Old City Hall
Old City Hall
4
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Castle-like building, built in 1899 in the Romanesque Revival style, features a clock tower, "Friends of Old City Hall" exhibit and a War Memorial.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Old Toronto
How to get there
- Queen • 3 min walk
- Osgoode • 6 min walk
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
4,350 within 3 miles
Attractions
762 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- therichastillStevenage, United Kingdom3,457 contributionsBeautiful Old BuildingThe Old City Hall is located in Nathan Phillips Square which is a major tourist location because of the TORONTO sign. The Old City Hall is located on one side of the square and the newer city hall is on an adjacent side. The old building is really lovely with some beautiful architecture which reminded me a bit of the nearby university of Toronto buildings. Worth checking out if you admire architecture.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 23 October 2023
- Stewarts Vacation1,543 contributionsGrand historic buildingThe exterior of this grand historic building, constructed in Romanesque style in 1889 (completed in 1899), with a prominent clock tower, is impressive and one can spend a good deal of time admiring the details of its design. The building appeared to be locked, but we pushed open a heavy door to discover that it was indeed open. There were strict security procedures in order to enter, as the building now operates as a court house - the largest and busiest in all of Canada. The magnificent interior with its mosaic floor, columns, gargoyles, old elevator shaft, caricatures of Councillors, staircase and stained glass window was well worth a visit.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 December 2023
- Terry MHamilton, Canada4,920 contributionsTHANKFULLY NOT 'OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW'Its Romanesque Revival style gives this beautiful building its swagger. When the space age-looking modern City Hall became the home of the city's municipal government in 1965, Old City Hall was repurposed as court space for the better part of six decades. The clock tower soars 103.6 meters.Visited September 2024Travelled soloWritten 24 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.0
462 reviews
Excellent
166
Very good
239
Average
49
Poor
7
Terrible
1
therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,457 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
The Old City Hall is located in Nathan Phillips Square which is a major tourist location because of the TORONTO sign.
The Old City Hall is located on one side of the square and the newer city hall is on an adjacent side.
The old building is really lovely with some beautiful architecture which reminded me a bit of the nearby university of Toronto buildings.
Worth checking out if you admire architecture.
The Old City Hall is located on one side of the square and the newer city hall is on an adjacent side.
The old building is really lovely with some beautiful architecture which reminded me a bit of the nearby university of Toronto buildings.
Worth checking out if you admire architecture.
Written 23 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terry M
Hamilton, Canada4,920 contributions
Sept 2024 • Solo
Its Romanesque Revival style gives this beautiful building its swagger. When the space age-looking modern City Hall became the home of the city's municipal government in 1965, Old City Hall was repurposed as court space for the better part of six decades. The clock tower soars 103.6 meters.
Written 24 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lionheart1261
Vienna Region, Austria500 contributions
Feb 2023
The old city Hall is one of the nicest landmark of the economic capital of Canada.
You will never get lost by using it as the center of your walks and strolls. Its belltower can be heard every hour, at night too, and is so nice to hear the bell!
You will never get lost by using it as the center of your walks and strolls. Its belltower can be heard every hour, at night too, and is so nice to hear the bell!
Written 18 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller
New York City, NY3,305 contributions
Apr 2022
I walked past the Old City Hall several times during my visit to Toronto in April 2022. It was a great photo opportunity. It is located near the New City Hall and the Eaton Centre. The architecture is very interesting.
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,581 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
This Romanesque architecture, sandstone-greystone-brownstone building is 120 years old. Since 1965, this former Toronto City Hall has been used as a courthouse. Much of the interior is likely the same as it was over 100 years ago, although the wall hangings were likely changed over the years. Nice clock tower, but why the gargoyles and gothic elements?
After going up the stairs and through security, no interior photos are allowed to be taken.
After going up the stairs and through security, no interior photos are allowed to be taken.
Written 15 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,581 contributions
Sept 2019 • Business
This used to be the city hall before it was moved across the street to a building design I have yet to like. We toured the Old City Hall, but being an actively used courthouse, we were not allowed to take photos. As a tourist attraction, it is not a “Must See.”
