Things to Do in Toronto With Teenagers: Transit-Friendly Picks

The library calls Youth Hubs a welcoming place for teens after school and in the summer, where helpful staff are always available. Teens can drop in to study, chat with friends, use technology or take part in activities such as arts and crafts and gaming. Free, nutritious snacks are offered daily, and printing is free in the hubs. The Toronto Reference Library, at 789 Yonge Street, is on the list of locations, and so is North York Central Library.

For makers, the library’s Digital Innovation Hubs are free to use with a library card. They offer professional software, computers and a wide variety of specialized equipment, in 13 branches across the city, including the Reference Library. Teens with a story can also submit art or writing to Young Voices Magazine, the library’s annual publication of teen work, year-round. The Reference Library also lists a Zines Collection.

Getting there: Line 1 to Bloor-Yonge Station, then north on Yonge Street.

Ontarians under the age of 25 enjoy free admission to the AGO. Volunteer Gallery Guides are on hand to chat about current exhibitions and artworks, which makes it easier to walk in without a plan. Our tip is to pick one gallery and stay put.

Getting there: Line 1 to St Patrick Station, then west on Dundas Street.

The museum lists free admission for visitors 18 and under, with those under 12 accompanied by an adult, and for students with valid ID. It also says admission is free on Wednesdays after 4 pm. The TTC describes it as Canada’s national ceramics museum.

Getting there: Line 1 to Museum Station, then north on Queen’s Park.

The ROM invites visitors to experience the museum after hours, and says the evening is free for everyone on the third Tuesday night of every month. Special exhibitions are not included, advance tickets are required and walk-in entry is not available. Tickets are released two weeks before each event. Bring friends and book early.

Getting there: Line 1 or 2 to St George Station, then east on Bloor Street.

Free Friday Nights offer a free evening to explore the exhibitions and the historic building. They land on the Friday of each month’s first full weekend, and MOCA lists December 4, 2026 and January 8, 2027 as upcoming dates.

Teens aged 15 to 18 should also know about Creative Youth, a mentorship programme that guides youth in turning a community arts passion into practice. It is a space for young creatives to explore the museum behind the scenes. The fall 2026 season runs from October 2026 to May 2027, and applications for it closed on September 29, 2026, so follow MOCA for the next call.

Getting there: Line 2 to Dundas West Station, east on Bloor Street to Sterling Road, then south.

The museum offers free admission to its galleries during extended hours every Wednesday evening. The TTC says it is home to more than 1,200 masterpieces spanning over 1,000 years. It is also a good excuse to try Line 5.

Getting there: Line 5 to Aga Khan Park & Museum Station, then north through the park to the museum entrance.

Ferries run year-round from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. On the Island, the City lists an 18-hole disc golf course on both Ward’s and Centre Island, and pickleball courts near Ward’s Island. The boardwalk adds a 1.5-kilometre walk with views of Lake Ontario, Tommy Thompson Park and Ward’s Island Beach. Bike Share bikes are not allowed on the ferry, so check the City page if you plan to ride.

Getting there: Line 1 to Union Station, the 509 Harbourfront streetcar to Queens Quay Station, then upstairs and across the street to the ferry docks.

The City lists a Youth skate type for ages 13 to 24. All drop-in programs at indoor rinks and outdoor artificial ice rinks are free, and skate rentals are available at Nathan Phillips Square during the winter season only. Outdoor artificial ice rinks typically open in late November and close for the season in March, so check rink status first.

The TTC describes the square as a gathering place for public events, seasonal skating and cultural celebrations. More rinks are in our free outdoor skating guide.

Getting there: Line 1 to Queen Station, then west on Queen Street.

A City report describes Graffiti Alley as existing public lanes south of Queen Street West, between Augusta Avenue and Spadina Avenue, that have been a hotspot for various types of graffiti art since the 1980s. The City also runs StreetARToronto, a suite of programs designed for streets and public spaces. Teens with a camera will not need directions to the good spots, only a charged phone. Use the TTC trip planner for your route, and read more in our Toronto murals guide.

The TTC describes it as a former brick factory transformed into a community hub for nature, culture and sustainability. A free shuttle bus runs between Evergreen Brick Works and Broadview Subway Station Parkette. During the Winter Market, Evergreen lists an Art Hive, a free community art studio where everyone is welcome, and a public skate on December 20, weather permitting, with skate rentals available.

Getting there: Line 1 to Davisville Station, then the 28 Bayview South bus.