Kent BrownAnyone who tells you that you need to have a lot of money in your pockets to enjoy a day in Toronto couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, even the most frugal people can experience some of the capital’s wonders without splurging too much.
From picnics at Toronto’s parks to afternoons in its museums, you’ll be surprised to find out the different things you can experience in Toronto while on a budget. So forget expensive concerts, admissions fees to theme parks and more, here are our favourite cheap attractions in the city!
Kensington Market
Website: http://www.kensington-market.ca/
Address: Kensington Market, Toronto, Canada
Contact details: [email protected]
Strolling along Kensington Market is always a great option if you’re not looking for anything specific to do and just want to have a nice day. It doesn’t cost anything to visit this neighbourhood and if you decide to check out its stores, they won’t cost an arm and a leg too!
From fresh produce to vintage clothes, appliances and more, this market features tons of products. The best part is that these are being offered at extremely great discounts—perfect for frugal shoppers and those who find bargaining entertaining.
You can also check out some of the cheap local restaurants and cafes scattered across this neighbourhood if you want to just sit down and catch your breath.
| Pro tip: If you want first dibs on the freshest produce, be sure to get there before 11:00 AM! |
The Bentway
Website: https://thebentway.ca
Address: 250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3K9, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-304-0222
The Bentway is one of Toronto’s best common spaces, featuring beautiful artworks, plants and benches—think parks but more urban-y. Coincidentally, it’s also an attraction that doesn’t require its visitors to pay just to enjoy a nice day.
At first glance, it doesn’t seem like the best place to spend a day since it’s located underneath an expressway, but think again! This converted space can provide hours of entertainment with its spectacular events.
Among these events, our favourite is ice skating. Come winter season, the park transforms into a magical ice skating rink and the best part is that everyone is free to enjoy it!
| Pro tip: Be sure to check their website regularly to see the park’s upcoming events! |
Toronto Botanical Garden
Website: https://torontobotanicalgarden.ca
Address: 777 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto, ON M3C 1P2, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-397-1341
Toronto Botanical Garden is home to hundreds of species of plants, from shrubs to flowers, trees and anything in between. These healthy plants are separated via themes and zones, making walking here a nice adventure that’s filled with beautiful sights to discover.
Some of the most noteworthy themes here include the Teaching Garden, the Westview Terrace and the Entry Garden Walk. You can either explore at your own pace or go on a guided tour if you’re willing to pay a small fee.
Admissions in the garden are free all year round so you can always stop by whenever you need to break away from stress from your daily hustle and bustle. Plus, since the garden is located outdoors, you can enjoy these beautiful plants 24/7!
| Pro tips: If all the walking left you tired and a tad bit hungry, stop by the garden’s TBG Bloom Cafe. You can also stop by the gift shop and buy some souvenirs to commemorate your visit to the garden! |
Canadian Opera Company
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Website: https://www.coc.ca
Address: 145 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 4G1, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-363-6671
You would think that a fancy opera concert would cost hundreds of dollars, right? Well, in Toronto, you can enjoy these types of concerts without spending a single penny thanks to the Free Concert Series by the Canadian Opera Company.
The performances here don’t feel cheap whatsoever too, as they’re performed by music students, performers, artists, etc.
They even have certain themes depending on the season/holiday of the year! For instance, you can expect love songs during February while winter is the time of joyous Christmas music—perfect for getting in the holiday spirit!
| Pro tip: Make sure to regularly check Canadian Opera Companies’ Free Concert Series page to stay in the loop of the latest free shows happening! |
Art Gallery Ontario
Website: https://ago.ca
Address: 317 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 1G4, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-979-6648
Operating hours:
- Tuesday and Thursday: 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Wednesday and Friday: 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Weekends: 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Every Wednesday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Art Gallery Ontario allows guests to enter for free—how cool is that? Whether you’re a fan of art or not, this is a great opportunity to experience one of the best museums in Toronto, or the entire country for that matter.
