Every year, more than 700 venues in Toronto open their doors to the public for free during Doors Open. These include places that charge admission the rest of the year, but especially those that are usually closed to the public. For my fellow French people, it’s a bit like our Heritage Days in France.
It’s one of my favorite times of year in Toronto for several reasons: it’s May, and the weather is starting to get nice. I love discovering buildings that are usually closed to the public. And finally, I love seeing people happy as they explore the city!
Today I’m sharing my top 10 places to visit during Doors Open in Toronto (and if I’ve miscounted, you might end up with even more!)
Before we dive in, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.
1 – Lower Bay Station
If you could only visit one place during Toronto’s Doors Open, I’d recommend Lower Bay Station. You may have already seen this ghost subway station without even realizing it. It’s hidden beneath Bay Station and was originally built to provide easier access for passengers traveling from the south of the city toward the east. However, after only six months of operation, the station was closed to the public in September 1966. The reason? It caused more confusion and delays among passengers than anything else.
But even though it no longer serves its original purpose, the station isn’t completely inactive. It’s used for TTC driver training, for private events, like the recent launch of the new Reitmans collection—and even in music videos and movies you’ve surely seen. Like this Drake video, in the movie Suicide Squad, or in series like The Handmaid’s Tale.
Address: 1240 Bay St., Toronto
Quick tip: This is one of the most popular spots during Doors Open. Start here by getting in line early. Note that Lower Bay Station is often only open one day over the weekend.
2 – Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres
Without a doubt, my second favorite spot during Doors Open: the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres. I absolutely loved this truly unique landmark: it’s the last stacked theatre still in operation in the world. You have the first theater on one floor, then you go up a few floors to discover a second theatre. Both are magnificent, but the one on the upper floor has a magical quality that I really loved. You might be wondering why they created this concept? To maximize the use of space in areas where real estate was already very expensive at the time.
Address: 189 Yonge St, Toronto
3 – Osgoode Hall
We’re staying in the same neighbourhood, heading toward Osgoode Hall. Right now (2026), it’s not the prettiest sight when you walk by because of construction on the new subway line. But the building is still magnificent to look at from the outside. Osgoode Hall is a 19th-century building that has housed several Ontario courts since 1846. It also houses the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Superior Court of Justice.
What I really loved: the majestic entrance, with its skylight and high ceilings. Then there’s “The Great Library,” so calm and yet so imposing. And of course, don’t forget to visit the courtrooms.
Address: 130 Queen St W, Toronto
4 – Ontario Legislative Assembly
I can’t believe I almost forgot to include this on the list! I loved my visit to the Ontario Legislative Assembly at Queens Park a few years ago. The building is huge, full of history, stories, and hidden corners to discover. It’s a pretty popular spot, so you’ll need to be patient. But you can also visit it for free the rest of the year, and even in French. I mentioned it in my list of 25 free things to do in Toronto.
Address: 1 Queens Park, Toronto
5 – Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
Staying on the library theme, here’s one of the most popular spots during Doors Open in Toronto: the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. Head over to the University of Toronto campus. Incidentally, this is also where you can admire the cherry blossoms in the spring in Toronto. It’s a library that houses hundreds of rare books. It was the sheer vastness of the space and the wealth of knowledge it holds that impressed me.
Address: 120 St George St, Toronto
6 – St. George’s Hall
It’s funny because I visited this place right when I first moved to Toronto. But it really left an impression on me. I loved the atmosphere. I’ll take you down a little street right near Sankofa Square (formerly Dundas Square) to check out St. George Hall. The building is beautiful from the outside. Inside, there’s been a private club for artists and writers for over 100 years. Can you imagine the conversations these walls have heard?
Address: 14 Elm St, Toronto
7 – Billy Bishop Airport
If you’re in Toronto, you’ve most likely heard of Billy Bishop Airport. Located on the Toronto Islands (I actually have a comprehensive guide to visiting the Toronto Islands), you can watch planes take off and land right from downtown. But have you ever wondered what really goes on there? I loved the tour, not so much for the traditional airport part but for learning about the rescue helicopters. The people there were so generous with their insights. I learned how they operate, where they respond, and the reality of these helicopters taking off for often dramatic situations. I highly recommend it.
Address: 2 Eireann Quay, Toronto
8 – Old City Hall
If you walk down Bay Street from Union Station, you’ve surely noticed the majestic building standing out in the middle: Toronto’s Old City Hall. That is, the former city hall. Before it was moved a few hundred meters away in 1965, this is where Toronto’s city hall was located. Since then, the building has served as the provincial courthouse until 2025. There has been a lot of discussion about the building’s future. I’ve heard that some people want to turn it into a museum. That could be a great option for the community. Stay tuned for updates, but in the meantime, go check it out. It’s worth it!
Address: 60 Queen St W, Toronto
9 – Toronto City Hall
So I hesitated a bit about including Toronto City Hall on the list because, in my humble opinion, the tour isn’t anything to write home about. But what I do remember, and what I like, was going all the way to the top of the building and the view from the terrace. So for that reason, we’ll include Toronto City Hall on this list. Don’t go out of your way for it, but if you’re already in the area for the other attractions, why not!
10 – Redpath Sugar
We’ll wrap up this list of places to visit during Doors Open Toronto with the things I liked the least. At least this gives you a heads-up if you’re on the fence. Head to the lakefront to check out Redpath Sugar. You can’t miss it. This factory looks a bit like an eyesore on the lakefront, right in the heart of downtown. They’re opening their doors to show you where they store all the sugar that arrives on the huge ships you can see docked for days on end at Sugar Beach. As a regular at the lakefront, I see them often and was curious to see the inside. There are also a few activities outside the building. Not the tour of a lifetime, but it satisfied my curiosity a bit.
11 – Toronto Fire & Marine Station 334
I was so excited to learn more about Toronto’s marine firefighters—to see how they operate, find out about their missions, and so on. Well, I was actually pretty disappointed by my visit to Toronto Fire & Marine Station 334. I should qualify that a bit, though: if you go with kids, I think they might find it interesting. But I went on my own and wasn’t blown away by their interactions or what they shared. Don’t go out of your way for this, but maybe stop by on your way to Billy Bishop if you have kids!
I hope this list helps you plan your Doors Open weekend in Toronto. I’ll add new visits I’ve enjoyed every year, so feel free to come back and follow me on Instagram and YouTube to discover my top picks in Toronto!
