Things To Do With Friends In Toronto

Looking for friend activities Toronto actually delivers on? You know the drill – someone suggests “let’s hang out” and suddenly everyone’s staring at their phones trying to figure out what to do. Been there, done that, got the overpriced latte.

The thing is, Toronto’s got way more to offer than the usual suspects. Sure, you could hit up another rooftop bar or wander around the Eaton Centre, but why settle for basic when this city’s hiding some seriously cool experiences just waiting for you and your crew to discover them?

The Monkey’s Paw Bookstore

Okay, this place is weird in the best way possible. They have this ancient-looking vending machine called the Biblio-Mat that spits out random books for three bucks. It’s like a lottery, but for books. Your group can take turns feeding it coins while browsing through stuff you definitely won’t find at Chapters. Perfect for when your friends think they know everything about books.

Address: 1267 Bloor St W
Price: Books are $2-3, browsing is free
Instagram: @themonkeyspaw
Pro tip: The machine’s temperamental, so bring patience and small bills

Museum of Illusions Toronto

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Your Instagram feed will thank you later. This place messes with your head in ways that’ll have your group questioning reality for hours afterward. Every room has some mind-bending trick that makes for killer photos, plus you’ll spend half the time trying to figure out how they pulled it off.

Address: 132 Front St E
Website: museumofillusions.ca
Price: $27 per person (worth every penny for the photos alone)
Hours: 10am-7pm (8pm on weekends)
Instagram: @museumofillusions.toronto
Real talk: Go when it opens to avoid crowds blocking your shots

Graffiti Alley

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Free entertainment that changes every few months? Yes please. This isn’t just some random alley – it’s Toronto’s unofficial outdoor art gallery stretching behind Queen West. The art evolves constantly, so even if you’ve been before, there’s probably new stuff to discover. Plus, your group’s artistic photographer friend will lose their mind over the backdrops.

Address: Rush Lane (behind Queen St W, between Spadina and Portland)
Price: Absolutely free
Best time: Daytime for colors, evening for moody vibes
Instagram: @graffitiallytoronto
Heads up: It’s still an alley, so watch where you step

Casa Loma Escape Series

Regular escape rooms are fine, but escape rooms in an actual castle? That hits different. These aren’t your typical “locked in an office building” scenarios – you’re solving puzzles in real castle rooms with secret passages and everything. It’s like being inside a movie, except you’re the main character trying not to look clueless in front of your friends.

Address: 1 Austin Terrace
Website: escapecasaloma.com
Price: $45-65 per person depending on the experience
Duration: 60-90 minutes of pure confusion and triumph
Strategy: Pick the smartest person in your group as team leader

The Distillery Winter Village

Winter in Toronto can be brutal, but this place makes it magical. Think European Christmas market vibes with local artisans, food that actually tastes good, and enough twinkle lights to make even your most cynical friend admit it’s “kind of cute.” The cobblestone streets make everything feel like a movie set.

Address: 55 Mill St
Website: thedistillerydistrict.com
Price: Free to wander, money for food and shopping
Season: Mid-November through December
Instagram: @distilleryto
Insider tip: Weeknight visits = fewer crowds, same magic

BATL Axe Throwing

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Turns out throwing sharp objects at wooden targets is incredibly satisfying and surprisingly safe. The instructors teach you proper technique, so you won’t embarrass yourself (much), and there’s beer involved because of course there is. Your competitive friend will take this way too seriously, and that’s half the entertainment.

Address: 629 Queen St W
Website: batlgrounds.com
Price: $25-35 per person for 1.5 hours
Age: 13+ (18+ if you want drinks)
Instagram: @batlgrounds
Reality check: You’ll be terrible at first, and that’s perfectly normal

Tommy Thompson Park

Most people have never heard of this place, which is exactly why you should go. It’s a man-made peninsula that juts into Lake Ontario with zero cars and incredible city views. Bring bikes and pack snacks because you’ll want to stay for the sunset. Fair warning: it feels like you’re at the edge of the world, which is either peaceful or apocalyptic depending on your mood.

Address: 1 Leslie St (entrance)
Price: Free parking, free everything
Open: Weekends and holidays only
Best for: Groups who like nature without camping
Instagram: @tommy_thompson_park
Bring: Bikes, snacks, layers – it gets windy

The Bentway

Skating under a highway sounds sketchy but trust the process. This is Toronto turning ugly infrastructure into something actually cool. In winter you can skate along this curved trail under the Gardiner Expressway, and in summer they host everything from climbing walls to yoga classes. It’s weird, it’s uniquely Toronto, and your out-of-town friends will be confused and impressed.

Address: 250 Fort York Blvd
Website: thebentway.ca
Price: Free skating, $10 skate rentals
Season: Winter for skating, year-round for other stuff
Instagram: @thebentway
Know before you go: Check their schedule because events change weekly

Snakes & Lattes Board Game Café

Board games aren’t just for family dinners anymore. These cafes have hundreds of games, staff who actually know the rules, and themed cocktails that make losing less painful. Perfect for groups who want to hang out somewhere that encourages actual conversation instead of everyone staring at their phones.

