Canada
Ontario
Toronto
Things to do in Toronto
Harbourfront Centre
See all things to do

Harbourfront Centre

See all things to do
See all things to do
Harbourfront Centre
4
#36 of 686 things to do in Toronto
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Tuesday
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Write a review
About
Harbourfront Centre, on Toronto's waterfront, is an innovative not-for-profit cultural organization that creates events and activities of excellence that enliven, educate and entertain a diverse public.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Harbourfront Centre
See all
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
At the heart of Toronto, Downtown is the destination for cheap eats and fast fashion. Cut through by hip and trendy Yonge Street, the vibe here is young, with a strong student influence from the Ryerson University Campus. As a result, the Downtown area is always in flux: undergoing the construction of new facilities, with fresh retail spaces and pop-up cafes. Home to Toronto's largest indoor shopping mall, a number of vintage cinemas, and a healthy nightlife centered on the area's Distillery District bar and clubs near the East End, it's both an easygoing daytime spot and a popular party place after sunset. It also features some of Toronto's best outdoor landmarks, including Yonge-Dundas Square and the Nathan Phillips Square: perfect for a concert, a skate, or a relaxing sit-down.
How to get there
  • Union • 9 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,725 within 5 kms
Evviva Restaurant
409
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • American • Healthy • Canadian
BeaverTails
177
0.3 km$ • Dessert • Fast food • Canadian
Miku
467
0.5 km$$$$ • Japanese • Seafood • Sushi
Amsterdam BrewHouse - On the Lake
2,816
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • American • Brew Pub • Bar
SOCO Kitchen + Bar
843
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Canadian
Taverna Mercatto
422
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Tuscan
360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower
8,909
0.4 km$$$$ • International • Canadian • Vegetarian Friendly
e11even
482
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Contemporary
Sportsnet Grill
548
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Grill
Amsterdam Brewery
258
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Brew Pub • Bar • Pub
See all
Attractions
519 within 10 kms
Toronto Harbour
569
43 mNeighbourhoods
The Power Plant
43
0.2 kmArt Galleries
Simcoe Wavedeck
19
0.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Steam Whistle Brewery
3,571
0.3 kmBreweries
The Pier
15
0.2 kmSpeciality Museums
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
20,701
0.4 kmAquariums
CN Tower
25,499
0.5 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Lake Ontario
792
0.3 kmBodies of Water
Queen's Quay Terminal
42
0.2 kmShopping Malls
Toronto Railway Museum
327
0.3 kmSpeciality Museums
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
790 reviews
Excellent
337
Very good
348
Average
77
Poor
19
Terrible
9
Freedom62445138303
1 contribution
Made to feel like trash
Sep. 2023 • Solo
Attended the Toronto International Festival of Authors. Total cost of a single ticket was $39.99 plus taxes came to $45.19 total. The tickets did not get sent to my email. Phoned twice for it and waited 1/2 hour in total and on arrival had to go to customer service to get it printed. So I missed the only speaking event I wanted to attend. Did not realize the book signing event, though listed as a free event, required registration. It was of course full. So waited in a "rush line" (no guarantee of entrance) for over an hour which security dispersed. Only to see the author being hurried away down a hallway without even a glance at his waiting fans (only about 20 of us). A friendly hello wave and/or a few words would have made all the difference in the world. Security was utterly overbearing what did they think we were going to do to this author? Nothing, what a complete waste of time and money and we all were left feeling really disappointed, sad and I personally felt at the end of the day, badly treated. Thanks to the Internatinal Festival of Authors, for wasting my valuable time and hard- earned dollars and making me feel like trash.
Written September 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
minimize940314
Los Angeles, CA3,527 contributions
Good neighborhood
Dec. 2022
One of the good neighborhoods in Toronto. As the name suggests, the access to lake is provided. Great location for watching both the city skyline and the lake.
Written August 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iain A
Kirkcaldy, UK642 contributions
A shadow of its former self.
Oct. 2022
A once bustling place, there are only a handful of businesses trading here, which is a pity as it’s in a great place on the waterfront. Even some of the bars had started trading for the winter, even though when we were there in early October the waterfront area was busy. Disappointing.
Written November 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roger W
Oulton Broad, UK828 contributions
Good for a Stroll
Sep. 2022
Walk from the Ferry terminal along the harbour front, very relaxing with some good views across to the Islands
Written November 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael Charlie
Toronto, Canada12 contributions
An ideal location
Nov. 2021
ideal location to shoot the sunset. This area gives you an awesome sensation of peace. Good and clean seating areas, long path along the seashore. surrounded by numerous food stands so you may satisfy your hunger while travelling. facilitated by a broad runway at Billy Bishop Airport and a water taxi.
Written October 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea438
Milan, Italy503 contributions
Very nice environment
Jul. 2022
Very nice location along the waterfront. Often it hosts events and lives music in a fantastic environment.
Written August 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
crazyone2
Calgary, Canada261 contributions
Great walk
Jun. 2022
Lovely area to walk and see the water. Good places to eat and site as well. There is however no walk to distillery area along harbor as heads up.
Written June 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bobert RKG
Toronto, Canada32 contributions
great views
May 2022
This is a great spot just to walk around and unwind. it's in the Core of downtown and has coffee shops and restaurants.
Written May 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnLil
953 contributions
Green space and water
Sep. 2021 • Family
During pandemic things have changed at Harbourfront Centre, where families can normally enjoy public art and activities like canoeing or skating year round. We’ve ridden bikes and picked up food at Loblaws supermarket on Queens Quay before (where cash payment for car-parking is an option). Instead, a shop or two was open along Harbourfront, and the Centre generally remained closed, except its public washrooms on SW exterior. We bought takeout lunch across Queens Quay and could eat on the benches, along with churros from nearby food trucks. Kids can get photos taken above the washroom level, where a colourful outdoor mural is painted. Bicyclists and tourists travelling by TTC streetcars from Union Subway station could relax on the green lawn and patio, overlooking the boardwalk and water. Ferries were running nearby from Westin to Toronto /Centre Island, and people wore masks to stay socially distanced and safe. I plan to return by mid October when leaves are turning colour to catch the scenery of Toronto’s island.
Written August 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Little Snow
4 contributions
Relaxing, fun, good food and friendly atmosphere
Jul. 2021 • Couples
We live in Toronto but we don't come too often because of our busy schedules. It's always excited to come here and spend the entire evening, specially for the summer time. It always has different events to feature multicultural city. Due to the COVID-19, many facilities are still closed, but we still find things to do here. We had a nice dinner at Amsterdam restaurant. After the dinner, we walked on the boardwalk and enjoyed the breeze, watching the street artists performances. We feel like a staycation without spending too much money. We finished the night with the Beveartails pastry and ice cream 🍦😋 (must try dessert) . It made a perfect ending for us. Totally recommend for couples, families and who enjoy the night life. If you're on a budget, it's perfectly fine to bring your food and have a picnic here. All you need is a peaceful mind enjoy your surroundings. Have a happy summer to everyone 😊! Stay healthy and keep social distancing!
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 603
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

HARBOURFRONT CENTRE - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Harbourfront Centre
According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Harbourfront Centre: