Top 10 Things to See & Do at Evergreen Brick Works
There’s a ton of things to see and do at Evergreen Brick Works, but there are some activities that will always come out on top.
Whether you're visiting for the first time or have been here every weekend since we opened, there is always something new and exciting happening at the Brick Works.
While our programs are always changing, some are staples that we love year over year. Here are our top 10 things to do and see during your visit.
#1 Visit the Saturday Farmers Market
Saturdays are bustling here onsite – mostly due to our weekly Saturday Farmers Market! Local and sustainable farmers, food producers and chefs gather here to share the freshest Ontario food you can find. Our Feast ON-certified market guarantees our vendors are committed to strengthening Ontario’s local food economy. Open year-round.
#2 Hike up to the lookout
Even if you only have 20 minutes at Evergreen Brick Works, you have to wander up to the top of the Lookout Path for a spectacular view of the Toronto skyline. Overlook Evergreen Brick Works and spot the CN Tower. There aren’t many places in the city you get an uninterrupted view of downtown so this is a spot you cannot miss.
#3 Skate on the rink
Experience the magic of one of the best skating rinks in Toronto at Evergreen Brick Works. The Evergreen Brick Works outdoor skating rink weaves through snow-covered gardens under exposed beams from the roof of the old brick factory. Join in on free public skating on weekends in winter or lessons during the week. Rent skates here or bring your own!
#4 Go on a guided tour
Find elements of the Brick Works’ industrial and abandoned history and learn about how the site functions as a community hub now. Tours touch on key themes related to the site, such as sustainability, art and geology.
#5 Shop at Evergreen Garden Market
Whether you’re looking for shrubs, trees or flowers to spruce up your garden or locally-made gifts and snacks, this one-stop shop has it all.
On top of being a beautiful place to shop, Evergreen Garden Market primarily carries products from artisans, craftspeople and small-batch producers in Canada. They champion Ontario native plants and don’t sell invasive species. Visit any time of year for seasonal goodies like local, sustainably harvested Christmas trees or heirloom pumpkins. Open year-round.
#6 Play in the Children's Garden
The most fun place at Evergreen Brick Works (in our opinion) is the Children’s Garden! This interactive play space welcomes children of all ages to enjoy the fun that can be found in nature.
Whether you’re gathering around the fire for songs and stories, building a city out of a loose parts, or learning about what’s growing in the Greenhouse, there’s always something new to explore. To find out what’s happening this weekend, check out Nature Play in the Children’s Garden. Open weekends, year-round.
#7 Admire the public art
There's lots of public art around Evergreen Brick Works for you to check out. Showcasing ideas through art enables visitors to learn, share and influence ideas that help build cities of the future. The works on display at Evergreen Brick Works and throughout the site are by local and international artists. Explore our upcoming, current and past public art projects today.
#8 Experience our self-guided tours
Through four immersive self-guided experiences, Evergreen is launching four free tours that aim to reveal the hidden ways that ecosystems and people co-exist and co-create our most beloved urban places.
Supported by TD Bank Group, the four experiences in the Ignite Series focus on the importance of land, and our role and relationships with it.
Series 1:
1. Nature’s Playground: Treading Lightly
2. The Hidden Green: Sustainable Innovation and Technology in Public Space
You can learn more about each tour here. Stay tuned for the launch of the series 2 tours!
Download the Driftscape app and start experiencing the tours today.
#9 Grab a bite to eat at Picnic Cafe
Whether you’re here for one of our weekend markets or heading out to explore the trails, stop by Picnic Cafe for a pick-me-up. They're open for breakfast, brunch and lunch every day throughout the week. Menu items include coffee, pastries, salads and soups, mac and cheese, bagels, pizza, pasta and so much more!
#10 See the John Price Brick Press
This eye-catching piece of machinery lives in the Young Welcome Centre and is definitely worth a visit. Originally used at a brick plant on Greenwood Avenue, the press was shipped over to the Don Valley Brick Works in the early 1960s. At its peak, the press could churn out 3,000 pressed bricks per hour.
The Ontario Heritage Trust describes the John Price Brick Press as “the most significant artifact located onsite” and is an important part of what our site represents. Preserved as part of Evergreen Brick Works’ historical heritage, the brick press today stands as an homage to this site’s industrial past.
Feel like we missed your favourite spot? Let us know! Take a picture of your favourite feature and tag us on Instagram: @Evergreen_Brick_Works.
To learn about all the upcoming events and activities happening here, check out our What's On calendar.