Local Guides World
Top History museums in Toronto, Canada
Top Rated History museums in Toronto
Top Reviewed History museums in Toronto
Scarborough Museum
Gibson House Museum
Black Creek Pioneer Village
Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame
Scarborough Museum
Mackenzie House
Black Creek Pioneer Village
Fort York National Historic Site
Spadina Museum
Reviews
The guide was very passionate about the history museum so it was a very interesting and enjoyable experience. The inside of the house is very well curated.
A hidden gem right beside Casa Loma. Free tour by the Toronto historical society will tell you lots of histories about the past and the lifes of different people or groups. Outside, is this beautiful garden. You can sit with a blanket to enjoy bird singing, fresh air and/or just a quiet afternoon. Truly great place to visit and enjoy. Highly recommended.
The guided tour is great, they are really excited to share their knowledge and stories about the Austin family. The administration takes care of the place nicely and the tour is free.
Such a gorgeous location, it really takes you to the past with its architecture and beautiful gardens! The staff is so sweet and informative and the grounds make for a perfect picnic spot, photoshoot or a walk with the family.
Currently there’s no parking on grounds but Casa Loma offers all day parking and it’s just next door.
Currently there’s no parking on grounds but Casa Loma offers all day parking and it’s just next door.
Stunningly beautiful, each room has a color theme. The more than 100-year-old architecture bears a strong historical mark
Loved this quaint historical mansion. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and listening to the story about the family who lived here while we saw all the antiques gave a palpable experience. It was nice to imagine myself living a life here some decades ago. Me and my friends walked into this museum without expecting much as it is close to our college and free of charge too. Now it is one of my favourite places. The park surrounding the house is lush with greenery, flowers and it’s so nice to take naps under the sun and breeze.
Great place to visit. Very well maintained. Staffs are friendly. Highly recommend.
Very nice guided tour for young kids. A good venue to have family and friends reunion. Animals are kid's favorite and staff are very kind and knowledgeable. Love the experience.
Old historical place with traditional buildings and shops. Definitely a different experience out of the ordinary for anyone like to experience
Fort York is a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of Toronto. Steeped in history, this well-preserved fort offers a fascinating glimpse into Canada's past. The informative exhibits and knowledgeable staff bring the site to life, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and families alike. Exploring the grounds and imagining life in the early 19th century is a captivating experience. Don't miss the chance to step back in time and uncover the stories of Fort York.
Such an absolute beauty and 20th century aesthetic hidden in this well preserved mansion. It documents the lifestyle of a wealthy Canadian family that lived for almost a 100 years at Spadina; showcasing the different interior design choices and intimate details in the furniture, wallpaper and even the paintings drawn by the family members themselves.
The admissions are free and I absolutely recommend joining a guided tour to fully grasp the beauty and context of the lives spent in this mansion.
The you can last up to 90 minutes, I suggest starting early in the day and brining your curiosity and love for history and the arts with you!
The staff are super helpful and they truly comprehend the multitude of this mansion’s history and heritage. There’s a small gift shop and there’s also a vast garden/park that surrounds the mansion that is accessed through the mansion’s main gate.
I visited Spadina on a rainy day but I believe it would be even more beautiful on a nice sunny day 🌸⭐️
The admissions are free and I absolutely recommend joining a guided tour to fully grasp the beauty and context of the lives spent in this mansion.
The you can last up to 90 minutes, I suggest starting early in the day and brining your curiosity and love for history and the arts with you!
The staff are super helpful and they truly comprehend the multitude of this mansion’s history and heritage. There’s a small gift shop and there’s also a vast garden/park that surrounds the mansion that is accessed through the mansion’s main gate.
I visited Spadina on a rainy day but I believe it would be even more beautiful on a nice sunny day 🌸⭐️
This is one of the best tours I've had in Toronto. The tour guide was very friendly and thorough in their explanations. The tour was quite long for such a small place. There's just so much details to explore here. Please do come!
