25 Ookwemin Street (formerly 281 Cherry Street) is located in Toronto's future Ookwemin Minising island. Originally a Toronto Hydro Station, the space is being re-envisioned as part of Toronto’s evolving urban landscape. Enjoy rare behind-the-scenes tours and curated displays to learn about the Port Lands’ industrial history and the city’s long-term vision for a creative, mixed-use waterfront community.

401 Richmond is a heritage-designated industrial building turned arts-and-culture hub. The building was originally constructed in several phases between 1899 and 1923 for the Macdonald Manufacturing Company. It operated as a tin factory, best known for its lithographic work. That artistic lineage is still seen today with a community of nearly 150 artists, cultural producers, non-profits and micro-enterprises. (Photo: Vik Pahwa)

The Academy Theatre, which hosts musical and theatrical acts throughout the year as Lindsay's premiere performance space, opened its doors in 1893. Visit this building to experience a behind-the-scenes look at this local landmark. Theatre staff will be running ghost tours throughout the day to introduce visitors to the building's haunted past. Register in advance for one of their tours.

Adelaide Hunter was born in this farmhouse and lived here until she married John Hoodless (1881). Hunter Hoodless was known for establishing several organizations – including the Hamilton YMCA, the second branch of the Hamilton Victorian Order of Nurses, and the world's first Women's Institute. Today, the homestead is owned by the Federation of Women's Institutes and operates as a museum.

Officially opened on September 30, 2014, The Advanced Research Complex is a research building at the University of Ottawa, dedicated to multidisciplinary work in Earth sciences, physics and engineering. Guests of Doors Open 2026 will be able to take part in hands-on demos for all ages, conversations with local researchers and laboratory tours. 

The AIDS Committee of Ottawa has served the community for nearly 40 years, providing support, prevention, education and outreach services that promote the holistic well-being of those living with, affected by, impacted by and at risk of HIV/AIDS in Ottawa. Overlooking the Rideau Canal, this home offers services such as subsidized gym memberships, food bank, laundry and office support.

Akin Davisville is a workspace for more than 60 artists — including painters, ceramicists, photographers, writers, textile artists and more. The building comprises three floors, which are divided into individual studio spaces and shared co-working areas. Opened in January 2024, this is one of many locations managed by Akin — a Toronto-based, artist-run community organization providing studio space throughout the city.

Founded in 1857, Albert College is Canada’s oldest independent co-ed day and boarding school. Albert College provides an enriched curriculum for approximately 300 students, pre-kindergarten to grade 12. A "home away from home" to students from Canada and 15 other nations, the school embraces curricular and co-curricular activities through Albert’s Five A’s: Academics, Arts, Athletics, Active Citizenship and Adventure.

This site is crucial to understanding the history of residential schools and reconciliation in Canada. The Shingwauk Residential School, which operated here from 1874-1970, is now home to Algoma University. Exhibits highlight foundational concepts of healing through education, designing for change, Indigenizing the museum and “Teaching Wigwam” as a contemporary education strategy. Visitors can enter their names in a draw!

All Ours Studios has converted a stand-alone warehouse and retrofitted eight shipping containers to host private art-production spaces and shared community space. Each container features a full glass façade that is insulated, drywalled and powered to be warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. The site also has a communal tool-use workshop, gardens, courtyards and test-out mural walls.

Spanning 4830 square-metres (52,000 square feet), this brand new, state-of-the-art veterinary centre is purpose-built to deliver comprehensive emergency and specialty care. Supported by a dedicated and experienced team of more than 28 veterinarians — including seven board-certified specialists — Alta Vista has proudly served the pets and families of Ottawa for over 62 years.

Ameliasburgh Heritage Village has grown from one building (a Wesleyan Methodist Church built in 1868) into a complex of museum buildings and displays. Come and visit a log cabin, display barns, an operational blacksmith shop, a carpenter’s shop, a sap shanty, dairy and beekeeping buildings, a stone building housing the Goldie Corliss flywheel and the de Vries Natural Heritage Collection.

