St. Lawrence Market

St. Lawrence Market has been a cornerstone of Toronto life since 1803, and it remains one of the best free family outings in the city. Named one of the world's best food markets by National Geographic, it is a place where over 120 independent vendors sell everything from fresh produce and artisan cheeses to prepared foods and specialty goods.

The South Market building is the main attraction, open Tuesday through Sunday. The ground floor is a maze of food stalls, butchers, fishmongers, bakers, and specialty shops arranged in well-marked aisles. For families, the experience is part eating, part education — kids see where food comes from before it reaches a plate, and vendors are happy to explain their products.

The cheese merchants, in particular, are generous with samples and patient with curious kids.

The must-try item is the peameal bacon sandwich from Carousel Bakery. This is Toronto's signature sandwich — thick-cut, cornmeal-crusted back bacon on a soft Kaiser roll — and it has been served from this same stall for decades. The line moves fast and the sandwich is big enough to share with a young child.

Other standout family options include the fish and chips from Buster's Sea Cove, fresh bagels from St. Urbain, and whatever seasonal pastry catches your eye.

Saturday brings the Farmers Market to the North Building across the street, running from 5AM to 3PM. This outdoor-style market features Ontario farmers selling seasonal produce, bakers with fresh bread, maple syrup producers, and artisan food makers. The atmosphere is more lively and community-oriented than the South Market, with local families doing their weekly shopping.

For families with younger children, the market is stroller-accessible with an elevator and wide main aisles, though side aisles can get tight on Saturdays. The lower level has public washrooms. The market sits in Toronto's historic Old Town neighbourhood, steps from the Flatiron Building, Berczy Park (with its delightful dog fountain that kids adore), and the Hockey Hall of Fame.

It makes an excellent first stop on a downtown Toronto family day.

A word on budget: this is a pay-as-you-go experience with no admission fee. You can spend as little or as much as you like. A family of four can eat a solid lunch for $40-60 CAD, or you can simply browse and sample for free.