15 free Toronto museums to visit this summer that will transport you to a different world
Looking for fun and free things to do in Toronto this summer? You're in luck, the city is home to over a dozen museums that won't cost you a cent to explore.
10 of Toronto's history museums, like Fort York, Market Gallery, and Spadina Museum, offer free admission year-round.
Meanwhile, some of the city's most iconic spots, including the Royal Ontario Museum, the Bata Shoe Museum, and the Aga Khan Museum, offer free entry at select times throughout the week.
Whether you're into ancient artifacts or avant-garde art, you'll find yourself immersed in a different world for free.
Aga Khan Museum
Price: Free admission on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Address: 77 Wynford Dr., North York, ON
Why You Need To Go: Since opening its doors in 2014, the Aga Khan Museum has become a cultural landmark, showcasing a rich and diverse collection of art spanning over a thousand years.
With more than 1,200 works ranging from intricate manuscripts and centuries-old ceramics to vibrant textiles and paintings, it provides a window into the artistic traditions of Muslim civilizations throughout history.
Bata Shoe Museum
Price: Free admission on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 327 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: According to its website, the Bata Shoe Museum has over 1,000 shoes and related artifacts on display at any given time, spanning over 4,500 years.
From ancient Egyptian sandals and delicate Chinese bound-foot shoes to quirky clogs made for crushing chestnuts and bold designer platforms, the museum explores the global history and cultural significance of shoes.
Colborne Lodge
Price: Free
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 1 Colborne Lodge Dr., Toronto
Why You Need To Go: Built nearly two centuries ago in the heart of High Park by artists John and Jemima Howard, this Regency-era lakeside cottage still houses their original paintings, architectural plans, and curious inventions, offering a glimpse into their creative and unconventional lives.
From 19th-century breakthroughs in science and medicine to personal tales of love, loss, scandal, and even ghost stories, it offers something for everyone.
Fort York National Historic Site
Price: Free
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 250 Fort York Blvd., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Set within 43 acres of preserved land, Fort York is one of Toronto's most powerful historic sites, the place where British troops, Indigenous allies, and Upper Canadian militia stood together to defend the city during the Battle of York during the War of 1812.
It offers a showcase of rare and delicate artifacts that show a glimpse of the objects that shaped the city's earliest days.
Gardiner Museum
Price: Free on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Address: 111 Queens Park, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Founded in 1984 by George and Helen Gardiner, the museum is a hidden gem dedicated entirely to ceramics, and it’s home to one of the most celebrated collections in the world.
From ancient pottery to contemporary clay art, the museum showcases works from across the globe.
Gibson House Museum
Price: Free
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 5172 Yonge St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Tucked among the modern high rises of North York, Gibson House feels like a portal to another time. The 19th-century farmhouse transports you back into the 1850s, where the scent of wood smoke and beeswax greets you at the door, and history lives in every detail, according to its website.
It was once home to David Gibson, a Scottish-born land surveyor, farmer, and political figure who participated in the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837.
Mackenzie House
Price: Free
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 82 Bond St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Mackenzie House is where the triumphs and turmoil of Toronto's Victorian era come into focus, along with the legacy of the city's fiery first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie.
As described on the museum's website, it's a place that captures both the victories and the controversies that defined his life and times.
While the historic home is currently undergoing restoration, visitors can still drop in for hands-on workshops at the 1850s printshop.
Market Gallery
Price: Free
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 2nd Floor, St. Lawrence Market, 95 Front St. E., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Once the site of Toronto's first purpose-built City Council Chambers, the Market Gallery now offers an intimate space where the city's past comes vividly to life.
According to its website, this historic venue hosts rotating exhibitions that dig deep into the stories, struggles, and milestones that have shaped Toronto over the centuries.
Montgomery's Inn
Price: Free
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 4709 Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Built in the 1830s as a refuge for weary travellers, Montgomery's Inn quickly became a hub of community life, according to its website.
Step inside and explore everything from the bustling kitchen and cozy bedrooms to the grand ballroom, where stories of the past echo through the walls.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Price: Free admission on the first Friday (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and Sunday of every month. Floor 1 is always free to the public.
Address: 158 Sterling Rd. #100, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: The MOCA is your gateway to thought-provoking exhibitions featuring both Canadian and international artists, with something new to discover always on offer.
It brings cutting-edge creativity to the heart of the city through talks, workshops, and special events.
The Royal Ontario Museum
Price: Free on the third Tuesday night of each month from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: The ROM is one of Toronto's most iconic cultural destinations, offering a fascinating blend of art, history, and natural science from every corner of the globe.
Whether you're wandering through ancient civilizations, stepping into a recreated bat cave, or standing beneath towering dinosaur fossils, there's no shortage of awe-inspiring moments.
Scarborough Museum
Price: Free
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 1007 Brimley Rd., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Tucked away in the heart of Thomson Memorial Park, the Scarborough Museum comprises four charming heritage buildings that celebrate the rich and diverse stories of the community.
From weekend festivals and summer evening programs to day camps and youth activities, it offers something for all walks of life.
Spadina Museum
Price: Free
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 285 Spadina Rd., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Nestled on top of a scenic ravine, the Spadina Museum offers breathtaking views of Toronto alongside a unique journey back to the city's early 20th-century life.
This historic mansion brings the years between 1900 and the 1930s to life, giving visitors a vivid glimpse of Toronto's past.
Visits are by guided tour only, but admission is free.
Todmorden Mills
Price: Free
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: Todmorden Mills Park, 67 Pottery Rd., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Tucked away in the Don River Valley, nestled between highways, subway lines, and forested trails, Todmorden Mills is a hidden gem that captures the layered history of Toronto in one remarkable place, according to its website.
This site has worn many identities over the centuries: an Indigenous travel route, a bustling industrial complex, a wartime internment camp, and now, a hub for art, culture, and nature.
Zion Schoolhouse
Price: Free
When: Only open for private bookings and special events.
Address: 1091 Finch Ave. E., North York, ON
Why You Need To Go: Zion Schoolhouse is a classroom frozen in time. It offers a glimpse into what education looked like in 1910, when children of all ages, and sometimes entire families, learned side by side.
Happy exploring, Torontonians!
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
The Distillery District.Courtesy of The Distillery District
