Hit enter after type your search item
Home / Discover / Toronto tourist attractions welcome back visitors

Toronto tourist attractions welcome back visitors

img

TORONTO, ON., July 5, 2020 — What Toronto tourist attractions are open now or opening soon — As more of Ontario continues to relax COVID-19 rules, Torontians are ready to get back to their favourite attractions. In mid-March, most of Toronto’s tourist hot spots shuttered their doors to stop the spread of the virus.

In June, Destination Toronto announced the city was likely to lose more than half of its tourism revenue which generally brings in around $6.9 billion in direct spending, reaching nearly $10 billion when spin-offs dollars are factored into the equation.

In recent weeks, the city’s most popular activities have been developing re-opening strategies to ensure the safety of guests. Here are some of Toronto’s top attractions that are ready to welcome back tourists, with social distancing of course.

Casa Loma

Enjoy the life of ‘Toronto royalty’ at Casa Loma. This popular Toronto attraction was built prior to the fabled Spanish Flu and has survived some of Canada’s darkest times including the Great Depression and both World Wars. Casa Loma is the perfect place to learn about local history with eye-opening exhibits and galleries.

Patrons are advised to buy their tickets in advance to avoid wait times.

Hours of Operation

Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30am to 5:00pm.

Get tickets www.casaloma.ca

AGO – Art Gallery of Ontario

If you are craving a bit of culture, get ready to visit the Art Gallery of Ontario. Some residents have already had the chance to take in some of Canada’s finest works of art when the gallery reopened on July 2 to members only. The gallery opens to the rest of the public on July 23. Two notable exhibits now include Illusions: The Art of Magic and Diane Arbus Photographs 1956 to 1971.

Access will be via timed-tickets which can be purchased on their website.

Hours of Operation:

Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 to 5:00pm

Get tickets www.ago.ca

Twitter image @TheTorontoZoo

Toronto Zoo

Explore your wild side at the Toronto Zoo. The family favourite has developed several ways for guests to tour the zoo including virtual tours from the comfort of home or driving around the grounds on the scenic safari. Most exhibits and animal experiences have resumed and guests are welcome to once again get up close with wildlife by taking a stroll around the grounds. Masks are required inside all buildings. Timed-tickets are a must. No walk-up ticket purchases will be accepted.

Hours of Operation

Sunday-Wednesday & Friday

9:00am to 7:00pm daily

Thursday and Saturday

9:00am to 9:00pm daily

Get tickets www.torontozoo.com

Aga Khan Museum

It’s even easier to enjoy the Aga Khan Museum during the pandemic. Along with virtual tours, the museum is offering special visiting hours for seniors and those with compromised immune systems for guests wanting to visit in person Tuesday to Friday between 10 am and 12 pm.

Take in the timely ‘Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From’ exhibit which is dedicated to fostering dialogue and understanding between cultures and communities.

Timed tickets are required.

Hours of Operation

Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday 10am to 6pm

Wednesday 10am to 8pm

Get tickets www.agakhanmuseum.org/index.html

ROM – Royal Ontario Museum

Keep your kids learning all summer long at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). Opening to members on July 9 and the public on July 11, guests can finally check out exhibits that were set to open prior to COVID-19 including Winnie The Pooh: Exploring A Classic.

Timed-tickets are required and visiting time is restricted. The Bat Cave, CIBC Discovery Gallery and Patrick and Barbara Keenan Family Gallery of Hands-on Biodiversity are closed.

Hours of Operation

Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5:30 pm

Get tickets www.rom.on.ca

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Life may just be easier under the sea right now. Ripley’s Aquarium remained open during most of the pandemic, giving guests the opportunity to escape to underwater reefs and corals featuring some of the world’s rarest and most exciting sea creatures. Make sure to check out the Shipwrecks exhibit which features an indepth look at famed marine disasters including HMS Erebus, HMS Terror and the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Timed-tickets are required and some areas remain closed to guests.

Hours of Operation

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Get tickets https://www.ripleyaquariums.com

Twitter image by @centreville4fun

Centre Island

Most of Centre Island Park remains closed to visitors, however select Centre Island food and drink locations are offering take-out and patio services. Centreville Amusement Park and Far Enough Farm are closed until further notice.

For more information about Centre Island attractions and vendors visit www.centreisland.ca.

Twitter image @TourCNTower

CN Tower

See Toronto from the highest point in the city when the CN Tower re-opens on July 15. The mind-blowing EdgeWalk will resume August 1. Timed-tickets are required for both and are on sale now. Due to provincial restrictions, 360 Restaurant, VUE Bistros and Le Cafe will remain closed.

Hours of Operation

7 days a week 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Get Tickets www.cntower.cah

What attractions remain closed in Toronto

Toronto favourites still closed to the public include Bata Shoe Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Black Creek Pioneer Village, Canada’s Wonderland, Gardiner Museum, Hockey Hall of Fame.

story by Sarah McGoldrick

More from TO Times…

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
This div height required for enabling the sticky sidebar