Nice Historic Museum in Downtown Toronto. I visited Fort York National Historic Site today on March 10, 2024 at about 03:00 PM. It was a good experience visiting this museum. I was able to see the barracks used by soldiers from 1800s and 1900s. I was also able to learn about the different Army Uniforms, Ships, Guns, and other Ammunitions. There were many paintings and information diagrams depicting historical information. Fort York National Historic Museum was open till 4 pm. Last tour today was at 02:00 pm. Since I had reached at 3 pm, I was not able to join the tour. I travelled from my apartment by bus to Warden Subway Station. Then I got down at Bathurst Subway Station and took the street Car to Fort York intersection. And ftik there I walked to reach the museum, which was about 200 metres from the streetcar stop. I took some photos on my phone Samsung Galaxy A71.
I didnt know Black Creek Pioneer Village was a wedding venue, but im REALLY glad they are because its nothing short of goregous! As a wedding photographer, I shoot weddings all across Canada, so Ive seen hundreds of indoor/outdoor venues throughout my career, but I was absolutly amazed when I photographed a wedding here!
There are SO many spots that have beautiful sunlight peaking through which gives your images that glowly dreamy look! The grounds are beautiful maintained and has lots of rustic architecture to play with!
Pro-tip: Theres lots of buildings and windows around the grounds to give your photos a variety of looks!
I hope you found this helpful! If you like my images and you'd like to get in touch, connect with me through my website or IG
Mark Barski
www.EightTwoFour.ca
IG: Eight.Two.Four
There are SO many spots that have beautiful sunlight peaking through which gives your images that glowly dreamy look! The grounds are beautiful maintained and has lots of rustic architecture to play with!
Pro-tip: Theres lots of buildings and windows around the grounds to give your photos a variety of looks!
I hope you found this helpful! If you like my images and you'd like to get in touch, connect with me through my website or IG
Mark Barski
www.EightTwoFour.ca
IG: Eight.Two.Four
This is a wonderful little museum dedicated to Toronto's first mayor and the Grandfather of Willian Lyon Mackenzie King. The house is in poor shape due to a flood, but the staff do a great job describing how the house used to look. The print shop is very interesting.
Toronto's first mayor house. Very well maintained. Liked the vintage style printing machine still available and can get free name prints from them. The hosts are well trained and provide each detail patiently.
The staff was so nice and even though there wasn't any furniture, the guy that showed us around was so nice and fun and made the whole tour awesome. Also trying out the free print shop and printing press and taking something home made this place one of the best places I've ever been to in Toronto. 100% Would Recommend.
BCPV is such a great afternoon experience for adults and kids. It's not too large or exhausting, and really feels like a mini theme park world - but a non-tacky one. Note that there weren't great food options there (we had a cold, pricey sandwich on a weekday December visit). But lots of Canadian history, informative tour guides, and a great gift shop - will be back again when the weather is warm!
The museum showcased some of the living environment of the people living in Scarborough a few decades ago. The staff was super nice and she provided a free guided tour. However, the museums only consisted of a few houses and exhibitions. It's not worth coming from a far distance specifically for this, unless you happen to be passing by or have a strong interest in the topic.
We were fortunate enough to be given a tour of Mackenzie house by a knowledgeable male presenting staff member. While I don't regularly visit museums or historical buildings, I left Mackenzie house with more knowledge about the "rebel" mayor than I entered with. I also printed a free Christmas card for my nephew with the printing press they showed me how to use. How cool is that ?
The print shop is beautiful. Unfortunately, aside from that room, the house is empty right now. The staff was very nice and shared very interesting facts about Toronto. They do organize workshops and events that I think are worth checking out. Overall, I enjoyed my time at the museum. I would definitely recommend a 1-hour visit!
I went to Fort York for the Remembrance Day ceremony. This is one of my favourites as they go out of their way to honour those who served in wars as far back as 1812. (Not just the soldiers either) The service was touching as usual and there was a nice reception afterwards in the first with stories of different groups. If you are ever offered the war cake definitely try it, it’s delicious.
what a wonderful place to visit. it is a hidden gem - in a way - while the place is quite visible, the entrance is rather hard to find and away from popular thoroughfares. Admission is free, and guided tours are offered on top of the hour. I really recommend taking a guided tour, it really enriches the experience. the guides are very knowledgeable about history of the site. While most of the original Fort York was destroyed by Americans in 1813, some buildings were restored, while others added. you can see how ordinary soldiers and officers lived, and learn about their everyday activities and pastimes. There are also exhibits displaying archeaological discoveries from the site, uniforms, weapons and guns from the era and many maps.
