Top 12 Free Things To Do in Toronto, Canada

Toronto, Canada is an amazing mecca of all things food, fun, and culture.

Having lived here for over 22 years, I’ve come to appreciate the endless amounts of things there is to do. Everything from all the different cultures you can see here, access to public transportation, accessibility to many resources and general livability are unmatched compared to many cities I’ve traveled to.

Even having lived here for many years, there is always a plethora of things to do and no shortage of new activities to experience.

Having said that, Toronto is also notorious for being a little pricey. If you’re not careful, you can easily spend a lot of money here. And don’t get me wrong, it’s still worth it (most of the time). But with that, I’ve curated a list of the free things you can do here in the city to show that you can still explore Toronto on a budget.

 

Here are top 12 free things to do in Toronto – from a local:

 

1. Take a photo with the Toronto Sign at Nathan Phillips Square

Let’s start things right away with a visit to the infamous Toronto sign.  ‘Cause you can’t say that you’ve been to Toronto without having photo evidence of the Toronto sign, right?! 

Just kidding… but also, not really. According to a Destination Toronto visitor survey, the Toronto sign was in the top three most visited attractions in the city and is ranked as one of the most “Instagram-worthy” spots. That’s got to count for something! The best part of it is that it’s absolutely free to visit.

This is located right in the middle of the city at Nathan Phillips Square, also home to the Toronto City Hall.

The colours and theme have gone through a few renditions, but most recently, it features a design to honour the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD).

During the summer, you can catch food trucks, vendors, and various events at Nathan Phillips Square. And during the winter, this area transforms into a skating rink. Skate rentals are offered at the pavilion, along with snacks such as poutine and hot chocolate.

 

2. Walk along the Graffiti Alleyway

Next up on the list is the iconic Toronto Graffiti Alleyway, located between Queen and Richmond Street. It starts on Spadina Avenue and spans until Portland Avenue (see map below.) The alleyway is filled with vibrant murals painted by local artists from the 2000’s, and spans across approximately 1km (0.6 miles).

This area makes for great photography, and is an interesting juxtaposition of the popular dispute of graffiti as art or vandalism. If you’d like to learn more about the history of these murals, Graffiti Alleyway Tours are also available.

 

3. Have a picnic at Trinity Bellwoods Park

Trinity Bellwoods Park is probably one of the most popular parks located in Downtown Toronto, and is open for all the public to enjoy. Here, you’ll see many of the locals enjoying a picnic with their friends, playing sports and games such as frisbee, spike ball or tennis. Especially in the summer, this area can get quite crowded.

If you want a relaxing afternoon, I would suggest bringing some snacks and drinks from home, Airbnb or hotel, and enjoy them here. While doing so, look out for all the cute doggos at the park, as well as the locals on their slacklines. Around the area, you’ll also find lots of great casual restaurants and cafes for you to get goodies to bring into the park if you so choose.

 

4. Enjoy the Art Gallery of Ontario

The Art Gallery of Ontario, or the AGO, is located near Toronto’s main Chinatown at Dundas Street/Spadina Ave. This museum is free for all to enjoy on Wednesdays from 6-9pm. Reservations, however, are currently needed and can be made through their website, which opens up starting from Monday at 10am on the same week.

With over 9000 unique pieces of art, the AGO has an impressive collection of Contemporary art. Because museums aren’t usually my favourite, I think that spending an evening here for an hour or two is plenty enough. But if you love art, you may want to spend a little longer and pay the $25 entrance fee that will grant you access for the entire day.

Bonus: For museum lovers out there, the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) is also free on Tuesdays for those with a Canadian College or University ID!

 

5. Hike the trails in Evergreen Brickworks

I absolutely love Evergreen Brickworks – It’s a great hidden gem. Not a hidden gem in a way that many Torontonians don’t know about it (because they do), but more so in the fact that you don’t expect anything like it to be right in the city.

Evergreen Brickworks is a former brick industrial site turned local-friendly area with tours, exhibits, events, and attractions, all centered around sustainability and eco-friendly practices. It’s located right by the Don Valley Parkway Highway (the DVP), and is also accessible by local transit.

I suggest spending a morning or afternoon here, checking out the Farmer’s Market that happens every Saturday morning, hiking or biking their nature trails, and checking out their garden market. In the fall, this is also a great place to see all the leaves change colours.

