Day Trips in Toronto by TTC: Zoo, Ferry, Fort and Valley

The Zoo says it is open every day, all year. It reports more than 3,000 animals representing over 300 species, with 10 km of walking trails, and says it sits in Rouge National Urban Park. The TTC calls it Canada’s largest zoo.

Getting there: take Line 2 or Line 5 to Kennedy Station, then the 86A Scarborough bus. The Zoo’s transit page says the 86A runs every day in summer and Monday to Friday only after Labour Day, so check the TTC schedule before a fall weekend. There is also a seasonal option from May to October: the 200 Toronto Zoo bus from Rouge Hill GO Station.

The TTC calls the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal the main gateway to the Toronto Islands. Take Line 1 to Union Station, then any streetcar southbound to Queens Quay/Ferry Docks Station. Budget for a separate ferry fare, because the TTC says the ferry needs its own.

The City says ferries run year-round, with three routes (to Centre Island, Hanlan’s Point and Ward’s Island) from mid-April to mid-October, and a winter schedule from October 14 to mid-April. Check the City’s schedule page for which routes are running the day you go. The City says the ferry is busiest on weekends and holidays, and suggests Ward’s Island as an alternative to the busy Centre Island route, with a walk of about 35 minutes to Centre Island.

Once there, the City says Island gardens are available all year round, and the William Meany Maze is a hedge maze of 1,200 Black Cedars planted in a winding design.

The TTC describes it as a former brick factory transformed into a community hub with markets, gardens, trails, public art and year-round programming. Evergreen says it is open daily and all year, its Saturday Farmers Market is open year-round, and its site tours page lists free public tours on Saturdays. Check that page for the current schedule.

Take Line 1 to Davisville Station, then the 28 Bayview South bus. Or use Evergreen’s free shuttle bus between Broadview Station and the Brick Works, which it says runs seven days a week, all year round. We have a full Evergreen Brick Works guide for the trails, tours and market.

The City says general admission is free, and that seven of the fort’s eight historic buildings still stand, all constructed between 1813 and 1815. The City’s page lists free guided tours of about 45 minutes, offered on the hour. The City notes that the site is mainly outdoors, with walking required between locations, so dress for the weather.

From Union Station, the TTC says to take the 509 Harbourfront streetcar to Fleet St at Bastion St. From Bathurst Station on Line 2, take the 511 Bathurst streetcar to Bathurst Street at Fort York Boulevard. Our Fort York guide covers what to see.

The City calls Todmorden Mills a secret place hidden in the Don River Valley, a cross-section of Toronto stacked century by century. It says general admission is free, lists free guided tours (check the page for current times), and points to a picnic area in the park.

Take Line 2 to Broadview Station, then the 8 Broadview bus northbound and walk down Pottery Road. Want a longer day? The City’s Don Valley Hills and Dales walk starts at Broadview subway station and passes Riverdale Farm, the Prince Edward Viaduct, Chester Springs Marsh and Todmorden Mills. For more valley routes, see our guide to ravines by TTC.

Three museums on the TTC’s Explore Toronto list make a design-minded day, and we think they pair well. The Gardiner Museum, which the TTC calls Canada’s national ceramics museum, is reached by Line 1 to Museum Station and a walk north on Queen’s Park. The Bata Shoe Museum, home to over 1,000 shoes and related artifacts, is reached by Line 1 or 2 to St George Station and a walk west on Bloor Street. The Textile Museum of Canada, with more than 15,000 objects from over 200 regions of the world, is reached by Line 1 to St Patrick Station and a walk east on Dundas Street to Centre Avenue. Our design, craft and fashion museums guide has what is on now.