Nathan Phillips Square

The vibes and the ambience in the square were very peaceful and calm when we visited, we had a very nice weather so we were available to take some nice pictures. The picture with the Toronto Sign is a must, as well with the Toronto Old City Hall, that from the square you have a pretty nice angle. What makes the visit more enjoyable is the existence of a cafeteria and bathrooms right to a side, so you can take an ice cream or a shake while enjoying the friendly vibes of the square! And of course you also have some nice angles of the city from here. A must if you are visiting Toronto.

Nathan Phillips Square is one of those places you kind of have to see if you’re in the city — not because it’s touristy, but because it’s always alive with something. I’ve walked through on quiet weekday mornings, during packed festivals, and once in the dead of winter when the skating rink was full and the Christmas lights made the whole square feel like a snow globe. The iconic Toronto sign is cooler in real life than you’d expect — especially at night when it’s all lit up. And even if you’re not into architecture, City Hall’s curved towers still make you pause. The space is wide open, clean, and surprisingly peaceful if you catch it at the right time.

A vibrant public space in the heart of downtown Toronto. It's well known for its iconic Toronto sign, modernist city hall backdrop, and lively atmosphere. Whether you're visiting in the summer for open-air events and farmers' markets, or enjoying the skating rink in winter, it's always bustling with activity. It's a must-visit spot for both tourists and locals.

Nathan Phillips Square is a vibrant public plaza in downtown Toronto, alive with festivals, markets, and a popular ice rink in winter, framed by the iconic Toronto sign. Adjacent City Hall, a 1965 modernist masterpiece with curved towers, serves as the civic hub and offers tours. Together, they blend lively community spirit with architectural brilliance, defining mid-Toronto’s urban core. Very spacious city square. It's also fun in the winters, with Christmas lights, the tree, the deco, and a bustling ice-skating rink. The drive to it in the busy downtown area is a disaster, though, and you have to be very patient with the drive and finding parking nearby. It's worth a visit at least once in your lifetime.

During our day of exploring areas of Toronto, we stopped by Nathan Phillips Square to check it out. It was a beautiful day for a Friday afternoon that was originally forecasted for rain and cooler weather - ended up being very sunny and warm. When we arrived, we saw some games taking place over in the field area. I went over to ask a player what was going on and he let me know it was an annual rugby tournament in support of a local charity and for us to stay and watch. He was a great example of the kind, welcoming demeanor we typically experienced throughout our visit in Toronto. We stayed for a bit to watch, took a photo "with" the Toronto sign that's there and then headed to the next spot on our self guided tour. A good place to relax, people watch and have lunch in a public square.

It’s a fun place to spend time in Toronto…. There are lot of events happening all around the year which brings diversity and inclusivity for people coming from different parts of the world. During winters it has ice ring for skating. Absolute fun place.

This area used to clean and tidy. Not so much anymore definitely gone down hill over the past few years. The Toronto sign is there to take pictures. Weekends there are usually events with vendors going on. It can get a bit seedy after dark so be wary. The city needs to clean it up a bit more for the tourists. We are in Toronto often and have noticed the decline of this area.

As you walk along Queen Street, you'll notice two big curvy looking towers, a Toronto sign and what looks like a coin fountain thing. ⛲ This vibrant, atmospheric, not so hidden gem will bring you an amazing time at any time whatsoever. 😁 Juicy delicious hot dog and burger shops lined up near for when you're hungry or thirsty. 🌭💧 Skate rentals at that corner building for when your brave enough to get on the ice at winter. ⛸️ All the time during the year, they feature amazing festivals such as an Arabic Festival that I went to and enjoyed. 👳🏻‍♀️ The food will draw you to it and the music is amazing. It's decorated during Christmas season, where we learn the true meaning of Christmas? Is our city being less mean to each other than normally. 🌟🌲 And even when there's nothing going on, you can still talk to the very friendly people that hang out there and check out the cool canoe art at the North facing left perspective side. 🛶 Come here to Nathan Phillips Square, and enjoy your stay. You may as well considering everything else in Toronto is very expensive. 🌟😁 Feel free to reach out for any help regarding Toronto, the GTA and even Simcoe county. 😁😁😁

I don't know Nathan, but his Square is a solid spot for communities to gather. A great space to visit, whether for events or just to take it all in.

