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    Harbourfront Centre

    4.1 (74 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 11:00 pm

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    Carly W.

    Seeking a little low-key meandering, we decided to start our day at Harbourfront Centre. STAR #1 - Great views of the inner harbor, the Toronto Islands, and the Toronto skyline. There's a path/boardwalk that hugs the shore and allows you to stretch your legs while taking in the scenery. Did I mention you can watch planes land at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport? Well, you can, and that's pretty cool for the aviation geek in all of us. STAR #2 - There are several parks (Harbour Square Park and Ann Tindal Park), and even beaches (HTO Beach) complete with sand and umbrellas, along the shore where you can kick back and relax or play with your furry friend. STAR #3 - Tons of fun businesses, including The Power Plant (a contemporary art museum), Amsterdam Brewhouse (brewery, duh), Tim Horton's (coffee, duh), and more! It's definitely meant for exploring. STAR #4 - It's free! There's no admission to take it all in. So if you're seeking just a walk and soaking up the local flavor, you're set! If you're seeking out something to do for the day, many options are at your fingertips here. I'd have to agree with other reviewers that there's easily something for everyone at Harbourfront Centre. So don't skip it! **Pro Tip: Be warned that it can get pretty chilly here, even on a warm day. After all, it is right next to a large body of water. So a light coat or sweater is always nice to have!

    Montage of images from Harbourfront Centre
    Ed U.

    You would think a city as cosmopolitan as Toronto would have a more enterprising lakeshore area to attract unsuspecting tourists like me. But maybe it's just as well there aren't flashy casinos or exclusive resorts that dot the city shoreline. It's just a brief boardwalk area anchored by a large building that houses a non-profit organization with a theater, a market, a performance space, and just a few places to eat. Pretty low-key with colorful Adirondack chairs provided along the way for resting and enjoying the view of the Toronto Islands. If you're feeling particularly nasty, you can get a beaver tail as you stare at the CN Tower (photo: http://bit.ly/31LAnqU). It's not what you think, it's like a flattened funnel cake. RELATED - Traveling to Toronto? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: bit.ly/2LETSfV

    Distance to places by the pier
    Mary T.

    My rating is 3.5 stars. I'm rounding up. I don't visit Harbourfront Centre all that often, simply due to distance. I come whenever there is the Vegetarian Foodfest or some other cool event. Earlier this month, we had a team event at work. We were here on a boat cruise. I got here a bit early and decided to walk around. Growing up in the Beaches area of Toronto, it felt like home being close to Lake Ontario. I walked around the pier, looking at the various ships and boats, and soaking up the beauty all around. I also went into The Terminal to check out the shops. Naturally, Timmy's was buzzing with activity and a lineup. I liked the Toronto Book Garden, which is just before you enter the main doors to The Terminal. It has the names of literary greats on the brick pathway as you walk. The flowers were also gorgeous! If I lived closer to this area, I'd be here more often, likely stuffing myself with a beavertail and riding a bike. It's beautiful. I enjoyed being down here as a tourist in my hometown. (184)

    Scott L.

    Great place to go sailing or learn how to kayak on a warm June day. We took a cruise, but really not worth any more than the ferry.

    Sarah S.

    Highlight of my time at Harbourfront Centre: it's a toss up between the honeybadger-like-man playing the random piano and just relaxing on the waterfront watching the planes. I think I spent an hour chilling out on a bench at the Harbourfront Centre. When the weather is nice, it's so nice to unwind while watching planes both small & large land at the airport over the water. It's a great place for people watching, as well! There was absolutely no one there on a Thursday morning and I kind of liked it that way. The occasional jogger or couple strolled by us, plus of course the eccentric gentleman playing the piano (so cute), but overall it was pretty desolate.

    Great city views.
    Austin G.

    Every good city has access to water and Harbourfront Centre celebrates that in Toronto. It's a new development on Lake Ontario that stretches a good while making it a great spot to stroll. As you walk along the water, you'll notice amazing views of the CN Tower. In addition, there's shops, restaurants, and cafes inviting you to stay awhile.

    Mexican day of the dead festival
    Denise S.

    Gotta give props to the Harbourfront Centre for always keeping things interesting, diverse, and FREE!! I discovered the Harbourfront Centre in high school when I came for the Canada Day celebrations and found out about their summer weekend festivals (e.g. Hot & Spicy Food Fest, Francofete, Iranian Fest, Ritmo y Color, etc.). Always bustling with energy and lots of performances (music, dance, theatre) as well as cooking demos, a market area, crafts for the kiddies, film screenings, art exhibits, etc. Where else would I have the chance to see Indonesian shadow puppets or try a free flamenco class? I have been to some awesome free outdoor concerts here over the years, including Feist, Esthero, K'Naan and Patrick Watson. The programmers and curators here really do a great job. Most people probably only come here in the summer, but there's also a lot going on year-round. Some things I have checked out included Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, Vegetarian Food Fest, International Festival of Authors (Douglas Coupland gave a talk about Marshall McLuhan), Ontario Dance Weekend (every January). The skating rink is nice in the winter and on selected Saturdays there's a DJ! Admittedly, it's much quieter (sometimes dead) in the off-season, but it rewards anyone willing to explore. You can definitely come here and make a day out of it. The gift shop has some great stuff and then there's the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery next door. Food options are the only thing that is a bit weak... There's the nearby Queens Quay Terminal that has a Sobey's, Il Fornello, and Watermark Irish Pub. In the summer, the best thing is to just grab something from one of the stands (e.g. churros!) and have a picnic, possibly on H20 beach. For free cultural happenings and Canadian content, the Harbourfront Centre can't be beat!

