Kandice VincentA Local’s Guide to Little Canada: Toronto’s Best-Kept Secret
If you can barely recreate a DIY project you've seen on TikTok, maybe looking at detailed miniature recreations of Canadian hotspots would kick you into high gear!
In this guide, we’ll discover the charm of Little Canada. Perfect for kids and kids at heart, this pocket-sized paradise is a unique escape, proving that sometimes, the smallest wonders leave the biggest smiles.
A Local’s Guide to Little Canada: Toronto's Best-Kept Secret
What is Little Canada?
Little Canada is a tourist attraction that showcases meticulously crafted miniatures of iconic Canadian landmarks from coast to coast. It won Ontario’s Choice Awards for Top Indoor Attraction in 2022 and 2023 and was crowned Attraction of the Year in 2022.
History Behind Little Canada
Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer, an immigrant to Canada, found inspiration for his dream of building a miniature Canada through his children’s school projects. After a visit to Miniatur Wunderland in Germany, he decided to turn his vision into reality.
In 2011, Jean-Louis quit his job and reached out to model railway clubs, and Dave MacLean, a civil engineer and model enthusiast, responded to the call. United by passion and vision, the duo and their team are turning their dream into reality.
How to Get to Little Canada
Address: 10 Dundas St E Basement2, Toronto, ON M5B 2G9
Website: https://little-canada.ca/
Instagram: Little Canada (@littlecanada)
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 10 AM–6 PM
Fri-Sun: 10 AM–7:30 PM
By Toronto PATH: For those navigating the Toronto PATH, 10 Dundas St. East is part of the underground network. They’re in the “G1” quadrant on the PATH Map or under “D” in the Index.
By Subway: Hop on Line 1, Yonge/University Line, and disembark at Dundas Station. Take the Northbound platform exit to 10 Dundas East, and voila, you’re only 14 steps away from the magic of Little Canada!
By Streetcar: Catch the 505 Dundas streetcar – the one with the huge Little Canada sign – that stops at Yonge St. Find Little Canada on the northeast corner of the intersection.
By Own Vehicle: There’s a Green P Parking lot right across the street beneath Yonge-Dundas Square at 20 Dundas Square. Check signs for restrictions and hours and explore parking options nearby at toronto.bestparking.com.
Little Canada’s Ticket Prices
You can purchase your Little Canada tickets from their onsite ticket booths or save money and book them in advance here.
Timed Ticket Pricing
Adult (13 – 64) | $36+ HST
Child (4 – 12) | $ 22 + HST (Children 3 and under are free)
Senior (65+) & STUDENT| $28 + HST
Flex Ticket Pricing
Adult (13 – 64) | $40+ HST
Child (4 – 12) | $ 22 + HST (Children 3 and under are free)
Senior (65+) & STUDENT| $32 + HST
Annual Passport
Individual Passport | $99+ HST
Family Passport | $249+ HST
Things to Know
- The accessible entrance is at 319 Yonge St., just around the corner, and an elevator will zip you straight into Little Canada’s Arrivals Lobby.
- Outside munchies and drinks need to stay outside, but reusable water bottles are allowed.
- Strollers are welcome but wagons and pull vehicles aren’t allowed. On busy days, oversized strollers are also not allowed.
- Except for service animals, pets are not allowed.
- They have a handful of wheelchairs available for our guests, free of charge and subject to availability. Just drop your ID at the front desk and you’re good to go.
Little Canada’s Exhibits
Little Toronto
The Little Toronto exhibit is a tiny wonderland meticulously crafted in over 35,000 hours. It includes scaled-down replicas of iconic landmarks like the CN Tower, as well as GO Transit trains, Union Station, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Visitors can enjoy a Toronto morning with ambient sound effects, from chirping birds to barking dogs and the distant hum of a garbage truck. During the sunset portion, the skyline glows with 30,000 LEDs, accompanied by cricket sounds and occasional sirens.
Little Niagara
Here, you can marvel at the flowing 50-foot Horseshoe Falls, the Rainbow Bridge, Clifton Hill, and Niagara-on-the-Lake with its scenic vineyards. Its builders used Google Earth and made real-life visits to capture the essence of these landmarks.
Additional highlights include the Whirlpool Aero Car, Sir Adam Beck generating station, Queenston Heights featuring Brock’s Monument, and the historic Laura Secord Homestead. Don’t miss the teeny tiny chickens that magically come to life at dawn!
Little Ottawa
In Little Ottawa, Parliament Hill comes to life with hundreds of meticulously crafted miniature people celebrating Canada Day. Visual Arts Specialist, Nur Nuri, helped in crafting this piece of Canada.
The Château Laurier is also quite detailed, offering a view into furnished rooms with a missing back wall. The ByWard Market captures the essence of Ottawa with horse-drawn carriages, the Rideau Canal, and authentic street signs.
Little Golden Horseshoe
Little Golden Horseshoe shows the picturesque beauty of autumn, featuring charming landmarks of Southern Ontario. This destination encompasses the region west of Toronto, including Hamilton and its surroundings.
It showcases a 14-foot replica of the Burlington Bay James N. Allan Skyway. Guests can also pay tribute to Nichola Goddard, the first Canadian woman who sacrificed her life in combat in Afghanistan in May 2006, honoured through the Highway of Heroes.
