Please note: Due to the construction of our new Visitor Centre, Fort York can only be accessed from Garrison Rd. via the west bound lane of Fleet St., between Fort York Blvd. and Strachan Ave. Click here to get the most up-to-date information on site access during construction.

Built in 1793, Fort York National Historic Site is the birthplace of urban Toronto. It is best known as the location where the Battle of York came to its violent climax in 1813 during the War of 1812. The Fort served as the city's primary harbour defence between the 1790s and the 1880s, and was the home of a military garrison until the 1930s.

Today, its defensive walls enclose Canada's largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings. Every year, thousands of people visit the site to explore its fascinating history and enjoy its public programs. Learn more!

To see what the experience is like, view the films on www.cityparent.com.

Fort York offers seasonal guided tours as well as musket, drill, and music demonstrations. Explore the fort's eight historic structures, its defensive works, and its exhibits.

For hours of operation, click here.

Read The Fife and Drum (PDF), Fort York's electronic newsletter about upcoming events and programs.

Note:
Prices do not include applicable taxes
* Special events and pre-registered activities are priced separately.^'

250 Fort York Boulevard - Map It
fortyork@toronto.ca 416-392-6907

Bicentennial Commemoration of the Battle of York
April 27, 2013
April 27, 2013 marks the 200th anniversary of the Battle of York. See complete event details.

Toronto in Time Ever wanted to travel back in time? The Toronto in Time app turns your smartphone into a time machine.

When the Ice Breaks

Saturday March 30 & Sunday March 31, 2 p.m.
Fort York National Historic Site
Dora-nominated Toronto theatre company Down n' Out Productions' new play is based on life in Upper Canada during the War of 1812. Exploring the inner workings of one prominent household during the invasion of York, the play offers a unique perspective on the events of the war, as experienced by the common settler. One domestic servants' personal story of sacrifice and redemption comes alive in an intimately staged production written by company founder Madeleine Donohue, and helmed by Dora award- winning director Aaron Willis (Convergence Theatre). When The Ice Breaks features actors Nathan Carroll, Carys Lewis, Mary Krohnert and Clinton Walker. The play is 80 minutes long and is appropriate for ages 10+. This production is made possible in part by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Ontario Arts’ Council. Free with admission to Fort York.

Fort York Revitalization Plans
The revitalization of Fort York National Historic Site is an opportunity not only to restore our links to Toronto's founding story and Canada's military past, but also to renew our responsibilities in understanding who Torontonians are and why we are here today, and the links between identity, diversity, conflict, belonging and peace. Fort York National Historic Site also offers an unprecedented opportunity to explore the relationship between the natural landscape and city-building and to recover the story of aboriginal peoples. A number of projects will contribute to the overall revitalization of this most important National Historic Site. More information will be coming soon, but here are some of the projects underway and recently completed.

The Fort York Foundation is a non-profit, registered charitable organization created with the mandate to support capital renewal at Fort York with the specific goal to raise $6 million from the private sector for the proposed new Visitor Centre. A volunteer Board of Directors and Campaign Cabinet, will advance this campaign. A prestigious group of Honorary Chairs, composed of all former living Lieutenant-Governors of Ontario and Canada's leading historian Dr. Margaret MacMillan, have also agreed to lend their names to the appeal. For more information visit: Fort York Foundation

Watertable, the first new media artwork in the City's Public Art Collection
Watertable is a new media sculpture that uses the architecture of the Gardiner Expressway to echo the natural condition of the site when it marked the water's edge in the early days of the city's history.

Winners of the 2005 Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts, Lisa Steele and Kim Tomczak developed Watertable as part of an International open competition held in 2007.

Watertable is a lighting and audio installation that creates the look and sound of moving water: undulating LED lights accompanied by the sound of lake waves respond to current wind conditions at the site.

