Note: Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). I would not recommend something if I did not enjoy it. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to travel for work to Toronto, Canada’s largest city. While I’ve been to Toronto before with family, this would be the first time I was in the city alone to explore it on my own terms.
Whenever I’m in a new city, I like hitting up all the free activities to keep my costs down. Especially in a large city like Toronto, accommodation costs are always really high even in the middle of winter when I was visiting. You can save 20% on your accommodation with Radisson by booking in advance here.
Here are 7 free things to do in Toronto:
Distillery District
East of downtown Toronto, the Distillery District, a National Historic Site of Canada, is made up of more than forty heritage buildings and ten streets. Originally the buildings were used for the Gooderham and Worts Distillery, but today is home to shops, restaurants, galleries and theatres. Wandering through the area is a fascinating juxtaposition of the old and new that makes it a joy to explore. Tired of walking? Stop at Soma Chocolate for a sweet souvenir or grab a drink Mill St. Brewery.
Kensington Market
Despite its name, Kensington Market isn’t a “market” in the conventional sense of the word. Instead, Kensington Market is a multicultural neighbourhood full of funky shops and dining establishments. It’s an eclectic collection of vintage clothes, ethnic grocery stores, vegan cafes and art galleries to suit every interest and tastes. Beyond the storefronts, it’s the vibe and bohemian feeling in the neighbourhood that makes it fun to walk through. Everything is vibrant and fun, and there are lots of interesting things to look at or taste.
Bata Shoe Museum
Every girl knows, you can never have too many good shoes. But since I’m not a fan of buying lots of things, looking at good shoes is a close second and you can do exactly that at the Bata Shoe Museum (BSM). With over 13,500 items in its collection, the BSM documents shoe development through history and cultures. Thursday evenings from 5 – 8 PM are pay what you can admission.Not a shoe lover? You can also visit the permanent collection of The Art Gallery of Ontario (The AGO) for free from 6 – 8:30 PM on Wednesdays.
St. Lawrence Market
Founded in 1803, the St. Lawrence Market was named the #1 food market in the world by National Geographic. The market’s three buildings are filled with specialty vendors selling everything from baked goods to fish and poultry to milk and cheeses. On Saturdays, you can find the Farmers’ Market and on Sundays an antique market opens up. If you’re feeling peckish, stop by the Carousel Bakery and pick up a peameal bacon sandwich. It’s delicious!
Graffiti Alley
Graffiti Alley is located in Toronto’s edgy fashion district, running just south of Queen Street West. It is also known as Rush Lane. With almost a kilometre of street art from Spadina Avenue to Portland Street, there is a piece for everyone. Art by renowned Toronto street artists can be found here typically reflecting the artists’ thoughts and feelings on life, personal experiences or current events. The alley is constantly evolving as artists paint over their old works with new pieces. The bright colours of the alley make it a good place to grab some Instagram-worthy shots of your explorations.
Skate or Swim
Depending on the season, you can skate at Nathan Phillips Square or swim at one of Toronto’s many beaches. In the winter, Nathan Phillips Square becomes a skating rink where you can skate for free if you have your own skates (rentals are available on site as well) under the lights. Despite being landlocked, it may be easy to forget that Toronto sits along the shores of Lake Ontario. Woodbine Beach is the largest of the four beaches in the Beaches neighbourhood where you can swim, walk along the boardwalk or soak up the rays.
Dundas and Yonge
With large billboard screens and over 100,000 pedestrians using it daily, this intersection is the epicentre of Toronto and there is always something interesting happening. From free concerts and movies to fun festivals and street performers, it’s the place to sit and catch your breath as you people watch. There are also a couple water fountains that you can use to cool off in on a hot summer day and I have fond memories of running through them in the middle of the night after a conference in my university days.
Giveaway [ CLOSED ]
Thanks to Radisson, I am giving away an e-certificate for a complimentary night at a Radisson of your choice in Canada or the US.
You could stay at the Radisson Admiral Hotel right on Toronto’s Harbourfront
To enter:
- Click here to locate a Radisson in your favourite Canadian city or closest to you.
- Leave a comment and tell me where you would go to #StayCanada
Terms & conditions: Contest closes October 3, 2016 at 23:59 PST after which one winner will be selected randomly. Some restrictions on the e-certificate may apply.
Update: A winner for the giveaway has been chosen and notified. Thank you for entering!
Have you been to Toronto? What free things in the city did you do?
Pin It For Later:
P.S. How To Be a Tourist In Your Own City & 9 Reasons Why I Love Canada and Why You Should Too
If you’re new to Pack Me To, welcome!
Stay on top of my travel and food adventures by liking me on Facebook and following me on Twitter , Instagram and Snapchat
thanks for the chance! i’d go to niagara falls @radisson fallsview radisson to #staycanada . i’ve not been since i was in primary school, so this would be an amazing trip if i can go
I’d definitely want to stay at ther Radisson Admiral Hotel Toronto Harbourfront. #stayCanada
Hello PackMeToo,
Amazing post about Toronto – really interesting and fascinating! Keep the great work!
I would really like to stay at @radisson Vancouver. Thank you for the opportunity! #staycanada
I would love to stay in Toronto, it looks fab!
I would pick Vancouver!
Definitely #StayCanada in Toronto would be my first choice. The Harbourfront location looks sweet.
i would stay at the Toronto-Harbourfront location! would definitely head over to the Distillery District.
My grandparents in Ottawa are unable to travel now so it would be such a pleasure to go to them & stay at the Radisson Ottawa Parliament Hill!
#staycanada
I would like to stay at the Radisson Hotel Toronto Airport.
I would go to Niagara Falls. The Radisson! 🙂 It would be an awesome anniversary present!
Tweeted.
Thanks for the chance.
Email–> amyjaneheffernan@gmail.com
I’ve never been to Canada and Toronto looks such a great city to visit. Taking into consideration how costly it is, thank you for sharing free activities in the city.
I used to travel to Toronto for business but that darn shoe museum was always closed when I had the time to visit it. Still on my list though
I would love to visit Toronto or just do a staycation in Vancouver
Never thought of Toronto as a “beach” city. Also never knew it was so hip and funky! I think Kensington Market sounds like the place for me!
I would love the chance to spend a night in the Radisson in Winnipeg! I have never been there before! ( pluchinskyi@gmail.com)
Id love to see Vancouver with hubby. The Airport Radisson there looks really nice.
would love to visit Vancouver. I would stay at the Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport
I’d definitely want to stay at ther Radisson Admiral Hotel Toronto Harbourfront. #stayCanada
Tough choice: Ottawa?, Vancouver?, Niagara Falls? or others – so many choices
OK to narrow down – I’d pick the Radisson Admiral Hotel Toronto-Harbourfront – it looks gorgeous and what a fantastic location
Great read! Thanks for the opportunity – I’ve tweeted as well.
I would go to Niagara Falls to #StayCanada!!! The Radisson there looks beautiful!
Thanks!
Email–> amyjaneheffernan@gmail.com
Being born and raised in Toronto I love to get back there as often as possible, I would love to stay at the Radisson Toronto Harbourfront 🙂 … Also, I’ve never heard of graffiti Alley, always so much to explore! Thank you for the chance.
I would love to go to Vancouver!! It looks beautiful and is only 3 hours from me.. thank you!
#StayCanada
Toronto sounds like a great town but my number one spot I want to visit in Canada is Vancouver. Hope to do both one of these days. #StayCanada
I’d love to go back to Toronto. Really fun city!
I hope I can win! This hotel chain is pretty amazing!
I visited Toronto only once for 2 days but really enjoyed it – would love to go back and do some of the things mentioned above. Btw: love the idea of the free night when booking at Radisson Blu.
I would like to go to the radison in Niagra Falls. Thank you for this giveaway.
Definitely want to visit the Bata Museum.
#StayCanada I would stay in Vancouver
I would love to stay in Toronto! I have never been but it looks like a fun city to explore 🙂
Great choices and great city. I’m not just saying that because I was born in Toronto but because…actually it’s because I was born in Toronto. I’m automatically bias towards the love I have for my city. I would also add walks up and down Yonge st., walks along the Harbourfront, Sugar Beach. So much places…
Haha, I get it! I feel biased towards Vancouver for the same reason.
Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview, ON
RADISSON HOTEL & SUITES FALLSVIEW, ON near Niagara Falls
Bata was so popular in Malaysia, many (including yours truly) thought that the company is a Malaysian one. I was so excited to find a branch in Amsterdam when I went there back in the early 90s, only to find out that it’s actually a Czech company. To know that there’s a museum dedicated to their shoes in Toronto is now another anecdote to my “history” with Bata, heh! 🙂
I would love to stay in Ontario at the Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview. Niagra Falls would be a dream to visit!
I would go to Ottawa and stay at the Radisson Hotel Ottawa Parliament Hill.
I would like to stay in Vancouver. I really want to take my little boy to Stanley Park and the Vancouver aquarium. Plus, I bet it is beautiful in the fall..
Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown is what i would like to visit and explore the art galleries.
I would choose either Toronto or Niagara Falls
I would go #StayCanada at the Raddison Hotel Saskatoon. We would walk along the river and enjoy the views.
I would love to visit the one in Calgary. I am a middle school teacher and I teach about Canada. I would love to expericne the places I teach them about.
I would stay in vancouver! I want to visit Granville Island. The hotel looks really nice, too!
I would love to stay at the Radisson Hotels and Suites Fallsview Ontario! #StayCanada
I would go to Canada’s beautiful capital city Ottawa! There’s so many historic sites and museums to visit! #StayCanada
I would stay at the Radisson Ottawa Parlliament Hill hotel. I spent some time in Ottawa as a child but haven’t been back yet to see it again. Would love to do that.