Riverdale Farm is a unique destination because it’s a working farm that’s only minutes away from Toronto’s busy downtown core. Every visit is guaranteed to be a fun-filled family daytrip. Did you know, it used to be the site of Toronto’s first zoo in 1894, called “Riverdale Zoo” right up until 1974?
During our visit to the farm we recorded an episode for the Let’s Discover ON webseries:
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Getting There:
Whether visiting for a day or a few hours, the property is easily accessible by car or public transit. If you do arrive by car though, don’t expect a parking lot, there’s only street parking available. As for transit, it’s a short walk from the nearest TTC stop on Parliament St.
Availability & Cost:
It’s open year round, 7 days a week, from 9am to 5pm. The best part? It’s FREE!! There’s no admission fee to get in, which really helps if you’re looking for a cheap activity to do with the family. The farm is operated by the City of Toronto, and they could use extra funding, so they do ask for voluntary donations. Conveniently, there’s a pay machine, kinda like an electronic parking meter at the front entrance.
Important things to keep in mind:
- Your pets are not allowed on the property.
- There are warning signs reminding visitors that feeding the animals is not allowed.
- This is not a petting zoo. It is discouraged, but there may be more intimate events during the year where you may have the opportunity to.
The Animals:
It’s a busy place, with many different animals to see. In the pens, they have horses, cows, sheep and goats. In the barn, you can see the pigs, turkeys, chickens and rabbits. The domesticated waterfowl like to hang out at the pond which is also home to several ducks.
Special Events:
There’s too many to list, and they’re spread throughout the year. In a nutshell, they have seasonal events for the Holidays, Spring and Fall/Halloween. There’s also educational programs and a summer camp for kids. You can check their website for the most up to date info.
What you need to try:
Chat with a farmer of course! The staff are very friendly and really enjoy the ‘teachable moments’ that come up on the farm. You can approach them anytime during the day while they go about typical farm chores. They’re a great wealth of information to help enrich your visit.
Here’s a quick checklist for your next visit:
As always, please visit the official Riverdale Farm website to get the latest info before your visit and remember to subscribe to our blog for new posts!
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