Morsilla

One day in Toronto, Canada

One day in Toronto with children can start at 09:00 at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada on Bremner Boulevard, cross the harbour from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal to car-free Toronto Island Park, and spend the afternoon either at Allan Gardens Conservatory and Riverdale Farm or at the Toronto Zoo.

Children are 2 to 11 years old; infants are under 2.

Morsilla Travel may earn a commission from its partners.

Updated 23 October 2026

Plan your trip to Toronto

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada in the morning

Start your morning downtown at 09:00 at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada at 288 Bremner Boulevard. The aquarium opens from 09:00 to 21:00 and introduces children to sharks and a wide variety of marine species in indoor galleries right in the downtown core.

Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and Toronto Island Park at midday

Walk down to the harbourfront to board a City of Toronto ferry at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Ferries run year-round: from mid-April to mid-October service operates on three routes to Centre Island, Hanlan's Point and Ward's Island, while from 14 October to mid-April the winter timetable runs to Ward's Island between 06:30 and 23:45. Buying ferry tickets online in advance lets you use the express terminal entry line during peak travel times.

Public motor vehicles are not allowed on Toronto Island, so families can walk or cycle along the flat, bridge-linked multi-use trails—Centre Island and Ward's Island docks are 2.9 kilometres (a 35-minute walk) apart, and Centre Island and Hanlan's Point docks are 3.9 kilometres (a 50-minute walk) apart. Year-round public washrooms are open near Ward's Beach, in Centre Island and at Hanlan's Point Ferry Dock. You can bring your own bicycles on the ferry or dock a mainland Bike Share Toronto bicycle at the ferry terminal and pick up another at an island station.

Allan Gardens Conservatory and Riverdale Farm in the afternoon

Back on the mainland, head east to Allan Gardens Conservatory, a free indoor botanical garden anchored by its 1910 heritage Palm House dome designed by Robert McCallum. Five connected greenhouses showcase equatorial plants in the Northeast Tropical House, palms in the East House, orchids and bromeliads in the Southwest House, cacti, agave and aloe in the Northwest Arid House, and seasonal flower displays with a koi pond in the Southeast Temperate Show House.

Continue a few blocks east to Riverdale Farm, a 7.5-acre historic working farm entered through the main gates at Winchester Street or Riverdale Park West. Families can see farm animals in the 1858 Francey Pennsylvania Bank Barn and the Pig and Poultry Barn, watch waterfowl at the Duck Pond, spot three historic ruins from the 1894–1974 Riverdale Zoo, and use the public washrooms and baby-changing facilities on the main floor of the Meeting House or the wheelchair-accessible Simpson House.

Toronto Zoo in Rouge National Urban Park as a full-afternoon wildlife option

If your family wants to dedicate the afternoon to major wildlife habitats, ride the TTC to the Toronto Zoo at 2000 Meadowvale Road in Rouge National Urban Park (open daily from 09:30 to 16:30, with last admission at 15:30, one hour before closing). Wheelchair-accessible TTC bus route 86A runs to the main entrance from Kennedy Station every day in summer and Monday to Friday after Labour Day, while TTC bus route 85 Sheppard East (85A and 85B) serves the zoo directly from Don Mills Station and Rouge Hill GO Station on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Inside, trails span zoogeographic regions including Africa, the Americas, Australasia, the Canadian Domain, the Discovery Zone, Eurasia Wilds, Indo-Malaya and Tundra Trek. The Greenhouse and the Wildlife Health & Science Centre open daily free with admission, the Zoomobile and Conservation Carousel run daily weather permitting, and the First Aid & Family Centre between the African Rainforest Pavilion and Africa restaurant provides baby-changing, feeding and private nursing spaces.

Plan your one day in Toronto

Check seasonal and construction notices before you set out: the High Park Animal Display is closed while construction takes place on the upper section of Deer Pen Road and is expected to reopen in Spring 2027, and at the Toronto Zoo both Splash Island and the Kids Zoo close for the autumn and winter season (the Zoo also opens on 25 December on adjusted hours from 11:00 to 16:00).

Keep venue rules in mind: Allan Gardens Conservatory has no coat check or lockers and does not allow outside food or drink inside the greenhouses; Riverdale Farm does not allow dogs, bicycles, in-line skates, foot scooters or hand-feeding of farm animals; and at the Toronto Zoo the steep hill leading down to the Canadian Domain is not recommended for wheelchairs or electric scooters, while guests who have difficulty standing in line for the Zoomobile or Conservation Carousel can request a free Adventure Access Pass at the Rentals and Accessibility Hub.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Do Toronto Island ferries run all year round?

Yes. Ferries run year-round from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal: from mid-April to mid-October they serve Centre Island, Hanlan's Point and Ward's Island, and from 14 October to mid-April the winter schedule serves Ward's Island between 06:30 and 23:45.

Can you bring bicycles and strollers to Toronto Island and Riverdale Farm?

Personal bicycles are allowed on the Toronto Island ferries (while Bike Share Toronto bicycles must be docked at the terminal and re-rented on the island), and wheelchairs and strollers can use the Simpson House and Meeting House at Riverdale Farm, though bicycles, scooters and dogs are not permitted inside Riverdale Farm.

How do you reach the Toronto Zoo by public transit?

Take TTC bus route 86A from Kennedy Station (daily in summer and Monday to Friday after Labour Day) or seasonal TTC bus route 85 Sheppard East (85A/85B) from Don Mills Station or Rouge Hill GO Station on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Is the High Park Animal Display currently open?

No. While the City of Toronto improves the upper section of Deer Pen Road, the High Park Animal Display is closed and is expected to reopen in Spring 2027; families can visit Riverdale Farm or the Toronto Zoo instead.