A Day as a Tourist in Your Own City: Drei Tries the Sightseeing Bus in Downtown Toronto

Drei, a local who usually drives around the city, decided to ditch the car, skip the subway, and spend a carefree day seeing Toronto through a new lens—aboard the iconic hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus. And for someone who hasn’t commuted solo in years, it turned into a refreshing adventure.

Starting her day at Sankofa Square, formerly known as Yonge-Dundas Square, Drei boarded the open-top double-decker bus under perfect weather—not too hot, not too cold. The tour makes regular 20-minute loops around the city’s top attractions, including CN Tower, Casa Loma, Yorkville, St. Lawrence Market, and Harbourfront.

What made the ride special wasn’t just the landmarks—it was the feeling of being a tourist in your own city. “I drive downtown often,” Drei shares, “but I’ve never seen it from this view.” On top of that, riding above the city meant none of the usual stress from pedestrians, cyclists, or confusing one-way streets. Just a breezy ride, eye-level with the skyline.

A brief rain shower added a bit of drama to the day, but even that was met with a free raincoat from the bus staff and a cozy seat on the lower level. With lunch stops at Harbourfront and quick side trips in Yorkville, the tour also turned into a mini food crawl—with the bonus of photo-worthy cityscapes.

St. Lawrence Market, recently renovated, was another highlight. “If I were driving, I wouldn’t even notice this,” she reflects. “But from here, I can really see the charm—and yes, it’s very Instagrammable.”

The 24-hour ticket meant Drei could hop on and off throughout the day. Her tip? Don’t forget to grab a route map so you can plan your stops—and make sure you’re at the designated pick-up zones before the last loop ends at 5 p.m.

For locals looking to slow down, skip the traffic, and fall in love with the city again, the sightseeing bus might just be your new favorite way to explore.