Best time to visit Toronto

Toronto has a proper four-season climate with a long, cold winter and a warm, humid summer, and the city's calendar is built around the warm months. June to September are the busiest, with Pride, the Caribbean Carnival, the CNE and the Film Festival back to back, and the lakefront, patios and islands at their best. May and early October are quieter with pleasant weather and fall colour. Winter runs from December to March, often below minus ten with snow, but the PATH underground network, museums and hockey season make it workable and cheap.

The Toronto Islands ferry from Jack Layton terminal is the best cheap view of the skyline; the CN Tower and Ripley's Aquarium sell timed tickets that go a few days ahead in summer. Statutory holidays close shops on Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hotel rates spike for the Film Festival in September and for concerts at the Rogers Centre. For the best balance of weather and price, take June before the schools break or the first half of October.