Sometimes free or cheap activities offer visitors an experience that is more authentic than the typical tourist activities and can add a nice balance to a travel itinerary. If you want to save money in Toronto or even if you're not on a budget, check out the following free or almost free things to do in Toronto.
1. Enjoy Some Green Space at Riverdale Farm
Image courtesy Friends of Riverdale Farm
Riverdale Farm is more than 7 acres of green space in downtown Toronto, complete with cows, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and other docile farm animals. Visitors can meander the grounds and watch staff do their chores free of charge.
The farm is particularly charming in that it recreates early 20th century Ontario farm life - no pop machines or tacky gift shop - a few homemade goodies are available for purchase, but all in keeping with the Riverdale theme.
The farm is particularly charming in that it recreates early 20th century Ontario farm life - no pop machines or tacky gift shop - a few homemade goodies are available for purchase, but all in keeping with the Riverdale theme.
2. Take the Ferry to Centre Island
Photo courtesy John Walthour
Centre Island is a great trip for anyone wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Getting to Centre Island requires a ferry ride. Ferries leave every 15 - 30 minutes, cost $4 - $8 return, and take about 10 minutes.
Centre Island is 600 acres of parkland. Other than the ferry ride, there's no cost, but a small amusement park, restaurants, and other attractions may lure you to open up your wallet. Keep the budget in check by bringing a picnic lunch or take advantage of the fire pits and barbecue.
Centre Island is 600 acres of parkland. Other than the ferry ride, there's no cost, but a small amusement park, restaurants, and other attractions may lure you to open up your wallet. Keep the budget in check by bringing a picnic lunch or take advantage of the fire pits and barbecue.
3. Visit the Distillery District
The Distillery Historic District is a great place to spend a few hours if you're in downtown Toronto and want to get away from the usual downtown stuff. This pedestrian-only village is set amidst fabulous heritage architecture that comprises the largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture. You won't find a franchise or chain operation here, so all the stores and galleries are one of a
4. Window Shop in Yorkville
This posh pocket of downtown Toronto features quaint Victorian architecture that houses dozens of restaurants, boutiques and art galleries. Yorkville dining and shopping is upscale and the galleries represent some of the finest Canadian and international artists. Many celebrities have been spotted strolling the sidewalks of Yorkville, especially during the Toronto International Film Festival.Yorkville is close to the Royal Ontario Museum
5. Take a Streetcar to the Beaches
Photograph: Alan Marsh / Getty Images
The Beaches is an east-end Toronto neighbourhood that boasts a long stretch of waterfront. Come down for the day to hang out at the beach, stroll the boardwalk or visit the shops and eateries on Queen Street East.
To get to the Beaches, try taking one of the city's streetcars, many of which head straight down Queen Street, giving you a cheap tour of one of Toronto's most famous streets. Toronto's streetcar routes operate in the classic style on street trackage shared with car traffic and are not heritage streetcars run for tourism or nostalgic purposes.
To get to the Beaches, try taking one of the city's streetcars, many of which head straight down Queen Street, giving you a cheap tour of one of Toronto's most famous streets. Toronto's streetcar routes operate in the classic style on street trackage shared with car traffic and are not heritage streetcars run for tourism or nostalgic purposes.
6. Graze at St. Lawrence Market
Photo courtesy St. Lawrence Market
St. Lawrence Market comprises three historic buildings in downtown Toronto that house an antique market, food market and other public space. Food & Wine magazine has called St. Lawrence Market one of the world's top 25 markets - for gosh sake, the Pope bought jam here!
Don't miss back bacon on a bun at Carousel Bakery - fill up and then some for 3 bucks.
For those of you with money to spare, a St. Lawrence Market walking tour costs $25 and lasts two hours. The tour is full of interesting tidbits and led by a knowledgeable guide.
Don't miss back bacon on a bun at Carousel Bakery - fill up and then some for 3 bucks.
For those of you with money to spare, a St. Lawrence Market walking tour costs $25 and lasts two hours. The tour is full of interesting tidbits and led by a knowledgeable guide.
7. Visit Toronto Museums during Free or Pay What You Can Time
Entrance to the Royal Ontario Museum is free the last hour of every Wednesday from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Admission charges apply for all other dates and times. Half Price admission remains on Fridays from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm.At the Bata Shoe Museum, every Thursday evening between 5 and 8 pm, admission is Pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $5 .
8. Attend the Canadian Opera Company's Free Concert Series
Photo: Steven Evans © 2006
Pack a brown bag lunch and attend one of the Canadian Opera Company's free lunch hour performances. Enjoy dance or a variety of musical style concerts in the sun bathed ampitheatre of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, built in 2006. The ampitheatre offers a unique experience where audience members have full view onto busy University Avenue through the transparent, all-glass facade that melts away the usual feeling of isolation from the outside world in a concert hall.
Opera performances in the evening are in the R. Fraser Elliott Hall, a traditional European horseshoe-shaped auditorium designed to be an entirely separate and isolated structure within the building, resting on nearly 500 rubber acoustic isolation pads.
Opera performances in the evening are in the R. Fraser Elliott Hall, a traditional European horseshoe-shaped auditorium designed to be an entirely separate and isolated structure within the building, resting on nearly 500 rubber acoustic isolation pads.
9. Take in Some Culture at Harbourfront Centre
Photo courtesy Harbourfront Centre
The Toronto Harbourfront Centre is a non profit cultural organization that offers a variety of cultural activities to the public free of charge. Located along the shores of Lake Ontario in downtown Toronto, visitors can stroll the boardwalk on Harbourfront's 10-acre site, relax in one of the parks or skate in the winter. Inside, take in a lecture, art exhibit or show, shop or dine.
10. Stroll Kensington Market
Photograph: Jean Heguy / Getty Images
Kensington Market is actually a hip Toronto neighbourhood adjacent to Chinatown, not a "market" in the usual fruits and veggies sense - although you will find those there in abundance. The area has a funky, "organic, fair-trade coffee shop" vibe, but not obnoxiously so. You'll find retro furniture, vintage clothing shops and plenty of places to pick up a cheap take-out meal; especially good are the empanadas and other Latin American foods.
