(Updated March 15, 2025)
Whether you’re a local or a tourist from out of town, when you’re enjoying the city you want to fit as much as you can into your day. With these cheap, fun things to see and do in Toronto you’ll have no trouble squeezing as much out of your entertainment and travel budget as possible.
Discover the History of Television
The MZTV Museum of Television is like a specialty channel dedicated to the evolution of the TV. Not only is it affordable–it’s fun too. Every where you look are funky televisions from days gone by. See veneered and bakelite sets, rare ones like the Baird Televisor—you may even spot your parents’ first boob tube! There’s some great memorabilia from TV shows gone by too.
See the Ultimate Collection of Hockey Memorabilia
For hockey nuts, no visit to Toronto is complete without heading to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Displays to see include over 30 NHL goalie masks (my personal favourite), jerseys and equipment worn by the game’s stars, a replica of the Montreal Canadiens dressing room, the Stanley Cup and other trophies, interactive games and more.
Blow your mind at the Museum of Illusions
We’ve all heard the term “things are not what they seem.” The Museum of Illusions Toronto puts that theory to the test with its array of perspective-altering exhibits and mind-challenging displays, holograms and puzzles. Prepare to have your brain put to the test!
Feel What It’s Like to Be a King in a Castle
Did you know that Toronto is home to its own medieval castle? Casa Loma was completed in 1911. It took three years to construct and cost $3.5 million.
Among the features of Casa Loma are grand halls, secret passageways, stairs to the tower tops, a wine cellar, stables, five acres of beautiful gardens and more.
Naturally, it’s incredible opulence and architecture has made it a favourite location for the film industry. Movies such as X-Men have been shot here. You can learn more about this popular film location by checking out the castle’s Hollywood Film Gallery and Backstage Celebrity Gallery.
But that’s not all. There’s even more to see. Like Casa Loma’s collection of Group of Seven artwork, Classic Car Collection and an exhibit dedicated to the castle’s role as a secret manufacturing facility where gadgets for spies were produced and tested!
THRIFTY TOURIST TIP: If you purchase a Toronto CityPASS, admission to Casa Loma works out to be about half price. You can learn more about the Toronto CityPASS at the end of this article.
Spend the Day Chilling on an Island
On a beautiful, sunny day a cheap, fun thing to do in Toronto is to escape the downtown core by hopping on a ferry and heading over to Centre Island.
Walk or rent a bike and explore the island. In fact, if you want to, you can explore 15 islands. How? Because Centre Island is just one of a network of islands that are connected by bridges. You can do the entire 4.6 km loop at a leisurely pace in 3.5-4 hours if you like.
Prefer to paddle? You can rent a canoe or kayak too. Or you can just relax on the beach. Want to work on your overall tan? Make your way to Hanlan’s Point where you’ll find a clothing-optional beach. Don’t forget your picnic, but if you do, there are concession stands and restaurants to satisfy your hunger as well.
Access to the island is free with your ticket on the ferry boat. Kids 2 years old and under ride for free.
Rent a Bike and Pedal a Waterfront Trail
Toronto is a city that offers a lot of shoreline views. A great way to take them in and explore at the same time is by renting a bike and hitting one of the city’s waterfront trails. Bike Share Toronto makes this a very affordable and convenient thing to do.
Across the city Bike Share Toronto has over 800 bike stations and 9,000 bikes available to rent. All you have to do is download their app to your phone, set up your short-term account, scan the QR code on one of their bikes and you’re ready to go.
The Bike Share Toronto website even features suggestions of four waterfront trails to explore.
Save on a Major Theatre Production with Rush Tickets
If one of the things that you were willing to splurge on during your visit to Toronto was seeing a a big-time theatre production, you may not have to spend the big bucks after all. Mirvish Productions, which produces the majority of the broadway-quality shows in the city, offers rush seats for most shows. These are discounted tickets that are sold either the day before or the day of the production.
Visit Ripley’s Aquarium After 5:00 and Save $5
For many visitors to Toronto, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is on their list of things to see and do. If it’s on your list, you can save $5 off the price of admission by purchasing a Sharks After Dark ticket. If gives you entry to the Aquarium from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. That’s a four-hour visit which will be plenty of time to see all of the exhibits. And because you’re visiting during off-peak hours the Aquarium will be less crowded too.
Go for a Cheap Laugh
Once in a while, everyone could use a good, cheap laugh. If you’re visiting Toronto, you can satisfy your sense of humour and your desire to save a few bucks at the same time.
