Want to visit Toronto on the cheap?
Then follow this Top 15 of free tours, museums and activities to do in Toronto that we’ve created for you to enjoy without breaking the bank.
Toronto is a city to live in, modern, dynamic, full of life, which will offer you its share of surprises every day
It could impress with its legendary CN Tower, its islands, its lively and trendy neighborhoods, its buildings, its huge shopping mall, its panoramic view on Lake Ontario and its skyscrapers!
With our selection of 12 things to do for free or almost free in Toronto, you won’t miss anything of the main places of interest of the city and without having to blow your wallet.
Table des matières
Sugar Beach, a beach oasis in the middle of downtown
Sugar Beach is a small area of idleness and relaxation located on the sandy shores of Lake Ontario, across from the Redpath sugar refinery
Although swimming is not permitted, the beach provides a great place to relax on a sunny day
It’s a popular spot for families and those looking for the perfect tan.
Pink Muskoka chairs and umbrellas for visitors are scattered across the white sand, and the colorful granite rocks with candy stripes give the park a mischievous and slightly whimsical feel while creating a dreamy setting for a fun day.
On also installed a splash pad with fountains where you can refresh yourself amidst the where you can refresh yourself in the middle of the spray.
This former parking lot turned getaway offers, albeit tiny, a great escape from the city, effortlessly, as it’s just a hop, skip and a jump from downtown
But still, try to arrive a little early or mid-week for a good location.
Address: Old Toronto Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto for free
Home to works by Yayoi Kusama and the famous Group of Seven, among others, the AGO is one of Canada’s most acclaimed art galleries
Conceived by the eminent Canadian architect Frank Gehry, the simple design alone is a wonderful artistic canvas with its glass and wood façade and interior, high ceilings, light-filled spaces and spiral staircases.
Inside, you will find important collections that span a period from the first century to the present day
Works by Canadian artists make up most of the collections. But you will also find masterpieces by Pablo Picasso, Auguste Rodin, Vincent van Gogh, Edgar Degas and Camille Pissarro.
The AGO is also home to the Henry Moore Sculpture Centre, which houses the largest collection of works by the English sculptor.
Admission is free is free after 6pm on Wednesdays. If you are under 25 years old it is always always free.
Address: 317 Dundas Street West, Old Toronto Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1G4, Canada
Website Web site to consult for more information: https: //ago.ca/
Discover the St. Lawrence Market
Built in 1803, this market is considered to be one of Toronto’s most historic places and one of the city’s most prominent food destinations, where you can enjoy local produce
In this covered market, you can find fruits and vegetables as well as cheeses and of course maple syrup
Of course, you can eat cheaply on the outdoor terrace, if you want.
The market also houses a public space for over 120 vendors. However, be sure to check out the southeast corner of the market for Alex Farm and its wide selection of local cheeses; or enjoy a peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery, Toronto’s iconic sandwich that is a real treat for your taste buds
Another must-see is the stand where they sell different types of Canadian mustard.
Every sunday, the antique market is a favorite spot for collectors who come from far and wide collectors who come from far and wide.
There there are even guided tours where you can learn a lot about the history and culture of and culture of Toronto, and you can even participate in tastings.
Finally, another highlight to convince you more. In 2012, St Lawrence was chosen as the best market in the world by National Geographic.
Address: 93 Front Street East, Old Toronto Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1C3, Canada
Website: http: //www.stlawrencemarket.com/
Harbourfront Centre for year-round cultural events
À Harbourfront Centre, there is no room for boredom. The cultural center located on the lakefront the cultural center located on the lakefront welcomes musicians, artists and filmmakers.
This non-profit complex dedicated to the arts hosts a wide range of cultural events of free or nearly free cultural events throughout the year, as well as culinary, literary, dance, live music and theater festivals live music and theater. There’s something for everyone!
So if you want to brighten up your trip to Toronto even more, keep an eye on the calendar or website
Most of the events are free, so don’t miss out on this unique opportunity, but try to arrive a little early.