During our day of exploring areas of Toronto, we stopped by Nathan Phillips Square to check it out. It was a beautiful day for a Friday afternoon that was originally forecasted for rain and cooler weather - ended up being very sunny and warm. When we arrived, we saw some games taking place over in the field area. I went over to ask a player what was going on and he let me know it was an annual rugby tournament in support of a local charity and for us to stay and watch. He was a great example of the kind, welcoming demeanor we typically experienced throughout our visit in Toronto. We stayed for a bit to watch, took a photo "with" the Toronto sign that's there and then headed to the next spot on our self guided tour. A good place to relax, people watch and have lunch in a public square.

Lovely little outdoor square with the iconic Toronto sign. Great spot for pictures. Right next to Eaton center so conveniently located off the path. For the holidays they've got a lovely light show at night. Ice-skating also.

I would easily give 5 stars if I was able to get closer to the infamous TORONTO sign. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful sight to see, however close you can get. At the time I was there, the ice skating rink was not open. The area is both busy and serene, if that makes sense. Being from a metropolitan city, I speak the language of hustle and bustle. It's a big open space and prime for people-watching, if you're into that sort of thing. If you grab something quick from a food truck, there's ample space to sit and enjoy it. Also, close to a lot of other attractions.

I love Nathan Philips Square as there's alway some exciting event happening here; food events, Nuit Blanche, cultural events, etc. It's easily accessible by subway, streetcars and there's a GreenP parking close by, if you're driving (which I don't recommend). There are many hotdog and street food trucks available if y'u want to buy comfort food at a fair price. Also, the new Toronto sign with indigenous art is very nice.

This is a neat and hip little hangout spot located in central downtown Toronto. There is metered street parking within a reasonable walking distance, but the easiest parking location is the commercial garage located right under the square. That is what I did. The Square also has a few bus stops as well, if you wish to take public transit. It is named after Nathan Philipps, mayor of Toronto from 1955 to 1962 and dates back to 1965. There have been many modifications and upgrades since then. The Square is a decent size, spanning 12 acres and is located in the shadow of Toronto's city Hall. It is a symbol of peace and remembrance. The Square features the world-famous LED multi-color changing Toronto sign. It is definitely worth checking out. The sign serves as the backdrop to the Square's water features that is a reflecting pool in the warmer months and a full-fledged skating rink in the winter. I visited in the winter, so the skating rink was in full effect. In addition to the sign, the Square has a peace garden, which was created as a memorial to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, a stage and several pieces of public art that include the Three Way Piece No.2: Archer The Square offers skate rentals, but a lot of people had their own. It is Canada. The Square also has a snack bar and usually has a food truck or two about on high traffic days. You will find a few cement benches to sit on while you are here and stairwells throughout the park that lead down to the underground parking garage. This spot is used to host some of the city's special events including the Cavalcade of Lights, New Year's Celebrations, Remembrance Day Celebrations, concerts, festivals and rallies. The Square is a popular spot among locals and tourist alike. The place was packed when I was there with skaters and visitors, but it was New years Eve. They did shot the skating off at 10PM that night. I really enjoyed hanging out at the Square. There is not a lot to do, outside of ice skating, but there is so much to see. Be sure to get a picture in front of the Toronto sign while you are there. It was a bit busy, but nothing too unbearable. The line for the skate rental was ridiculous, but I stayed away from it. Anyway, this is a must see while you are in Toronto and I highly recommend checking it out.

This review is for the ice rink at Nathan Phillips Square, based on a mid-day, mid-week visit. First - there's ample and cheap parking underneath the square in a multi-level underground lot - you access it off of Bay Street. Second, Nathan Phillips Square is the only rink in the city that rents skates. Adult rentals are $15 for 2 hrs. Beware that the skates may not be very sharp. There are many many rinks all over the city that are free if you have your own skates. Third, the quality of the rink ice is terrible. The surface was gouged and rough from so many skaters and did not appear to be regularly maintained. In other cities the rink is smoothed with a zamboni every couple or three hours. The quality of the surface made skating challenging and dangerous for novice skaters and we saw many wipe outs. Fourth, this rink is crowded at all times of day and night, and people take baby strollers and pets out onto the ice with them, so this is definitely a skate-at-your-own-risk kind of place. That said, the festive holiday lights and Toronto sign make it great for photos, so it's sure to remain popular despite the poorly maintained surface. Finally, there are public restrooms, plenty of benches and a fast food kiosk right there at the square, making it easy to change, grab a hot beverage or snack, or sit and wait/watch the skaters. And there's also a first aid booth just in case...

Nathan Phillips Square truly is a vibrant hub for cultural events and community gatherings. Not only just to take pictures of the Toronto sign.

Clean minimalistic setting to enjoy the city and its denizens in the heart of downtown Toronto. Nice to see this space get so much use.

We had a great experience during VegFest 2024. The venue is easily accessible. Large, clean, making it a great location for food festival.

