Find Free or Inexpensive Things To Do In Toronto.
Toronto is one of the best cities in the world for tourists. It is an up and coming destination for Americans as well, especially those who live in the northeast and Midwest. There are a number of free activities do to in Toronto, and they are listed below. Or find low cost, inexpensive actives to do in Toronto, and the exchange rate of the US dollar to the Canadian dollar make things even cheaper.
Whether you're looking for a fun summer vacation or an ideal winter holiday, the city has tons to offer in terms of food, nightlife, and attractions. However, a trip to Toronto can be quite expensive if you're unprepared. These free things to do can help you save money on a work trip or family vacation.
Many of the popular tourist attractions such as CN Tower and Ripley's Aquarium can quickly burn through your budget. Luckily, there are many cheap and even free things to do in Toronto. These activities can still fill up an entire itinerary and offer tons of fun without costing you too much. Here are 11 of the best cheap and free things to do in Toronto.
1. Stroll Through High Park (and High Park Zoo)
High Park is one of the best places to visit in Toronto, and maybe the best thing it is 100% free! Located in the west of Toronto, this enormous park features almost 400 acres of gardens, playgrounds, picnic spots, trails, and even a completely free zoo.
You can enjoy a wealth of free activities here. Whether you want to run, cycle, skateboard, have a picnic, fish, or even go sledding in the winter, you'll find plenty of space here. You can also spend a day simply strolling through the park and enjoying the zoo, which features animals such as capybaras, yaks, and reindeer.
2. Spend A Day At The Toronto Islands
Another one of the most beautiful natural gems in Toronto is the Toronto Islands. The islands feature miles of walking routes, beaches, and even an amusement park that's free to enter. The only cost of visiting is a return ticket for the ferry from the Toronto Harbourfront, which will cost under $10. As far as everything to do on the Islands, they are free thmeslves.
Once you're on the island, you can enjoy a whole day here. Whether you want to lounge on the beach, go for a swim, or check out cute animals at the Far Enough Farm, you can enjoy all of this for free. With that said, you might want to take a bit of money to enjoy some food and amusement park rides.
3. Visit The Distillery District
Toronto is full of cool, quirky neighborhoods, but the Distillery District is arguably the coolest to visit. The converted 19th-century distillery has transformed into one of the city's most Instagrammable spots due to its unique vibes and architecture.
The Distillery District is full of shops and restaurants and, while these are quite expensive, you can still pass through for free. You might want to take a few photos, do some window shopping, and even play the public piano. The area also hosts the Toronto Christmas Market from late November.
4. Enjoy Free Museum Trips
Toronto is also an excellent destination for museum lovers. Whether you're interested in art, history, or shoes, you'll find a museum to suit your tastes here. What's more, many of them offer free admission on certain days.
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is free to visit every Wednesday from 6 to 9 pm. The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art hosts free Friday nights. The CBC Museum, Toronto Police Museum, and Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre also have free exhibits.
5. Relax On The Beaches
You might not think of beaches when you think of Toronto. However, even though it isn't by the sea, Toronto has some beautiful sandy spots to relax, sunbathe, and swim. Of course this will only be a late Spring, Summer, or early fall activty for the best weather.
Woodbine Beach on the east of the city is the most impressive. However, you can also enjoy Cherry Beach near the center, Sunnyside Beach in the west, and the multiple beaches on the Toronto Islands. You can also find the artificial Sugar Beach Park near the CN Tower.
6. Go Ice Skating
Toronto is one of the best places to visit in the winter. Along with multiple Christmas markets and beautiful snowy spots such as High Park, you can also go ice skating in various free ice rinks across the city.
Nathan Phillips Square is the most popular ice skating spot, but you can also check out free ice rinks at the Harbourfront, High Park, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Evergreen Brick Works, and various other spots. You'll need to pay for ice skates if you don't have them, but rental costs are fairly low across the city.
7. Attend Free Events
If you're looking for a free way to fill the day, the city is full of free events, festivals, and shows. You can usually find the latest free events by checking out BlogTO and FestivalsToronto.
Popular free events include Danforth Rocks, Indie Fridays, and Music In The Park. But you can also find night markets, food tours, and even free outdoor film showings during certain parts of the year.
8. Free Gardens and Conservatories
Toronto has some great gardens, flower displays, trees, and green space. These places have amazing, well tended flowers as well as trees, many of which are unique to the city and that may not be found in the states. It is free to stroll through these places.
Some of the best reviewed gardens and nature places include the Allan Gardens Conservatory as well as Edwards Gardens. There is also the Toronto Botanical Gardens. All of these have free admission with trails and walking paths that can be great activities for you and your family.
9. Walk Through Riverdale Farm
If you want a break from the big city atmosphere, then head to Riverdale Park. Despite being just slightly east of the city center, this area offers plenty of green space with a swimming pool, ice rink, baseball pitch, and tennis courts.
While you're here, you can also visit Riverdale Farm. This family-friendly farm is completely free to visit and you can see animals, farmers performing chores, and plenty of nature.
10. Be Amazed At Scarborough Bluffs
A trip to Toronto isn't complete without a visit to Scarborough Bluffs. Although it's around 30 minutes outside of the city, it only takes a few dollars to reach it via bus or metro. Plus, it's one of the most stunning sights you'll see.
You can take in the views from the top of the cliffs completely free. You can also enjoy nearby walking trails, beaches, and other beautiful natural spots.
11. Take A Free Walking Tour
Toronto is a huge city with tons of things to see. As such, you might want to take a free walking tour to get your bearings. There are free tour groups throughout the city, including Explore Toronto, Tour Guys, and Strawberry Tours.
Alternatively, you can even improvise a walking tour yourself. For instance, you could start at Yonge St. and visit Eaton Center, Yorkville, then head through Chinatown to Kensington Market - one of the best spots in the city for food tours. Every neighborhood in the city has a different vibe and exploring each one can keep you entertained for days.
Conclusion
Although Toronto isn't the cheapest city, you can easily have an amazing holiday here on a budget. The city has plenty of free attractions, cheap food, and affordable things to do if you know where to look. Any an increasing number of American families
These are 10 of the best cheap and free things to do in Toronto, but you can also find plenty of other fun budget activities. With free events, street festivals, and awesome locations within reach via the TTC, it's hard to run out of things to do in Toronto even if you're on a budget.
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