You don’t need a lot of money to spend a couple of days having fun in Toronto, and we’re here to prove it, with the best free things to do in Toronto.
Photo by Conor Samuel on Unsplash
Canada has a lot of great cities to visit, but none quite like Toronto. It’s the capital after all, so you can expect a lot of cultural mixes, world-class attractions, but also an incredibly beautiful natural scenery. Like any big city, staying in it is not exactly the cheapest, but there’s a surprising number of free activities! Even if you don’t care that much about your budget while traveling, it would be silly to pass on the opportunity to experience a bit more of the city without spending a dime.
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8 Free Things to do in Toronto
1: Explore Graffiti Alley
Usually, you need to pay to enter a museum, but this one is a bit different. To start, it is not a proper building with uniformed employees or traditional paintings. Instead, you’ll see a 1-km alley in the Fashion District fully covered in street art. Even if you’ve never turned your head to see a piece of graffiti in your city, give this a chance. And even if you’ve already visited Toronto, the murals are constantly changing, as the artist adds new pieces over the old ones.
To fully appreciate the art is best to visit during the day, as the colors won’t look the same in the darkness. Also, if you plan to take some cute photos for your Instagram, as you should, you’ll want good illumination.
2: Stroll through Kensington Market
Most people go to markets to buy stuff, but with historic markets, and in such an eclectic neighborhood as this one, only looking is perfectly fine. Visiting Kensington Market is a great way to see the multicultural fabric of the city. Some visitors have described the market as a pot of cultures, and it does look like that, with a variety of international areas and unique shops.
If you want the best experience of the market, you have to visit during Pedestrian Sundays. On the last Sunday of each month, the area is closed to traffic, and there are many events. You can enjoy live music, street performances, and see a lively community gathering for the activities.
3: Enjoy High Park
When we talk about free and low-cost activities, the parks take one of the first places, and for a good reason. Walking amidst nature is an enjoyable activity, no matter where in the world you are, and Toronto does not disappoint in this respect. One of the best examples is High Park.
Free activities at High Park:
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High Park Zoo: Yes, you’ve read right, you can enter the zoo for free! Enjoy a nice afternoon watching all the different animals, like bison, llamas, and peacocks.
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Walking Trails: If you like to walk and spend time lost in your thoughts, then you can explore the surrounding forests, and go all the way to the Grenadier Pond.
4: Attend a Free Concert at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheater
You probably didn’t imagine that you could attend a full concert for free, and nonetheless to one from the Canadian Opera Company! But indeed, you can. The concerts are seasonal, usually around summer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and you don’t need a ticket to enter. This means that seats are first come, first served, so better be there early. And if you’re a bit bummed out because you’re not the biggest fan of opera music, don’t worry. They also performed other genres, like jazz and music from all around the world.
5: Take the ferry to Toronto Islands
We’re not yet over with the nature-related options in this list, not at all. Despite its size and how cosmopolitan it is, Toronto has quite a few options to spend full days in the outdoors exploring the surrounding landscapes. From downtown, you can take the ferry and in less than an hour you’ll be in the Toronto Islands.
Best spots to visit in Toronto Islands:
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Centre Island: The largest of the islands, and with the most picturesque beaches to lounge under the sun. It also has scenic walking paths and more than enough space to have picnics.
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Wards Islands: It’s quieter, less touristic, and you’ll find charming cottages there.
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Hanlan’s Point Beach: A very popular beach with a quiet natural beauty to it. You can swim, just remember that you’re in Canada, so the temperature is not for everyone.
Photo by Sandro Schuh on Unsplash
6: Visit Evergreen Brick Worlds
Another green space, but this one is more urban, let’s Evergreen Brick Worlds located in the Don Valley. Some years ago, it was a brick factory, but it’s now transformed into an environmental and cultural hub. If you want to spend as much time outdoors as you can and learn about Canada’s nature and its conservation is completely free to go!
Areas to visit:
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Nature Trails: If you don’t want to walk, you can always rent a bike and go through the greenery along the Don River, and through ravines.
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Wetland and Pond Area: The perfect place to spot local wildlife. It’s also really relaxing, with the gentle sound of the water flowing.
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Evergreen Garden Market: It’s open only on weekends, but it’s a great spot to learn more about gardening and the local plant life.
Photo by James Thomas on Unsplash
7: Go to the Art Gallery of Ontario
Let’s start by saying that the general admission does cost money, but on Wednesdays from 6 pm to 9 pm, you can enter completely free! So be intelligent and plan your visit for that time. Also, since it’s later in the day, you won’t have to deal with too many crowds. The museum is really worth a visit. It houses over 90,000 pieces of art from all around the world, and you’ll find many Canadian authors, some Indigenous, and European authors also.
Another advantage of going on Wednesday evenings is that you can attend more free events, like talks, film screenings, and live performances. Just check their website to see the Art Gallery of Ontario for their schedule.
8: Visit Fort York National Historic Site
You can’t miss the opportunity to visit one of the oldest and most historically significant landmarks in all of Ontario. Fort National Historic Site was established in the 18th century, and it played a key role in the War of 1812. Just keep in mind that if you’re going for the 100% free route, you won’t be able to enter the building or get a guided tour. But you can walk around and explore the grounds, which include the historic walls, military barracks, and gun emplacements. Also, if you’re lucky to catch one, there are public events and reenactments, especially during celebrations like Canada Day.
Expert Tips to Save Even More Money While Visiting Toronto
Traveling to Toronto doesn’t have to be the inversion of your life, and there are a lot of ways to keep the cost to a minimum. So a list full of free places and activities you can do in Toronto wouldn’t be complete without more tips to save money on the rest of your trip.
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Check local event websites: There, you can stay up to date with any upcoming events that can coincide with your planned visit. Check Toronto.com to get notifications of all the upcoming events in the city.
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Use a Pass for Public Transport: Toronto’s public transit system is quite extensive and pretty affordable, and yet you can make it even cheaper. For example, using a Day Pass can save you money on the days you plan to move around a lot.
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Eat like a local: Just like every big city, restaurants can get expensive, especially around tourist areas. So let’s better follow the locals to more authentic and cheap restaurants. Street food and stalls at the local markets are also a great option.