Allan Gardens Conservatory & Playground

Location: 19 Horticultural Ave
Website: City of Toronto Website
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, 365 days/year

Allan Gardens is one of the best free attractions you can visit in Toronto. Every time I go I am amazed that it is free. It is also next to one of the best playgrounds in the city.

The gardens are a series of greenhouses with different displays each season. Walking through the gardens takes about 45 minutes if you go at a leisurely pace. We have visited many time since baby J was born and try and go once a season to see the changing displays. It is very stroller accessible. J has enjoyed looking at the plants but in most previous visits he did fall asleep in the stroller. It wasn’t until our most recent visit, at 14 months, when he really seemed to love it. He ran through the greenhouse fascinated and didn’t want to sit in the stroller for a minute. While I had to watch him a bit to make sure he didn’t damage any plants he never made too many tries. He loved watching the waterwheel by the turtles. Continue reading “Allan Gardens Conservatory & Playground”

Riverdale Farm

Website: City Website
Hours: Open all day for visiting the farm but recreation drop in is saturday 9:00-3:30

Riverdale farm is an awesome place to take your little ones for a day trip. There are lots of animals to see and you can pet some of them (sheeps/goat) when they go by the fence. There is a mix of indoor and outdoor animals.

There are also some programs for younger children. From 9:30-3:30 on Saturdays they offer drop in play with Caregiver and there is a registered program on weekdays. Continue reading “Riverdale Farm”

Ripley’s Aquarium

Website: https://www.ripleyaquariums.com

Ripley’s aquarium is a great day trip with a baby especially once they are crawling but it is also a nice day trip for caregiver with a younger baby. It’s definitely on the pricey side and I have yet to see any tickets ever go on sale but it’s nice to change things up. If you like going then the yearly pass is easily justified with two visits.

The visuals of the aquarium are definitely interesting for a baby and there are some tunnels to crawl through for a crawling baby. There is a small play area at the end as well as some activities for older kids. I believe it can get very busy so it could be a bit overwhelming on the weekend. There are nursing rooms available which is nice.

There is kids programming starting at age 2+ Continue reading “Ripley’s Aquarium”