Scadding Cabin, Toronto's oldest surviving building, was built for John Scadding, John Graves Simcoe’s assistant. This one-room house was acquired by the York Pioneers in 1879 and rebuilt on its present site in time for the inauguration of the Toronto Industrial Exhibition (now the Canadian National Exhibition). This is recognized as the earliest act of architectural preservation in Toronto.

Nestled in Thomson Park are four heritage buildings that comprise the Scarborough Museum. Hear stories, old and new, that have shaped the ever-changing community of Scarborough. Explore the McCowan Log House, Cornell House and the Hough Carriage Works. Learn how Scarborough developed from land farmed by Indigenous peoples and European settlers into a major suburb of North America's fourth-largest city.

The Second City is the largest improvisational comedy theatre and training centre in Canada. Its list of famous alumni includes John Candy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Dan Aykroyd, Andrea Martin and many others. In June, they celebrate 50 Years of Funny. During your self-guided tour, knowledgeable volunteers and staff will be available to answer questions. Bring your camera! (No tripods allowed.)

Come and tour Spadina House and discover the home of the Austin family from 1866-1982. Period rooms contain furniture and decorative details from the 1920s and 1930s. Co-owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and the City of Toronto, this site includes three floors, an orchard and the newly created Aki Wiidookaagewin "Ontario Earth Helpers" Indigenous kitchen garden. (No tripods allowed.)

Located inside Metro Hall, Spin Master boasts a colourful and welcoming reception area, anchored by a video wall that introduces you to this children's entertainment company — showcasing some of its hits, from PAW Patrol to Unicorn Academy. Visitors can explore artifacts, get their hands in “kinetic sand” and visit the Playground Café with a mural that features the word "PLAY."

St. George's Hall is a Toronto landmark. Built in 1891 by the St. George's Society, the building has been home to the Arts & Letters Club of Toronto since 1920, a private club formed in 1908, a social club centred on the arts. Founding members include Group of Seven painters, Robertson Davies, Vincent Massey, Marshall McLuhan, Mavor Moore and others.

St. Andrew by-the-Lake Anglican Church is a lovely neo-Gothic wood-framed church surrounded by parkland and lagoons on Toronto Island. It holds services year-round on Sunday mornings. The building has beautiful acoustics and some stunning stained-glass windows. St. Andrew's is the last remaining church on Toronto Island and will celebrate its 141st anniversary this year.

A synagogue until 1937, St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church stands as a dynamic affirmation of the spiritual and artistic achievement of the Byzantine religious tradition. Except for its Romanesque façade and a few Moorish capitals, the renovated structure is now more thoroughly Byzantine in its layout and esthetic décor. The church interior has been entirely painted by master iconographers.

St. George's on-the-Hill has been a landmark in Etobicoke for 180 years. Built in 1847, the church building has undergone many renovations but still incorporates the original structure in the centre of its worship space. Highlights include many stained-glass windows (including the modern "Children of the Bible" window), a Casavant pipe organ, an 1865 font and the parish's small cemetery.

The Chapel of St. James-the-Less is a mid-19th-century Victorian Gothic revival funeral chapel that is picturesquely set atop a small, landscaped knoll just inside the main gates of Toronto’s St. James’ Cemetery. Designed by Cumberland and Storm, it was designated a National Historic Site in 1990. It is enhanced by its elevated position, surrounded by the peaceful cemetery.

St. Lawrence Market is a premier culinary destination, celebrating the best of Toronto's rich food and community heritage. The newly redeveloped North Building is the historical home of the Saturday Farmers’ Market — a cornerstone of the Market's heritage since 1803. The North Market also hosts a diverse range of events, a new café, the Toronto Court Services and multi-level parking.

Built in 1955, this church is recognized as Canada’s first mid-century modern sacred structure. Constructed by Estonian refugees forced to leave Europe during the Second World War, the church maintains their social, linguistic and cultural ties. The 1972 addition and alterations were based on the original design. During Doors Open, enjoy organ concerts accompanied by a male choir.