When Irish settlers migrated to Amherst Island, they brought a unique way of building walls called dry stacking — layering stones without the use of mortar. This tradition has continued to this day. Although you can see beautiful displays of dry-stone stacking throughout the Island, visit Topsy Farms for an opportunity to speak to an actual dry stone waller!

Come and tour this new four-storey purpose-built health-care facility that is grounded by their mission to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous people in spirit, mind, emotion and body. Their programs (as well as the physical building’s design) reflect the full integration of Western medicine with traditional Indigenous healing. Also explore the beautiful artwork installed throughout.

Welcome to Annandale National Historic Site, one of Canada’s finest Victorian homes. Built in 1880 by Edwin Delevan Tillson, it showcases the esthetic movement style. Inside, visitors can explore hand-painted ceilings, intricate woodwork, stained-glass and richly decorated rooms, offering a glimpse into the Tillson family and the history of Tillsonburg.

This is the birthplace of James Shaver Woodsworth, one of the founders of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. A Member of Parliament during Mackenzie King’s term, Woodsworth was instrumental in enacting old-age pensions and unemployment insurance. The house was rescued from demolition in 1980 and moved to its current location. Today, it is largely used for weddings, special events and filming.

The Archives of Ontario is the largest provincial archives in Canada, with a vast collection that includes paper items, photographs, maps, architectural drawings and audio, video and film recordings. Located at York University's Keele Campus, this purpose-built facility includes a reading room with digital microfilm readers, audio and video booths, digitization and conservation labs, an exhibit gallery and a classroom.

Canada’s second-oldest rowing club is also the birthplace of the Toronto Argonauts football team. Located along the waterfront trail’s western shores, the club offers programs to fit different needs, abilities and interests. Take a tour of the facility, explore the Trophy Room, enjoy a coffee in the Henley Room, and see some of the best views of Lake Ontario.

The Army, Navy and Air Force Duke of Edinburgh Unit 201 is a local service club that has many activities for members and is open for everyone to enjoy. They have been an active organization since 1840 — and in this building since 1932. Come in during Doors Open Belleville and check out the club and its many activities.

The Assembly Hall is a cultural community hub and rental facility. Built in 1898 as part of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital, it was redesigned in 2001 to meet a variety of cultural and community needs, while still preserving its historical charm. Today, it is a performance venue with community rooms for art classes, meetings, workshops and rehearsals.

The Babcock Mill, a significant local landmark, was constructed in the 19th century as a grist mill and later adapted to function as a sawmill, basket making factory, and a truck body manufacturer. It played a pivotal role in the local economy. Today, under Loyalist Township’s ownership and management, it operates as a seasonal museum, showcasing its industrial heritage.

The Balfour House (Chedoke Estate) was formerly the site of an Iroquois settlement overlooking the escarpment. Built in 1836 by William Scott Burn, the house was owned by a succession of prominent Hamiltonians including the Balfour family, who occupied it from 1909-2013. The mansion is now owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by the City of Hamilton. (Parking)

The Bath Museum offers a glimpse into the rich heritage of one of Ontario’s oldest communities. Established to preserve/share artifacts from the area’s early settlement period, the museum highlights the village’s Loyalist roots and its development over time. Now owned and managed by Loyalist Township, the museum provides visitors with an opportunity to explore local history through diverse exhibits.

Discover the history of Bath United Church during Doors Open Loyalist Township! Constructed in 1849, it has been in continuous use since September 30, 1849. The church, inspired by Sir Christopher Wren's classical parish church design, showcases remarkable beauty. Unveil the church's captivating story and architectural heritage.

Bayview Yards is Ottawa’s one-stop business acceleration shop — bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, investors and community members. Built as a municipal works building, it once contained machinery storage and repair shops, stables, offices and stockrooms. Built of reinforced concrete with brick panels, it exemplifies the modern industrial architecture popular in Canada from the 1940s to the 1970s.