Written 29 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sachin K
New York City, NY6,556 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
The Old City Hall which is now a courthouse is architecturally beautiful and a must visit for any traveler in Toronto. Could not visit inside as it was closed for Canada Day. Certainly worth a photo stop.
Written 8 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,581 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
This is a very beautiful, Richardsonian Romanesque style architecture, building and an iconic landmark of the City of Toronto. It was constructed over the 1889 to 1899 period and acted as the Toronto’s city hall from 1899 to 1965. During that period, parts of the building were used as a courthouse and also by the County of York. The sandstone used in the building comes from the Credit River Valley, outside Toronto.
As one enters the Old City Hall through the front doors, you will see a large stained-glass window which was created and installed in 1899 by Robert McCausland Limited, a Toronto stained glass manufacturer that was in the family for five generations, until being sold in 2017. Since 1899, the company has been maintaining and repairing the window as needed.
Since the official City Hall was moved across the road to a new building complex, the Old City Hall has been used solely as a courthouse. On entry and while I was about to take a photo of a large stained glass mosaic window, an officer at security screening told me that photos are not allowed to be taken with courthouses in Canada. Thus, other than photos taken before going through the security screening, I have no photos of the interior of the courthouse.
In the courthouse rooms, are the original wooden pews, similar to those put in many churches 50 to 125 years ago.
The interior of the courthouse is rich in beautiful walls, staircases, windows (some of which are stained glass windows), various displays, and a few statues. The building has an old bell tower clock.
In 2018, Toronto City Council has been discussing the possibility of renovating the building and turning it into a museum.
As one enters the Old City Hall through the front doors, you will see a large stained-glass window which was created and installed in 1899 by Robert McCausland Limited, a Toronto stained glass manufacturer that was in the family for five generations, until being sold in 2017. Since 1899, the company has been maintaining and repairing the window as needed.
Since the official City Hall was moved across the road to a new building complex, the Old City Hall has been used solely as a courthouse. On entry and while I was about to take a photo of a large stained glass mosaic window, an officer at security screening told me that photos are not allowed to be taken with courthouses in Canada. Thus, other than photos taken before going through the security screening, I have no photos of the interior of the courthouse.
In the courthouse rooms, are the original wooden pews, similar to those put in many churches 50 to 125 years ago.
The interior of the courthouse is rich in beautiful walls, staircases, windows (some of which are stained glass windows), various displays, and a few statues. The building has an old bell tower clock.
In 2018, Toronto City Council has been discussing the possibility of renovating the building and turning it into a museum.
Written 10 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ander A
Chavannes-Pres-Renens, Switzerland113 contributions
The Old City Hall is a beautiful building, I'm sure that most people agree me. You should go inside the building, seems to be fantastic! It's located in the downtown, so it's easy to get there.
I think they've made a good job keeping that building. Something classic has got its own character!
I think they've made a good job keeping that building. Something classic has got its own character!
Written 1 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Damien S
Adelaide, Australia7,186 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
The building stands to represent the historic local governance of the City of Toronto. The building has been well maintained and is worth visiting. Makes for some great photos.
Written 4 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There is a few street parking options along the east side of the building - maybe 20 spots that are pay meter. No free parking in TO. There is also paring across the street on the west side that is underground, but it is pay as well...
Written 16 August 2018
can we visit the old city hall Toronto? is it open to public? what is the opening hours? will there be admission fee? thanks a lot
Written 25 August 2016
Old City Hall is a fully operating criminal courthouse and is open every day including on weekends and holidays. You should aim to come on a weekday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. On weekends and holidays the bail courts in the basement are operating, but most of the building is shut down/empty.
As with any courthouse in Canada, Old City Hall is open to all members of the public for free.
You can walk around the building and go into any courtroom you like to watch the proceedings (unless there is a sign on the door saying otherwise). It is not really set up to be tourist-friendly. If you do go inside please be quiet and respectful of the decorum of the courts and the legal proceedings going on.
Note that photography is not permitted inside courthouses in Ontario, and Old City Hall is no exception.
Written 15 January 2018
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