Here are the more popular Toronto heritage attractions (not including museums):
Campbell House
180 Queen St. W. (at University Ave. )
416-597-0227
Campbell House, a classic example of Georgian architecture, was built in 1822 and is the oldest remaining building from the original town of York. William Campbell was Attorney-General of Cape Breton and moved to York with his wife Hanna, to became a judge who was very involved in politics & law. After his retirement in 1829, he was knighted at the age of 71 in recognition of his public spirit. In 1973, the 300-ton house was moved from its original location on Adelaide Street to University Avenue, and carefully restored with period decor. Officially opened to the public by the Queen Mother in 1974, the museum uses an innovative hands-on approach to educate locals, students & tourists. Costumed interpreters give tours and demonstrate 19th-century domestic life. Special events include the Festival of Celtic Culture, which is held annually on Canada day, July 1. Open Mon-Fri: 9:30 am-4:30 pm, May 24-Oct 9: M-Su: 9:30 am-4:30 pm. Admission $.
Colborne Lodge
Colborne Lodge Drive (South end of High Park), just north of the Queensway.
416-392-6916
This rare Regency picturesque cottage is a graceful monument to John and Jemima Howard, the couple who founded High Park. John Howard, an architect and a City Engineer and Surveyor, built Colborne Lodge in 1837, which is still complete with many original furnishings, artifacts, and some of his own watercolours. Colborne Lodge’s extensive ornamental and kitchen gardens are now being restored. Tours available. Special events include the Harvest Festival, Christmas celebrations, and Doors Open Toronto. Open: mid January – the end of April,Friday – Sunday Noon – 4 pm; March Break,Tues.- Sun. Noon – 4 pm; May – to the end of Aug, Tues.-Sun. Noon – 5 pm; September, Sat. – Sun Noon – 5 pm; October – December, Tues.-Sun. Noon – 4 pm. Closed Mondays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and Good Friday. Admission $
TTC-High Park station (Bloor/Danforth line) to and walk south through High Park (approximately 20 minute walk). Or, take the 501 Humber/Long Branch streetcar to Colborne Lodge Drive.
Distillery District, The
55 Mill Street, Toronto, M5A 3C4
416-364-1177
The Distillery, once the world’s largest distillery, is today an historical site with one of the largest collections of Victorian Industrial Architecture in North America. Founded in 1832 by Brothers-in-law William Gooderham and James Worts, this 13 acre Distillery, with 40 buildings, became the largest distillery in the British Empire. At its peak, the entire Gooderham & Worts Distillery produced 2.5 million imperial gallons of rye annually. Since converted into a massive centre for arts and culture, with over 15 art galleries, snd several theatrical venues, that are home to Dancemakers Theatre, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Soulpepper Theatre, Tapestry Opera Theatre and Nightwood Theatre. Distillery tours. Enjoy the sophisticated shopping district with brick- lined streets and European piazza styled areas with boutiques, many restaurants & cafes, a microbrewery, a chocolate factory, and a summer market. Festivals include Partigras, Roots Music Festival, Blues Festival, Antique Festival, Art Exhibitions and Natural Health Showcase.
Don Valley Brick Works, The
Located in the Don Valley
416-392-8188
The Brick Works is an internationally significant natural and cultural heritage site, covering 16.5 hectares (40.7 acres) in the Don River watershed. The lower Don has important to Toronto’s history as a place of settlement, agriculture and industry. It became a productive industrial area, creating employment and significant goods and services by the late 1800s. The area attracted manufacturers of paper, bricks and beer, and the Brick Works comprises several industrial buildings, the Quarry Garden, parkland and unique geological features, showcased in 10 interpretive areas in the park.
Fort York
100 Garrison Road, Toronto, M5V 3K9
(off Fleet Street, east of Strachan Avenue, west of Bathurst Street)
416-392-6907 Fax: 416-392-6917 Event Hotline: 416-338-3888
Historic Fort York was the 1793 birthplace of modern Toronto and the location of the Battle of York, during the War of 1812. It has Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings and is a National Historic site. Explore the fort, learn about its military history. Historic Fort York has guided tours, musket drill, and music demonstrations. Special events: Canada Day, Victoria Day, and Doors Open Toronto. Open year-round: Labour Day to Victoria Day, Monday to Friday: 10 am – 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm; Victoria Day to Labour Day, Monday to Sunday: 10 am-5 pm, Closed: Last two weeks in December. Admission $.
TTC:Bathurst station (Bloor-Danforth subway line) then the 511 streetcar south.
Take the pedestrian walkway off the Bathurst/Front Street bridge or by walking up Garrison Road off Fleet Street. NOTE: Garrison Road follows a steep hill, and is a challenging walking route for small children, elderly or special needs patrons.
