Free Things to Do – Winter in Toronto

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Finding free things to do is important way for us to save money, and it can be especially difficult during the winter in Toronto. Summers in Toronto are full of street festivals, cultural festivals, Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market, picnics, and afternoons spent cycling. In winter, which in Toronto spans November to March, many people generally hunker down and stay inside. Winter sports are great if you know how to skate or ski and already have the equipment, but after growing up in Saudi Arabia, I never learned to skate. I know I have to make an effort to get out and do things when it’s snowing or -25ºC outside. So here are my favourite free things to do during winter in Toronto:

1. Allan Gardens

 

Allan Gardens is a conservatory that is over 100 years old, and my mom used to take us here all the time when we were kids. It’s a massive series of connected greenhouses, and each has a separate climate with corresponding plants. The plants are rotated in the Cool House depending on the seasons. My favourite time is when the spring flowers bloom in the dead of winter. Nothing smells as good as blooming hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils when it’s cold and snowy outside – dreams of springtime!

2. Riverdale Farm

Riverdale Farm is another classic place my mom would take us as kids. We loved the animals, and the old timey farm with barns, paths, and a cafe. It is open year-round and free to enter! Although the gardens are lovely in the summer, you can still see the animals in the barns, staying warm, during the winter in Toronto.

 

3. St Lawrence Market

It’s great to visit the St Lawrence Market on Saturdays, when the market is crazy busy! I like people-watching here and tasting samples of foods, plus there are buskers and musicians playing most Saturdays. It’s not necessarily free if you buy any food, but you can consider it as your weekly grocery trip. Hint: if you go just before closing on Saturday, you can often get foods marked down in price.

 

4. Artscape Wychwood Barns

Saturdays from 8:00am to 12:00pm, The Stop runs a farmer’s market at the Artscape Wychwood Barns. There are local producers, farmers, cheeses, jams, soaps, cutting boards, selling their wares indoors in the winter and outdoors in the summer.

 

5. Edwards Gardens

Again, Edwards Gardens is a place that our mom used to take us when she wanted to get out of the house. Although this is further north in the city, it’s still a great place to visit. There are some trails that are still open in the winter, and the gardens are lovely when draped in a blanket of snow.

6. Get lost at Honest Ed’s

Famous Honest Ed’s. After Ed Mirvish passed away, his son has put up the whole block for redevelopment. Honest Ed’s will remain at the corner of Bloor and Bathurst in Toronto until December 2016 (only one more year!). This sprawling department store still provides super cheap household, clothing, and food items. Spread over several levels and two separate buildings connected by a tunnel and overpass, it’s really easy to get lost here while searching for the item you want. All the iconic price signs are still hand-lettered, and before they close up for good, I want to buy one to frame!

7. Visit one of the Public Libraries

The Toronto Public Library is one of the best in North America, and the busiest urban library system in the world. There are 100 branches scattered around the city and you can order books to be delivered to the one nearest you. Many libraries also host different events with speakers, movies, and reading clubs for those of all ages.

 

8. High Park Zoo

Located in the sprawling High Park, the High Park Zoo dates back to the early 1900s. Our mom used to take us to see the animals (and play in the park during the summer), and now even as adults, we like to look at the animals. The zoo keeps hardy animals outside all winter long, such as the yak, bison, and reindeer. The zoo is open year-round and is free to enter.