There is also a gift shop. The visitors centre near by is also worth visiting, with interesting temporary displays.
There is also a gift shop. The visitors centre near by is also worth visiting, with interesting temporary displays.
A must go every year ! Live and learn
Always a good time at the royal winter fair
$30 to get into the Royal Winter Fair. Then you pay for everything else. Why such an expensive entry fee? It was disappointing this year. At least not crowded while we were there. Do I recommend tickets in advance? No. It's not worth $30.
Disappointed with the lack of staff for certain areas especially the kids zone.
Very impressed with the amount of vendors and animal exhibits. When I was young it felt more wholesome and farm but this time was a lot more prestigious.
A lot to do but huge lines for food and certain areas, common to have to deal with though.
Very nice family time.
Very impressed with the amount of vendors and animal exhibits. When I was young it felt more wholesome and farm but this time was a lot more prestigious.
A lot to do but huge lines for food and certain areas, common to have to deal with though.
Very nice family time.
The fair is great! So much to learn and experience! Very excited to see some more horse shows! I hope
To see this massive Bull too! I should note, I visited the HOF while visiting the fair... I hope you all did too!
To see this massive Bull too! I should note, I visited the HOF while visiting the fair... I hope you all did too!
It is a great place to experience the old times in Canada. You can see couple of people with old outfits to help you absorb the vibe.
It was a pitty that couple of houses were closed and the dollhouse exibition was not there anymore...
It was a pitty that couple of houses were closed and the dollhouse exibition was not there anymore...
Still being restored after a flood so not so much to look at in the main house, but the guides more than offset that with their stories. The printing demonstration (which you can try) is worth the trip by itself. There's also a great walking tour (self-guided) that you can do from there to learn about remarkable Toronto women in history.
I was here last night on a group tour, most kids in third grade would have remembered pioneer village.
But at night it was definitely different.
The lovely Kent from haunted tours, took us around stopping at select houses and telling us the backstories and occurrences that have happened. Or so they say....
The one house I felt my chest get heavy and a slight headache was the Maser house. Located across the cemetery. Listen carefully to the story and be careful during your visit.
All in all , it was a good walk and cool ro see the village. I recommend it.
**** possible sighting
I've attached 2 photos taken by the cemetery. Look above the tallest tombstone between the 2 posted here. There is a red orb.
Happy travels.
But at night it was definitely different.
The lovely Kent from haunted tours, took us around stopping at select houses and telling us the backstories and occurrences that have happened. Or so they say....
The one house I felt my chest get heavy and a slight headache was the Maser house. Located across the cemetery. Listen carefully to the story and be careful during your visit.
All in all , it was a good walk and cool ro see the village. I recommend it.
**** possible sighting
I've attached 2 photos taken by the cemetery. Look above the tallest tombstone between the 2 posted here. There is a red orb.
Happy travels.
It was so entertaining. This museum beautifully captures the essence of the 18 century, showcasing the lifestyles, houses, and jobs of that era. A fascinating journey into history! Well organized.
This wonderful place gives you a great idea how the pioneers and early immigrants live in Toronto area. The Stong family (came to Canada 🇨🇦 from Ireland during the potato famine in 1830-40s) houses, tinsmith, blacksmith, printing shop, physician house, local hotel and brewery are all to be seen in this beautiful place. Tickets cost $18 per adult. Parking is extra. There is a shop to buy some souvenirs.
Loved the experience. Got to know about the wars between America and Canada Natives/Britain. The museum gives you a glimpse into the lives of soldiers, arms & ammunition and the defense strategy. They hold periodic parade and shows during the summer and fall time. During summer there is an open theatre movie show which goes on for 3 weeks with 2/3 movies a week. That is a nice experience.
It has been made free to visit the historical sites but with some restrictions on timing. Be sure to visit the official site to know the most recent updates on timing and any specific activity scheduled..
It has been made free to visit the historical sites but with some restrictions on timing. Be sure to visit the official site to know the most recent updates on timing and any specific activity scheduled..
Is a great place to spend a day outdoors.
