Don Mills & Science Centre Travel Guide

Family-friendly museums and malls in a quiet, leafy suburban setting.

• Best for: Families, museums and quieter stays
• Vibe: Leafy, suburban and relaxed
• Nearest station: Don Mills (Eglinton corridor and TTC buses)
• Price level: $$, mostly mid-range
• To the main sights: 30-50 minutes to downtown by transit; 25-35 minutes by taxi
• Safety: Generally safe and quiet

Great for:

• Families with children
• Museum and science-lovers
• Visitors with a car
• Shoppers who like open-air malls

Maybe skip it if:

• You want buzzing nightlife
• You need many budget hostel options
• You want to be in downtown walking distance

Don Mills & Science Centre is northeast of downtown Toronto, around Don Mills Road between Eglinton and Lawrence avenues, beside the Don Valley and Don Valley Parkway.

• Museum timings: Check opening hours and book tickets for the Aga Khan Museum and Science Centre in advance.
• Plan for transit time: Allow extra time for transit to downtown during rush hour.
• Car-friendly: A car or rideshare makes exploring surrounding parks and malls much easier.
• Weekend crowds: Science Centre can be busy on weekends and school holidays.
• Where to eat: Shops at Don Mills has the widest evening restaurant choice nearby.

• Ontario Science Centre: Hands-on exhibits, family-friendly galleries and an IMAX screen, expect to spend a half day or more. Good for kids and curious adults.
• Aga Khan Museum: Museum of Islamic art and culture with tranquil gardens and rotating exhibitions; pair this with a walk in the grounds.
• CF Shops at Don Mills: Open-air shopping precinct with boutiques, chain restaurants and patios, the local hub for eating and casual shopping.
• Don Valley walking routes: Trails along the Don River offer easy green escapes close to the science centre and museum.

• Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ): Public transport: take the UP Express to Union Station (about 25 minutes), then TTC north and a local bus to Don Mills/Science Centre, allow 50-80 minutes total and TTC fares apply. Taxi/ride-hail: direct taxi is simplest, 35-50 minutes depending on traffic and roughly CA$60-100.
• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ): Public transport: cross the ferry/walk to the mainland, then streetcar or subway and a connecting bus to Don Mills, allow 35-60 minutes. Taxi/ride-hail: about 20-35 minutes and generally the quickest door-to-door option.
• From the main sights: Public transport: from downtown Union Station take subway and a connecting TTC bus to Don Mills/Science Centre, typically 30-50 minutes. Taxi/ride-hail: 25-35 minutes outside peak traffic.

• On foot: The area around the Shops at Don Mills, the museum and the science centre is walkable for short trips between venues, but residential blocks are spread out.
• Public transport: TTC buses serve Don Mills Road and the science centre; the Eglinton corridor LRT and nearby subway connections speed trips across the city. Single fares and transfers follow TTC rules.
• By car: Driving or rideshare is convenient, the Don Valley Parkway provides a quick route to downtown and the airport, though rush-hour traffic can add time.

Accommodation in this neighbourhood leans mid-range and family-friendly, with a handful of hotels near Don Mills Road and the Don Valley Parkway. Expect reasonable prices compared with downtown and easy car access to the Science Centre and museums. If you want a livelier evening scene, stay closer to downtown instead.

Mid-range

• Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites: A conventional mid-range hotel offering suites suitable for families and longer stays, set close to Don Valley Parkway and within easy reach of the Science Centre.

Dining is family-friendly and casual around the Shops at Don Mills and local plazas, with many fast-casual and Asian options. Expect mostly $ to $$ price levels and daytime or early-evening opening hours. For more varied restaurant scenes head west toward midtown or downtown.

• Pho 88: Vietnamese noodle shop serving quick, affordable bowls, casual and family-friendly. $
• Kinton Ramen: Casual ramen chain popular for quick, warming bowls; good for solo diners and groups. $$
• Asian Legends: Casual pan-Asian spot in a plaza, good for quick takeout or family meals. $$
• Congee Star: Affordable Chinese comfort food and congee in a no-frills setting. $
• Swiss Chalet: Canadian rotisserie chain with family plates and casual dining. $$
• CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice: Bubble-tea and quick drinks, handy for cooling down between museum visits. $
• Tim Hortons: Canada’s ubiquitous coffee and doughnut chain; convenient for quick breakfasts and takeaway. $

Nightlife here is very low-key, think casual pubs, restaurant bars and mall terraces rather than clubs. Most places wind down by 11pm and the area suits early dinners and relaxed drinks. For a livelier bar crawl you’ll need to travel into midtown or downtown.

• Bier Markt: Beer-centric pub in the shopping precinct with a large selection and an informal atmosphere. $$

Shopping centres are the neighbourhood’s retail heart, with an open-air mall and several plazas. Head to CF Shops at Don Mills for boutiques, chain stores and restaurants; larger shopping centres and supermarkets are reachable by short drive.

• CF Shops at Don Mills: Open-air shopping precinct with boutiques, eateries and seasonal events; the local retail and dining hub.
• East York Town Centre: Larger shopping centre a short drive away, offering a broader mix of shops and services.