Visiting Toronto or just exploring your own city…these are my favourite 8 Family Destinations In Toronto.
Family Destinations in Toronto
- Ontario Science Centre – hands on family fun (from babies to teens). Plan for a whole day visit. My #1 family destination recommendation in Toronto. Healthy food options in cafeteria. English and French. Good parking.
- Royal Ontario Museum – hands on family fun and look-through-glass stuff too. Plan a half day visit. Better for older kids. Half day visit. Subway station just across the street.
- Toronto Zoo – hands on family fun and watching animals from afar. Plan a whole day visit.Take a stroller and wear good walking shoes. Fast food restaurants on site. Lots of picnic areas. Good parking.
- Ontario Place – hands on family fun. Plan a whole day visit. Summer water park. Good parking.
- Casa Loma – hands on family fun and walking indoors. Plan a half day visit. Better for older kids. Parking.
- Art Gallery of Ontario – kid area and walking indoors. Plan a half day visit. TTC accessible.
- CN Tower – best elevator ride in Toronto. Plan a half day visit. Making a reservation at their restaurant ahead of time can cut costs of outing.
- Hockey Hall of Fame – kid friendly! Plan a half day visit. TTC accessible with lots of great surrounding restaurants.
You also might want to check out my post on Toronto Fun Family Things To Do and my suggestions for Family Friendly Restaurants In Toronto.
Going downtown (to the CN Tower, Art Gallery, Hockey Hall of Fame, and more) checking TTC Prices (that’s the Toronto subway and Toronto bus system) can be helpful as you can get a family day pass at a good price.
You may not be aware of this but Ontario Place is basically closed until 2017 for redevelopment. Only the cinesphere, nightclub and Molson Ampitheatre are open. You probably should take it off your list. A lot of these places are very expensive (especially the CN Tower) but some hotels in toronto offer special rates if you stay there. Centre Island is a great place for young children -really great rides geared to them but is only open in the spring/summer. Harborfront usually has special events in the summer and many are free. Ripley’s Aquarium just opened and it is supposed to be spectacular. If the family are sports fans there used to be tours of the Skydome and Air Canada centre. Bata shoe museum is supposed to be good -great if you have girls. There are lots of things you can do that do not cost as much – tour the downtown University of Toronto campus (some stunning buildings), Old and new city hall, Provincial parliament buildings. I have not been but there is a police museum that features famous crimes. Take your family to Chinatown for dim sum on a weekend -it is a really interesting experience.
Thanks for the clarification. I keep it on the list because the concerts at Ontario Place are great.
Re. rates: These places are some of my personal favourites in Toronto and certainly you can find discounts and coupons on the web (and at each destination’s respective website).
Love your suggestions for free family destinations in Toronto. I’d add High Park, the Don Valley, Toronto Beach and Kew Gardens to that list!
great free suggestions – High Park has Shakespeare in the Park (free outdoor plays) at least I think it still does, if your kids are older. Down in the financial district in the summer they show free movies. You can get free tickets to some CBC shows. Libraries always have free programs for kids. There are lots of festivals in TO especially in the summer. March break they used to have an indoor amusement park in the Skydome -not sure if they still run it, it was for small children.
I want to visit the Royal Ontario Museum so bad
Black Creek Pioneer Village is another family activity that is very good.
Oh I’m so glad you suggested Black Creek – it slipped my mind (and really is a fun spot).
I need to get to Toronto when the weather starts to get nice so I can go to the ROM