The houses are small and the village isn't so big but there are benches along the way you can sit and enjoy an afternoon.
You can also buy some food and drinks and yes they sell beer!
The houses are small and the village isn't so big but there are benches along the way you can sit and enjoy an afternoon.
You can also buy some food and drinks and yes they sell beer!
We've been here many times but it is still enjoyable. The kids (teenager and beyond) still enjoy the outing. Watching the 'free run' chickens was very enjoyable. They seemed very happy. The Billy goat enjoyed her rake message. The sheep is very friendly. We visited the different houses and the attendant tells a good history, but the barn animals are so alluring.
This is such a cool experience, surrounded by downtown Toronto and near the municipal airport, you can travel back in time to visit Fort York briefly. And for FREE! And learn about Toronto's earliest history. We saw a rifle demonstration and several exhibits in each of the buildings.
The Museum is small, but so worth it.
The staff members are so friendly, devoted and entertaining! Absolute pleasure to spend some time there!
The staff members are so friendly, devoted and entertaining! Absolute pleasure to spend some time there!
Great little museum! We had the best, most enthusiastic tour guide I have ever encountered and he was such a treasure! He made the house feel alive with all the stories and information he gave us. Thank you so much!
I really enjoyed my visit. Entrance was free and there was almost nobody there so I got to explore the site and history in peace. Which is actually a really interesting glimpse in the history of Toronto. With the old buildings and walls still in tact or restored. All of this in the middle of the city. It takes an hour or so to fully explore. Definitely recommend!
A LOT smaller than I expected. It's just four buildings, three of which are just the size of small rooms.
There wasn't much to see, and the current exhibit kind of took over the museum itself, making it less meaningful overall.
Thomson Park nearby was enjoyable to walk through though, which kind of makes up for the lackluster museum visit.
There wasn't much to see, and the current exhibit kind of took over the museum itself, making it less meaningful overall.
Thomson Park nearby was enjoyable to walk through though, which kind of makes up for the lackluster museum visit.
Great place to learn more about the history. When I walked in, it felt like stepping into the Netflix series "Wednesday"!
The area is spacious, taking around 2 more hours. Be aware of the sun! Make sure to do some prevention in advance.
Also has a great souvenir store inside!
I went there on Canada Open Day 2023; not sure if it needs a ticket or not.
The area is spacious, taking around 2 more hours. Be aware of the sun! Make sure to do some prevention in advance.
Also has a great souvenir store inside!
I went there on Canada Open Day 2023; not sure if it needs a ticket or not.
Set in the 1860's and overall a great experience.
Some things to note:
You can get a discount for parking so bring your parking ticket with you when you go inside to buy the ticket for the village. At the counter you can ask them to add parking and they give it to you for a bit cheaper.
It did seem a bit deserted on a Sunday and a lot of the places did not have any people in them to guide you. It was if they were opening them slowly even though it was 1pm and they close at 4pm.
There are not a lot of food options there so bring snacks! They do sell cookies and bread there but it was expensive. For example, it was $1 per cookie as it is freshly made. It is hard to find water there so it is better to bring a water bottle with you.
It would take a total of 2 hours to go through everything.
Some things to note:
You can get a discount for parking so bring your parking ticket with you when you go inside to buy the ticket for the village. At the counter you can ask them to add parking and they give it to you for a bit cheaper.
It did seem a bit deserted on a Sunday and a lot of the places did not have any people in them to guide you. It was if they were opening them slowly even though it was 1pm and they close at 4pm.
There are not a lot of food options there so bring snacks! They do sell cookies and bread there but it was expensive. For example, it was $1 per cookie as it is freshly made. It is hard to find water there so it is better to bring a water bottle with you.
It would take a total of 2 hours to go through everything.
Really cool museum! Happy to see there is no fee for general admission. Open Wednesdays to Sundays now from 11- 4 I think. 2 buildings open for viewing when I went. No wait when I went on Sunday just around noon. Had a partial guided tour and got to wander around for the rest of it. Would be great if they could get the stove going again or the ice cream maker. Understand covid has changed things but it would certainly enhance the experience. If you get a chance you should go!
