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Top 5 Things to do in Toronto during the IndyCar Race

author: 
Logan Fung
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Here are the top 5 things to check out in Toronto if you are heading to the city for the Ontario Honda Dealers IndyCar race!

Where is the IndyCar race held?

The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto will be held from July 19th to July 21st. The race will be held at Exhibition Place and which follows a circuit that takes the drivers throughout downtown Toronto around the Lakeshore Boulevard.

This is a perfect location for a street circuit as it is close to all of the main Toronto attractions and things to do throughout the city. 

How to reach the circuit

Traffic in Toronto is notoriously bad. In order to avoid ridiculously long wait times in the car, I would recommend taking public transportation down to the circuit. The GO train has a station right at Exhibition place which is where the race takes place. Although it will indefinitely be packed during the race weekend, I would still choose public transportation over arriving by car.

GO Train or Subway

Prices for the GO train are very reasonable and will only cost you roughly $6 (CAD) each time you ride. Keep in mind that this is dependent on where you are coming from within the city.

At each station, there will be an option allowing you to purchase a Presto card or one-time ticket. If you choose the Presto card option, you can load money onto it to eliminate the need of buying a ticket each day. Keep in mind that there is an extra fee when purchasing the Presto card. If you choose to buy a ticket each day, then be sure to factor in time for purchasing as the lines may be long during the race weekend.

Depending on where you are traveling from within the city, you may need to take the subway to the GO train station. Each time you ride the subway, it will cost $3.30 (CAD). Again, there is an option to purchase a Presto card or a one-time ticket. Conveniently, you are also able to use Apple Pay when taking the subway.

Traveling from Union Station:

  • Take the 509 West Streetcar - Harbourfront towards Exhibition
  • Exit at Exhibition Loop
  • Approximate travel time: 25 Minutes

Traveling from Bathurst Station

  • Take the 511 South Streetcar - towards Exhibition
  • Exit at Exhibition Loop
  • Approximate travel time: 23 Minutes

Car

If you are choosing to drive to the circuit, keep in mind that parking will be limited, expensive, and unfortunately, quite hard to find due to the closure of numerous streets for the race weekend.

Paid parking will be available at Exhibition Place on each day of the race weekend (Friday - Sunday). Please be aware that parking will not be available for purchase prior to the event.

All prices listed in CAD

Friday - $40

Saturday - $40

Sunday - $40

I believe you may have to pay for parking with cash, but I do not know for sure so please come prepared with cash and card. 

For more information on parking, please check the official website. 

Rideshare

Uber, Taxis and Lyft are all available rideshare options within Toronto. If this is the option you choose, please be aware that traffic will be worse than normal as there are road closures due to the race weekend. 

The suggested taxi drop-off point would be at the intersection of Strachan Avenue and Fleet Street, east of the EC and north of Gate1. 

Top 5 Things to do in Toronto

#5. Woodbine Beach

Woodbine Beach Toronto

If you are traveling to Toronto for the Indycar race, I would highly recommend checking out Woodbine beach! It is a gorgeous public area located in East York that offers amazing views, sandy beaches and areas to swim in Lake Ontario. 

There are numerous activities available at the beach such as beach volleyball nets, bike trails, a pickleball court and even a children’s playground. There are also picnic sites and washroom facilities located throughout the beach to make your visit as comfortable and convenient as possible!

Even if you don’t feel like swimming or hanging out at the beach, there are numerous restaurants, boutiques and cafes located within walking distance. It is such a lively, fun area for people of all ages. If the weather is nice, then I would highly recommend making the effort to check out the Woodbine area.

Keep in mind that it takes about an hour on public transportation from the downtown area to reach Woodbine Beach and about 40 minutes if you plan on driving. 

#4. Go to a Blue Jays Game

Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Game

If you find time in between the busy IndyCar race weekend schedule, I would highly recommend checking out a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto.

Through July 19th to July 21st, the Toronto Blue Jays are set to take on the Detroit Tigers. The Friday night game may be the most convenient for anybody heading to the IndyCar race as it won’t conflict with any of the on-track sessions. 

Blue Jays games are so much fun to attend and the best part is that you don’t even need to be a baseball fan! The atmosphere is unmatched and it is a great social thing to do. The Rogers Centre was renovated in recent years so the facilities are immaculate and there are numerous food and drink options within the arena. Keep in mind that the food and drinks are on the pricier side and they don’t accept cash payments.

Prices for the games range from $25 - $120 CAD depending on the seat you choose.

Looking to buy tickets for a game? Head over to their official website.

Schedule

July 19th

  • Toronto Blue Jays VS Detroit Tigers at 7:07pm

July 20th

  • Toronto Blue Jays VS Detroit Tigers at 3:07pm

July 21st

  • Toronto Blue Jays VS Detroit Tigers at 1:37pm

July 23rd

  • Toronto Blue Jays VS Tampa Bay Rays at 7:07pm

July 24th

  • Toronto Blue Jays VS Tampa Bay Rays at 7:07pm

For more games, check the official website for the Blue Jays 2024 schedule.

