Museums in Downtown (Toronto)

The Bata Shoe Museum

If you like shoes, you'll love this museum devoted entirely to footwear; shoes from all cultures and all parts of the world, ancient times to the present. Fancy shoes and basic ones, boots and sandals, they are all in the Raymond Moriyama building, located north of the University of Toronto campus. You can view more than 10,000 pairs in all. Celebrity shoes include Queen Victoria's ballroom slippers, Elvis's blue patent loafers and Karen Kain's ballet pointes.

Toronto Police Museum

Located in the atrium of Toronto Police headquarters, this 3,000-square foot museum stands as a tribute to the men and women who risk their lives to protect the community. Educational interactive displays within this free-admission space allow visitors to grasp the importance of trust and understanding between the city's citizens and the police force. On display are historic vehicles, past and present uniforms, badges, weapons and facts about infamous cases. The Toronto Police museum theatre also features videos of police operations.

Royal Ontario Museum

Royal Ontario Museum incorporates a unique mix of galleries to present art, archaeological objects and scientific specimens. The museum, which sees more than a million visitors annually, houses a collection of over six million objects on three floors. This is the only place in Toronto where you can enjoy unraveling the mysteries of the Egyptian mummies, watch and hear an active beehive and view inspiring artwork from many different countries. On leaving this museum, you will take along unique experiences.

Balzac Fine Arts

Balzac Fine Arts is located in the Fairmont Royal York hotel at the lobby level. Contemporary and historical Canadian art is the forte of this store. You're sure to find sculptures from Inuit communities in Nunavut and Baffin Island. The works are done by aboriginal artists, that is sought after today. These sculptures and paintings are life-like with vibrant colors and promise to add an exotic element to your living room. Look up this store if you like art and don't be surprised if you leave with a rare find.

Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art

Opened in 1993 within the Toronto Centre for the Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art displays the works of a large number of contemporary Canadian artists in a variety of media. It includes Betty Goodwin's two-dimensional mixed media pieces, sculptures by Roland Poulin and paintings by Ivan Eyre, the artist with the honour of being the first purchase made by the museum's gallery. The collection features over 160 pieces created after 1985 and six exhibitions are held annually to showcase artists from across the nation. Admission is free.

Textile Museum of Canada

One of a kind in Canada, the Textile Museum opened in 1975, features an international collection of quilts, garments, carpets and ceremonial objects. First shown in a small area in Mirvish Village, the collection is now located in a 25,000 square feet space. Exhibits include textile arts from such places as China, Japan, Africa, South East and Central Asia, South and Central America, Europe and the Pacific, as well as Canada and the U.S.

O'Connor A Gallery

Founded in 1995 and located a few blocks east of Queen's Park, O'Connor A Gallery prides itself on being the first commercial venue in Canada to represent gay and lesbian artists. A superb venue, the gallery has attracted visitors from around the world. It offers an international selection of upcoming and established artists' works in painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery and photography. Purchased works will be shipped anywhere in Canada and the U.S. You can also check out their archival frames, mats and other art-related material.

Sandra Ainsley Gallery

One of the region's leaders in the area of hand-blown glass art, Sandra Ainsley Gallery has been in existence for more than 15 years. During that time, it has featured work from over 200 well-known artists. Aside from spectacular exhibitions; Dale Chihuly, probably the world's most famous artist working in glass, was recently featured; the gallery also makes one-of-a-kind glass works available to the general public as great gifts. The gallery custom-makes glass objects incorporating company logos for corporate clients.

YYZ Gallery

Since 1979, this YYZ Gallery has been exhibiting some of the finest art on the scene. Established by a collective of young artists, its mandate is to provide exhibition space to those who are not getting recognition by more commercial galleries and institutions. Half of the gallery space is devoted to visual art, while the rest contains room for artists to actually produce their work. As well, since 1986, it has had a permanent screening room where video and film are available for viewing during gallery hours.

Design Exchange

Canada's only design promotion center, Design Exchange exhibits the latest in fashion, graphic design and ergonomics. Named after its location in the former Toronto Stock Exchange building, the Design Exchange also boasts the original trading floor, with its historic murals intact. The mural depicting "Work" is particularly fascinating, with its use of color and technique. International, national and local designers are on display in the exhibition hall and while there is an admission charge to view their creations, the Design Effectiveness Center is free.