    Jennifer K.

    I have not been to Harbourfront Centre ever until this Summer. It is a little out of the way for me since I live in the Suburbs. But with all the events they held this Summer, I decided to make the trek down. Nice to walk around when the weather is nice. Live entertainments, exhibitions and events every week during summer. I think I would come down more often next year if there are more interesting events.

    Amazing self-portrait
    Tamara H.

    Stumbled into this place by accident while we were looking for indoor washrooms and we are so happy we did! Walking through the centre, we got to see students creating art in different workshop/open classroom areas, which then led to a free, awesome art exhibit! This was great news to us, as we had just visited AGO and the exhibit we wanted to check out was sold out. The art exhibit was focused around self-portraits and most were truly stunning. We spent a good hour walking around checking out the Canadian portraits. There's a box for donations, which I think is a great initiative. Worth checking out if in the area and what's great is they have an indoor seating area and clean washrooms. Right outside is the Harbourfront, a beautiful area to walk around in the sunshine and with a view of Toronto's CN tower in the background.

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    Harbourfront Centre Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Harbourfront Centre

    My most favourite thing to do dung the summer months is going cancoeing and during the winter is ice skating.

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    Princess of Wales Theatre - Row FF, Seat 31

    Princess of Wales Theatre

    (75 reviews)

    Entertainment District, Downtown Core

    I have seen a number of musicals and shows at the Princess of Wales Theatres over the years…read more Specifically, I was a regular theatre attendee over a decade ago. I couldn't tell you why I stopped going. It took Hamilton, the musical, to get me back into the swing of things. I have been a fan of this production for a while. I have listened to the album version many times. I have also seen the Disney+ version of the musical. Princess of Wales Theatre, named after Princess Diana, had a ticket sale through the Mirvish site. I secured a ticket on a Friday in mid-July. It was heavily discounted and I ended up sitting in the third row, almost dead centre. Parking has changed over the years in the theatre district. I managed to find parking in a small lot a block north of this theatre. I was pleased. I had no problem filing in to this theatre. There was no security check. You basically show your ticket on your phone and a staffer will direct you to the proper entrance. I was seated in the orchestra section. I had the nicest usher direct me. I also got a program from her. The two women ultimately seated next to me were kind to stand up and let me get past them in the row to get to my seat. The musical was excellent. The only concern was one of the cast members being replaced after the first intermission. I hope that he was okay, but his backup did a fantastic job. I used the washroom before and after the show. There was no wait before the show. There was a bit of a wait after, though. There were many stalls, but the volume of folks needing to use them was more the issue. The women's washroom was in impeccable shape. The sink area was fun. It was like a waterfall. It was pretty. It may seem a bit unusual to folks who want a more practical hot and cold set of faucets. I wouldn't know whether the men's had a similar waterfall sink. I got a souvenir after the show. I don't have many shot glasses, so I got a Hamilton-branded one. I paid with a credit card. The woman at the counter was helpful and friendly. She wrapped my little glass shot glass in paper and then placed it in a small plastic bag. I thanked her and happily left the theatre. When you step out of the theatre and look down at the sidewalk, you'll see Canada's Walk of Fame. It was cool seeing inductees, from Monty Hall, to Wayne Gretzky. It was great returning to this theatre again and taking in a musical. I hope to do it again soon, but not over a decade later. (328)

    theatre is old and run down small too needs an upgrade…read more horrible customer service ordered tea and the water was barely lukewarm unfriendly women working behind the counter older black women.

    Royal Alexandra Theatre - Six | March 2024

    Royal Alexandra Theatre

    (41 reviews)

    Entertainment District, Downtown Core

    As someone from out of town who enjoys theatre, I visit Toronto often to see relatives, and when I…read moredo, I always look to see what Mirvish productions are showing downtown. For some reason, I always seem to be drawn to the Royal Alexandra Theatre as four different productions I have seen in the last few years have all been there. From the physical layout of the theatre to the customer service of the staff, I have enjoyed my all around experience during each visit. I have been to the theatre with colleagues during a conference, with my sister, and with other family members over the last several years. I have sat in the balcony, front couple of rows, and further back in orchestra before, and every seat seems to be good. I often take advantage of the American Express reserved seat program to purchase a great seat not too far in advance once I have details of my travels. I have been completely satisfied with my experiences at the shows there! The Royal Alexandra Theatre is a Canadian historic landmark as the oldest continuously operating legitimate theatre in North America and the continent's first truly "royal" theatre, granted official letters patent by Edward VII entitling it to the royal designation, along with his permission to name it after his consort, Alexandra. It was built in 1907 and was Toronto's first steel-framed structure, one of the first air-conditioned buildings in the continent, and the first theatre to be considered fireproof. The Royal Alexandra Theatre is one of four theatres that is run by Mirvish. The facility is mask-friendly but by no means required. There are concessions and a coat check. It is generally accepted to arrive approximately 30 minutes before a show. If you arrive late, you may need to wait until an appropriate break in the show for you to go to your seat and not disturb other patrons. Mirvish Productions is Canada's largest commercial theatre production company. You can learn more about Mirvish and this theatre at https://www.mirvish.com. After all, it was Ed Mirvish who in 1963 purchased and saved the Royal Alexandra Theatre from demolition. I certainly recommend a Mirvish show in the Royal Alexandra Theatre for someone who enjoys theatre!

    Love this Theatre. Currently playing Juliet. Always have a good time here…read more The sears are comfortable and clean. The productions are outstanding.

    Harbourfront Centre - theater - Updated May 2026

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