Toronto has always been a tourist resort with a rather high travel cost. If you are planning a trip to Toronto on a budget, there are many free activities in Toronto for tourists without breaking the bank. This travel guide will introduce several free things to do in Toronto in summer and winter. You will surely have plenty of free fun in Toronto, this beautiful city.
Things to Do in Toronto for Free
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada is Toronto. With tons of breathtaking natural landscapes, stunning landmarks, and rich recreational activities, you’ll never be short of free things to do in Toronto.
Best Places to Visit in Summer
Toronto is a great place to visit in the summertime, where you can explore different outdoor activities and enjoy summer vibes. If you are traveling this summer, check out these four best places to visit in Toronto for free.
- High Park
High Park is a must-visit destination in Toronto if you enjoy the outdoors in summer. It is the largest public park in the city with 400 acres, including gorgeous gardens, Grenadier Pond, walking paths, children’s playgrounds, picnic areas, sporting facilities, and even a petting zoo. You can do almost anything for free in this one park to spend the day and enjoy the sunshine. Located on the west side of downtown Toronto, it is easily accessible by subway.
High Park is free and open for 24 hours. The address is 1873 Bloor Street W, TORONTO ONTARIO M6R 2Z3.
- Toronto Islands
Only a 15-minute ferry from mainland Toronto, Toronto Islands sure are a great place to break away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The island is a gourd of fifteen small islands interconnected by pathways, where you can enjoy bike rides, strolls, picnics, and BBQs.
A round-trip ticket on the Toronto Islands Ferry is CAN $9.11. The first ferry departs around 8 A.M., and the last ferry to return is 11:40 PM during the summer. Ferries set out every 15 minutes. You can purchase ferry tickets on this site.
- Kensington Market
This is not actually a market, but a bohemian-themed neighborhood filled with live music, international street food, and incredible performances. One of the free things to do in Toronto this week is to enjoy the famous Pedestrian Sundays that happen on each last Sunday of the month from May to October in this area. This Sunday, the streets there become car-free zones, and performers and vendors can gather together. You can wander through and take a close look at the city’s cultural diversity.
Kensington Market is free and open daily. The address is Spadina Ave, Dundas St, Bathurst St, & College St, Toronto ON M5T 2G3.
- Nathan Phillips Square
Nathan Phillips Square is one of the best places to visit in Toronto for free. The 3-meter-tall enormous city sign “Toronto” lying in the center of the square makes it an iconic spot for tourists to take a selfie.
Many events are hosted in this iconic square such as festival celebrations, Farmers’ Market, music festivals, etc. You can check the event calendar of Nathan Phillips Square to find out if there are any free things to do in Toronto today.
Free Activities in Winter
If you prefer visiting the Great North in white, Toronto in winter will never let you down either. Generally, the first snowfall comes in December, and there’s at least 1cm of snow on the ground for about 65 days throughout the year. Snowstorms may happen once or twice during the winter in Toronto. During a snowstorm, it is safe to drive and people choose to stay indoors. Here is temperature data for Toronto throughout the winter.
| Toronto in Winter by Month | Temperature (High vs Low) |
| December | High: 3°C (37.4°F) Low: -3°C (26.6°F) |
| January | High: 0°C (32°F) Low: -7°C (19.4°F) |
| February | High: 0°C (32°F) Low: -7°C(19.4°F) |
| March | High: 5°C (41°F) Low: -2°C (28.4°F) |
Even though it is pretty cold in winter, you can still find some free stuff to do in Toronto to keep the chill away without exceeding the budget.
- TD Union Winter
The event starts in December throughout the month when you get to skate indoors in Union Station’s Roller Express Rink with free skate rentals. Stores and restaurants are also available. You will have a fun and special winter experience here. The TD Union Winter event is completely free for all ages. Union Station’s address is located at 65 Front Street West. You can check the opening hours on the website.
- Skating at The Bentway
This is a charity event of outdoor skating that lasts throughout the winter. There will be free skate rentals on Fridays starting January 12, and free hot chocolate on Mondays starting January 8. You can check the opening hours on this website. This event takes place at 250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto ON M5V 3K9.
- Kensington Market Winter Solstice Festival
Kensington Market is a must-visit place with tons of activities that never end. On December 21, the Solstice Festival is celebrated here in Kensington Market. You can watch street performances and parades and learn about how the locals celebrate the winter solstice in a unique way. Kensington Market’s address is Spadina Ave, Dundas St, Bathurst St, & College St, Toronto ON M5T 2G3. It is free to visit.
Free Fun at Night
Instead of lying in hotel beds, why not make your nights memorable in this flourishing city? There are a few things to do for free in Toronto at night.
- Night lights of Toronto at CN Tower
The CN Tower is the most iconic place in Toronto. As the tallest free-standing structure in Canada, the night view of the CN Tower will blow your mind. If you prefer a view from the top of the tower, you need to buy a ticket on this site. If you own a Toronto CityPASS, you can save 35% on admission to CN Tower. The CN Tower address is 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto.
- Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) Free Wednesday Nights
The Art Gallery of Ontario houses a collection of over 120000 works of art. Admission to the Gallery is free on the first Wednesday night of each month, between 6 and 9 PM. You need to book a free general admission ticket online beforehand. It is located at 317 Dundas St. W, Toronto.
- Stroll around Toronto Music Garden
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Toronto Music Gardens at night is a destination filled with romance. When the Music-themed lights and beautiful music are on in the evening, this place becomes the perfect dating site for couples. It is open 24/7 and the address is 479 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5V 3M8.
Free Places to Go with Kids
If you are traveling to Toronto with your little ones, here are some great places for family visits.
- Riverdale Farm
Riverdale Farm is a free attraction that allows you and your kids to experience farm life, from raising livestock to handwork and craft programs. Please note that feeding the animals is not permitted on this farm. Picnic tables are available for family gatherings. You may contact the farm and book a table in advance.
Riverdale Farm is at 201 Winchester Street, Toronto, ON M4X 1B8. Opening hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. all year round.
- Toronto Public Library
As the largest public library in Canada, the Toronto Public Library gives you access to an extensive collection of over 12 million items. The library building with a history of over 140 years is worth a visit too. The library is located at 5120 Yonge St, Toronto ON M2N 5N9. It opens at 9 AM – 8:30 PM on weekdays, 9 AM – 5 PM on Saturdays, and 1:30 PM – 5 PM on Sundays.
- Evergreen Brick Works
Evergreen Brick Works used to be a quarry and industrial site at Suite 300 – 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON, M4W3X8. Now this place has become a vibrant environmental center with markets, recreation, and art. Many educational and fun activities are held here for children. You can check the ongoing events on this site and make a reservation. The opening hours are 9 AM – 5 PM.
Which Countries Can Travel to Canada without a Visa
Eligible citizens from thirteen countries can now visit Canada by air for up to six months without applying for a temporary visa. It applies to citizens from the following thirteen countries who have either held a Canadian visa in the past ten years or currently hold a valid US non-immigrant visa.
| Panama | St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Philippines | Seychelles |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | Thailand |
| St. Lucia | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Morocco |
| Argentina | Uruguay |
| Costa Rica |
How Long Can I Stay in Canada as a Visitor?
Generally, visitors can stay for up to six months in Canada. If you wish to extend your stay in the country, you may apply for a visitor visa extension. You should apply for it at least 30 days before your visitor visa expires. Prepare the required documents, and follow instructions to complete the application online. Then answer some questions and create an account to pay your fee, submit the application and check Canadian visa status.
Tips to Visit Toronto on a Budget
Visiting Toronto can cost a bundle since the cost of living is rather high in Toronto. If you are traveling on a budget, here are some great tips for you to reduce expenditure in several ways.
Accommodation:
- Take advantage of hotel booking sites such as Priceline, or Booking.com. They usually offer discounts and deals. Compare prices on different sites.
- If you stay for a long time, say a few weeks, try Airbnb and VRBO for house or department rentals. They are usually cheaper than hotels.
Food:
- Avoid restaurants close to tourist attractions. Food in such restaurants is often overpriced and not so good. Instead, eat at restaurants that cater to the locals. They typically charge lower prices.
- Bring a refillable water bottle instead of buying bottles constantly.
- Bring some snacks with you.
Transportation:
- Check credit card merchant offers before booking a plane ticket. And book your flights early to get a great deal.
- Take public transportation instead of private transportation. The public transit in Toronto is easily accessible and budget-friendly.
Shopping:
- Before you set out, apply for a credit card with no foreign transaction fee. Some cards even offer travel rewards.
- Browse coupon sites such as groupon.com for discounts and special offers for shopping malls and activities.
- Exchange currency before traveling to avoid extra bank fees.
FAQs
What do Canadians do in their free time?
While many Canadians hang out with family and friends in their free time on weekends, others enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing. Some of them simply want to have a lazy weekend.
Which part of Toronto is the cheapest?
If traveling on a budget, you’ll find cheaper accommodation options on hotel booking sites such as hotels.com, booking.com, and priceline.com. Or consider apartment rentals on Airbnb if you stay for a long time.
Which museum is free in Toronto?
There are many museums free to visit in Toronto, such as the Spadina Museum, Scarborough Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada, the Toronto Police Museum, and the Art Museum at the University of Toronto. Some of them require a reservation.
Is 150k enough for Toronto?
Generally, you should expect to spend around US $205 a day in Toronto. This is an average daily price based on the expenses of most visitors, including accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing. Therefore, US $150000 should be enough to cover your trip to Toronto.
Wrap Up
Toronto is a vibrant and beautiful travel destination with many attractions, cultural and recreational activities, historical sites, and scenic landscapes. Many of them are budget-friendly for visitors. In this article, we introduced several free things to do in Toronto, and some free places to go in the summer holiday, winter, at night, and for children. Enjoy your trip to Toronto!
Erin Lo