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.

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.)

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.)

Toronto's Naval Reserve Division, home to 350 sailors and officers, celebrates its centennial this year. Boats, weapons, divers, musicians, marine technicians, intelligence operators and naval warfare officers are all tested here for domestic operations or deployed missions. Come and see the work that they do, check out the boats on display and listen to the marching band throughout the day.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, owned and operated by PortsToronto, is a world-class, award-winning airport. Located on Toronto Island, it offers service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the United States. Doors Open visitors can explore the underwater pedestrian tunnel, the electric ferry, interactive exhibits and a rare chance to get up close with the airport’s safety vehicles.

The Toronto Humane Society (THS) is one of Ontario’s largest animal welfare organizations. With over 135 years of providing care for animals, the THS is an industry leader in shelter care, animal training, behavioural consultations and veterinary services. It is their mission to improve the lives of animals. Knowledgeable volunteers be on hand for tours and questions. Bring your camera! (No tripods allowed.)

The headquarters of the Ontario Association of Architects is more than the regulator of the province's architecture profession. It is the public and physical embodiment of architects, skills and aspirations. On your Doors Open tour, explore recent renovations that have helped the building become net-zero — including an energy-efficient geothermal system, solar panels, improved daylighting and tint-changing dynamic windows.

This is one of the world’s largest and most vibrant institutions of its kind. Established in 1963, it continues to serve the Japanese-Canadian community and anyone interested in Japanese culture. During Doors Open, enjoy tours and artist demonstrations. Try your hand at ink-wash painting. And, weather pending, view their blossoming cherry trees and participate in a traditional flower-viewing custom.

Toronto’s Aga Khan Museum was established and developed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the contribution made by Muslim civilizations to world heritage. Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, see how cultures connect with one another. During Doors Open, enjoy special tours, activities and performances throughout the museum and its adjacent park.

Established in 1981, Charles Street Video is one of the oldest non-profit production organizations supporting media artists. They host exhibitions, film screenings, installations and more, while providing affordable access to equipment and post-production editing facilities to film and media artists. During Doors Open, witness demonstrations of state-of-the-art camera and lighting equipment.

Campbell House — built for William Campbell, the sixth Chief Justice of Upper Canada — is the oldest surviving building from the Town of York. Fifty years ago, it was rescued from demolition and moved to its current location, where it continues to operate as a museum. This vibrant public space inspires and educates visitors through its history and collections.

Constructed in 1912 for the Consumers Gas Corporation, this site welcomes visitors during Doors Open to learn about the activities and services that the city’s Transportation Division provides. Go behind the yard doors to explore traffic signs, road maintenance equipment and the salt storage area. Or see and learn about various service vehicles – including street sweepers, flushers and more.

Constructed in the 1930s, this popular Doors Open site is Toronto’s largest water treatment plant, providing 400 million litres of safe drinking water daily. It’s also the largest ensemble of art deco structures in the city. Take a self-guided tour and explore the pump house and filter building, with staff available to answer questions along the way. (No tripods/filming allowed.) (Photo: Samuel Kolber)

Come and explore Ontario’s Legislative Assembly — an impressive structure that has been home to the province’s legislature since 1893. Alongside oak floors and Italian marble finishes is artwork from the Government of Ontario Art Collection. During Doors Open, visitors can enjoy several exhibits on self-guided tours that include the legislative chamber. There’s even a kid-friendly scavenger hunt. (No tripods allowed.)

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.

Welcome to Toronto's First Post Office! Operated by the Town of York Historical Society, this National Historic Site is a museum and an authorized full-service dealer for Canada Post. The museum tells the story of the Town of York and the early Canadian postal system. Visitors can try their hand with a quill pen and ink, and explore the museum exhibits.

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.

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.)

Osgoode Hall — home of the Law Society of Ontario and the highest courts of the province — opened in 1832 and remains a Toronto landmark and symbol of the law in Ontario. The 1867 fence, renowned for its peculiar gates, surrounds the property and its landscaped grounds. Download the self-guided tour or speak with the knowledgeable volunteers. (No tripods allowed.)

This building is considered one of the finest examples of Loyalist or late-Georgian architecture in Ontario. Original owners Thomas and Margaret Montgomery, Irish immigrants, operated it as a tavern until Margaret's death in 1855. The inn has been restored as a mid-19th-century tavern, a reminder of the pivotal role that inns played as community hubs in the settlement of Ontario.

The settlement of modern Toronto began in 1793 when John Graves Simcoe built a garrison on the site of what is now Fort York. Visitors during Doors Open will experience special military architecture tours, tours of the barracks and fortifications and a wide range of exhibits telling the story of Fort York's and Canada's military past. (Photo: Tatyana Karlen)

The former home of Canadian landscape painter Doris McCarthy (1910-2020), Fool’s Paradise is a charming cottage on the spectacular Scarborough Bluffs. McCarthy donated the property to the Ontario Heritage Trust so it could remain an inspirational space for future generations of artists. Today, the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence program has welcomed over 55 artists to live and create by the Lake.

This Toronto landmark is a dominant feature in the Don Valley. From 1889 to 1989, this site was an operating brick works. Since 1992, Evergreen has developed and adapted the 16 historically significant buildings to meet the needs of the community. The site is expected to be busy, so arrive early. Or take the free shuttle bus from Broadview Station.

Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, Toronto’s oldest standing and first free school, opened to the children of Corktown in 1849. It served as an important catalyst for accessible public education in the province. Today, the site is a museum and events venue where visitors can step back in time to an urban Victorian classroom. Come and tour the site for Doors Open.

During Doors Open, visitors to DTAH will experience the history of a beautifully renovated modern building in the heart of downtown Toronto. This leading landscape architecture, architecture and urban design firm will offer tours where you can learn how DTAH continues to shape the city through projects like the Tommy Thompson Park Pavilion, Evergreen Brick Works and Artscape Wychwood Barns.