#3. Check out the Toronto F1 Exhibit

Romain Grosjean's 2020 Haas F1 Car

The Toronto Formula 1 Exhibition, located at Lighthouse Artspace Toronto, will only be in the city until early September of 2024. If you are visiting Toronto for the IndyCar race, I would definitely recommend checking out the exhibit!

Ticket holders can expect six primary rooms to explore that showcase different aspects of Formula 1. The rooms are as follows:

  • Once Upon A Time in Formula 1
  • Design Lab
  • Drivers & Duels
  • Fallen Heroes
  • Survival
  • The Pit Wall

Depending on the ticket you purchase, there is also an opportunity to test your skills as an F1 driver on the simulators. This immersive and interactive experience is definitely worth checking out if you are in Toronto!

For more information on the exhibit, check out our article that goes into detail about what to expect at the exhibit.

#2. Toronto Waterfront

City of Toronto Waterfront Area

The Toronto Waterfront is one of the most popular areas for people to check out if they are in the city during the summer time. There are numerous bars, restaurants and cafes to choose from and the majority of them have patios for a perfect waterfront view.

If you are of age, the Amsterdam Brewhouse has an amazing atmosphere down by the water where they offer tasting flights of beer, shareable snacks, pub food and other beverage options!

If you are looking for something a little more low-key, I would head over to the grass areas near the waterfront and have a picnic! If the weather permits, it becomes the location for some takeout food and a casual night with friends. 

If you want to get out on the lake, there are Harbor tours available which would enable you to get an ideal view of the city from the water. I would also recommend booking a sunset cruise which is a different and relaxing experience giving you a nice break from the chaos of the city. 

Looking for the best Harbor or sunset tour options? Check out a list of options and prices here.

#1. Go see the CN tower!

The CN Tower in Toronto

The CN tower is probably the most famous thing to see in Toronto and it has become a very known monument worldwide. The CN tower is located in downtown Toronto and was built in 1976. It is a concrete communications and observation tower that also has a 360 view restaurant, cafes and an ‘EdgeWalk’ where visitors can brave the tall heights and hang off the side of the tower! This is an incredible way to get a glimpse of Toronto from the sky and take in the beauty of the city!

The CN Tower is open from 9:30am to 9:30pm but for a more detailed schedule, check their official website.

Ticket Options and Prices

Timed General Admission

  • Get access to the Lower and Main Observation Levels
  • Access to the Outdoor Terrace

Adult (14-64): $45-47

Senior (65+): $32-34

Youth (6-13): $32-34

Child (3-5): 16-18

The Top & Timed General Admission

  • Get access to the Main and Lower Observation Levels
  • Access the Top Observation Level
  • Access the Outdoor Terrace

Adult (14-64): $56

Senior (65+): $43

Youth (6-13): $43

Child (3-5): $29

Sea to Sky Package

  • Package includes General Admission access to the CN Tower
  • Access to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
    • The Ripley’s Aquarium tickets can be used anytime within 30 days of the purchase. Customers DO NOT need to go to the aquarium and CN Tower on the same day.

Adult (14-64): $77

Senior (65+): $52.50

Youth (6-13): $52.50

Child (3-5): $25

Priority

  • Priority access ticket holders get to skip the line to enter the CN Tower and they get express elevation up to the Main Observation Level
  • Receive 10% off all purchases in the shop

Adult (14-64): $69

Senior (65+): $49

Youth (6-13):  $49

Child (3-5): $24

EdgeWalk

  • The EdgeWalk is a thrilling attraction where ticket holders can walk full circle around the top of the CN Tower, all while doing it hands-free! 

Ages 13+: $199-225

For more information on the different ticket options and pricing, please visit their official website.

Other

FanAmp X Track Talk Meetup

FanAmp X Track Talk Toronto Meetup

This is a great chance to meet fellow fans, enjoy some refreshments, and talk all things Formula 1.

Be sure to download FanAmp for more information and don't forget to turn on your notifications so you don't miss out on a single thing!

Track Talk is a community on FanAmp that gives users a place to chat all things Formula 1, IndyCar, and Formula E! They also have a podcast titled Track Talk that breaks down the latest news in the F1 and IndyCar world while also including race results, driver performances, team updates and everything in between!

FanAmp also hosts meetups with Grand Prix Travel which is a community on Reddit where people can get tips and tricks for traveling to F1 races all over the world. 2024 will be an exciting year filled with many other fan meetups and events! These are an amazing way to meet like-minded people who share a love for motorsport and make connections with people from all over the world.

Check out our article for more information on the Meetup!

Looking for more on the Toronto IndyCar Race Weekend??

1. Want to learn more about the IndyCar Grid? IndyCar Grid Guide

2. Want to learn about attending an IndyCar Race? Fan Guide: IndyCar Tickets

3. Already an IndyCar fan and want somewhere to connect with other fans? Join our Track Talk Base

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