Free Museums in Toronto

"Home to all kinds of interesting and interactive exhibits, the excellent Ontario Science Centre can be found just fifteen minutes’ drive northeast of the center. A fun, family-friendly place to visit, it has plenty of hands-on activities and experiments that shine a light on the fields of science and technology. Since being established in 1969, it has been a firm favorite with adults and children alike due to its informative yet engaging displays and live demonstrations."

"Located to the northeast of the city along the Don Valley Parkway in North York, the Science Centre is known for the featured exhibits, interactive science displays, and an IMAX theatre. They even have a rainforest area which is climate controlled to help grow different plants to discuss ecology. All in all, the Science Centre is a great way to kill a few hours or entertain the kids if you want more ideas!"

"You can opt to visit the Toronto Zoo or the Ontario Science Centre. However, I highly recommend doing a bit of research to see what is happening in the city as Toronto almost always has some kind of event or festival on."

"The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is a major public gallery devoted to collecting the art of Canada. Handcrafted buildings set amid 40 hectares of conservation trails contain works by the Group of Seven, as well as by First Nations, Inuit, Métis and other acclaimed Canadian artists. It's a 34km drive from Toronto and totally worth the trip."

"Admittedly, this museum is not directly in Toronto, but rather the village of Kleinburg. Here is what justifies the drive 40 minutes north of Toronto: it is situated in a beautiful woodland setting that will rival any outdoors oriented photo. It also is filled to the brim with a magnificent collection of Canadian and native art."

"Spend your afternoon in the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) where you can see numerous collections of art from around the world and the largest Canadian art collection. There are so many things to do in Toronto so next up is Nathan Phillips Square where you can take a picture with the iconic Toronto sign and see the new city hall. The Old City Hall is just to the right, an old Romanesque building. If you’re visiting in the winter you can go skating in the square for free."

"The AGO is hard to miss: the monumental glass and titanium facade designed by Toronto native son Frank Gehry hovering over the main building…"

"This hidden treasure on Brimley Road might be one of the best insights into how early settlers lived when they arrived in Scarborough, before it became on the biggest suburbs in the 20th century. Set off a series of trails and greenery of the Thomson Memorial Park, this series of four buildings is especially beautiful in the summertime."

"As you stroll around the village, each of the restored buildings offers a different slice of life. Follow in the footsteps of the Stong family as they build their modest first home, set up a piggery, smokehouse and butchery, build a grain barn, and eventually move into a bigger second home, showing signs of prosperity after years of homesteading. Actors bring these characters of the past back to life through reenactments and discovery stations where your kids can get some hands-on experiences."

"Just north of Toronto, Black Creek Pioneer Village is a dynamic, open-air, historical experience for visitors of all ages. Especially fun for children, the site recreates village life in 1860s Ontario, offering theatrical re-enactments, artisan demonstrations and historical interpreters in full regalia. Encounter a range of 19th-century artefacts as you step inside heritage buildings including a general store, a church, a water-powered gristmill and a one-room schoolhouse."

"A tribute to the Toronto area's pioneering roots, take a trip back in time to 1860 and see what life was like."

"Spadina House is an upper-class historic home, built by businessman James Austin in 1866. An ideal place to visit in the summer, the six-acre grounds have Victorian and Edwardian gardens. From chestnut trees to forget-me-nots, it is an understated place to frolic."

"Elmspa is a hidden gem in the city’s Church and Wellesley district which offers exclusive spa treatments for both men and women. They offer a wide range of different treatments best suited to your preference, such as facials, massages, body treatments, and manicure and pedicure services. They also offer special treatments, such as their LI'TYA healing rituals, and Thai Siam traditional healing massages."

"As what I’d like to think as the ultimate place of rejuvenation, Hammam Spa is a beautiful space where ancient meets modern. Similar to a Turkish bath, they focus on cleansing and detoxifying your body through the usage of their steam room before and after treatment. I visited a few years ago at their King West location and received the most relaxing deep tissue massage by one of their experienced RMTs."

"The first of its kind in Eastern Canada, this incredibly popular 10-year-old spa offers traditional Turkish baths. Lose yourself in the dreamy ritual, which involves relaxing in a steam room filled with both cool and hot air, followed by a bath on a 108 degree marble table. It's said to "resonate deeply with mind, body and spirit."

"Located in the trendy King West area, Hammam Spa is based on the traditional Turkish baths that can be found throughout Europe and the Middle East. Demonstrating a high level of commitment and dedication to its clients, Hammam Spa offers a full service co-ed spa. Services include manicures, pedicures, and various spa treatments."