Brianna HarrisonI love living in Toronto. Not only does it have the best restaurants, public parks, and cafes, but it also has plenty of amazing museums.
That’s why whenever I have out-of-town houseguests over (e.g., relatives, old college friends, etc.), I always take them to a couple of museums based on their preferences.
Modern art, ceramics, hockey, and yes, even shoes—we have museums for them all!
So, if you don’t know which spots to hit up first, here’s my foolproof list of the top Toronto museums that you simply can’t miss.
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
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Website: https://www.rom.on.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romtoronto/
Address: 100 Queens Park
Hours: Tue – Sun: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
Contact: (416) 586-8000
The Royal Ontario Museum is hands-down one of the coolest spots in Toronto. As the largest museum in Canada, you can literally spend hours here without getting bored (to help you explore, here’s our complete guide to the ROM).
One of the top attractions is the James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs, which features huge skeletons and fossil displays. If ancient history’s more your thing, you’ll love their Egyptian, Greek, and Indigenous art collections.
To get the most out of your visit, take one of the free daily guided tours (included in your ticket price), led by friendly volunteers. They’ll walk you through galleries and help point out details you might miss on your own.
And before you leave, check out the ROM Boutique. It’s packed with unique finds, from local artisan goods to global treasures inspired by the museum’s collections.
Pro Tip:
Every third Tuesday of the month, from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM, admission to the ROM is completely free!
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
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Website: https://ago.ca/
Instagram: agotoronto
Address: 317 Dundas St W
Hours:
- Tue, Thurs: 10:30 AM – 5 PM
- Wed, Fri: 10:30 AM – 9 PM
- Sat – Sun: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Contact: (416) 979-6648
Another massive Toronto museum (actually one of the largest in North America) is the Art Gallery of Ontario, which is just a short walk from the St. Patrick subway station. It houses over 95,000 works across 10 collections.
It’s mostly famous for its Canadian art collection, highlighting the creative legacy of Toronto and Ontario. You’ll also find a curated collection of Indigenous art, featuring pieces from First Nations, Inuit, and Metis artists.
Fans of European and contemporary art won’t be disappointed either. Plus, they always have rotating exhibits popping up, so make sure to check their socials.
If you’re under 25 and live in Ontario, AGO offers an annual pass for only $40 that covers unlimited visits. Even better—on the first Wednesday of every month (from 6 PM to 9 PM), admission is totally free for everyone (just book your spot online).
Pro Tip:
Feeling hungry after all that art? Head to AGO Bistro and choose from their seasonal menu (think burgers, salads, and steaks). In fact, if you go on a Wednesday from 5 PM to 8 PM, you can even enjoy half-price bottles of wine!
Fort York National Historic Site
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Website: https://www.toronto.ca/museums/fort-york-national-historic-site/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fort-york-national-historic-site/
Address: 250 Fort York Blvd
Hours: Wed – Sun: 11 AM – 4 PM
Contact: (416) 392-6907
If you’re a military history lover, make sure to visit Fort York National Historic Site. It’s where Toronto (formerly known as York) was defended during the War of 1812.
You can imagine the day-to-day life of 19th-century soldiers as you explore their living spaces. Also, the visitor centre offers a small museum with interactive displays, detailed maps, and artifacts.
Drop by during summer months, and you might catch a live reenactment or two. You can also see costumed interpreters doing cannon firings, musket drills, and even old-school cooking over open fires.
What’s cool is that general admission is free (yay!), though a few special exhibits and seasonal events might have a small fee.
Pro Tip:
Visit Impact Kitchen nearby if you get hungry. It’s a great spot to refuel with healthy bowls, smoothies, and snacks. They have a wide range of paleo and vegan dishes, all gluten-free and delicious!
Hockey Hall of Fame
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Website: https://www.hhof.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehockeyhalloffame
Address: 30 Yonge St
Hours: Mon – Sun: 10 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (416) 360-7765
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, the Hockey Hall of Fame is a tribute to the legends and milestones of hockey.
Once you arrive, make a beeline for the Esso Great Hall. Here, you’ll find portraits and bios of every Hall of Fame inductee, all surrounding the star of the show: the Stanley Cup.
For all things NHL, go to the NHL Zone, where current teams and players get their spotlight in NHL Today. There’s also an NHL retro section that’s focused on NHL history.
And if you’re a sucker for hands-on fun (like me!), visiting the NHLPA Be A Player Zone is a must. Try shooting real pucks at a digital goalie or test your reflexes by stepping into the net yourself to play against virtual legends like Gretzky or Crosby.
Pro Tip:
Keep in mind that food and drinks aren’t allowed inside, so fuel up before your trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame. For a quick pick-me-up, there are Pepsi vending machines (with snacks) on-site.
Bata Shoe Museum
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Website: https://batashoemuseum.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/batashoemuseum/
Address: 327 Bloor St W
Hours:
- Mon – Sat: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM
Contact: (416) 979-7799
The Bata Shoe Museum was founded by Sonja Bata in 1995. For over 50 years, her private collection grew into nearly 15,000 pieces of shoes from all around the world.
Inside, you’ll find four permanent galleries that walk you through 4,500 years of shoe history—from Egyptian sandals to Chinese bound-foot shoes, and celebrity shoes (Elton John, Marilyn Monroe, etc.). There’s even a fairytale shoe section for kids!
In addition to its core collection, make sure to check out their temporary exhibits. You’ll find awesome displays like glam Manolo Blahnik designs and fresh sneaker evolutions.
