Looking for an indoor activity in Toronto? Arcadia Earth Toronto is a unique attraction that is perfect for all ages. Today I am sharing my visit to Arcadia Earth and what you need to know for your visit.
When I started planning our day trip to Toronto I wanted to find a fun activity for my family that was indoors and located downtown.
I discovered Acadia Earth Toronto, located at The Well in downtown Toronto. This was close to Scotiabank Arena, which we had plans to attend an event later in the afternoon, and was a perfect spot to explore.
The Well is an outdoor shopping area that also has an excellent food hall at the Wellington Market. Be sure to stop by before or after your time at Arcadia Earth- there are so many delicious food options.
Arcadia Earth Toronto
So what is Arcadia Earth?
Arcadia Earth is an indoor art installation that offers an immersive experience for guests. It is educational but feels more exploratory as guests learn more about the impact we have on the environment.
To us it felt like a mix of a small museum and the Van Gough traveling art exhibits. There are rooms to explore and each one has projections, lighting, and a theme.
Things to Know Before You Visit
- Ticket cost range from $24.00 (CAD) for small children to $39.00 (CAD) for adults. Check latest ticket prices.
- Arcadia Earth is open to guests of all ages. Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
- Parking is available at The Well Parking garage.
- Download the Arcadia Earth app before you arrive to take advantage of the interactive elements throughout the experience.
- Expect to spend between 45 minutes to 1 hour exploring the rooms.
Arcadia Earth Visit Recap
We arrived at Arcadia Earth at opening time, which was noon during our visit. I highly suggest arriving as close to opening as you can. This allows you to be ahead of any crowds and most of the rooms you will experience in a smaller group.
The staff was very helpful getting us checked-in and set up with the app. If you do not want to download the app there are ipads to borrow for the experience.
The first room you enter is a tutorial of how to interactive with the exhibits and use the app. It was user friendly and we moved on to the next room.
The first room was a tunnel and the ceiling opens up to three different worlds: the ocean, forest, and a riverbank. This room highlights endangered species.
One of the things I was impressed by during our visit was the knowledge of the staff as we visited each room. They spent time talking to us about the room we were entering and what it was about.
The next room was about the use of electronics and the impact they are having on the planet. Everything in the room can be touched and there is a throne you can sit on for a photo.
The next space was a giant room with mirrors and projections about the role plastics have in our environment. Then we went into a space that was built completely off of fishing nets.
Throughout the entire experience I found it fascinating how they used trash and waste to make art.
The next room was the bee room. The hives were built from recycled book pages and there were different smells to experience life as a bee.
The final room we explored was about sea ice melting and the far reaching impact it is having on the planet. The visual experience of Arcadia Earth is what really makes it so unique and interesting.
The final area was a VR experience that has guests up close with different species of animals in the wild. This was included with our admission. The entire experience took us 45 minutes, but we typically move quickly through things.
We could have spent a bit more time in a few of the rooms and I would allot about an hour for the experience.
Final Thoughts
I always want to share with my readers if I think the places we visit are worth it and with Arcadia Earth I think it is what you make it.
You could easily walk through all the rooms in 15 minutes and be done but that is not how it is meant to experience. I suggest taking your time walking through and experiencing each room.
There are stories being told about the impact we have had on Earth and is best enjoyed at a slower pace. This may not be the best for some young children that want more hands-on and running spaces, but I do believe it is engaging for most families.
Overall I think Arcadia Earth Toronto is a great indoor activity in downtown Toronto. It’s locating makes for a great day out as a family and we enjoyed our visit.
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Thank you to Arcadia Earth for providing media tickets for our visit.
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.