Capital of Ontario, Toronto might be one of the most expensive cities to live in. Still, there are a plethora of free tourist attractions in Toronto to visit. Without shedding a loonie, you can enjoy the city’s top attraction highlights and explore Toronto’s best with your friends and family. Whether summer or winter, you will indefinitely have free things to do in Toronto. Scroll further and explore the top 10 free tourist attractions in Toronto.
Royal Ontario Museum
One of Canada’s top museums, the Royal Ontario Museum, or simply the ROM, is known for its superiority around the world. It is considered Toronto’s top attraction to visit. It contains an exceptional collection that spans natural history, art, and culture from a wide range of regions around the world. It is renowned for hosting exhibitions from across the world for people of all ages.
A world-class collection of 13 million works of art, cultural artefacts, and natural history specimens are kept at the ROM. They are on display in 40 gallery and exhibition rooms. If you are an ardent fan of art and historical artefacts, visit and explore the collections of dinosaurs, South Asian culture and art, jewels and minerals, ancient Egyptian artefacts, biodiversity, and more. The kids’ favourite and the busiest floor is the one with the dinosaur collection.
| Did you know?
Canada has been home to more than 100 species of dinosaurs when the country was slightly warm and not as cold as it is today. |
Address – 100 Queen’s Park, Bloor Street and Avenue Road, Toronto, Ontario.
Art Gallery of Ontario
One of the biggest museums in North America and one of the most popular tourist places in Toronto is the well-known Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). The gallery houses more than a 95,000-piece collection of works from across the globe, from European masterworks to contemporary art. However, it also boasts a noteworthy collection of Canadian art, including a sizable collection by the Group of Seven (Canadian landscape painters from 1920 to 1933). Every year, the gallery hosts several temporary exhibitions for the public.
The Ontario College of Art and Design, situated next to the AGO and perched on stilts resembling pencils, is a must-see architectural icon.
On Wednesdays, the gallery is a free tourist attraction in Toronto to visit from 6 to 9 p.m. But, if you are under 25, the entry visit is free any time of the day. Besides the marvel art collection the gallery displays, appreciate the architecture of this magnificent structure, which world-renowned architect Frank Gehry just refurbished.
Address – 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto
St. Lawrence Market – Everything Canadian
For food enthusiasts, St. Lawrence Market is a must-visit and is listed as free tourist attractions in Toronto. Three old Downtown Toronto structures make up this area, which includes a food market, an antique market, and a space for more than 120 vendors. Even if you don’t plan on shopping, take a stroll and feast your eyes on the variety of products Canada has to offer. You will find different types of cheese, seafood, wine, gourmet food, freshly brewed coffee and Canadian bacon (it originated here in Toronto; hence it’s a must-try!). Canada-produced maple syrup and honey are available here as well.
Served as a meeting hall and a concert venue in 1850, now exhibits the city’s art culture and history in the gallery on the upper floor. Grab a bite and a cup of joe and explore the antique market displayed for the public on Sundays. Film and television productions have occasionally shot scenes in the hallway and the surrounding area. The filming of the Handmaid’s Tale series was the most recent production in this location.
Address – 92 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario
Free Concerts at the Canadian Opera Company
From late September to early May, the Canadian Opera Company presents free lunchtime performances. In the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts under the sun-drenched Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, you can take in dancing and a range of other musical concerts in jazz, vocals, piano and other world music categories.
The transparent, all-glass structure gives spectators a clear view of the bustling University Avenue, dispelling any sense of seclusion from the outside world, which you might typically feel in a music concert hall. This can be on your list of free tourist attractions in Toronto to visit with friends, family or even by yourself.
Address – 145 Queen St W, Toronto, Canada
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Toronto Botanical Garden
The Toronto Botanical Garden is a must-see free tourist attractions in Toronto if you’re biophilic. The area spans 4 acres and has 17 modern themed gardens, a café, and a garden shop. The botanical garden, which features a range of stunning flowers in all shapes and colours, brings you closer to nature. It feels like you are in nature’s candy land.
You can hike, bike, stroll around the garden, or even visit the weekly farmer’s market that takes place on Thursdays for an organic experience. The Toronto Botanical Garden provides various indoor and outdoor learning opportunities for all ages, including lectures, workshops, courses, garden tours, and a sizable horticultural library.
Address – 777, Lawrence Ave E, North York, Toronto, Canada
Toronto’s Distillery District
The Gooderham and Worts whiskey distillery was in Toronto’s Distillery Historic District until it closed in 1990. After that, it turned into an uber cool entertainment and shopping district. This beautifully renovated historic area hosts quaint boutiques, galleries, studios for artists, restaurants, and one-of-a-kind shops. The Victorian industrial architecture with red brick walls gives the space a unique appearance that sets it apart from the usual city hotspots. It is one of the free tourist attractions in Toronto to visit. Walking through the Distillery District feels like glancing at an outdoor art gallery for free.
