Fort York National Historic Site

Fort York is where the modern city of Toronto began. A British garrison was established here in 1793 under John Graves Simcoe, and in April 1813, during the War of 1812, American forces attacked and captured the fort. As the British withdrew, they blew up the gunpowder magazine, killing more than 250 American soldiers. The fort was rebuilt from late 1813 to around 1815.

Seven of the eight historic buildings on the site date from that rebuilding, which the city describes as Canada's largest collection of original War of 1812 military buildings. They include two blockhouses, among the oldest buildings in Toronto, the South Soldiers' Barracks, the Blue Barracks and the stone and brick magazines. The modern Visitor Centre, north of the Gardiner Expressway, introduces the story, and the Strachan Avenue military cemetery is also part of the site.

The fort is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm, and general admission is free, though some special exhibitions and events carry a charge. Free 45-minute guided tours leave on the hour from 11am, with the last at 3pm, and they are the best way to understand the buildings. Groups of 15 or more pay a fee and need to book at least 14 days ahead.

The site suits history enthusiasts and families, and its free admission makes it an easy addition to a waterfront day. Allow one to two hours, including a tour. The fort survived a 1958 proposal to move it to make way for the Gardiner Expressway; the plan was rejected and the road was routed around the site instead.

The first 100 soldiers landed here on 20 July 1793, and the American general Zebulon Pike was among those killed by the 1813 explosion. The whole National Historic Site covers about 16.6 hectares, of which the fort itself takes up just over three. The Fort York Armoury, built nearby in the 1930s, is still an active drill hall for the Canadian Army.

The simplest route from Union Station is the 509 Harbourfront streetcar west to Fleet Street and Fort York Boulevard. From Bathurst station on Line 2, the 511 Exhibition streetcar runs south to Fleet Street. Exhibition GO station is also nearby.