Spadina Museum image

Spadina Museum

Tourist attraction Historical landmark History museum

Heritage home demonstrating domestic life in the 1920s & '30s, plus a Victorian-Edwardian garden. People often mention house, tour, Toronto, museum, visit, time, beautiful, history, Spadina, guide,


Address

285 Spadina Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 2V5, Canada

Website

www.toronto.ca

Contact

+1 416-392-6910

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (674 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 11 am to 4 pm
  • Sunday: 11 am to 4 pm
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 11 am to 4 pm
  • Thursday: 11 am to 4 pm
  • Friday: (Good Friday), 11 am to 4 pm, Hours might differ

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: house (30) tour (28) Toronto (23) museum (23) visit (21) time (20) beautiful (19) history (19) Spadina (17) guide (16)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Su R c. 1 year ago on Google
    Spadina Museum is a restored and well maintained Victorian home from 1920s.It was home of the affluent Austin family in Toronto.The family was the elites with their annual income of $66000 coming from their gas business (Enbridge Gas today ) and banking business (TD Bank today ). Where is Spadina Museum : Right across the famed Casa Loma Why Visit: 😊To experience the Victorian architecture and gardens. 😊Well trained tour guides who keep you entralled with their description. Parking: No parking on site.You can do some street parking or park at Casa Loma. Fee to visit the museum : FREE- donation is welcome
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rc 1 year ago on Google • 80 reviews
    I was able to visit this place as a part of Doors Open Toronto. The house is fantastic - they've done a wonderful job maintaining the historical finishes inside - to match the photos that exist. There was staff in every room, explaining details about the house. They had a video playing in the basement that went into even more detail. The grounds are even more stunning. They had little games like they would have been playing in the 1800s. The trees were flowering(!!!), the gardens were perfect... It was breathtaking.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Luiza A. 2 years ago on Google
    My favourite part about the Spadina Museum is the beautiful Spadina House garden. Open daily until 5pm- you can access the grounds around this house/museum for free! It’s a beautiful space nestled in one of the nicest areas of Toronto. It feels almost like a private park. In the summer they host outdoor events like themed fairs and yoga classes which are always a treat. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area or looking for a nice place for a picnic!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 A M. 10 months ago on Google • 290 reviews
    Visited on Doors Open Toronto. The grounds and the exterior are the best part about it. Interior is nice and you get to experience old architecture. Some of the rooms are very well preserved. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dominika S. 6 months ago on Google • 20 reviews
    Amazing museum, very interesting history of the family and house itself. Our guide was amazing, very charismatic. The interior was way better in comparison to Casa Loma
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mimi S. 1 year ago on Google
    Visited during Doors Open on a gorgeous sunny day; a fair number of visitors to the awesome gardens. Very peaceful and colourful. Noted many plants I know. Lots in bloom. The building is a historic landmark & is free entry always, according to the signage.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 ingrid t. 1 year ago on Google
    So beautiful place. Though only tour on guide is allowed, visitors are given stories of this magnificent house. Will come back again.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mitchell K. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful building and property! Although the group was small, our museum guide Cal was extremely theatrical, professional and informative which brought the 1920s building to life! As foreigners, it was nice to also learn about some history of Toronto as well.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Janice C. 2 months ago on Google • 267 reviews New
    Recommend taking the guided tour. There are little details I definitely would have missed without our docent (e.g. a door in the garden room floor that the gardener was required to enter through).

  • 5/5 Ricardo K. 3 weeks ago on Google • 246 reviews New
    Spadina House, also known as the Spadina Museum, is a historic mansion located on Spadina Road in Toronto, Canada. The museum is operated by the City of Toronto's Culture Division and is a significant part of the city's cultural heritage. The mansion has been preserved largely as it existed historically, reflecting contemporary styles from the 1860s to the 1930s. Admission is free, and is located at 285 Spadina Rd. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 11:00 to 17:00. It's worth a visit!