Address: Multiple locations (College, Annex, Junction)
Website: snakesandlattes.com
Price: $5 table fee plus food and drinks
Reservations: Definitely needed for groups of 4+
Instagram: @snakesandlattes
Group dynamics: Someone will get way too competitive, plan accordingly

Evergreen Brick Works

This used to be an industrial site, now it’s where Toronto goes to feel outdoorsy without leaving the city. There are hiking trails, a farmers market on weekends, and this cool lookout tower with city views. Plus workshops if your group is feeling crafty. It’s like High Park’s cooler, less crowded cousin.

Address: 550 Bayview Ave
Website: evergreen.ca
Price: Free admission, workshops cost extra
Transit: Weekend shuttle from Broadview Station
Instagram: @evergreenbrickworks
Timing: Saturday mornings for the market, anytime for trails

The Hole in the Wall

Finding this speakeasy is half the adventure. It’s literally hidden behind a bookshelf in Kensington Market, and the entrance changes regularly just to keep things interesting. Once you’re in, it’s prohibition-era vibes with craft cocktails that cost more than they should but taste like they’re worth it.

Address: 198 Augusta Ave (good luck finding the entrance)
Price: Cocktails run $12-16
Hours: Wed-Sat evenings
Payment: Cash only, because of course
Instagram: @theholeinthewallto
The challenge: Actually finding it is part of the experience

Centre Island Beach Volleyball

Beach volleyball with a city skyline backdrop? Toronto’s not messing around. You can rent courts by the hour, and yes, there’s actual sand. The ferry ride over adds to the whole experience, and honestly, playing volleyball badly is more fun when everyone’s doing it together.

Address: Centre Island (ferry required)
Price: $30-50 per hour for court rental
Season: May through September
Ferry: Departs from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal
Skill level: Enthusiasm matters more than actual talent

Ripley’s Aquarium After Hours

*Photo via Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (@ripleysaquaca) Instagram*

Regular aquarium visits are fine, but adult-only nights with cocktails and fewer screaming children? That’s an upgrade. They do special evening events where you can drink wine while walking through the shark tunnel. It’s surprisingly romantic for a friend group activity, in a weird way.

Address: 288 Bremner Blvd
Website: ripleys.com
Price: Regular admission $40, special events vary
Special events: Check their calendar for adult nights
Instagram: @ripleysaquaca
Vibe: Classy enough to feel fancy, casual enough to be fun

Toronto Railway Museum

Train nerds, this one’s for you. But honestly, even if trains aren’t your thing, climbing around actual locomotives is pretty cool. It’s right by the CN Tower but way less crowded, and you can actually touch stuff. Perfect for groups who like history but get bored easily.

Address: 255 Bremner Blvd
Website: trha.ca
Price: $15 adults, $10 students
Season: May through October, weekends only
Instagram: @torontorailwaymuseum
Fun fact: Some of these trains are older than your grandparents

Segway Tours Toronto

*Photo via Go Tours Canada (@gotourscanada) Instagram*

Yes, Segways are kind of dorky. That’s exactly why they’re fun with friends. You’ll spend the first 20 minutes looking like newborn giraffes learning to walk, then cruise around the city feeling like you’re in a sci-fi movie. The tours cover way more ground than walking, and the guides know all the good stories.

Address: Multiple starting points
Website: gotourscanada.com
Price: $65-89 for 2-3 hours
Age: 12+ (weight limits apply)
Instagram: @gotourscanada
Embarrassment level: High at first, then surprisingly cool

Mystery City Games

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Think scavenger hunt meets city exploration meets puzzle solving. You use your phone to get clues that lead you through different neighborhoods while learning random Toronto trivia. It’s like a treasure hunt designed by someone who actually knows the city’s secrets.

Website: mysterycitygames.com
Price: $25-35 per team (up to 6 people)
Available: Year-round, start whenever you want
Routes: Multiple neighborhoods to choose from
Instagram: @mysterycitygames
Group size: Perfect for 3-6 people who don’t mind walking

Arthur Conan Doyle Room

Hidden on the 5th floor of Toronto Reference Library is a Victorian-era reading room dedicated to Sherlock Holmes. Most people walk right past it without knowing it exists. Your group can channel their inner detectives while exploring rare books and old-school library vibes.

Address: 789 Yonge St, 5th Floor
Price: Free (it’s a library)
Hours: Library hours
Vibe: Quiet, literary, perfect for book lovers
Secret: Even locals don’t know about this place

Your group doesn’t need to be into the same things to have a good time. The competitive friend will love axe throwing, the artsy one will lose their mind in Graffiti Alley, the bookworm will want to live in The Monkey’s Paw, and everyone will have opinions about those optical illusions. That’s what makes Toronto great for friend activities – there’s something for every personality, and plenty of weird stuff nobody saw coming.

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