Things to do with Families in Toronto in July 2023

For those planning to take in a number of Toronto’s attractions, a CityPass includes admission to 5 Canadian venues of your choice at about a 39% discount. Qualifying attractions include the CN Tower, plus your choice of four more attractions from : Royal Ontario Museum, the Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Science Centre, City Cruises Toronto, and Casa Loma.

https://www.citypass.com/toronto

Attractions within the city, and easily accessible by public transit

1. Visit the T-Rex exhibit and the Bat Cave on the Natural History floor of the ROM. Tickets required; CityPass eligible. (https://www.rom.on.ca/en)

2. Take in Canadian and international art at the Art Gallery of Ontario, and spend some time making art in the Hands-On Centre. Anyone 25 years and under visits free.  https://ago.ca/

3. Enjoy the beauty along the many trails of High Park, Toronto’s largest park. Visit the animals at the High Park mini-zoo, and let the kids run wild on the Jamie Bell Adventure playground. Free. (http://www.highpark.org/) 

4. Take the ferry from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal to one of Toronto’s islands (Ward Island, Centre Island, and Hanlan Point). Centre Island’s  amusement park, Centreville, has over 30 rides. Or visit a 200-year old lighthouse at Gibraltar point beach, and then chill at the beaches and parks on one of the islands (Note: A portion of Hanlan’s point beach is clothing optional.) Tickets required for the ferry and for Centreville amusement park. Strolling the parks and beaches on the islands are free. https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/toronto-island-park/

5. Get a bird’s eye view of Toronto from the deck of  the CN Tower. Tickets required; included ine CityPass. (https://www.cntower.ca/).

6. Wonder at over 450 species of sea and fresh-water creatures at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Step on the 96-meter moving walkway which will carry you through an acrylic tunnel below a 750,000-gallon Shark Lagoon, a habitat occupied by 10-to-12 foot long sand tiger sharks, large-tooth sawfish, and dozens of other species. Timed tickets may be purchased in advance.  https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada/ 

7. Follow the promenade and boardwalk of the Waterfront Trail along the lakeshore, and soak in the sun at the beach at HTO Park (near Queens Quay W and Rees St). There are a number of parks to enjoy along the trail. For interactive maps of this trail, which extends all along Ontario’s lakeshore, visit https://waterfronttrail.org/map/

8. Take in a live performance at the Harbourfront Centre, or enjoy live classical music at the Toronto Music Garden. Check the website closer to your visit for a schedule of performances and events. (https://harbourfrontcentre.com/)

9. Visit the Toronto Railway Museum. The Family Pass includes tickets for a ride on the miniature train.  (https://torontorailwaymuseum.com/)

10. Sail around Toronto Harbour and the Toronto islands on a tall ship. Tickets required. https://www.tallshipcruisestoronto.com/ or https://www.empiresandy.com/

11. Visit Toronto’s castle, Casa Loma,  and learn about the early-20thC financier who built it.  Tickets required; CityPass eligible. https://casaloma.ca/

12. Embark on a theatre adventure on an open-air ship: Pirate Life (https://piratelife.ca/). Tickets to be booked in advance.

13. Explore the site of one of Canada’s bloodiest battles in the War of 1812 at Fort York National Historic Site. Free. https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums/fort-york-national-historic-site/

14. Book a canoe or kayak lesson with  the Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak centre, or rent one of their canoes or kayaks and paddle to the Toronto islands. (https://paddletoronto.com/)

15. Explore Little Canada, where scenes of Canadian life are reconstructed in miniature. Tickets required. (https://little-canada.ca/) 

16. Take on missions and solve challenges through the Agents of Discovery mobile app game that leads you to explore the Don River Valley Park and Evergreen Brick Works. Free.  (https://www.evergreen.ca/whats-on/event/agents-of-discovery/). Shuttle to and from Evergreen Brick Works available from Broadview subway station. 

17. Stroll through the large conservatory full of tropical plants at Allan Gardens. Free. https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/gardens-and-horticulture/conservatories/allan-gardens-conservatory/

18. Learn about Canada’s most popular  winter sport at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Tickets required. https://www.hhof.com/

A little farther out from downtown, but still in the city and accessible via public transit

1. The Toronto Zoo has one of the most taxonomically diverse collections of animals of any zoo worldwide, with over 5000 animals belonging to over 500 species housed in seven zoogeographic regions. The Zoo also has a Kids Zoo, tropical greenhouse, and 2-acre splash pad, included with admission. Surcharges apply to fun activities such a Gorilla-Climb ropes course and Ziplining and Canopy tours. Tickets required; CityPass eligible. (https://www.torontozoo.com/)
2. Have a hands-on day at the Ontario Science Centre with a wide range of interactive exhibits,  and take in a science-focused film at the  IMAX cinema. Tickets required; CityPass eligible. https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/
3. Immerse yourself in 19th-Century Canadian life at Black Creek Pioneer Village. Tickets required. https://blackcreek.ca/ 
4. Enjoy the serene beauty of Edwards Gardens and the Toronto Botanical Gardens, which are situated adjacent to each other. Free.  https://torontobotanicalgarden.ca/get-gardening/public-gardens/edwards-gardens/
5. Stroll the walking trails, boardwalks, and parks  along the Scarborough Bluffs,  a 15-km sedimentary escarpment rising dramatically ninety meters above the lakeshore. The area has 11 parks, of which Bluffer’s Park has a sandy beach. Free. https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/scarborough-bluffs/.  
6. Thrill-seekers can enjoy 17 roller coasters, a 20-acre waterpark, and over 200 attractions at the massive Canada’s Wonderland amusement park. Tickets required.  https://www.canadaswonderland.com/
7. The Legoland Discovery Centre is a family-friendly attraction with rides, play zones, and Lego builds.  Tickets required.  https://www.legolanddiscoverycentre.com/toronto/

Check out https://www.destinationtoronto.com/culture-and-entertainment/ and https://www.blogto.com/events/ for the latest news about the festivals, concerts, markets, theatre shows, and any number of events going on in and around Toronto.