Roundhouse Park and the Toronto Railway Museum

Roundhouse Park is home to both the Toronto Railway Museum and Steam Whistle Brewing

Aerial View of Roundhouse Park in Toronto
Aerial View of Roundhouse Park in Toronto cc licensed photo by The City of Toronto

In the heart of Toronto a very popular attraction that is definitely worth taking some time to explore is Roundhouse Park, home to the John Street Roundhouse. Designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, the Roundhouse was built between 1929 and 1931 and now houses the Toronto Railway Museum, a brewery and a home furnishing store. The park stands on 17 acres of prime city land situated just south of the the base of the CN Tower.

The main focus of the park is the Railway Museum which features many historic locomotives and passenger cars as well as old and restored freight trains. There are signs in all of them explaining the importance of their role in history. This form of transportation emotionally hits the core of many people who remember stories from loved ones of days of old.

A wonderful, fun and educational feature hosted by the Toronto Railway Museum is the miniature steam railway. Passengers ride the train and experience a step back in time using real steam technology to run the locomotive. This popular voyage is half a kilometre long starting at the restored 1896 Don Station and passing by many replicas of prominent buildings. Visitors can also enjoy the sensation of a computer simulated ride situated in an authentic diesel locomotive.

Learn about the Canadian origin of the CPR by taking a guided walking tour. There is a small initiation to the steam iron horse, interesting lectures, guide books, a collection of railway equipment and so much more for one to take in and appreciate the fascinating history of this very important form of transportation.

Steam Whistle Brewing is also situated in the charming old John St. Roundhouse that was built in 1929 and used for servicing locomotives from that era until 1986. Here you will be able to take a tour and enjoy tasting samples of this truly Canadian beer. The founders of this company were former workers of the upper Canada Brewing Company and were fired when it was sold to Sleeman and closed down. They decided to put their heads together and open up a brewery of their own. Their pilsner is recognizable by its distinct green bottles that have 3FG embossed on the bottom of them as an inside joke referring to 3 fired guys. All the packaging is made from recycled material. Steam Whistle Brewery is environmentally friendly, having won many awards for this very important aspect. This phenomenal beer is freshly brewed and is GMO-free with only 4 natural ingredients-spring water, malted barley, hops and yeast.

Leons furniture occupies the opposite end of the old Roundhouse building from the brewery. Its atmosphere creates a very spacious and roomy showroom making this an enjoyable and grand place to browse or shop for furniture.

While visiting the area you might want to take advantage of the new Ripley's Aquarium of Canada which is located right across the street from the park.

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: The park is free and you can see many of the old locomotives and railcars for free from outside the fence. There is a small entrance fee for access to the Railway Museum which includes the fenced off area.

Roundhouse Park Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Friday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM

Address: 255 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3M9, Canada

Phone: (416) 214-9229

Official Website: Roundhouse Park

Roundhouse Park Reviews

Rated 4.2 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating I love that the roundhouse is still working. I was able to see how it was working before and how it moves the locomotive. This is great for kids and even adult. And it is so fascinating to see different locomotives. It's also close to other attraction so when you're visiting downtown, this is a worth stopping by.
Myla Ramos - a month ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating This small museum when I first found it felt like a hidden treasure in Toronto, where it told about the local railway history in the city and I got to see the collection of rolling stock they have at the Roundhouse Park. Plus, you can book one of the tours they have during the day and we got a closer look at the big steam locomotive they have. Also, don't be a dummy and climb on the roof of the train for no good reason like that shirtless man or you will be taken care of by the police.
Hello Ness - 2 months ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating There's plenty to see and look at outside the roundhouse at this Railroad museum. Run by local enthusiasts, it's got a small area inside one of the stalls that is the actual museum. This has a small entry fee. It houses historic artefacts, pictures, equipment and stories about the railroad companies that used the roundhouse. The locos outside are accessible for photos, except the large steam loco. Worth a visit for any Railroad enthusiast.
Brian Alexander Elder - 2 months ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating The Toronto Railway Museum is a great little spot for families with young kids. The staff are friendly and welcoming, creating a warm atmosphere. Inside, there are some interesting exhibits for learning about trains, and my kids enjoyed exploring the old trains. While the indoor space is somewhat limited, it offers valuable educational experiences. The outdoor area is fantastic, providing a free and active space for kids to run around and play. Overall, it’s a nice place for a couple of hours of fun and learning, especially if you’re looking for a family-friendly outing.
Mandy D - a month ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating Smashing IT! 🚂 Historical Site. Calling all train enthusiasts! 📢 Live out your childhood obsession at one of Toronto's most enchanted parks. Here, you'll find an array of turn of the century locomotion's in their glory. While you stand in awe, go inside the Railway Museum to get a glimpse into the history of Toronto's many railroad lines. There's only a few spots in the city that outline and preserve the historical impact of the railroad, and this spot is definitely one of them. 1. Toronto Railway Museum 2. Wychwood Barns and 3. TTC Hillcrest Garage The Toronto Railway Museum also offers a lot of attractions to engage in as well while you're absorbing it all in. Friendly customer service and extremely knowledgeable staff are on standby with any and many of your historical questions as well. So give them a visit your passion for trains will thank you 😊
Sandi Cole - a week ago

Show More
Show Less

Directions

TTC Subway Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Yonge-University-SpadinaUnion Station8 Minutes

How to get to Roundhouse Park by TTC Subway

From Union Station follow the SkyWalk west or walk west on the south side of Front Street to York Street or Simcoe Street and go left (south) to Bremner Blvd. Roundhouse Park is right across the street.

Map & Instant Route Finder

Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.

Finding Your Route - Please Wait

Accommodations near Roundhouse Park:

Photo Gallery

Video

Please provide consent and/or disable ad blocker to view the video.


Toronto Hotel Deals


Book Now, Pay Later
Price Matching
2,563,000+ Properties Worldwide
24/7 Support
booking.com logo
Booking.com sale banner link

Visiting Toronto?
Here's why we use Booking.com for our hotel bookings.
Best Selection
Daily Deals
Price Matching
Pay at the Hotel
24/7 Support
Share on Pinterest
Share on Pinterest
Help us grow! Please Share
Thanks for Visiting!