Only one house was open when my family visited on May 21. It is unfortunate because it took over 30 minutes to find a parking spot. While admission and parking is free, it really wasn’t too worthwhile to drive and find parking here. I saw other pictures before going and was hoping to see more but the other houses were locked up. The only saving feature was the playground beside the museum. This is where we spent most of our time.
Printing workshop is so lovely and interesting. The hosts are the guys who spread the love for what they do and involve you to this small part of Toronto history and the fate of the first mayor Mckenzie. Recommended for visiting, eventhough the house itself is under renovation right now.
The best front desk and tour guide tell you everything they know about this historical building, and they welcome all your questions.
Imagine once upon a time (1850s), there was a 100 acre farm around this house, and not a single condo or traffic jam in site. Richard our tour guide (who grown up in the area) walk us back in the time tunnel, provided us the experience about life a century ago. So glad we learnt something new (no pun intended) about North York. Thank you Richard.
Came here from Florida and honestly, this is one of the best tours I’ve ever had! Our tour guide was awesome! 10/10 what an incredible experience!
My family and I love museums, and this one was no exception. A wonderful little place to stop by and learn some local history.
Great place to learn Canadian history. All the staff there are so welcoming and knowledgeable. A hidden gem in North yonge street
Looking at old photos, I just found out that I went here like 10 years ago during university, I need to write an essay, and I chose Scarborough Museum. Went here with TTC, a great location. I kind of remember there was a lady explaining detail to us. At last, I donated $20 XD which was all the money I had at that time.
Place where you can have fun and education at the same time. Glad to see the agricultural side of Canada. Liked the dog show at the venue. Missed the horse show as this was expensive.
The hall is only open during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. It houses the portraits of 247 Canadians who have made significant contributions to the Agriculture Industry. Some very interesting people are profiled from across Canada.
Couldn't even find a vendor that sold cowboy hats..at the royal winter fair...how does that work.
I went to Thomson Memorial Park for BBQ, found this museum in the heart of the park unexpectedly . You can find four heritage buildings that make up Scarborough Museum. The Cornell House is the main building, good too see the Canadian life in the 1800 . The McCowan Log House was moved to here. The Hough Carriage Works Hut is worth to visit, you can see many different kinds of tools.
Visited the Mackenzie House today for a workshop on the printing press. The two ladies who gave the presentation shared incredible insight on the history behind the printing press and our first ‘rebel mayor.’ They also guided us through the steps in making our own posters and bookmarks which we were able to take home. Overall, a fun while educational experience for the kids and myself.
We had the entire place to ourselves. Sam our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable of Gibson House and the family that previously lived here. We learned valuable information of the area and the era of the house. The staff were very helpful and professional. They are abiding by health and safety protocols. We were given ginger bread on our way out. Thank you so much! I highly recommend coming here, the tour is about an hour.
The museum consists of a few houses but the nicest thing is the park/trails attached to it. Kids playground (hard sand, mind you), nice trails and lots of big trees for shade. Water park area and leash free dog area too. Staff are indeed super friendly and helpful. No cafe so bring your own food/picnic lunches. Decent washroom facilities but not the cleanest.
A great place to learn about settlers and Canadian history. Very informative tours and very welcoming. They offered us baked apples and delicious apple cobbler. Also delicious warm apple cider. Really lovely park as well a lovely place to go with the family and parking available. Fantastic museum.
Amazing amazing place! It’s open everyday for public visits. Go with some cash! It’s pay what you can.
It’s very rustic and historic, with many things to learn. Our tour guide Jeff is an amazingly knowledgeable guide. He seems very passionate about what he does and it was very entertaining to learn about the different buildings and their functions.
Take your kids as well, very insightful for them. They serve complimentary iced tea, cheese cake, baked goods, etc. On a first come first serve basis.
They have many events on a daily basis, so take advantage and show your family another side of what the urban life has to offer. Would highly recommend!
It’s very rustic and historic, with many things to learn. Our tour guide Jeff is an amazingly knowledgeable guide. He seems very passionate about what he does and it was very entertaining to learn about the different buildings and their functions.
Take your kids as well, very insightful for them. They serve complimentary iced tea, cheese cake, baked goods, etc. On a first come first serve basis.
They have many events on a daily basis, so take advantage and show your family another side of what the urban life has to offer. Would highly recommend!