Unique art galleries and museums in Toronto

Illusions and immersive attractions

iArts MUSEUM

Explore Toronto’s largest 3D illusion artworks.

With over 22 larger-than-life, hand-painted artworks, the interactive exhibits invite visitors to engage with the art and become part of the experience, including the iconic masterpieces by Van Gogh. Explore mind-bending illusions and vibrant scenes that redefine the art journey.

Secure your tickets online in advance.

Location: 580 King Street West, Toronto

Little Canada

Discover the wonders of Canada in miniature at Little Canada, one of Ontario’s top attractions.

 Located in the heart of Toronto, this immersive experience spans 45,000 square feet. It includes the towering 12-foot CN Tower, the Bay of Fundy with its 400L tidal simulation and over 40,000 little figures. Stop by the Littlization Station to create a 3D-printed version of yourself.

Location: 10 Dundas Street East, Toronto

Museum of Illusions 

Located in the heart of downtown, Museum of Illusions features over 70 brain-teasing exhibits such as tilted rooms, vortex tunnels, holograms, edgy art and more. It’s an Instagrammer’s dream.

Location: 123 Front Street East, Toronto

Contemporary art and design

The Image Centre

The Image Centre (IMC) at Toronto Metropolitan University is Canada’s leading institution for photography exhibitions, research, and collection.

Explore how photography connects with culture through interesting exhibits and public events. Featuring work by both new and well-known photographers, the IMC has a collection of nearly 400,000 photographs and is an active center for preserving and studying photography.

Location: 33 Gould Street, Toronto

Arcadia Earth

Immerse yourself in a breathtaking experience and get inspired to be part of the solution towards sustainability.

Located in The Well, step into a world of stunning installations that showcase the beauty of nature and reveal how our actions impact the environment. The multi-sensory journey combines creative art installations and technology to inform, inspire and activate.

Location: 486 Front Street West, Toronto

Gallery Arcturus

Offering free exhibits and educational programs to the public, Gallery Arcturus showcases contemporary art and aims to explore our shared human experiences through creative work. Led by Artistic Director Deborah Harris and her talented team, the gallery also hosts workshops and publishes books about its projects.

Location: 80 Gerrard Street East, Toronto

Museum of Contemporary Art 

The Museum of Contemporary Art is housed on the first three floors of the historic Tower Automotive Building in the hip west end neighbourhood of the Junction. MOCA serves as a culture hub, aiming to reshape Toronto’s art scene from its new digs.

Location: 158 Sterling Road, Toronto

The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery 

Expand your mind with more thought-provoking expression at The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery on the Harbourfront. Devoted to contemporary visual art from Canada and worldwide, the public gallery offers free admission year-round.

Location: 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto

The Contemporary Collection at the AGO

The contemporary collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) has been growing and transforming since 1960 with international and Canadian work including painting, sculpture, immersive installation, works on paper, photography, performance, video and sound art.

Location: 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto

The Museum of New

Culture vultures need to visit the Museum of New, tucked away in a laneway beside Trinity Bellwoods Park. Originally established for the New New Painters collective, this little gem hosts forward-thinking artists and shows that challenge established views. Open Saturdays only, you’ll need to call ahead to book an appointment.

Location: 123 Bellwoods Avenue, Toronto

The Design Exchange

If design is your jam, make tracks to the Design Exchange (DX), Canada’s only design museum dedicated to creativity and innovation. It’s located in the old Toronto Stock Exchange building and has served as a critical meeting point in the heart of Toronto’s Financial District.

Location: 234 Bay Street, Toronto

Entertainment and media

Canadian Language Museum

Do you love learning about languages? The Canadian Language Museum celebrates the many languages spoken in Canada and their role in shaping the nation.

Located on the Glendon Campus of York University, the museum features exhibits that have travelled across the country. The museum is committed to raising awareness and sharing information on Canada’s constantly changing linguistic landscape.

Location: 2275 Bayview Avenue, North York

MZTV Museum of Television and Archives

Toronto professor and intellect Marshall McLuhan famously coined ‘the medium is the message.’ The MZTV Museum of Television and Archives in Liberty Village tells the story of this impactful medium with a comprehensive collection of sets from the 1920s to the 1970s, along with other TV memorabilia.

Location: 64 Jefferson Avenue, Toronto

TIFF Bell Lightbox 

In the heart of the entertainment district, the eclectic TIFF Bell Lightbox is a cinephile’s paradise. It's home to a film reference library, a Canadian film gallery, special events, screenings, workshops, and of course, it’s the epicentre of the annual Toronto International Film Festival.

Visit the chic lounge and café-bar on the third floor for high-quality coffee and snacks or for special cinq à sept offerings on Tuesdays.

Location: 350 King Street West, Toronto

The Toronto Reference Library 

Love the medium of print? The Toronto Reference Library boasts one of the world’s most extensive works by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the genius who delivered us Sherlock Holmes. Located on the 5th floor in the Marilyn & Charles Baillie Special Collections Centre is a room designed and decorated to reflect our favourite detective’s study on Baker Street and hosts all of Doyle’s masterpieces. Elementary!

Location: 789 Yonge Street, Toronto

The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library 

If you want to blow minds at your book club, check out the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto. It’s the most extensive collection of rare books and manuscripts in Canada. The library even contains annotated books by local legend McLuhan himself, which you’re allowed to thumb through.

Location: 120 St George Street, Toronto

Arts and craft

Craft Ontario

Craft Ontario celebrates professional craftspeople with an assortment of unique, handmade clay, glass, metal and wood one-of-a-kinds to admire or purchase. Their Space Gallery Craft Shop also represents Inuit and Indigenous art and should be a must-visit as an art gallery in Toronto.

Location: 1106 Queen Street West

The Gardiner Museum 

The Gardiner Museum pays homage to the ceramic arts with a fascinating permanent collection and travelling exhibits. This fantastic place takes a literal approach to hands-on with drop-in, open-studio clay classes.

Location: 111 Queen’s Park

The Textile Museum of Canada 

For those who like to touch, The Textile Museum of Canada is a lovingly curated collection of fabrics, garments, carpets, and quilts from around the world, including some pretty interesting cultural and ceremonial artifacts.

Location: 55 Centre Avenue