Toronto has many beautiful parks and this is another gem. It is perfectly situated for incredible views of the Toronto skyline. The park has several food trucks, restrooms, a water feature (that becomes a skating rink in winter) and the iconic Toronto sign. It is the home of several festivals throughout the year.

Great place to people watch or relax. Depending on the weather you have ice skating or water in front of the Toronto sign. Unfortunately, if you're trying to get a selfie or a good picture in front of the sign, good luck. You'll always have people photo bombing your pictures. Take a decent selfie with as little heads as possible and move on to the next location

What a lovely space in the middle of downtown Toronto. I was in town for a few days and when I travel I love to just walk. I could walk for miles just exploring. And that's exactly what I did... and I ended up right smack dab in the middle of this lovely square. The giant Toronto sign surely makes for an Instagrammable photo op. The letters light up, there's a nice city skyline in the back, and the fountains too, of course! It's a rather touristy area but it's magical in its own right. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this space and I highly recommend it if you're into touristy type stuff or simply exploring. I hear in the colder months they have ice skating here!

Visited during the holidays and got to check out the Holiday Fair in the Square. Admission free! On a weekend, it's chaos navigating around trying to find parking. Skating: The line ups for the skating are long so best to bring your own. The seating space is limited especially on the weekend so most people were sitting along the rink edge to put their skates on/off. The rink it self was busy and every so often they had the Zamboni come out. Food: pricey, paid $18 for a funnel cake which in my opinion was over-fried and too sweet. Unfortunately, it was discarded after a few bites. Most of options include: poutine, tiny donuts, beaver tails, corn dogs, bubble tea, hot chocolate stations, burger/fries etc. There is a children's area (limited options) and markets through out the fair. The lights are the most exciting part, the area is lit up with the most prettiest twinkle lights! Overall, worth checking out

A small lovely park in the city center. It's definitely not convenient to drive and stop at since it's in downtown Toronto and there's really no parking in the area. The square is known for the iconic Toronto sign that's of course a photo op for everyone visiting and right by it is a pool of water with benches around to relax at too, although it can be difficult with all everyone trying to get pictures. Next to the park are the Toronto City Hall buildings as well.

If you're looking for that iconic Toronto sign, then definitely make a stop by Nathan Phillips Square! Came here with a friend and during the Christmas holidays, this place is pretty festive. In the month of December, there is a Christmas holiday fair going on + the ice rink in which you can skate on. In the evening time, the lights come up, so if you're looking for IG worthy pics, come at night! For the fair itself, there were vendors for food and merchandise. There is also a cozy little spot by the fire and Christmas trees if you wanted to sit and chill. For the ice rink, found it to be too intimidating to join in due to the vast amount of people skating at the same time. If you're a beginner, I would recommend checking out the other ice rinks that has less people and/or have a bigger rink. With so much to do in just this area, I highly recommend checking it out not only for tourists but for people with families or dates as well!

Our next family Toronto adventure take us to Nathan Phillips Square with a category of 4.6 and more than 33,381 reviews this is one of most visited place in Toronto for local and international tourists. With under 19 degrees cold wheather we going to take our photo from this icon Toronto sign at the Phillips Square.

Nathan Phillip Square during the Winter season is a definite place to be! I went with my wife on 04 December 2022 during the evening and we managed to capture so many great pictures and explore the vendors in that area. There were vendors ranging from food (hot dogs, middle eastern food, asian food, snacks) to fun games and activities for all ages. There were even rides for small children, however it should be noted that you have to pay to use these attractions. The ambiance during the Christmas / Winter season was simply wonderful. Be prepared to take pictures with Santa (for a small donation) and lots of selfies with all the Christmas trees, lights and the Toronto landscape in the background. The water in Nathan Phillip Square is also frozen over and you can jump on with your skates. There is also a skate rental place right next to the skating arena if you haven't got skates. As a beginner in skating, however, I'm glad I didn't jump into the rink as there were lots of people, many of whom were already good at skating. If you're looking for a place to practice skating, check out the skating rink at Union Station -- you can also rent skates here for free.

Here you will find the giant Toronto sign along with many tourists taking photos in every corner of the sign. Nathan Phillips Square is an open plaza that is just located right infront of Toronto City Hall. It is located between Queen Street West and Bay Street. The open plaza is huge. You will also find a very giant man made fountain. Once in awhile they will have artwork display either in the plaza or in the man made fountain.

See the sign. Take some pics. Take a selfie. Beware of the homeless and panhandlers. City Hall is the building behind the "Toronto" sign and Old City Hall is across the street on your right. Next!

