Planning or attending a conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC)? You won’t have to venture far to see these iconic art and cultural landmarks.
In Toronto, there are museums, galleries and public art abound. And if you’re planning a conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), your delegates won’t have to venture far to check them out. Whether your attendees have a whole evening on their hands or just an hour or two to spare, these iconic art and cultural landmarks are perfect for MTCC attendees who want to take a creative break before tackling the rest of the day’s agenda.
1. Take in the waterfront—and contemporary art—at The Power Plant
A key feature of Toronto’s downtown waterfront, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery is oft-considered to be Canada’s leading public contemporary art gallery. Unmissable thanks to its towering smokestack and its connection to the Harbourfront Centre, The Power Plant offers free admission year-round. Once there, attendees can take in rotating exhibitions featuring work from Canadian and international artists, plus a series of programs, including artist discussions and live performances.
Getting there from the MTCC: Walk 10 to 15 minutes south on Lower Simcoe Street to the waterfront.
2. Explore Stackt, North America's largest shipping container market
Stackt Market is devoted to supporting local art, music, culture and social enterprise. The market is made completely out of shipping containers which have been transformed into shops, galleries and creative hangout nooks. The space's events and programming are ever-rotating, but attendees can expect local art on display and a cast of vendors serving up everything from curated cocktails and beers brewed on-site to tacos and baos to new wardrobe must-haves.
Getting there from the MTCC: Walk 15 to 20 minutes west on Front Street.
3. Discover the Market Gallery at St. Lawrence Market
The Market Gallery offers a serene escape for event attendees in need of a change of scenery and mindset. Located on the second floor of the St. Lawrence Market—a must-visit for a peameal sandwich, artisanal goods and local fare—the gallery tells the story of Toronto’s history through film, photography and artefacts.
Getting there from the MTCC: Walk 15 to 20 minutes east on Front Street.
4. Go on a coffee break and a graffiti walking tour in Queen West
Go on a scavenger hunt to find the best street art, murals and graffiti in the city. Start at Graffiti Alley, a three-block-long alleyway that’s home to bold, bright and sometimes quirky street art murals, that include the likes of black panthers, blue cats and pink ladies. From there, attendees can walk west along Queen Street West, lined with coffee shops, acclaimed restaurants, eclectic boutiques and yes, more incredible street art.
Getting there from the MTCC: Walk 20 minutes northwest to Graffiti Alley (west on Front, north on Spadina) or jump on the Spadina streetcar at Front Street and get off at Richmond.
5. Dive into a kaleidoscope of artistic expressions at the Art Gallery of Ontario
The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest museums in North America and boasts more than 90,000 works of art, spanning from contemporary pieces to those dating back to the first century. Recent special exhibitions have included art from Keith Haring, Kaws and more. The Frank Gehry–designed building, especially renowned for its iconic spiral staircase, is believed to be one of the most photographed places in Canada.
Getting there from the MTCC: Walk 20 to 25 minutes north along John Street or jump on the TTC subway for two stops, from St. Andrew station to St. Patrick station.
6. Delve into centuries of natural history and art at The Royal Ontario Museum
One of Canada’s largest museums, The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is home to awe-inspiring exhibits spanning natural history, art and heritage. There are more than s18 million objects housed in the museum—including a dinosaur exhibit, bat cave and First Peoples gallery; which, combined with the museum’s vast educational opportunities, contributes to its status as one of Canada’s premier cultural institutions.
Getting there from the MTCC: Take the TTC from Union station to Museum station; allow 20 minutes of travel time.
7. Browse ceramics at the Gardiner Museum
Across the street from the Royal Ontario Museum, ceramics of all shapes and sizes are on display at the Gardiner Museum. Here, attendees can happily spend time perusing miniature sculptures, porcelain plates and earthenware from Europe, North America and South America. Before leaving, attendees can stop by the gift shop to purchase jewellery, stationary and one-of-a-kind souvenirs from local artists.
Getting there from the MTCC: Take the TTC from Union station to Museum station; allow 20 minutes of travel time.
8. Look at the creativity of footwear fashion at the Bata Shoe Museum
Located just a 10-minute walk from the ROM and the Gardiner Museum, The Bata Shoe Museum displays the evolution and redesigns of footwear, spanning centuries and continents, thanks to a collection of more than 15,000 shoes, boots, sandals and more. And, with its small size and easy-to-navigate setup, there’s plenty of time to view the entire collection in an hour, making it a perfect stop for a midday break. Plus, the architecture of the building—designed by award-winning Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama—is as stunning as its footwear collection.
Getting there from the MTCC: Take the TTC from Union station to St. George station; allow 15 minutes of travel time.