Several entertainment events are held here, but the annual Toronto Christmas Market is one of the most awaited and well-known. Unique goods are sold at festively adorned wooden stalls with a huge Christmas tree that dominates that public square. In the winters, locals and tourists dine outside with lap blankets and warming lamps offered by the restaurants.
Address – 55 Mill St, Toronto, Canada
Yonge Dundas Square
Toronto has its own New York Time Square at Yonge Dundas Square. This is every Torontonian’s gathering spot. The square becomes a vibrant hotspot in the evening with huge neon-lit hoardings creating a different vibe for the people. There are seating areas for you to sit and enjoy the entire view. It is seldom the same. To pass the time, you have dancing fountains to play around in and a stage where concerts take place, but this can be enjoyed only during the summers.
Many eateries in the neighbourhood provide outdoor seating so you can eat while enjoying the scenery. Yonge Dundas Square is accessible through the subway, and the place is free tourist attractions in Toronto. There is an underground parking lot as well right below the square.
Address – 1 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON M5B 2R8, Canada
Kensington Market – A Multicultural Avenue
A boho-inspired street and a multicultural community is what Kensington Market in Toronto is all about. A free tourist attractions in Toronto that defines vibrancy, richness, and liveliness. The many shops in this market display murals and street art and sell multicultural products from Tibetan blankets to vintage clothing and jewellery.
When walking through Kengiston Market on a summer day, there is a whiff of incense in the air, street-side musicians playing their instruments, and quaint shops selling unique products. The food here is authentic and rich in culture as well. You can spot multi-cultural dining spots serving Mexican, Jamaican, Tibetan and more.
Address – Kensington Market, Toronto, ON M5T, Canada
High Park – Toronto’s Central Park
The High Park, Canada’s very own Central Park, is in Toronto. This 400-acre public park is the crowning glory of Toronto and features a pond, a walking and cycling track, a zoo, tennis courts, picnic areas, and a labyrinth. The zoo is free tourist attractions in Toronto that is open all year round. It is home to 45 animals, including 11 different bird and mammal species. During winters, cross-country skiing is a common pastime in the park. The appearance of High Park changes with every season in Toronto. From cherry blossom trees in the spring to different tones of coloured leaves in autumn and a park covered in snow in the winter.
Visitors can take a “trackless train” around the park, stopping at various landmarks. This ride is a tractor pulling numerous carts that resembles a train.
Every year at High Park, the esteemed Canadian Stage Company presents Shakespeare in the Park open to the public and is a “pay what you can” event. If you are in Toronto, pack a picnic basket and enjoy the suburban evening amongst nature.
Address – 1873 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6R 2Z3, Canada
Harbourfront Centre
Toronto Harbourfront Centre is a non-profit arts centre that organises free and inexpensive cultural festivals throughout the year. These include plays, performances, readings, concerts, and food events.
Located on 10 acres of land along Lake Ontario, the centre attracts more than 12 million visitors annually. A small shopping mall (Queen’s Quay Terminal) sits along the Harbourfront, with galleries, studios, restaurants, gardens, a seasonal ice rink, and shops selling Toronto-made goods.
Take in a lecture, art exhibit, or show inside the centre before exploring shopping and dining options nearby. An entertaining boat ride completes this free tourist attractions in Toronto. It offers a peaceful atmosphere while still entertaining you at the same time.
Address – 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8, Canada
Attractions Galore!
There are several free things to do in Toronto; the above list is just one-fourth. Toronto tourist attractions are fun to explore whether you are a solo traveller or with family and friends.
A trip to Canada is not complete without visiting Niagara Falls either. This tourist attraction lies between the border of Ontario, Canada and the state of New York, USA. This destination is a must-visit for any tourist or local looking to soak up the sun and water (Pun intended). Thus, besides the other hotspots, you can also plan a day trip because the falls are a 2.5-hour drive from Downtown Toronto but worth it.
So, grab a cuppa from Timmies (Tim Hortons) and explore all the free tourist attractions in Toronto. Try not to miss any Toronto street or landmark, eh?
Happy Travels!
Frequently Asked Questions
To ensure that everyone can appreciate and engage with the city's cultural legacy, the city of Toronto has made general entry to ten history museums and sites permanently free.
Spend the entire day visiting different landmarks and tourist attractions in Toronto, from the Art Gallery of Ontario, High Park, Royal Ontario Museum, and Harbourfront Centre to the Toronto Botanical Gardens.
There are many fun activities to do in Toronto: Take a nature’s walk at the Toronto Botanical Garden or High Park, Explore the art galleries and museums such as the Royal Ontario Museum and Art Gallery Of Ontario, Take up food tasting at St. Lawrence Market, and Visit the multicultural avenue at the Kensington Market Are museums free tourist places in Toronto?
How do I plan a day in Toronto?
What are the fun things to do in Toronto?