  • 5/5 Henry U. 1 year ago on Google • 28 reviews
    I really liked this museum. Excellent preservation of the home with very knowledgeable guides to take you on a tour of each room. There’s also the beautiful, really well-maintained grounds where you can grab a drink, do some reading or just sit and soak in the peace and quiet. Highly recommend a visit, especially on a nice summer day.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Moushumi N. 2 months ago on Google • 205 reviews New
    Hello Torontonians! Take advantage of your free museums. Absolutely wonderful tour - it started off with a video, but don't worry, a real tour guide will take you through the different floors. See the wolves to greet you at the main entrance, learn about Mary's work in promoting female artists, walk through labourer corridors, and some history about Spadina indigenous word origins. During the holidays, we got to view typical Christmas activities/decors and also taste sugar and gingerbread cookies made with recipes of the time. Cool! Worth it! Beautiful views too and a nice garden.

  • 5/5 Mackenzie C. 9 months ago on Google
    Beautiful place to go visit! Slightly busy but worth the experience. It was historic and absolutely beautiful! Great place for picnics, tourism or just something to do!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Claudia L. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place! I had heard about a children's event and decided to attend with my family. I was a little disappointed because they said on the post that there would be many activities but it turned out to be dull. Staff weren't there to monitor anything and the activities didn't really turn out to be anything. I did pay for the tour so we got to enjoy that but they shouldn't try to bring people in with false advertising.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Roman 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful place! We spent amazing time here. Thank you so much for the tour, it’s was fascinating! Recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment, cause now spaces are limited.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anastasiia K. 8 months ago on Google
    A large, well-kept territory, a beautiful place to have a good time. Concerts are sometimes held, I recommend it for sure
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Katelin C. 7 months ago on Google • 6 reviews
    Excellent experience! Beautifully restored with a wonderful and free guided tour. Staff were friendly and welcoming and willing to answer any question. Lots of historical information and time to look around each room. As well as a beautiful garden. 100% recommend for anyone traveling to Toronto.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tiago P. 3 years ago on Google
    Super interesting museum. The workers are very nice and friendly. The guided tour was extremely interesting, and the guide was very helpful. You could tell he loved his job. The gardens were also beautiful! I had a great time, and couldn’t recommend more. Definitely worth a visit!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Mae L. 5 years ago on Google
    I've always heard of the Spadina Museum, but never had a chance to go until I stumbled upon it during Open Doors. Though I only had a small amount of time to explore, I did enjoy what it had to offer. It was nice to learn about local history and get a sense of what it was like to live in Toronto, during that time frame. I found the staff to be very friendly and quite knowledgeable, and happy to answer any questions I had. I was quite impressed that they had a good chunk of the original decor from the Austin Family. The house is restored to the 1920s time period, which make it great for an morning, or early afternoon stroll. The gardens in the spring/summer is also great to check out.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ivan I. 2 months ago on Google • 75 reviews New
    Great experience. We went today (6 of us) and our guide was very accomodating, knowledgeable and welcoming. We will definetly recommend.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 varsha p. 2 months ago on Google • 26 reviews New
    I had the pleasure of experiencing the stunning beauty of the mansion, where every step on the wooden floors was accompanied by a subtle, delightful creak. The ambience was enhanced by the rich hues of red and green velvety curtains that adorned the windows. Not only was the mansion visually appealing, but the complimentary cookies provided were also a delicious treat. And the true highlight was the complimentary tour, which not only showcased the architectural marvel of the mansion but also provided valuable insights into its history. All in all, a delightful and memorable visit that exceeded my expectations. On a side note - You can expect to spend a solid two hours to finish the guided tour.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jay F. 5 months ago on Google • 18 reviews
    So much fun getting the tour and asking a million questions. My tour guide was so great and I was entranced the whole walk. I am so glad I got to check it out. I am excited to come back. Our guide welcomed questions about everything even when it was just silly niche stuff, like about all the tile painters. The fireplace was lovely!!! But those aren't even my favourite tiles! My favourites are in the sunroom with all the plants, they are behind the door! They are stunning. Sadly I was so excited by them I didn't take photos. You will have to see for yourselves.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 mangshra l. 4 years ago on Google
