Top 10 Cheap or Free Things to Do in Toronto

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 kind.

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. Pick up a cheap lunch and enjoy on the outdoor patio.On Sundays, the antique market draws collectors and browsers from far and wide. And don’t miss the gallery upstairs, which offers free exhibitions highlighting Toronto history and culture.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 tracks shared with car traffic; they are not heritage streetcars run for tourism or nostalgic purposes.

Entry to the Permanent Collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario is free from 6 pm – 8:30 pm on Wednesdays.

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.

Admission to the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA) is pay-what-you-can at all times.

The Market Gallery at St. Lawrence Market explores Toronto history and culture and is always free.

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.

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.