6. Visit the animals at Riverdale Farm

Following along the same ravine path as Evergreen Brickworks, Riverdale Park is a local hot spot on the east end of Toronto. This park features many amenities such as tennis courts, baseball fields, an outdoor pool and a tonof space (a total of 18 hectares, or 45 acres!) to hang out in.

One of other things located at this park is Riverdale Farm, which is completely free to visit 365 days a year. Yes, that includes holidays as well! You can visit all types of working animals such as cows, pigs, sheeps, goats and ducks on this farm, and watch their daily event/demonstration. A great activity for the kids, and the whole family.

While the farm is only open until 5pm daily, you won’t want to miss the sunset view from here! If you can stay a little longer into the evening, I’d say it’s definitely worth it. Riverdale Park has one of the best views of the downtown Toronto skyline, and watching the sun set over it is absolutely magnificent! Who doesn’t love a good golden hour?

7. Explore the Tropics at Allan Gardens Conservatory

If you’re looking for something to do “indoors”, Allen Gardens Conservatory is a great destination! This conservatory is just a short walk away from College Subway Station, and has six different greenhouses that feature different plants and greenery in various climates.

I personally really enjoyed walking around here and reading about the different plants. You get to see a lot of variety you wouldn’t normally see in Canada. Not to mention, it also makes for a really good photo op!

 8. Take a stroll around Distillery District

What was once an old whiskey distillery, is now a beautiful pedestrian-only area. The Distillery District is a lively area lined with cobblestone streets filled with breweries, boutique stores, and outdoor art installations. 

In the wintertime, be sure to check out the Christmas Market hosted at the Distillery District for some festive fun. They have carolers, pop-up vendors, as well as delicious “seasonal” food such as mulled wine and German brats. Not to mention, it’s also free to enter during the weekdays before 6pm.

 

9. Tune into a concert by the Canadian Opera Company

The Canadian Opera Company hosts a plethora of different shows throughout the year. In recent years, they have also hosted free concerts (yes, I said free) in the form of digital media for all to enjoy.
Check their website out here for more information and for specific dates/locations this season.

 

10. Get lost in Toronto’s underground mall: The PATH

If you ask anyone in Toronto if they’ve gotten lost in the PATH at least once in their lifetime… they’d be lying if they said no. The PATH is the largest underground shopping complex in the world and spans over 30 km (18.6 miles).
It stretches across multiple subway stations (six, to be exact), including the bustling Union Station. You can also go to some of the most popular attractions in the city through the PATH, such as the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto Eaton Centre and City Hall.

While you can download a map online here, there’s something fun about just exploring the endless amounts of paths in the PATH (ha- get it?). Window shop at all of the boutique stores inside, and smell all of the aromas of the different bakeries.

Plus, it’s also a great way to just get around in the wintertime! You may want to get a map for that though 😉

 

11. Bike to Tommy Thompson Park and revel at the Toronto Skyline

If you love being active, Tommy Thompson Park or “The Spit,” as it’s sometimes called, is perfect for you. Hike, bike, rollerblade or even skate down the 10km (6.2 miles) paved road. Because many of the areas in this park are protected, there is a lot of wildlife around. If you enjoy bird watching, this is also a great place to be!
At the end of these roads, you’ll find a man-made “beach,” where you can get a great view of the Toronto Skyline. This isn’t your usual sandy beach though, so be careful where you sit! Because of its port use during the weekdays, there tends to be a lot of metal scraps around.

Note that this park is only open for public access during the weekends, so plan accordingly!

12. Marvel at the architecture inside of the Toronto Reference Library

Last but not least, we have the Toronto Reference Library.
You wouldn’t think that a library would make it on the list for one of the best photo opportunities in Toronto… but this one definitely makes the list. Not only is it a regular working library, but the spiral staircases and unique architecture make it super aesthetic as well – perfect for photos!

Make your way down to the Yorkville area to access the library (Which by the way, is a great area to visit in itself and has many high-end boutique stores lining its streets).

Overall, Toronto is an amazing city with so so much to do. Whatever your interests are or your budget, we’ve got it. 

Let me know down below which ones you’re most excited to check out, or if you think I’ve missed something!