit restaurant and why?
“The Greater Toronto Area has so much to offer in terms of cuisine and at all price points. So it is nearly impossible to choose just one must-visit restaurant! SukhoTHAI on Wellington Street has the most incredible flavors. Kensington Market is paradise for unpretentious but hearty burger fares. There are three in close proximity: Top Gun, The Burgernator and Ozzy’s Burgers. For desserts, D Spot Dessert Cafe is our kids’ favorite!”
MORE TRAVEL TALK WITH THE KHANADIANS
We want to give a big thanks to Nauman and Sahrash for sharing their recommendations! We had a long weekend trip to Toronto planned over Memorial Day weekend, but unfortunately had to cancel due to COVID-19. Now that we’ve gotten more inspiration from the Khanadians, we can’t wait to visit this city!
The Khans also have an impressive travel history, so we wanted to learn more about their most memorable trips.
Where is your favorite destination you’ve ever traveled to?
“This is a never ending debate in our family. Nauman and the kids would probably say Australia. We have already been there twice during our very cold winters, which is the height of their summers. Naturally, we enjoyed the warmth at their beaches. Plus, in some ways it feels like a tropical Canada. They have a very similar infrastructure, large multicultural cities, scenic drives, friendly people and incredible food. Sahrash is more a mountain girl, so her favorite destination is any place that has good hiking trails. She was blown away by Sintra, Portugal.”
What is at the top of your travel bucket list at the moment?
“These are tough times. The global pandemic has really put a damper on travel, so many businesses are hurting and people have lost livelihoods. The driver who drove us around Bali earlier this year in February reached out for financial help to help feed his kids. They are heavily dependent on tourism and the lack of tourists and income has been tough on locals. While we sent him some money, we know that is not a permanent solution. So we have put the whole idea of a bucket list on hold because we feel like we need to first decide how we will be more responsible and impactful tourists when travel resumes. How will we try to make sure our tourist dollars help build better communities wherever we go?”
If you could only share one travel tip, what would it be?
“Similar to our answer above, we think all travelers, especially those of us from North America and Europe who have certain privileges, should do better at connecting with locals when we travel. We need to find ways to support their community development and financial security with our tourist dollars. It will make travel a much more rewarding experience.”
CONNECT WITH THE KHANADIANS
And there you have it. We are so thrilled that Nauman and Sahrash took the time to collaborate with us on this post on the top things to do in Toronto. Be sure to follow them on Instagram at @khanadians. Their account has exploded in popularity and for good reason! They share beautiful photos and videos from Canada and their travels. If you’re a drone fan, you’ll especially want to give them a follow.
Have you been to Toronto? If so, let us know what some of your favorite attractions in the comments below. Thanks for reading and be sure to check out our other Trips & Tips!