Beyond these various events, Harbourfront is also home to arts and crafts studios, various galleries, well-stocked stores displaying Toronto-made products and items from around the world, a restaurant, gardens, a periodic skating rink and a small shopping mall, Queen’s Quay Terminal
Harbourfront Centre also hosts classes and workshops for all ages, as well as summer camps for children.
Address: 235 Queens Quay West, Old Toronto Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2G8, Canada.
Website: https: //www.harbourfrontcentre.com/
High Park: Toronto’s must-see free tour
Some consider it Toronto’s answer to Central Park. But in fact this sprawling park, which covers a total of 161 hectares, has its own personality
We would say in the opinion of experts that it is a true oasis in the heart of the city’s urban center
This park is a gem with historic buildings, incredible hiking trails, a field hockey rink, ponds and landscaped gardens, a free zoo and sports facilities.
The west side, home to Grenadier Pond, is perfect for banding especially during the summer season. In winter, with makeshift nets, you can enjoy impromptu field hockey games
In spring, you can admire the spectacle of cherry blossoms, like the tens of thousands of tourists who are just there for the occasion
From spring to fall, you can take a “trackless train” or Maglev (a magnetic levitation train that tows a variety of cars decorated to look like a red and white train) to visit the park’s main points of interest such as the Colborne Lodge Historical Museum.
All year-round, you can enjoy the petting zoo, dog park and castle-like children’s play areas playgrounds, or simply relax in this beautiful green setting in this beautiful green setting.
Address: 1873 Bloor Street West, Old Toronto Toronto, Ontario, M6R 2Z3, Canada
Website Web : http://www.highparktoronto.com/
Take a streetcar to visit The Beaches
“Beach Village, or simply “Beach” as many Torontonians tend to call it, is a fascinating, laid-back neighbourhood with a small-town vintage feel
About 20 minutes from downtown, the area has two key attractions: its sandy beach and Queen Street West, Toronto’s funkiest and trendiest avenue.
The hospitable Lake Ontario waterfront is made up of wide stretches of fine sand, shady parks, in-line bike and rollerblade paths and a boardwalk that stretches for three kilometers. All are beautifully maintained and much appreciated by the locals.
So you’re likely to have a great day out enjoying the sun, running along the trails or playing on one of the many beach volleyball courts in the area
You can also cool off in Lake Ontario or at the free Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pool, before heading to Queen Street East for a lazy stroll.
Queen Street East in the Beaches is a trendy, cutting-edge street that reflects the casual atmosphere of the neighborhood, with quaint, original stores and a variety of bars and restaurants
You can also visit Kew Gardens Park, located between Queen Street and the Promenade, where countless festivals, craft shows, recitals and other events take place.
Address : 1971 Queen St E Suite 203, Toronto, Ontario M4L 1H9 Canada
Website Web : http://www.thebeachvillage.com/
What to do for free in Toronto Nathan Phillips Square
Nathan Phillips Square is the soul of Toronto. This sprawling square located just outside the gates of the gates of City Hall hosts many of Toronto’s most important concerts concerts, art exhibitions and various community events throughout the year throughout the year.
In the spring, summer and fall, you can let loose and relax to the soothing sounds of the large water fountain and pond
In the winter, the water fountain freezes over and turns into an outdoor skating rink where you can let off steam with your skates
Nathan Phillips Square is also a great place to spend romantic moments with your loved one or to try to recover your long lost field hockey skills.
In the summer, there is a weekly farmer’s market with a wide range of local products
If you’re a little hungry, there’s a plethora of food trucks where you can satisfy your hunger on a budget.
Address: 100 Queen Street West, Old Toronto Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2N1, Canada
Website: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/1089/index.html
Stroll through Chinatown
Visit toronto’s vibrant Chinatown, which is actually the second largest Chinatown in in North America, is home to dozens, if not hundreds, of restaurants hundreds of restaurants offering not only authentic Chinese food but also Vietnamese and other Asian cuisines.
Plus, if you’re a real bargain hunter, you can score great deals on trinkets, jewelry, clothing and household items
It is also the best place in Toronto to get exotic products at unbeatable prices.
Chinatown is also known for its outstanding restaurants. Enjoy noodles, chicken dumplings, and other Chinese treats.
Stop by the nearby Art Gallery of Ontario when you are finished shopping when you’re done shopping.