This mental health charity turns an outdated candy factory into a modern, welcoming facility for teens and young adults to access mental health services. Understanding how the built environment influences health and well-being, the architect’s young design team worked directly with participants, counsellors and staff. Explore this site and see what architectural elements have been retained from the original structure.

Terroni’s Adelaide location is part of Toronto’s history. Built in 1852, it housed the York County Court House. Today, it has been converted into a popular Italian restaurant with dramatic columns, a spectacular dining room with fireplaces and a sunlit atrium. Throughout the restaurant, see antique Sicilian puppets on the walls, handcrafted by local artists over 200 years ago.

Anchored under Toronto's Gardiner Expressway, The Bentway is a growing public space — and so much more. Developed through partnerships with the City of Toronto, residents, supporters, artists, city-builders and dreamers, it shows how we can re-imagine the opportunities of urban spaces. During Doors Open, explore the site and the many exhibits and installations that bring The Bentway to life.

The Ismaili Centre, Toronto, is a place of congregation (Jamatkhana) and a community centre, serving as a symbolic marker of the permanent presence of the Ismaili community in Canada. During Doors Open, explore the Centre’s stunning architecture and enjoy a guided tour — including the prayer hall with its crystalline dome. (No tripods allowed.)

Located in the heart of the city, the Japan Foundation, Toronto is on the third floor of the former Hudson’s Bay Centre. By promoting Japanese culture to other countries, they aspire to contribute to the improvement of good international relations with Japan. During Doors Open, visitors can browse the extensive collection of print and audio-visual materials in the library.

The ZoomerPlex is a media, event and production complex in Liberty Village, and is home to blogTO, Daily Hive, The New Classical FM, Zoomer Radio, VisionTV and ONETV studios, and Zoomer magazine. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour, see how radio/television shows are made, meet the DJs, view Moses Znaimer’s famous collection of vintage televisions and radios, and catch a live-to-air concert.

This 1902 site is now home to one of Canada's oldest alternative theatre companies: Theatre Passe Muraille. Designated in 1974, the building was transformed into an arts space that holds two theatres. Passe Muraille has a history of mentoring and offering affordable space to much of Toronto’s independent performing arts community. It is known for its work in fostering access/inclusivity.

This building was designed in 1922 by John M. Lyle (1872-1945) for the Thornton-Smith Company, an antique furniture and interior design firm. The crowning jewel of this property is its Aperture Room — a stunning event venue that keeps the 100 years of history on Yonge Street alive by boasting exposed brick, hardwood floors, three magnificent skylights and original windows.

Todmorden Mills allows visitors to immerse themselves in Toronto's past. It features a collection of 19th-century industrial and domestic buildings (including a paper mill that houses the Papermill Theatre and Gallery), a former brewery, two restored period homes and a wildflower preserve. Discover Toronto’s history through the people who made the lumber, flour, beer and bricks that built this city.

In 2025, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority unveils their new head office, bringing together cutting-edge sustainability design and practice. One of North America’s most sustainable buildings, it boasts low greenhouse gas emissions. Look for the beautiful cascading water walls and the naturally lit atrium. See how green building design in an urban landscape can integrate with the natural environment.

The Toronto and Region Islamic Congregation was the first mosque in Toronto to have a full-sized gymnasium. The building consists of a dedicated prayer hall and the gym, which is used as a multi-purpose hall. The east wall was designed to mark the location of the qiblah (the direction toward which Muslims turn to pray).

The Toronto Camera Club was incorporated in 1893, with its origins back to 1888. It is the oldest camera club in Canada, and among the first in North America. It has occupied a major place in the culture of Toronto. The club has a working darkroom and gallery in the basement, a two-storey auditorium and a gallery for photographic exhibits.

This building is one of Toronto’s most famous landmarks and a year-round gathering place. The design showcases the civic square, the podium and the circular council chamber, creating a sculptural quality that makes it such a striking landmark. Doors Open visitors can view the 27th-floor observation deck, the council chambers and the Hall of Memory. Special programming throughout the weekend.