    We took our mum here for mother's Day. We had a wonderful time learning about the house and history of the family. It's a gorgeous house wonderfully up kept and restored. Part of a bonus of coming here on mother's day was that they had a 1920s to 30s singer and piano artists, they were an amazing duo. Afterward we had delicious scones and tea! It was a wonderful event and I highly recommend you going next time they have one.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Huy B. 4 years ago on Google
    We went to this museum on Doors Open Toronto 2019. The house is magnificent although visible signs of age (it's been here since 1866) are showing. There was a archeology dig in the basement, which is very cool.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Giovanna P. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful Museum. We actually had our wedding ceremony at the Museum. The sunroom is perfect for a small, intimate wedding. The exterior for wedding photos are just beautiful. However, due to the inclement weather we had (the random snowy week in November), we didn’t get a chance to take pictures outside. The events coordinator is truly amazing. She is prompt with response emails and listened to every concern we had. She also made it so we could take pictures inside. The event staff are professional, and very experienced! Our day went smoothly and we are absolutely in love with the pictures.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Velvet R. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place and excellent tour guide. So many things seemed so far ahead of its time and the splendor was of course timeless.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Audrey Z. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing place to learn about the 20s to 50s lifestyle. Cool themed events too, check out the Facebook page to see what's coming up. Highly recommend!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 V S. 5 years ago on Google
    A very good place to visit in your free time.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 amina 3 years ago on Google
    The staff gave a detailed explaination for each room ad the house was clean and in proper condition. Beautiful flowers as well.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Amy 4 years ago on Google
    Nice building and garden
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Katrina R. 4 years ago on Google
    A gem! A Toronto house-turned-museum with guided tours and special events. The guide showing us around was very knowledgable, and was able to answer questions we had prepared. A great bit of Toronto history, and in fact a quiet inspiration for betterment. Worth a visit!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Gloria L. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice historic landmark and pretty exterior- was here for the Dis/Mantle exhibit and it was great to learn briefly about Black history with a modern artistic interpretation. It is currently a free exhibit! There is a greenhouse in the garden but that is closed to the public.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sarosh T. 4 years ago on Google
    ExcellentService
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Daniel L. 4 years ago on Google
    Spadina Museum is really a nice place to visit in the summer!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Caren M. 3 years ago on Google
    I had some reservations about the house itself (I had read a dreadfully dull book about the property), but I was absolutely blown away by the building and grounds. We had a bit of confusion when we arrived, as we had purchased a walking tour instead of the guided tour of the house, but they were able to accommodate us for a house tour as we had originally intended. Our guide Dave was super knowledgeable and had so many interesting little bits of information to share. We explored the grounds after our tour and took in the nice weather in the lush gardens and lawn. Thank you Dave and the rest of the museum team for turning our blunder into something pleasant and informative!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anna P. 1 year ago on Google
    a breathtakingly beautiful place to visit! right next door to Casa Loma, and free of charge. guided tours available, with very knowledgeable museum employees, who can answer every question about the house history and the family who owned it (Austins). Currently (December 2022) there is Dis/Mantle exhibit: cited below after the official museum website: Dis/Mantle, an art exhibit inspired by the efforts of Black abolitionists, reimagines Spadina Museum using an Afrofuturism narrative: where Mrs. Pipkin, the formerly enslaved freedom seeker who worked as a laundress in the house is now the homeowner and the house is a safe haven for those seeking freedom through the Underground Railroad. On view until December 31, the group show includes soundscapes, ceramics and visual art by Canadian artists from the Afro-Caribbean diaspora. you can buy snacks, beverages and there is a lovely gift shop.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Meghan T. 1 year ago on Google
    A hidden gem in Toronto. So quiet and peaceful. It made an absolutely beautiful spot for our wedding ceremony. Special shout out to our site coordinator who helped make our day perfect!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 david g. 1 month ago on Google • 17 reviews New
    Interesting place that lets us learn about Toronto's development. There was no entrance fee.