Address: Spadina and Dundas (Queen to College and east and west of Spadina), Toronto, Ontario M5T 2E9 Canada
Website Web : http://www.chinatowntcf.com/hbt.php
What to see for free in Toronto – Yonge-Dundas Square / Eaton Centre
Yonge-Dundas Square is a special events venue located directly across the street from the Toronto Eaton Centre, one of Toronto’s top attractions
At Yonge-Dundas, you can enjoy free concerts and special events.
The Eaton Centre, which covers two blocks of the downtown core, impresses with its imposing architecture
Indeed, this majestic glass-roofed arcade does not leave indifferent all its visitors, tourists or locals
As soon as you look up, you’ll see the sumptuous fiberglass sculpture of sixty geese called Flight Stop, which gives this space an almost surreal dimension
This masterpiece hanging from the highest point of the mall was designed by Toronto artist Michael Snow.
This five-story mall is the place to be for shopping, entertainment and dining
It’s also a place we recommend you visit. It’s definitely worth it!
Address: 40 Dundas Street West, Suite 227 Atrium on Bay, Toronto, Ontario Canada
The Toronto Botanical Garden
Perhaps it’s because there isn’t much green space in Toronto that places like the Botanical Gardens seem so special
Not only is it easily accessible, free and enchanting, but it’s also a great place to recharge your batteries by totally immersing yourself in nature when the pace of the city gets a little too stressful, too demanding.
You can go hiking, or biking, or visit the farmer’s market on Thursday
It’s the perfect setting with its beautiful aesthetic hedges and floral arrangements to take photos and selfies just to fill up your Instagram and impress your friends.
The Toronto Botanical Garden offers more than just a collection of gardens
It’s a true environmental education center that introduces visitors to ecological growing and sustainable gardening methods
With its seventeen thematic sections, you can learn a lot about both local vegetation and nature
There are also free guided tours during which a volunteer will give you information about the gardens, some of which have received awards in prestigious competitions.
You a library, a café to recover from the magnificence of the gardens after so much magnificence.
Address: 777 Lawrence Avenue East East Toronto, Ontario M3C 1P2
Website Web: https: //torontobotanicalgarden.ca/
Take a stroll through a free street festival
As the street festival season heats up in the spring, it’s a time to take to the streets and let loose in an atmosphere of festivity, camaraderie and bonhomie
Toronto’s neighbourhoods take on the air of open, welcoming spaces where the party is in full swing and the euphoria is total
Toronto street festivals usually mean live music, food vendors, games, family activities and local produce for sale, depending on the festival.
Catch free concerts in Toronto at the Canadian Opera Company
From september to May, the Canadian Opera Company gives free concerts in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Performances include jazz, piano, song, dance and world music.
Over 70 concerts will take place during the season. So be sure to check out their website to get an idea of the schedule.
As you enter the Canadian Opera Company and gaze up at the majestic staircases and grand ceilings, it will be hard to believe that you haven’t paid for a unique experience in enjoying artistic performances
This is the first and only custom-designed opera house in Canada, and the high-quality sound system is a living testament to that, even in the smallest amphitheatre.
Address: 145 Queen Street West, Old Toronto Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4G1, Canada
Website: https://www.coc.ca/
More about Toronto and its free activities
How discover, then, in a few days a city with the air of a megalopolis known mainly for its eclecticism?
A walk is without a doubt the best way to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this city, but a culinary escapade one evening will also be an ideal alternative as we have seen in this article on the best free activities to do in Toronto
City cosmopolitan city, Toronto has a lot to offer from a tourist point of view, which is which is why we recommend that you include it in your tour of Canada.
But like any other major North American city, Toronto could take a big chunk out of your travel budget your travel budget, because every time you turn a corner, you’ll find a of a street, of an escapade, you can succumb to the recurrent temptations in the form of shopping in the form of shopping, gastronomy and other luxury treats.
But don’t despair, because even on a tight budget, you can have a memorable stay in Toronto
There are, in fact, free or inexpensive activities that will give you a more authentic experience than the typical tourist activities and can add another more intense touch to your travel itinerary.
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