Note that the museum is fully self-guided—just bring your smartphone and some headphones. Also, download their free smart guide to explore the place hassle-free.
Pro Tip:
Usually, the Bata Shoe Museum doesn’t get too crowded. But it fills up fast during weekend afternoons or during special exhibits, so avoid peak hours!
Gardiner Museum
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Website: https://www.gardinermuseum.on.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gardinermuseum/
Address: 111 Queens Park
Hours:
- Mon – Tue, Thurs – Fri: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Wednesday: 10 10 AM – 9 PM
- Sat – Sun: 10 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (416) 586-8080
Gardiner Museum is just across the street from ROM (perfect for a museum day!). It’s Canada’s only museum dedicated entirely to ceramics, and it’s fun and interactive.
Their collection is split into earthenware and porcelain. You’ll find pre-colonial pottery from the Americas, Italian maiolica, English delftware, and European porcelain pieces.
Don’t miss their hands-on pottery sessions, which are pretty cool. These two-hour drop-in classes are perfect for beginners or anyone looking to flex their pottery muscles.
If playing with squishy clay makes you hungry, visit Clay Restaurant. It’s a stylish spot known for beautifully plated dishes like their Fogo Island Fish and Chips with remoulade and pea slaw—yep, it’s as delicious as it sounds!
Pro Tip:
Gardiner Museum is always free for visitors 18 and under, Indigenous Peoples, and students with a valid ID. If you don’t fall into one of these categories, plan your visit for Wednesday after 4 PM at no charge.
Aga Khan Museum
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Website: https://agakhanmuseum.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agakhanmuseum/
Address: 77 Wynford Dr, North York
Hours:
- Tue, Thurs, Fri – Sun: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
- Wednesday: 10 AM – 8 PM
Contact: (416) 646-4677
Aga Khan Museum celebrates Muslim art and culture from around the world, with over 1,000 artifacts, including ancient manuscripts, textiles, and ceramics.
I love their incredible Qur’an manuscript collection, featuring styles from different centuries. Look for the dazzling Blue Qur’an, which has gold script on deep indigo parchment; it’s easily one of the most beautiful pieces in the whole museum.
Outside, you can stroll through their Persian- and Mughal-style garden, then head upstairs to admire the view through Islamic, screen-like windows.
And don’t forget to visit their gift shop. It’s full of gorgeous handmade books and art!
Pro Tip:
Aga Khan Museum has an amazing onsite dining spot, Diwan, which is one of the best Moroccan restaurants in Toronto. Their Middle Eastern and South Asian dishes are so delicious—try one of their kebabs or the lemon lavender cheesecake!
Museum of Contemporary Art
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Website: https://moca.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mocatoronto
Address: 158 Sterling Rd #100
Hours: Wed – Sun: 9 AM – 4 PM
Contact: (416) 530-2500
For bold, boundary-pushing art, visit The Museum of Contemporary Art. MOCA is housed in a repurposed industrial building in the cool Junction Triangle.
Unlike traditional museums, MOCA doesn’t collect art permanently—it has rotating exhibitions that span all media, like painting, sculpture, installations, video, and more. Most of the spotlight is on Canadian talent, with international names mixed in.
Plus, MOCA frequently hosts artist talks, live performances, and hands-on workshops, so keep an eye out for their events calendar.
If you’re feeling kinda snackish, head to their on-site cafe, Forno Cultura. You can snag delicious pastries, espresso, and light bites.
Pro Tip:
MOCA is free every Friday from 5 PM to 9 PM—it’s the perfect post-work culture fix.
Textile Museum of Canada
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Website: https://textilemuseum.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/textilemuseumofcanada/
Address: 55 Centre Ave
Hours: Mon – Sun: 11 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (416) 599-5321
The Textile Museum of Canada is the only museum in Canada solely focused on textile arts. Here, you’ll find everything—from traditional weaving to edgy textile installations.
More specifically, the museum houses 15,000 pieces from all over the world, with over 2,000 years of history. You can browse through ancient ceremonial cloths, carpets, intricate quilts, and global fabrics.
In addition to exhibitions, it’s also home to the H.N. Pullar Library, a unique resource focused on non-industrial textiles. This is definitely heaven for those curious about textiles or scholars who want to know more.
Don’t miss their lineup of lectures, hands-on workshops, dance performances, and even public tours—all educational and also so much fun!
Pro Tip:
If you’re a regular visitor, you can sign up for the Textile Museum of Canada’s membership. This includes unlimited free access, exclusive event invites, 10% off at the shop, and early access to special sales.
Toronto Railway Museum
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Website: http://www.torontorailwaymuseum.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torailwaymuseum/
Address: 255 Bremner Blvd
Hours: Mon – Tue, Thurs – Sun: 12 PM – 5 PM
Contact: (416) 214-9229
Toronto Railway Museum is located in the beautifully restored John Street Roundhouse, in Roundhouse Park. It’s packed with historic locomotives, vintage train cars, and tons of cool railway memorabilia.
One of the highlights here is their mini-train half-kilometer ride. You can pass by classic train cars, the CN Tower, and get a little tour of outdoor displays.
They also offer a turntable ride, where you get to hop on and enjoy a full rotation. Meanwhile, dedicated museum volunteers share fascinating facts.
Don’t forget to take a peek at the Museum Store—it’s packed with train-themed books, toys, and Canadian-made souvenirs.
Pro Tip:
If you have time, join one of their guided Roundhouse Park walking tours. They’re about 30 minutes long and take you through the park and even aboard vintage train cars, while guides share how railroads shaped Toronto communities.
