Toronto – Image Credit: choudhrysaab (Flickr)
If you’ve got a few days to spare at the end of a visit to Toronto, why not explore some of the city’s greatest attractions, all of which you can do without having to spend a single cent.
Check Out Free Nights at the ROM and the AGO
The Royal Ontario Museum is Canada’s largest museum of world culture, and it welcomes over a million visitors every year. The museum offers numerous exhibitions and collections which cover a range of diverse subjects from dinosaurs and meteorites to European history and Asian art. The Art Gallery of Ontario features a collection of over 80,000 works, from the 1st century to the present day. The AGO offers free entry on Wednesday nights.
Embark Upon a DIY Toronto Ghost Tour
The Toronto Ghosts website includes a printable guide, which guests can use to make their own way around Toronto’s scariest spots. The guide includes information and history about each location featured, as well as spooky anecdotes of ghostly sightings and mysterious goings-on. As your own tour guide, this won’t cost you a thing – and it’s obviously best undertaken at night. Beware!
Visit One of Toronto’s Many Beaches
Set on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is home to many clean, sandy beaches, many of which would make an ideal spot for relaxing, swimming, and soaking up the sun, particularly during the summer months. Many of the beaches meet Blue Flag standards. Some of Toronto’s most popular beaches include Bluffer’s Park, Woodbine and Hanlan’s Point.
Enjoy a Scenic Walk Around High Park.
High Park is Toronto’s largest public park, and in it you’ll find hiking trails, a zoo, playground and eateries. Whether you want to enjoy a delicious picnic under the afternoon sun or simply sit and look out over the beautiful lakefront, High Park is an excellent place to spend a slow, summer afternoon.
Take in Some Culture at Toronto Sculpture Garden
The sculpture garden is a small but satisfying sculpture park which features temporary exhibitions by various sculptors, some of which may be commissioned by the park itself. The Toronto Sculpture Garden is an excellent place to spend an afternoon, and to take in some of the city’s most beautiful artworks while you do it.
See What’s Happening At Yonge-Dundas Square
Yonge-Dundas square is a commercial junction located in the centre of Toronto. While it’s home to some of the city’s most popular pay-to-enter venues, including cinemas and restaurants, the square itself also hosts lots of free events, and has become one of Toronto’s most popular tourist attractions since its completion in 2002. The Square is host to events, performances and art displays, most of which are free – check their website to see what’s on when you’re around.
Learn About Being Green at the Evergreen Brick Works
The former quarry has since been turned into a community environment centre, which features exhibitions and showcases all about nature and sustainable living. There’s even a market and a café if you do fancy splashing a little cash while you’re there.
Discover the Don Valley Hills and Dales
The Don Valley hills are home to some of Toronto’s most astounding geography, and there are plenty of safe walks that visitors can embark upon by themselves, or in a small group. Walks vary in length and difficulty, and downloadable maps are available online, which point out various places of interest and stops along the way.
See an Exhibition at the Harbourfront Centre
The heart of everything cultural and creative in Toronto, the Harbourfront Centre is home to classes, workshops and exhibitions of everything you care to think of; while you might have to pay for classes and shows, there are always plenty of free exhibitions on.
Enjoy a Day Out at Riverdale Farm
The farm replicates early 20th century Torontonian farm life, and is home to pigs, cows, horses, sheeps, goats, chickens and more. Visitors to Riverdale Farm can look on as the staff go about their daily business, and it won’t cost a cent.
Celeste is an Australian living in Toronto. She is a blogger for Canada Travel Services where she explores the wide variety of culture and entertainment on offer in Ontario’s capital city.
