Unusual Places to Visit in Toronto
From the CN Tower and Art Gallery of Ontario to High Park, Ripley’s Aquarium, and the St. Lawrence Market, Toronto is filled with popular sites and attractions that are well-known to visitors and locals alike. However, beyond these well-trodden paths, there are quite a few lesser-known, strange, and interesting places to explore that you might not have considered. Some are hidden gems, while others are simply overshadowed by the larger attractions. Consequently, if you’re seeking something a bit different to do, here are seven unusual things to see in Toronto.
Toronto’s Half House
Address
54 St Patrick St, Toronto, ON M5T 1V1, Canada
This house in Toronto, located at 54½ St. Patrick St., is remarkable for its missing half. Many people walk by without noticing, but a closer inspection reveals this peculiar structure. The home dates back over 100 years and was separated from its neighbor in the 1970s when the owners refused to sell.
Biblio-Mat at Monkey’s Paw Bookstore
Address
1067 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H 3B9, Canada
Phone: +1 416-531-2123
The Monkey’s Paw has always been a unique place to visit. This antiquarian bookshop located at Bloor and Lansdowne offers a vast collection of peculiar and intriguing books that you won’t find anywhere else. While you might not encounter bestsellers here, you might discover something you never knew you needed. Moreover, the store features the Biblio-Mat, a coin-operated vending machine that dispenses randomly-selected old books, making it a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Yorkville Rock
Address
131 Cumberland St, Toronto, ON M5S 2W7, Canada
The Village of Yorkville Park is a charming urban space boasting several unique features, with the Yorkville Rock being the most impressive. This ancient rock, over a billion years old, weighs 650 tons and was transported from the Canadian Shield to its current location where it was carefully reassembled.
Toronto Public Labyrinth
Address
24 Trinity Square, Toronto, ON M5G 1B1, Canada
Phone: +1 416-338-4386
Tucked away in Trinity Square Park, behind the Toronto Eaton Centre, lies the Toronto Public Labyrinth. Not all Toronto residents are aware of this tranquil escape. Surrounded by trees, this labyrinth provides a peaceful retreat from the bustling downtown area, inviting you to enjoy a meditative stroll at any time, as the park is always open and illuminated at night.
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
Address
Toronto, ON M5V, Canada
Completed in 1808, the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse holds the title of being Toronto’s oldest landmark and one of the first lighthouses on the Great Lakes. Its historical significance is intriguing, but what makes it truly captivating is its ghostly lore. John Paul Rademuller, the first keeper, died under mysterious circumstances, leading to numerous reports of ghostly sightings and unexplained phenomena on the grounds.
Ireland Park
Address
Eireann Quay, Toronto, ON M5V 3G3, Canada
Phone: +1 416-601-6906
Similar to the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, Ireland Park also carries an air of spookiness. Nevertheless, this location serves as a poignant memorial to the arrival of 38,000 Irish immigrants during the famine of 1847. The Toronto Waterfront memorial features five bronze statues symbolizing the Irish immigrants, and the park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., nestled off Bathurst St. and Queens Quay at the waterfront’s boardwalk.
Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
Address
120 St George St, Toronto, ON M5S 1A5, Canada
Phone: +1 416-978-5285
The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto distinguishes itself from typical libraries. Housing the largest collection of rare books in Canada, it boasts upwards of 700,000 volumes and 3,000 meters of manuscripts. Among its fascinating collection are items such as a first edition of Anne of Green Gables, literary papers of Margaret Atwood and Leonard Cohen, as well as the only Canadian copy of Shakespeare’s first folio.
