The summer season is in full swing, and Toronto has come alive with dozens of activities to try out. Despite the higher cost of living, there are still activities around the city to check out that won’t break the bank.
Visit the Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands can be quite accessible for those on a budget.
With a ticket for the harbourfront ferry to Centre Island, Hanlan’s Point, or Ward’s Island being just $9.57 for adults and $6.15 for young people or seniors aged 65 years and up, residents can explore what the destinations have to offer. If you prefer taking a more intimate and comfortable water taxi instead, they also range around $15. Additionally, visitors of the islands are able to take the ferry back to the mainland for free. From beaches to food spots, the islands are a popular and affordable summer spot.
Learn about the past at Spadina Museum
This 1866-era mansion turned historic museum is filled with lush gardens, lavish furniture, and beautiful decor, with items that also display the society and political changes of the 1920s and 1930s.
For the low, low cost of free, visitors are able to take in Toronto’s history during the Great Depression, World War I, and the women’s suffrage movement, taking in the stories of these transformative years.
Play some pinball at Tilt Retro Arcade Bar
Those looking for a fun night out for cheap can check out Tilt, the city’s largest retro arcade bar, filled with more than 90 vintage and modern video games and machines for visitors to play while nursing a cocktail or mocktail.
This cheap spot brings all the fun for only a $5 to $10 entry fee. The cost lets you play unlimited games with no time limit.
Catch an outdoor movie
The Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS) is a non-profit organization that hosts free movie screenings in parks across the city.
Most often found in Christie Pits Park and Corktown Common, Torontonians can bring a blanket and some snacks, sit atop the grass, and take in popular films for free. Visitors can also support TOPS through snack bar purchases or donations to keep the shows going each summer.
With around 20 free movies to escape to, anyone can check out these viewings in Toronto.
Have a laugh at Comedy Bar
Support local comedians by checking out a show at Comedy Bar, where visitors can have a laugh seven days a week.
This hot venue gives amateur comedians a chance to try out their material while still promising the best sketch, improv, alternative, and stand-up comedy in Toronto. Tickets can range from $12.50 to $35.75, depending on the show selected, so make sure you buy early to secure seats at an affordable price.
Explore different activities at the Harbourfront Centre
Just on the waterfront of the city, the Harbourfront Centre is home to dozens of free and low-cost activities for residents to check out.
While the community campus building itself is also free entry, inside and around the venue, visitors can explore arts and recreational spaces, with weekly events such as the Interim Ontario Science Centre, as well as the Summer Music in the Garden, featuring the sounds of local artists.
