Sometimes it feels like all the fun activities to do in the city come at a price. While that’s true for a lot of things, metro areas usually also offer free arts and culture experiences, events, parks, and more. You just have to be in the know and pay attention to special days of the month! Here are five free activities to take advantage of in Toronto:

Allan Gardens Conservatory 🌺

This indoor botanical garden has free admission and is open Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. It features five distinct greenhouses: arid, tropical, palm, orchid and bromeliad, and temperate. Here you’ll walk through lush vegetation and flowers from different geographical regions. The Temperate House even has seasonal flower shows and a koi pond.

Bata Shoe Museum 👡

Free for all on Sundays (open 12-5 p.m) the Bata Shoe museum is a walk through the history of footwear. Their full collection of shoes and related artifacts includes 15,000 items– from cowboy boots to chopines– with some pieces nearly 4,500 years old! They also occasionally hold dance classes and talks for relatively inexpensive or pay-what-you-can. The Bata Shoe Museum is also free everyday for Indigenous people.

Royal Ontario Museum 🌍

The ROM features all kinds of historical, art, and science exhibitions as well as galleries related to different parts of the world. Every third Tuesday of the month they offer free admission; however, you still have to book tickets ahead online. Two weeks before the free night, tickets will become available on their website. Simply click on the third Tuesday of their monthly ticket calendar, and check the box for “3rd Tuesday Nights Free” to secure your spot.

The Music Garden 🎶

The Toronto Music Garden is a harbourfront scenic series of connected gardens inspired by Bach’s First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello. In the summer, the gardens become stages for performances from live music to storytelling from celebrated Canadian and international artists. These events take place on Thursdays and Sundays from late June to the end of August. Learn more about these seasonal shows here.

Maple Leafs Baseball Games ⚾

Come and watch Toronto’s IBL baseball team for free at Dominico Field in Christie Pitts Park. Bring a picnic and blanket, as you’ll be seated on the side of a grassy hill to view the game. To maximize the fun, come dressed up for one of their event days, such as Boots’n’Bats or Beach Day. Take a look at the team’s schedule to plan your visit!