Toronto hidden gems provide an array of experiences and discoveries for those willing to venture off the beaten path. From unique shopping experiences to serene parks, Toronto’s lesser-known attractions reflect its true character.
Tucked away on Bertmount Avenue lies one of Toronto’s more unique attractions – The Tchotchke House. Homeowner Shirley Sumaiser has decorated both her house and front yard for more than 20 years with dolls that she collects and keeps as decorations. Make sure to consider these hidden gems the next time you take Cathay Pacific’s Manila to Toronto flights.
1. The Little House
The attractions could include hidden speakeasies, whimsical gardens or restaurants offering sustainable seafood as you look beneath its surface.
The Little House stands as one of Ontario’s smallest homes, nestled snugly into a narrow alley barely wide enough for one car to pass by. A forerunner of today’s tiny house craze, this diminutive dwelling must be seen to truly experience Toronto’s urban character.
Though not widely recognized, Chester Hill Lookout is an idyllic location ideal for taking a quick stroll and admiring panoramic views of Don Valley from afar. Visit it when looking for some peace and quiet amid urban chaos.
Bertmont Avenue in Toronto’s Leslieville neighborhood is home to The Cloak Bar, an unassuming speakeasy that’s an incredible hidden gem. Boasting a Prohibition-era atmosphere and moody interior design, this cocktail spot provides the perfect spot for enjoying delicious drinks or delicious snacks like oysters, grass-fed burgers and specialty cocktails like Vielle Vache and Icelandic Tart on any night out with friends.
Tucked into an unassuming patch of land in Toronto’s east end lies this extraordinary and eccentric staircase: one of Toronto’s greatest urban treasures and hidden gems. Once used as an escape route from nearby sewage treatment plants, its ancient wooden steps descend through an inviting forest for over 200 steps before reaching their original blue hue – exploring this unique urban treasure is like journeying back in time!
Kensington Market may not qualify as a true hidden gem, but its shops, restaurants and cafes make it worth your while to visit it nonetheless. From vintage clothing and home wares to pieces of art and unique jewelry – Kensington Market is open nearly all year round for business!
2. The Tchotchke House
This beautiful house in Leslieville boasts an assortment of dolls including Hello Kitty, superheroes, mermaids and more – an ode to childhood! One of Toronto’s hidden gems – located at 37 Bertmount Avenue year-round for your viewing pleasure!
Guild Park is an often-overlooked park tucked into the heart of Toronto that’s sure to amaze. A lush green space that brings nature and history together, Guild Park features various trails and gardens perfect for leisurely strolls – not to mention remnants from historic Toronto buildings such as Artisan’s Hall which used to serve artisans and tradespeople in Toronto.
Allan Gardens, built in 1912 and featuring six greenhouses, two tropical houses, cool temperate house, palm house, an arid house and tropical conservatory, provides an oasis of outdoor fun in the middle of the city when temperatures and precipitation make outdoor excursions less desirable. Plus it’s free entry!
Another surprising city gem is The Big Carrot Bookstore. Boasting rare and out-of-print titles, but what truly sets it apart from other bookstores is their one-of-a-kind Biblio-Mat. When patrons deposit tokens into this coin-operated machine they receive one random book as soon as their token has been used – much like receiving candy in vending machines!
Tours can be booked through various booking websites and run by passionate local guides with knowledge about quirky spots around town such as underground tours, The Little House tour or Ghost Walking Tours; among many more popular tours like these.
3. The Bamboo Garden
One of the great things about Toronto is all its hidden treasures tucked away within this vast city. No matter if you are searching for places that bring back memories or offer something novel and original, there’s sure to be somewhere worth seeing in Toronto!
The Bamboo Garden is one of Toronto’s lesser-known hidden gems. Nestled within Terrence Donnelly Centre and featuring a lush bamboo forest maintained by microclimate inside, this scenic green space makes an excellent spot for relaxing or taking pictures. Open to the public and available 24/7 – don’t miss it!
Trinity Square is an unmissable gem for nature enthusiasts or history enthusiasts. Nestled between Eaton Centre and a sprawling hotel lies Trinity Square – an idyllic little square with a church and some breathtaking carved stone statues including Mother of Elephants statue and giant tree sculpture that will leave you snapping photos like crazy.
Cabbage town offers some truly amazing hidden gems for visitors of Toronto to discover, including The Tchotchke House (better known as Leslieville’s Crazy Doll House). Offering tons of creepy atmosphere year-round but especially so during Halloween. Shirley Sumaiser collected various kinds of trinkets that line her front lawn – worth taking a peek if you love things that creep.
SkullStore Oddity Shop in Toronto is one of Toronto’s hidden treasures, filled with all sorts of fascinating items ranging from ancient artifacts to dinosaur bones. There is also a special section called Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy which can be visited for limited periods.
Are you eager to uncover more hidden gems? Join Ontario Travel Guide’s Guess Where Trip and take advantage of their themed surprise road trips across Ontario; use this coupon code STEPHANIE10 for 10% off!
4. The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre
Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre stands as one of the last operational double-decker theatres. Built by Marcus Loew’s famed theatre empire in 1913, its Elgin Theatre occupied its ground-floor spot while Winter Garden rose seven storeys above.
Ontario Heritage Trust purchased two renowned theatres to save them from demolition in 1981, kicking off a $29 million restoration effort which brought them back to their former glory. Restoration specialists cleaned gilt plaster details with raw bread dough before weaving thousands of real beech branches back into Winter Garden Theatre’s forest ceiling ceiling – giving each venue its original charm back.
Today’s theatres host an array of theatrical productions, concerts, dance performances, fashion shows and special events of every sort imaginable – such as plays, concerts, dance performances, fashion shows and charity fundraisers – making them ideal settings to experience one of Toronto’s hidden treasures.
Experience this century-old theatre’s finest sets and its history during a guided tour through two theatres. Your tour begins in Winter Garden Theatre which has an atmospheric rooftop style complete with murals depicting leaves and flowers, tree trunk columns and lanterns hanging from its ceiling – it was made famous in Guillermo del Toro’s movie, The Shape Of Water!
Once your tour of the theatre is over, make sure to ride one of its hand-operated elevators; this will give you an authentic theatre experience as original patrons did when it opened its doors. Don’t miss The Elgin and Winter Garden when visiting Toronto; its convenient accessibility by both car or public transit make it must-see destination!