  • 4/5 Abi M. 1 month ago on Google • 7 reviews New
    Get out and enjoy the free options that TO has to offer. The museum did a really nice job of encorporating black history into the experience. Some of these elements should be a regular part of the story and not just featured in February.

  • 5/5 Alice H. 1 year ago on Google
    Hidden museum. Have an outdoor lawn with various florals.

  • 5/5 captain h. 4 years ago on Google
    Loved the experience of old Toronto

  • 5/5 mohit v. 9 months ago on Google
    A must place to visit. David, who took on the house visit, explained so well that I felt that I was a part of that era... I came to know why the city was named Toronto, and before this, I didn't know the reason behind the name. It is a good place with a lot of mystery about Toronto.And on top of it, there is no fee.

  • 5/5 Daniel E. 2 years ago on Google
    A time machine, it was so much fun!

  • 5/5 Sarmitha S. 2 years ago on Google
    The grounds are open but the museum is closed. Lovely!

  • 4/5 Denis S. 2 years ago on Google
    As of now, closed to general public due to covid restrictions. Walking tours around the property are available, and the guide I had was very engaging and insightful regarding not only the museum, but also the history of Toronto. The garden is humble, but decent, and the orchid is great in summer for picking apples (highly recommended!). Overall a great place, would be a 10/10 experience if not for indoor visitation ban.

  • 5/5 U L. 10 months ago on Google
    Definitely worth visiting! This small historical place shows a bit of the past days from unusual perspective - it tells the story of a black woman who used to work for the owner of the house in 20th century. Each room and a piece of interior has a story to tell and you will definetely fill curious when the host start diving you in the history of this house.

  • 3/5 Carlos B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is a historic mansion located on Spadina Road, which currently houses a museum operated by the Toronto City Culture Division. The museum preserves the building as it existed and has been developed historically. The art, decoration and architecture of the house reflect the contemporary styles in vogue from the 1860s to the 1930s, including the Victorian, Edwardian, Arts & crafts, Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Neo-Colonial styles. The property's gardens reflect Victorian and Edwardian styles. (Original) Trata-se de um palacete histórico situado na Spadina Road, que, atualmente, abriga um museu operado pela Divisão de Cultura da Cidade de Toronto. O museu preserva o edifício tal como existiu e se foi desenvolvendo historicamente. A arte, decoração e arquitetura da casa refletem os estilos contemporâneos em voga da década de 1860 à década de 1930, incluindo os estilos Vitoriano, Eduardino, Arts & crafts, Art Deco, Art Nouveau e Neo-Colonialista. Os jardins da propriedade refletem os estilos Vitoriano e Eduardino.

  • 5/5 Sandra C. 1 year ago on Google
    What a splendid trip back into time, and I didn't even need a Time Machine. Spadina House is everything you would imagine. A sacred period in time preserved & honored. The house is in magnificent shape. It's history rich and vibrant. The grounds of the house are breath-taking. A lovely place to just sit and enjoy the greenery and all of the smashing parties, you know that the owners threw back when. The tour guides are especially friendly and extremely knowledgeable. This one tour & museum I will going back over and over again. There is no way you can ever tire of this gorgeous place in our City.

  • 5/5 James W. 4 years ago on Google
    My favorite historical house in Toronto and if you get a pass from the library it's free. The gardens are free as well and beautiful. Right across from Casa who?

  • 5/5 Helena A. 4 years ago on Google
    I just love old houses and this one it's perfect! Totally original and full of history that makes you feel just like traveling back in time!

  • 5/5 Habib. 4 years ago on Google
    A beautiful establishment and garden in close proximity to casa Loma. This place can get pretty busy during peak times but it's a wonderful location to learn some of Toronto's history or enjoy the serene gardens. Also an absolutely beautiful spot to take photos. For bigger shoots you will require a permit.

  • 4/5 Olive A. 5 years ago on Google
    First time visit, but I Loved it, because there was a history to it. When you go there you will love it, fun for the whole family.. 😁

  • 5/5 Riyadh N. 3 years ago on Google
    Lovely museum that is totally worth a stop if you're planning on visiting Casa Loma. Not only is it a 2 minute walk from the main attraction next door, you even get a 25% discount if you show them the ticket to Casa Loma. Lovely home with extremely knowledgeable tour guides able to transport you to the era when this house was constructed. It's easy to tell the detail that went along with making a home so meticulously and with great finesse.

  • 4/5 Anne Z. 3 years ago on Google
    Feels like a hidden gem, when you want to step out of the city, as unlike some of the great parks in Toronto, this is much less trafficked. The gardens are lovely, diverse and peaceful. The house and it's contents are charming and interesting.

  • 5/5 Leopold K. 3 years ago on Google
    Splendid.

  • 5/5 ʟǟʊʀɨɛ-ֆɦǟառ �. 3 years ago on Google
    Gorgeous grounds.

  • 5/5 Dave G. 3 years ago on Google
    The grounds are now open, and garden is beautiful this time of year.

