Riverdale Farm

Riverdale Farm is one of Toronto's best-kept family secrets — a free, year-round working farm tucked into the Don River valley in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood. For families with young children, it delivers exactly what expensive petting zoos charge for, but with more authenticity and without the admission fee.

The 7. 5-acre farm operates as a real working farm, with staff caring for a community of cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, donkeys, and horses. The animals live in traditional barns and open paddocks that kids can walk between freely.

The barn doors are often open, letting kids watch milking, feeding, and daily farm routines. Staff and volunteers are patient and knowledgeable, happy to answer the endless questions that farm visits generate from curious children.

Spring is the undisputed best time to visit. Between March and May, baby animals arrive — lambs, piglets, and chicks that draw families from across the city. Watching a toddler discover a baby lamb for the first time is one of those parenting moments that sticks with you. The farm posts updates on new arrivals through their website and social media.

Beyond the animals, the farm grounds include flower and vegetable gardens, herb gardens, ponds, and wooded areas connected to the Don Valley ravine system. Three kilometres of walking trails wind through the property, offering a surprising amount of nature exploration for a site so close to downtown. The Meeting House hosts year-round craft programs, workshops, and seasonal events that are typically free.

The farm is wheelchair and stroller accessible, with baby changing tables in the Meeting House and Simpson House washrooms. There are no food vendors on-site, so bring snacks and water. The surrounding Cabbagetown neighbourhood has excellent cafes and restaurants for a post-visit meal.

Riverdale Farm is operated by the City of Toronto and funded through city budgets and donations. The suggested donation kiosk at the entrance accepts contributions of any amount, which go toward animal care and farm programming. Most families spend 1 to 2 hours here, though combining the farm with a ravine walk can easily extend it to a half-day outing.

The farm is accessible by the 505 Dundas streetcar or a 15-minute walk from Castle Frank subway station. Street parking is available but limited on weekends.