Toronto's Unusual Museums and Galleries, Compared: Illusions, Photography, Television and Rare Books

Toronto's headline museums get most of the attention, but the city also has a deep bench of offbeat cultural stops that suit rainy days, repeat visitors and anyone who has already done the big institutions. Drawing on Destination Ontario's guide to unique galleries and museums and a second specialty-museum roundup, here is how the most interesting smaller venues compare, grouped by what they offer.

Immersive and interactive

The Museum of Illusions at 123 Front Street East features more than 70 brain-teasing exhibits, including tilted rooms and holograms, in an interactive, photo-friendly format. Pocket Planet Canada at 10 Dundas Street East is a 45,000-square-foot experience with miniature Canadian landmarks, including a 12-foot CN Tower, more than 40,000 figurines and a station for 3D-printed self-portraits. Arcadia Earth at 486 Front Street West, inside The Well, blends art and technology in multi-sensory installations about environmental impact. These three are the best fit for families, groups and visitors who want something hands-on.

Photography, media and film

The Image Centre at 33 Gould Street, part of Toronto Metropolitan University, is described as Canada's premier photography institution, with nearly 400,000 photographs and a focus on how photography connects to culture. The MZTV Museum of Television and Archives, at 64 Jefferson Avenue in Liberty Village, shows television sets from the 1920s to the 1970s along with related memorabilia, and explores television's cultural impact. TIFF Lightbox at 350 King Street West is the entertainment district hub for the film festival and houses a film reference library, a Canadian film gallery, screenings and workshops.

Books and language

The Toronto Reference Library at 789 Yonge Street holds one of the world's most extensive Sir Arthur Conan Doyle collections, including a Sherlock Holmes-themed study replica on the fifth floor in the Marilyn and Charles Baillie Special Collections Centre. The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at 120 St George Street, at the University of Toronto, holds Canada's most extensive collection of rare books and manuscripts, including annotated works by Marshall McLuhan. The Canadian Language Museum, on York University's Glendon Campus at 2275 Bayview Avenue in North York, celebrates the languages spoken in Canada and their role in shaping the country through traveling exhibits. Book lovers can easily build a half-day around the first two.

Art, design and craft

The Design Exchange at 234 Bay Street is housed in the former Toronto Stock Exchange building in the Financial District and is described as Canada's only design museum. The Museum of New at 123 Bellwoods Avenue is a hidden gem hosting forward-thinking artists, but it is open Saturdays only and requires advance appointments. Craft Ontario at 1106 Queen Street West celebrates handmade work in clay, glass, metal and wood, represents Indigenous art and runs a shop featuring Inuit and Indigenous artwork. Gallery Arcturus at 80 Gerrard Street East offers free exhibits and public educational programs, and the Power Plant at Harbourfront is a free contemporary art gallery.

Putting a route together

Geography makes pairing easy. The Museum of Illusions on Front Street East sits near St. Lawrence Market, so it pairs naturally with a market visit. Arcadia Earth, TIFF Lightbox and MZTV are all on or near the King West and Liberty Village corridor, which makes a film-and-media afternoon practical. The Image Centre, the Thomas Fisher and the Design Exchange can be combined into a downtown day for people who like archives, design and photography.

How to choose

For families and groups, pick the Museum of Illusions or Pocket Planet Canada. For photography buffs, the Image Centre is the clear choice. Book lovers should head to the Toronto Reference Library or the Thomas Fisher. For a quiet gallery stop with no admission, try Gallery Arcturus. Hours, admission and booking rules vary, and some venues need appointments, so check each venue's website before you visit.