Also, with over 90,000 spectacular artworks by some of the greatest local and international artists, it’s a no-brainer to grab this opportunity. If you’ve always wanted to brush up on the art scene in Canada, this is a great place to start!
| Pro tip: Since you saved money on the admission fee, you can spend your money on good food and amazing drinks instead! For this need, we recommend checking the museum’s in-house restaurant, FK, formerly known as Frank’s Restaurant. |
High Park
Website: https://www.highparktoronto.com
Address: 1873 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6R 2Z3, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-338-0338
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Going to the park is always a surefire way to enjoy your day without spending too much—case in point, Toronto’s High Park. What’s great about this park is that it’s only a 15-minute drive away from the city centre, so you can visit it whenever the daily grind gets overwhelming.
Here, you can enjoy an entire day filled with sightseeing and fun activities thanks to the park’s beautiful outdoors and open space. Some of the notable things you can see here include the cherry blossoms, the zoo and the Lesya Ukrainka Monument.
If you’re not up for activities, however, you can always sit on the grass or at one of the benches and catch up with your friends and families. You can take the activity to the next level by packing your favourite snacks and arranging a nice picnic under the trees’ shades!
| Pro tip: If you don’t want to pack your own lunch but still want to be treated to amazing views while you eat, we recommend checking out The Grenadier Cafe. They serve a variety of delicious dishes and drinks and you can eat on their massive patio! |
Distillery District
Website: https://www.thedistillerydistrict.com
Address: 55 Mill Street, Toronto ON, M5A 3C4
Contact details: +1 416-364-1177
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
You can always expect an interesting and fulfilling day when visiting the Distillery District. It’s made up of various brick buildings, providing a breath of fresh air from the usual skyscraper-filled skyline of Toronto.
Come wintertime, however, the Distillery District transforms into one of the most magical street markets in Toronto. It’s here where you can score great deals on local handicrafts and gifts that are perfect for the holiday season.
You can also grab a cup of hot chocolate while browsing the shelves for the ultimate Christmas shopping experience!
| Pro tips: If you’re looking for something more interesting to do, you can also enrol in one of the workshops being offered here! You can also check their website to see all of their upcoming events! |
Riverdale Farm
– Media credit: torontopfr
Website: https://riverdalefarmtoronto.ca
Address: 201 Winchester St, Toronto, ON M4X 1B8, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-392-3188
Operating hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sometimes, it’s nice to go back to the time when high-tech gadgets weren’t as prevalent in the world. If you want to reconnect with nature and rekindle your joy for a simple life, then Riverdale Farm should be included in your itinerary!
This breathtaking farm is open 7 days a week and entrance is free of charge, making it one of the most accessible and affordable attractions in the city. It’s all worth it too, as you’ll be treated to green spaces as far as the eye can see!
You can also admire various farm animals living their best lives like sheep, goats, pigs and chickens. Furthermore, you can sit back and take in the relaxing ambience as you watch the staff go through their daily chores on the farm.
Graffiti Alley
Website: https://www.highparktoronto.com
Address: Graffiti Alley, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Aside from Toronto’s museums, a great way to familiarise yourself with the city’s art scene is by going on a self-guided mural tour. If you’re planning on doing this, your first stop should always be the famous graffiti alley.
As you may have gleaned from its name, this alley is filled with some of the most impressive street murals you’ll ever see. These artworks are made by Toronto’s finest artists and everyone is free to admire them, as this alley is sort of an open-air museum—pretty awesome!
These beautiful pieces of art take up entire walls. Each one features striking colours and detailed stencils, making them the ultimate background for your photos!
| Pro tip: You can visit on weekdays if you don’t want to encounter crowds during your visit. However, you won’t have to worry about other people getting in the way of your photos in the first place, as everyone is usually respectful of others’ spaces. |
Toronto Harbourfront Centre
Website: https://www.highparktoronto.com
Address: 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-973-4000
Operating hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
The Toronto Harbourfront Centre is worth visiting because of its beautiful views alone. However, it offers more than just sightseeing, as it also features a variety of cultural activities that everyone is free to enjoy!
One thing that Torontonians love to do in this centre is watching outdoor movies. This is typically held during the summer where they’ll show a screening for free!
The inside of this centre is just as impressive too, as it houses an in-depth art gallery, which visitors are also free to enter. This gallery features tons of amazing artworks from various local and international artists—accessible art, anyone?
| Pro tip: Be sure to visit this place during the wintertime, as it will also feature a free ice skating rink for every visitor! |
