Record Winter Weather
Toronto’s record-breaking snowfalls and squalls sure hit us hard early this year and it’s no surprise the city is already feeling wintered out. But we don’t have to travel to get a hit of summer, humidity and lush garden spaces. We can find it right in the heart of our downtown.
Free Hit of Summer
Allan Gardens is one of Toronto’s oldest parks with its 1,500 square metres (or 16,000 square feet). Located at 160 Gerrard Street East, it’s free to enter, and supports over 100 plant species inside the 2.5-hectare park, open daily from 10 ‘til 5pm.
It spans across 6 interconnected greenhouses, making it a compact yet lush indoor oasis right smack in the middle of winter. And it’s free.
How Warm Is It?
You’ll definitely want to strip off the winter coat while inside. Temperatures are between 21 and 27 degrees celcius, but with humidity, it can feel more like 30 degrees in here.
It consists of many sections: The Northwest (Arid House) with Cacti, agave and aloe. The Northeast (Tropical House), home to orchids.The East (Palm House) and its Towering palms, ferns, and vines and other houses with Australian and Mediterranean flora.
Wait, There’s More
What other fun stuff can you spot while getting a hit of warmth? Water features like the waterwheel, painted turtles and koi ponds and fountains flow under citrus trees and seasonal blooms.
Back In Time
Want a bit of history? In 1858, Toronto’s horticulture-loving mayor, George William Allan, generously carved out 5 lush acres from his fancy Moss Park estate and gifted them.
In 1902, a fire destroyed the original glass conservatory and its rare plants, leading to the current Palm House (opened in 1910), a domed Edwardian gem listed on Toronto’s Heritage Properties.
This 16-sided glass marvel soars to 12 meters or 40 feet high, anchored by elegant curved trusses and framed by two smaller corner domes.
Newly Opened in 2025
After closing for 3 years for a major renovation, it reopened last spring, in 2025. The cost? 11.3 million paid by the city.
Accessibility
But what about accessibility and amenities? Along with accessible washrooms, Allan Gardens offers flat, ramped walkways with bridges over ponds while looping through exhibits.
So take a break from the chill and give yourself a tropical moment inside one of Toronto’s oldest parks.
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