  • 5/5 Zina C. 3 years ago on Google
    The garden is wonderful! Fall makes everything magical.

  • 5/5 Valliappan P. 3 years ago on Google
    Toronto's Downton abbey

  • 5/5 Brad G. 3 years ago on Google
    Fun for the Gatzby party!

  • 5/5 Larry J. 4 years ago on Google
    This little museum had so much history it was amazing! Must visit if you are nearby!

  • 5/5 Anton G. 4 years ago on Google
    A great museum just steps from Casa Loma. I enjoyed the small tour more than the bigger attraction next door.

  • 5/5 Ricardo Gomes F. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) My sister and I love it! The guide was very attentive and explained about every corner of this incredible house full of history! He answered all our questions and very patiently let us photograph everything! I recommend it to anyone who wants to discover what life was like at the hill house (spadina) a long time ago! 😀 (Original) Eu e minha irmã adoramos! O guia foi muito atencioso e explicou sobre cada cantinho dessa incrível casa cheia de história! Respondeu todas nossas perguntas e com muita paciência nos deixou fotografar tudo ! Recomendo para quem tem vontade de descobrir como era a vida na casa da colina (spadina) muito tempo atrás !😀

  • 5/5 Forouzan D. 4 years ago on Google
    You need 3 to 4 visits to cover all the floors. A collection of masterpieces you would never find anywhere else.

  • 4/5 Line T. 4 years ago on Google
    Nuit Blanche can be awesome or average. Spadina Museum tonight was just fair...

  • 5/5 Tim R. 4 years ago on Google
    Great exhibit. Great tour guide. Lots of great stuff in gift shop

  • 5/5 Victor W. 4 years ago on Google
    Lovely museum that is totally worth a stop if you're planning on visiting Casa Loma. Not only is it a 2 minute walk from the main attraction next door, you even get a 25% discount if you show them the ticket to Casa Loma. Lovely home with extremely knowledgeable tour guides able to transport you to the era when this house was constructed. It's easy to tell the detail that went along with making a home so meticulously and with great finesse.

  • 5/5 Aaron W. 4 years ago on Google
    Really fun tour. Fun staff, neat to spend an hour there

  • 4/5 Filipe F. 4 years ago on Google
    I must see destination in Toronto, beautiful old architecture.

  • 5/5 Catherine M. 4 years ago on Google
    This museum is a hidden gem! A significant part of our city's history. With the cutest gift shop, too. A must see.

  • 5/5 Alisia M. 4 years ago on Google
    great time

  • 5/5 chriss h. 4 years ago on Google
    I was here for a 1920s card making class. Great staff, lots of information with 1920 recipes of cookies as a snack. Loved it!!

  • 5/5 Priscila S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is worth waiting for the guided tour. The guide is very detailed and tells with enthusiasm. The house was decorated for Christmas with the display of family Christmas cards. At the end of the visit we were served tea and biscuits natalinos. (Original) Vale a pena aguardar pela visita guiada. O guia é bem detalhista e narra com entusiamo. A casa estava decorada para o Natal com a mostra de cartões de Natal da família. No final da visita foi servido chá e biscoitos natalinos.

  • 5/5 Jacqui B. 4 years ago on Google
    Well worth a visit when in Toronto

  • 5/5 PIERINA O. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice place to visit

  • 4/5 Tripti Roy G. 4 years ago on Google
    Had a company picnic on the grounds and totally enjoyed it. Its such a beautiful place. Been to Casa Loma so many times, can't believe never stepped in here.

  • 5/5 Gulshan V. 4 years ago on Google
    Very well kept house with period furniture. There is a guided tour with a knowledgeable guide. The grounds are vast and beautiful with many trees and flowers.

  • 5/5 Ebele Arinola K. 4 years ago on Google
    It was nuit blanche and lots of lighting art to see. Very impressive. Also take a walk through austin terrace you will catch a beautiful view of downtown Toronto from the hilltop.

  • 4/5 Emily A. 4 years ago on Google
    Lovely gardens and historical home. Worth a visit if in the Casa Loma area, and if you'd like to see something other than Casa Loma.

  • 5/5 Colette V. 4 years ago on Google
    Nuit Blanche @ Spadina Museum was Magical! ❤


Call +1 416-392-6910 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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