How does doors open Toronto work?

The event provides rare access to buildings that are not usually open to the public and free access to sites that would usually charge an admission fee . Since its inception in 2000, it has attracted more than two million visits to nearly 700 unique locations and remains the largest event of its kind in Canada.

What is Toronto best known for?

Toronto is known for its many skyscrapers and high-rise buildings , in particular the tallest free-standing structure on land outside of Asia, the CN Tower.

Is doors open Toronto free?

Explore more than 150 buildings for free during the Doors Open weekend and uncover hidden histories and architectural gems across the city. Participating locations are open from 10am to 5pm unless otherwise indicated, with many providing guided tours and unique experiences.

What is the theme for the doors open 2024?

The theme selected by Doors Open Ontario for 2024 was: Adaptive Reuse – showcasing heritage sites that have been repurposed to best serve their communities while retaining their heritage attributes.

What is the #1 attraction in Toronto?

Built between 1972 and 1976, the CN Tower was once the tallest building in the world, at 553 meters tall. It is the most famous tourist destination in Toronto.

What food is Toronto known for?

Most people who come here are looking for poutine, even though it originated in Quebec. You can find the best here, though. Other dishes like ketchup chips, Nanaimo, and even smoked meat sandwiches all define the flavor and style of Toronto's foodie scene.

Is Toronto very expensive?

Yes. Toronto is an expensive city to live in Canada , especially in terms of housing and rent. But those with an above-average income can easily survive and thrive in the city.

Why do doors open outwards in Canada?

& 3.3. 1.10). Commercial buildings' entrance doors on the other hand must always open outward (outswing, not inswing) to prevent possible issues during situations such as fire - quick evacuation .

What time does doors open in Toronto end?

Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How do doors open work?

The basic premise of this program is to invite people to visit sites of interest that are not normally open to the public — for free . There may be value-added tours or on-site gift shops that will cost extra.

What is the rule for opening doors?

First come, first serve is a general rule in door etiquette. If I arrive at the door first, I serve you by opening the door and holding it open . The exception to this is when the person approaching first needs physical assistance, in which case the person following holds the door.

Doors Open Toronto is back. Here are the top 10 sites to check out (2024)

Toronto’s annual Doors Open event is back offering visitors a chance to explore more than 160 of the city’s most historical, architectural, and socially significant buildings for free on May 25 and 26.

The event, which started in 2000, invites members of the public to get a behind-the-scenes look at some of Toronto’s most iconic landmarks.

Download our app to get alerts on your device
Get the latest local updates right to your inbox

This year, there are some new sites on the list to complement the “Hidden Histories” theme, as well as some other favourites that have been featured in years past.

Here are the top 10 sites to check out at this year’s edition of Doors Open Toronto:

RCLUB Motoring Club

The RCLUB Motoring Club, located in midtown Toronto, will open its doors to non-members to show off their “legendary” collection of automobiles.

“We'll be welcoming public guests between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. all weekend, and members are invited to hang out and show off their home-away-from-home,” the club said in a Facebook post.

The city says that guests can explore the private clubhouse, take pictures of the cars, and watch the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday.

Todmorden Mills

You’ve probably driven by Todmorden Mills, but may never have ventured inside the 19th-century industrial and domestic buildings.

The El Mocambo

Check out the legendary El Mocambo and get a backstage look at one of the city’s most iconic music venues.

The Rolling Stones, Blondie, and Stevie Ray Vaughan all played at the Spadina Avenue venue in its heyday.

Since then, the property was purchased by Toronto businessman Michael Wekerle and tuned up to carry the “Elmo” into its 75th year.

Our Lady Peace play to a packed crowd as they mark the re-opening of the iconic Toronto music venue The El Mocambo on Saturday, October 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Toronto Humane Society

Ever wondered what goes into running one of the largest animal-welfare organizations in the province?

The Toronto Humane Society will open its doors to the public this weekend and guests will be guided through the historic facility that cares for the city’s most vulnerable pets.

Visitors are encouraged to take pictures during the tour, but flash photography is strictly prohibited due to its impact on the animals, the city said.

City of Toronto Archives

A returning fan favourite, the City of Toronto Archives is an 11,000-square-foot records centre at Davenport and Spadina roads. It will be open to the public for one day only on Saturday.

The facility holds a whopping 130,000 boxes of records, all of which are stored in a secure, climate-controlled facility known as the Spadina Records Centre.

Bay Lower Subway Station

If you’ve seen the movies “Total Recall,” Resident Evil,” or “The Recruit,” you’ll want to check out the TTC’s Bay Lower Station on Saturday.

“Visitors are invited to take a self-guided tour of the station, where the likes of Michael Douglas, Bruce Willis, Will Smith, Mark Wahlberg, The Weeknd, Drake and many others have come to work,” the city said.

Bay Lower Station is seen in this undated photo.

Foy-Smith House

History buffs will want to check out the Foy-Smith House, an 1888 Victorian mansion in The Village and residence of Ontario's former Attorney General James Joseph Foy.

“Experience one of Toronto's rare Victorian mansions with heritage-designated interiors: a grand carved staircase, stained-glass windows, etched transoms, plasterwork medallions and elegant fireplace mantels recall a high society of bygone elegance,” the city wrote.

Bata Shoe Museum

Shoe lovers should head to the Bata Shoe Museum, the only museum in North America dedicated to exploring the history and cultural significance of footwear.

Guests are invited to take a self-guided tour through 4,500 years of shoes, including exhibitions like Exhibit A: Investigating Crime and Footwear, Dressed to Impress: Footwear and Consumerism in the 1980s and In Bloom: Flowers and Footwear.

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

See where the province’s laws are made at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Stand on the floor of the Chamber, meeting place of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1893, and marvel at the building's architecture, originally created by British-born architect Richard Waite, with later work by Toronto architects E. J. Lennox (Casa Loma, Old City Hall) and George Gouinlock (Canadian National Exhibition).”

Self-guided tours start at 10 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday with last admittance at 4 p.m.

Queen’s Park in Toronto, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. The Ontario Legislative Assembly resumes sitting tomorrow. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Gibson House Museum

The Gibson House is a 19th-century farmhouse tucked away amid the high rises in North York.

Guests will be transported to the 1850s at this Doors Open site and see how David Gisbon, a Scottish immigrant, land surveyor, farmer and politician really lived.

It should be noted that some of this year's Doors Open sites are only open on Saturday or Sunday. For a full list of this year’s locations click here.