Stand up comedy, sketch comedy, improv, amateur nights—you’ll find a variety of affordable comedy to see, across the city, on almost any given night. If you’re looking for the cheapest night to go though Tuesdays are when it’s amateur stand up nights at venues like Yuk Yuk’s and The Second City.
Enjoy a Cheap Movie Night
Even when you’re visiting a city for the first time, sometimes you just want to kick back and relax at a movie. Luckily for you that’s one of the cheap things to do in Toronto.
For roughly half the price of a regularly priced flick, you can see a movie at the Imagine Cinemas at 20 Carlton Street.
Go on a Haunted Walking Tour of the City
A fun way to learn about Toronto’s past and its landmarks is to book your family or group on the Original Haunted Walk of Toronto Ghost Tour. With an animated storyteller as your guide, you will venture through the streets of the city learning about the sordid and chilling past associated with various locations and buildings. Don’t forget to wear comfortable footwear.
Make It an All-night Pinball Party
If you enjoy playing pinball and other vintage arcade games, you should definitely check out FreePlay Arcade Bar. And there’s no need to run to a convenience store to stock up on quarters either. At FreePlay you pay a flat fee upon entry which gives you all-night, unlimited access to all of their arcade games.
Best time to go if you want to save some dough is Sunday to Thursday, when that fee is half price. They also serve up food and drinks, including share plates with up to three or six apps. Wash it all down with one of FreePlay’s signature alcoholic slushies or classic cocktails.
Relax at a Board Game Cafe
In the mood for a little competition with friends or family?
Make your way to the Snakes & Lattes Board Game Café. Pay your cover charge, order something to drink and pick a board game from the over 2,300 games that line the shelves. Play an old favourite or ask one of the wait staff to suggest something new. And if you’re hungry they offer a menu of bar food too.
Another board game cafe option to check out is Juju Cafe and Board Games. What’s the difference? They serve up a nice selection of games (over 250) plus a menu that features Asian cuisine. So, if you have a craving for Kimichi beef fried rice or Karaage Okonomiyaki combined with “Ticket to Ride” or “Monopoly,” this is the place.
Make a Date to Skate
If you’re visiting Toronto between the months of November and March, one of the fun and cheap things to do is to lace’em up and go for a pleasure skate under the arches of a Toronto icon–Nathan Phillips Square.
In the wintertime the Square’s reflecting pool is frozen, becoming a giant skating rink in the centre of the city. Rent a pair of skates and step onto the ice for free.
Prefer gliding across the ice to the sound of the latest beats?
Hit the ice at DJ Skate Nights at the Harbourfront Centre where you can skate overlooking Lake Ontario and groove to the sounds spun by the some of the City’s hottest DJs. Admission to the ice is free and skates can be rented for a nominal fee. THRIFTY TOURIST TIP: On Saturdays, skate rentals are FREE!
Save on 5 Popular Attractions with a Toronto CityPASS
With a Toronto CityPASS you’ll save up to 38% on the price of admission to 5 Toronto attractions. They are the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and then your choice of three of the following: Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, City Cruises Toronto or Toronto Zoo.
Want a Deal on a Sporting Event or Concert? Shop Last Minute
Toronto is home to teams in the NHL, PWHL, MLB, NBA, WNBA and the CFL. Plus, being a major city, there are always great bands and productions taking the stage in the city as well. As everyone knows, tickets to these events are expensive. But don’t give up hope.
From time to time it’s possible to get a ticket cheaper. The best strategy is to wait until just before the event is starting or when its actually begun. Then check Stubhub and SeatGeek. Often you can get tickets for less than the face value price.
Don’t forget to Check Groupon Too
New deals are added to Groupon every week. That’s why it’s an excellent website to check prior to and even when you’re visiting Toronto.
Visit the Toronto Groupon page and you’ll find savings of up to 70% on things to do like tours, boat cruises, theatre tickets, comedy clubs, activities, events, dinner spots and accommodations.
Conclusion
Enjoying things to do in Toronto doesn’t have to be expensive. Take advantage of this list of cheap, fun things to see and do in Toronto and you’ll have no problem putting together a jam-packed itinerary of affordable, memorable experiences.
Be thrifty and practical. This information was accurate when published, but can change without notice. We recommend you confirm all details with the provider in question before planning your excursion.
Pack even more into your Toronto itinerary without spending a dime
Check out our article “Put Your Wallet Away! 36 Free Things to Do in Toronto.”
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