Grange, The
Grange Park, 317 Dundas Street West
(beside Art Gallery of Ontario)
416-979-6660 ext. 337
See the elegant lifestyle of colonial York (now Toronto) in the 1830s. The Grange’s façade features Doric columns and entabulatures, and was once the center of a 100 acre estate of D’Arcy Boulton Jr. (1785-1846), a lawyer turned dry goods merchant. Completed in 1818 during York’s reconstruction after the War of 1812, and additions were completed in the 1840s and 1880s. It was built in the style of British country homes and villas of that time, with a center hall wide enough to serve as a ballroom, and its interior sports a Greek Revival style, and The Grange is complete with staircases, period furniture and fine wallpapers.
Boulton sold off his estate piecemeal for sub-development as the town of York grew, but the Grange remained unchanged. It was later donated by his descendents to the Art Gallery of Ontario. In 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, The Grange was lovingly restored. There are tours, old-fashioned baking, period costumes, and family-oriented activities. Open: Tue-Fri: 12pm-9pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-5:30pm. Admission $.
Included with admission to the Art Gallery of Ontario: Pay what you can ($6 per person is suggested). Temporary exhibitions are specially ticketed
Redpath Sugar Museum, The
95 Queen’s Quay East, Toronto, ON M5E 1A3
416-366-3561 Fax: 416-366-7550
The Redpath Sugar Museum was established in 1979 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of what is today the oldest sugar refining company in Canada. The original Redpath Refinery was founded in Montréal in 1854. This museum focuses on the history and the production of sugar, and the areas where it is refined, and provides information on sugar from a chemical and nutritional perspective. Tours are available. Open Monday-Friday, 10.00 a.m.-12.00 noon, 1.00 p.m.-3.30. p.m.
Spadina Historic House and Gardens
285 Spadina Rd, Toronto, M5R 2V5 (next door to Casa Loma.)
416-392-6910
This 1866 Edwardian city mansion, built by wealthy James Austin, has historic gardens, including a Rose Garden, the Beehive Gateway, and an English-style garden. The Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens chronicles four generations of the wealthy Austin family. Guided tours highlight the exquisite furniture and decors reflecting Toronto art scene of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Special events include Doors Open Toronto, Strawberry Festival and Music in the Orchard. The museum is available for photography, film shoots, weddings and corporate functions. Open January to March Saturday & Sunday: Noon-5 pm; April to Labour Day Tuesday to Sunday: Noon-5pm, Holiday Mondays: Noon-5 pm; September to January Tuesday to Friday: Noon-4 pm, Saturday & Sunday: Noon-5 pm, Thanksgiving Monday: Noon-5 pm; Closed December 24 & 31. Admission $.
TTC: Dupont subway station (Yonge/University) and walk north to the Baldwin Steps at the intersection of Spadina Avenue and Davenport Road. Spadina is located at the top of the Baldwin Steps
St Lawrence Market
93 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E 1C3
(3 blocks from Union Station)
St. Lawrence Market was conceived as early as 1803 when Governor Peter Hunter designated the land there as the Market Block. Over the years, original buildings have been revitalized, additions have been built, and now there are three separate buildings for the Market.
The South Market has over 50 specialty vendors, selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, grain, baked good, dairy products, and non-food items such as plants and specialty coffees & teas. The second floor of the South Market is home to the Market Gallery, showing exhibits from the City of Toronto Archives. The North Market hosts the Saturday Farmer’s Market from 5 am until 5 pm, with producers from across southern Ontario, and a complimentary Children’s Activity Center in the South Market. On Sundays, the North Market holds over 80 antique dealers.
Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum & Arts Centre
67 Pottery Road, Toronto,
(east of the Bayview Ave Extension, just west of Broadview Ave)
416-396-2819 Event Hotline: 416-338-3888
Set in the scenic Don River Valley, the mills were core to Toronto’s development in the mid 1800s, producing lumber, flour, paper, whisky and beer for residents. Learn about the early days of industry in Toronto, its role in Toronto’s development and the cultural impact of the city’s growth on the natural environment. Explore the scenic Don River Valley (and a wildflower preserve), explore millers’ homes, the Brewery Gallery, the Paper Mill Gallery and Theatre and the relocated Don Train station. Open Jan – March (Please call to confirm Papermill Gallery hours); April – May, Wednesday to Friday from Noon to 4:30 pm Weekends from Noon to 5 pm; June-August, Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 4:30 pm Weekends from Noon to 5 pm; Sept. – Dec, Wednesday to Friday from Noon to 4:30 pm Weekends from Noon to 4 pm. Admission $$.
TTC: Exit Broadview station (Bloor/Danforth subway line) and take any northbound bus and to Mortimer Avenue bus stop. Cross Broadview Avenue to west side of street and walk down Pottery Road (caution this road is steep).