Are you looking for an exciting family adventure that combines history, fun, and a bit of nostalgia? The Toronto Railway Museum at the iconic Roundhouse Park creates the perfect day of learning and play. Exciting for the whole family. And in the heart of downtown Toronto!

If your kids love trains, then this is the place to be! Because here, they can learn about the trains that built Canada. And for newcomers to Canada, Canoo and the Toronto Railway Museum are opening their doors to you for free. Download the app today and plan your next family adventure.

Download

app store

4.8

(10k ratings)

playstore

4.6

(3.5k ratings)

Discovering Roundhouse Park

This park, sometimes referred to as Roundhouse Park Toronto or John Street Roundhouse, is not just any park. It’s a green space mixed with local industrial history. The Roundhouse Park, home to the Toronto Railway Museum, dates back to 1929. Nearly celebrating its 100th anniversary! This is now home to the Toronto Railway Museum. This beautifully preserved building once served as a maintenance facility for steam locomotives arriving at nearby Union Station and now stands as a landmark in Canadian railway history.

The City of Toronto now owns Roundhouse Park. And you can easily find it near the CN Tower and Rogers Stadium.

An aerial image of Roundhouse Park and the Toronto Railway Museum in downtown Toronto.
Credit: Arbitrary Entity

Exploring the Toronto Railway Museum

Inside the Toronto Railway Museum, you’ll find exhibits of vintage locomotives, rail cars, and all kinds of engineering artifacts. Interactive displays also make it a fun learning environment for kids. Don’t miss the miniature train ride, which will take you on a little trip around Roundhouse Park.

Admission fees are reasonable, ensuring a budget-friendly outing for families. While prices differ depending on your age, you can generally expect to pay around $14 for each adult and $5 for each child. But visit for free using Canoo, thanks to the Toronto Railway Museum’s generous partnership!

Trains at the Toronto Railway Musuem at Roundhouse Park Toronto
Credit: Daniel Hodson

Playtime at the Roundhouse Train Playground

One of the highlights for families is the Roundhouse Train Playground, a fantastic area where children can let their imaginations run wild. This playground features train-themed equipment, allowing kids to climb, slide, and pretend to be a conductor on a mini locomotive.

It’s a perfect spot for parents to relax and enjoy the laughter and shrieks of joy while the little ones burn off some energy.

A Look at Canada’s Railway Heritage

While the Toronto Railway Museum is impressive, did you know that the largest railway museum in Canada is the Canadian Railway Museum in Saint-Constant, Quebec? It’s an incredible place that’s worth adding to your travel bucket list if you are a railway enthusiast. This huge Museum takes about 2-3 hours to fully explore, given its extensive collection of over 160 locomotives and rolling stock.

More railway museums in Ontario to visit:

  • Northern Ontario Railroad Museum near Sudbury
  • Locomotive 6167 in Guelph (Free with your Canoo membership)
  • Locomoland in Niagara Falls (Free with your Canoo membership)
  • Halton County Radial Railway in Milton

For more train adventures, use Canoo to get a discount on VIA Rail journeys across Canada! Click here to learn about the discount and hop on a train this summer to see the Rocky Mountains or Old Montreal.

An image of a train on train tracks at Union Station
Credit: Meet Sonagara

Making the Most of Your Visit to the Toronto Railway Museum

To make the most of your day at Roundhouse Park, pack a picnic to enjoy the downtown Toronto activity, or treat yourselves to a meal at one of the nearby restaurants. The park is close to other attractions, like the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium.

A day at the Toronto Railway Museum in Roundhouse Park is more than just a trip to a museum. It’s an opportunity to step back in time, ignite your children’s imaginations, and create lasting memories together. So, next time you’re planning a family outing, remember the Toronto Railway Museum and all the history it holds.

Whether you’re a train enthusiast or just looking for a unique family experience, this destination promises a day of joy and discovery.


About the writer