Little East Coast
Little East Coast highlights the beauty of the Canadian Maritimes, featuring iconic spots like Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia and the Gros Morne National Park. This display is the result of over 40 skilled Miniature Makers investing tens of thousands of hours
Covering 720 square feet, Little East Coast immerses visitors in the charm of provincial landmarks such as the Bay of Fundy and the scenic Cabot Trail. Don’t miss the highland dancers performing a traditional Scottish dance and a farmer harvesting potatoes.
Petit Quebec
Check out Quebec’s distinctive architecture, where the Quebec City destination brings lovely winter scenes of Canada to life. This includes Château Frontenac and surrounding sites like Mont-Sainte-Anne.
You could also see a whimsical serpentine sea creature emerging from a playful construction site. Also, witness the magic of midnight skiing at Mont Tremblant and immerse yourself in the festivities of the Quebec Winter Carnival Night Parade.
Future Exhibits
Upcoming additions will transport visitors to Montreal, the Canadian Prairies, the Canadian Rockies, and the west coast. New destinations will open annually, with construction progress and updates to existing destinations influencing the timeline.
Plus, the design team intends to include a representation of the memorial of shoes and stuffed toys at the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, commemorating the discovery of unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
How to get a Little Me at Little Canada
Littlization Station
Website: https://littleme.little-canada.ca/login
Prices: Scans are free. 3D Little Me print prices:
- ¾” Little Me sent home:$39 for one and $69 for two
- ¾” Little Me in Little Canada: $59 for one and $89 for two
- 2.5″ Little Me sent home: $79 for one and $149 for two
- 2.5” Little Me sent home + ¾” Little Me in Little Canada: $99 for one; $189 for two
- 5” Little Me sent home: $129 for one and $249 for two
- 5” Little Me sent home + ¾” Little Me in Little Canada: $149 for one and $279 for two
- 7” Little Me sent home + ¾” Little Me in Little Canada:$239 for one and $478 for two
- 9” Little Me sent home + ¾” Little Me in Little Canada: $479 for one and $958 for two
At the Littlization Station, guests can create personalised mini figurines and choose where in Little Canada you want them to be placed. Guests can have their 3D-printed Little Me in various sizes, and the printing process is done off-site and takes 2-3 weeks.
As a bonus, Little Canada offers a 25% discount on the next visit for all citizens. To avail of the discount, simply present your placement photo or purchase receipt at the front desk.
Little Canada Annual Passport
Price:
Individual Passport: $99 + HST
- 25% discount on Flex Tickets for up to 2 guests (adult/senior/child) on the same day of the visit (subject to availability on the date of purchase).
- 15% discount at the Little Bites Café, Little Things Gift Shop, and Little Me.
Family Passport: $249 + HST
- 25% discount on Flex Tickets for up to 4 guests (adult/senior/child) on the same day of the visit (subject to availability on the date of purchase).
- 15% discount at the Little Bites Café, Little Things Gift Shop, and Little Me.
- 15% discount on workshops and event packages.
- First access to select special programmed events.
- Partner discounts on hotels, restaurants, and more.
Get the VIP treatment by securing a Little Canada Annual Passport. You can enjoy perks such as a special passport member card and a digital dashboard for convenient access to customer information.
Passport holders can also explore Little Canada at their leisure. You can even gain exclusive behind-the-scenes previews of new destination launches and benefit from priority timed bookings!
You can buy your annual passport here. Note that annual passports bought online need to be activated at Guest Services before their initial use.
How to arrange group outings at Little Canada
Whether you’re planning a corporate outing, a school field trip, or just looking for a unique outing with your family and friends, Little Canada is the perfect destination for groups.
Contact [email protected] to book your group visit, get a quote, or ask any questions.
Group Visit Perks:
- Discounts start at just 15 guests
- Discounted rates, complimentary chaperone tickets, meal packages, and more.
Where to eat at Little Canada
Little Bites Café
Address: 10 Dundas St E Basement2, Toronto, ON M5B 2G9
Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 10 AM–6 PM
Fri-Sun: 10 AM–7:30 PM
Contact: (647) 578-4663
After your journey, treat yourself to a healthy Canadian-inspired goodie at the Little Bites Café. From cookies to pancakes with maple syrup, indulge in a range of sweet and savoury options (don’t miss their Maurice’s Pumpkin Spice Latte!).
As a tribute to Indigenous Peoples Month, the Thirteen Moons is reflected in a stunning mural by the cafe by Indigenous artist Philip Cote. It’s conveniently located next to the Little Things gift shop.
Spring Sushi Toronto
Website: https://www.facebook.com/springsushitoronto/
Instagram: Spring Sushi Toronto (@spring_sushi_toronto)
Price: Adult: $31.99
Senior: $27.99
6-12: $19.99
5 or under: $6.99
Situated on the 5th floor of the same building as Little Canada, Spring Sushi offers an enticing all-you-can-eat sushi experience. They also have an extensive menu – must-tries include the coconut shrimp, avocado sushi, and BBQ eel rolls.
Guests can enjoy their fully stocked bar and rooftop patio with a view of Yonge & Dundas, including a glimpse of the CN Tower. Secure your spot by making reservations in advance since they’re always busy!