This museum participates in the Cultural Access Pass program. A gift to each new Canadian citizen during their first year of citizenship, the Cultural Access Pass provides complimentary admission to more than 1,000 of Canada's cultural treasures, 25 of which are in Toronto. "A truly great gift to showcase Toronto to its newest inhabitants, the Cultural Access Pass has opened my eyes to the hidden gems that are a part of it." - Joseph P For more information, visit: Cultural Access Pass

Admission

Note: Prices do not include applicable taxes

Regular admission

Adults: $7.96
Seniors (65 +): $4.87
Youth (13-18 yrs.): $4.87
Children (6-12yrs): $3.76
Children 5 and under are Free

Special events and pre-registered activities are priced separately.

Hours of operation

Please note: Group bookings are accepted 7 days a week; morning, afternoon, and evening, year-round.

Don't miss our annual events

• Queen Charlotte's Birthday Ball
• Battle of York Commemoration Day
• Victoria Day
• Doors Open Toronto
• Canada Day
• Simcoe Day
• Ghosts of the Garrison
• Remembrance Day

Please search Toronto festivals and events calendar by venue for more information on all events offered at Fort York National Historic Site or check our featured events page.

Directions

By car

From Gardiner Expressway eastbound: From Gardiner eastbound: Exit at Jameson Ave, and continue on Lakeshore Blvd. past Strachan Ave. to Fort York Blvd., left at fort entrance way then right onGarrison Rd. to parking lot located at West Gate.

From Gardiner Expressway westbound: Take the Spadina Rd. off-ramp and keep right for Lakeshore Blvd. westbound, turn right at Fort York Blvd., left at entrance way, right on Garrison Rd. to parking lot located at West Gate.

From Fleet Street westbound: Follow Fleet Street west past Bathurst St., turn right at Fort York Blvd., left at entrance way, right on Garrison Road to parking lot located at West Gate.

Parking while visiting Fort York is available in our main lot situated at the West Gate entrance via Fort York Blvd. Proceeds of parking support Fort York and the Fort York Guard and Drums. All parking is wheelchair accessible.

City of Toronto Maps

By transit

From Bloor Street Subway:
Take the 511 streetcar south from Bathurst subway station. Patrons can access the fort from the streetcar stop at Bathurst and Fort York Boulevard by walking west towards the main entrance, or from the stop at Fleet Street and Fort York Boulevard by walking east towards the main entrance. For specific TTC route and schedule information call 416-393-4636 (INFO) or visit the TTC website.

From Union Station:
At Union Station take the 509 Harbourfront streetcar towards the CNE Exhibition grounds on Fleet St., exit streetcar at the Fort York Blvd stop, proceed north on Fort York Blvd. and turn left at entranceway on north side, turn right onto Garrison Rd. and continue to West Gate entrance.

Toronto Transit Commission's website

By bike

From King and Bathurst: Ride south towards the lake on Bathurst St. There is no dedicated bike lane on Bathurst, be mindful of passing cars and trucks. Cross the Sir Isaac Brock Bridge (Bathurst), turn right onto Fort York Blvd., just north of the Gardiner Expressway, right at the fort entrance way, right at Garrison Road and ride east to the fort's West Gate.

From Fleet St. westbound: Follow Fleet St. west, turn right at Fort York Blvd. then left on entrance way to Garrison Rd. then turn right to parking lot located at West Gate.

By foot

From King and Bathurst: (The East Gate is closed due to construction until further notice, please enter Fort York via the West Gate.)  Walk south on Bathurst St. towards Lake Ontario and cross the Sir Isaac Brock Bridge (Bathurst). Turn right onto the footbridge located on the west side of Bathurst St. south of the bridge and enter the fort via the East Gate. For the West Gate turn right onto Fort York Blvd, turn right at the fort entrance way, turn right at Garrison Road and walk east to the fort's West Gate.

On-site services

• Public washrooms
• Snacks, refreshments and souvenirs available in the Canteen
• Outdoor picnic tables
• The Blue Barracks at Fort York can be rented for catered private and corporate events
• Special needs: partial accessibility
  Please call 416-392-6907 for specific accessibility questions

Fort York National Historic site is one of 10 historic museums operated by Toronto Culture. Toronto's Historic Museums engage visitors, inspire passion, challenge ideas and connect the past to the present.