10+ Best Museums in Toronto (Ontario)
Museums? They let you travel back in time, explore art pieces, and enjoy mind-blowing exhibits. And if you’re a local or happen to be visiting Toronto, you’ll love how many museums you can see here. Since we want to streamline your search, we’ve prepared this list of the best museums in Toronto, perfect for history enthusiasts, art lovers, or just someone who loves discovering new things.
1. Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Royal Ontario Museum is one of the best museums in Toronto, where history and future perfectly blend. With over 13 million artifacts, you’ll find everything from jaw-dropping dinosaur skeletons in the James and Louise Temerty Galleries to exquisite Japanese samurai swords. Feel like hanging out with a T. rex or marveling at ancient Chinese sculptures? ROM’s got you covered.
- www.rom.on.ca
- 100 Queens Park, Toronto
- +1 416-586-8000
- info@rom.on.ca
2. Aga Khan Museum
Aga Khan Museum is dedicated to Islamic art and culture. This architectural gem, designed by Fumihiko Maki, is stunning outside and inside. Wander through sunlit galleries and discover centuries-old manuscripts, glittering ceramics, and a 10th-century prayer amulet.
- www.agakhanmuseum.org
- 77 Wynford Dr, North York
- +1 416-646-4677
- information@agakhanmuseum.org
3. Museum of Illusions
Museum of Illusions offers over 80 illusions, holograms, and brain-bending installations. It’s among the museums in Toronto that’s also an ultimate selfie paradise. Dare to enter the Vortex Tunnel or get dizzy in the Rotate Room. It’s not just fun and games; you’ll leave with a newfound appreciation for how your brain interprets the world.
- www.museumofillusions.ca
- 132 Front St E, Toronto
- +1 416)-889-2285
- hello@museumofillusions.ca
4. Gardiner Museum
Gardiner Museum is dedicated to all things pottery, featuring stunning earthenware and porcelain from around the globe. And if you’re feeling creative, sign up for a hands-on clay class. Channel your inner artist and maybe even recreate that iconic “Ghost” scene without the drama.
- www.gardinermuseum.on.ca
- 111 Queen’s Park, Toronto
- +1 416-586-8080
5. Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
MOCA, housed in the historic Tower Automotive Building, spreads over five floors and showcases thought-provoking works from over 1,000 artists worldwide, including giant sculptures and politically charged murals. This museum is where modern art comes alive, challenging and inspiring visitors at every turn.
- www.moca.ca
- 158 Sterling Rd #100, Toronto
- +1 416 530 2500
- info@moca.ca
6. The Bata Shoe Museum
The Bata Shoe Museum offers more than 13,000 items, including shoes worn by celebrities and historical figures. This five-story marvel is a shoe lover’s paradise. Whether you’re a sneakerhead or a stiletto enthusiast, you’ll find plenty to fascinate you here.
- www.batashoemuseum.ca
- 327 Bloor St W, Toronto
- +1 416-979-7799
- info@batashoemuseum.ca
7. Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
The Art Gallery of Ontario is a visual feast with nearly 100,000 artworks spanning centuries and continents, including masterpieces by European and Indigenous Canadian artists and contemporary pieces that push boundaries. And don’t miss the building itself—Frank Gehry’s architectural design makes AGO one of Toronto’s most photographed sites.
- www.ago.ca
- 317 Dundas St W, Toronto
- +1 416-979-6648
8. Spadina Museum
Spadina Museum is a beautiful mansion offering a glimpse into Toronto’s past. Once home to the affluent Austin family, this museum showcases life from the 1900s with original artifacts, from furniture to grocery lists.
- www.toronto.ca
- 285 Spadina Rd, Toronto
- +1 416-392-6910
9. Casa Loma
Ever dreamed of visiting a castle? Casa Loma is a Gothic Revival mansion with hidden tunnels, battlements, and stunning gardens. Built by Sir Henry Pellatt, this majestic castle offers a peek into the opulent lifestyles of the early 20th century.
- www.casaloma.ca
- 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
- +1 416-923-1171
- help@ticketweb.ca
10. Ontario Science Centre
Ontario Science Centre offers over 500 interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and a dedicated IMAX theater. It’s one of the museums in Toronto that’s ideal for all ages. Visitors can walk through a living rainforest, experiment in the Science Arcade, and be amazed by the in-house art installations.
- www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
- 770 Don Mills Rd., North York
- +1 416-696-1000
11. Textile Museum of Canada
The Textile Museum of Canada has a collection of nearly 13,000 artifacts from over 200 regions. It’s among the most unique museums in Toronto, highlighting the role of fabric in human culture with thematic installations that showcase the beauty and diversity of textiles across the ages.
- www.textilemuseum.ca
- 55 Centre Ave, Toronto
- +1 416-599-5321
- info@textilemuseum.ca
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