It's a good place to stroll by splly if u r visiting. I'm sure it's a fun place while the rink is open. A few mins from the CN tower, I'd say a good place to check out as it has some good old buildings view

Holy (fill in whatever word you want here)! I've hit 1800 Yelp reviews. Time flies when you have tons to say, I suppose. Well, this review is fitting. It's Nathan Phillips Square. So many thoughts and memories. So exhausted to write everything down after making a large Thanksgiving meal! Let's get the embarrassing part out of the way. Ever since the Toronto sign (the temporary one) was installed at NPS, I never headed down to my hometown to see it. It took a new permanent sign, a day off from work after cramming three workdays into two, and Poke Guys to get me down here. Better late than a decade from now! I love NPS. I have memories of coming down here with my mom as a kid to see the Santa Claus Parade. She'd get roasted chestnuts because she loved them. It was a challenge for me to eat them, but I grew to love them, too. I enjoyed getting an ice cream or munchies at either a food truck that was parked in front of NPS or getting something at the food stand. I remember coming down here with my mom when it was Chinese (Lunar) New Year. She managed to get me out of elementary school to see the dragons dance, enjoy the food that we could get, and soak up our culture. I will always cherish that memory. The library is still kicking around. However, due to the pandemic, there's security everywhere. It's actually perfect to take photos of the Toronto sign. There weren't too many folks out and about when I shot my pics at around 1 pm on a Monday afternoon. I parked underneath NPS. I had no idea that there was a parking lot until I saw the sign, which shows how much of a commuter I was when I did visit the area. I consider this lot to be affordable compared to most lots in the downtown core. In the wintertime, you can skate at NPS and rent skates if you don't have any. It's a decent place to experience cultural events, but that was pre-pandemic. Ah, good times! I also figured out recently that there are public washrooms around the skate rental and food stall. I used it and it was fine. It was great returning to this cool place. I'll try and visit it more often. It's nice to be a tourist in your hometown. (385)

Very cool space, there is a halal burger place right inside which was nice. There are food trucks and carts nearby too for ice cream and snacks and drinks.

T O R O N T O !! When in Downtown, visit Nathan Phillips Square to see the iconic 3-D sign. The sign illuminates in various colors throughout the year to show support for various causes. On our visit, the sign was lit up in support of the Toronto Raptors - the 2019 NBA Champions! They dethroned the Golden State Warriors to win the franchise's first-ever NBA title!! The pie design on the left represents a medicine wheel which was installed June 21, 2018, to raise awareness for National Indigenous Peoples Day. The maple tree leaf on the right is the national symbol of Canada. The large fountain in front of the sign is converted to an ice skating rink during wintertime. The arches that rise over the water represent freedom. Other things to do at the Square....grab food and beverage from the food trucks, play checkers at the picnic tables, walk up on the bridge to take more photos of the sign from a different perspective, and check out the new City Hall buildings behind the sign.

Usually a dry atmosphere with a couple of tourists munching on hot dogs transformed into a magical winter wonderland with twinkling lights and a soft hum of Christmas music. Rows and rows of stalls selling various items from must have Christmas ornaments and themed gifts, to scarves and hats and so much more. There was plenty to see with performers dotted around the square and we managed to catch a winter fairy dance and fire blower. There was even an opportunity to meet Santa! My favourite had to be the cosy fireplaces to sit around as you all sip on that warm hot chocolate or delectable treats you buy from the various food stalls. And the fun doesn't end there as the once quite boring water feature in the middle of the square has frozen over and glazed with so many ice skaters! There's skate rentals if you fancy a go - although there were too many people on the rink for me and my very poor ice skating abilities so I was more than happy to watch from the sidelines! Definite must visit!

Such a beautiful view this location is close to the Eaton centre. I always wanted to see the Toronto sign it Is gorgeous. I thought this would be close to the cn tower but they are not They are in two completely different locations

You don't need much time, but this was definitely on my agenda when I realized that I'd be coming up here for the weekend. I braved the cold and decided I really wanted a photo here, at night, once the Toronto sign was illuminated. You can see the wonderful sign from across the street, along with many people in the area that are ice-skating. I am visiting from New York, but in some ways, I see this place as a much smaller version of our Bryant Park. Anyhow, if you're visiting the city, I'd say take a few minutes in the night to stroll past here and get some great shots. I was even nice enough to find some wonderful people who were ice skating to take photos from me from the ice. I must add that while I was only here for about 15 minutes tops, I saw at least two people get hurt from falling on the ice, so beware!

This is the central hub of all municipal activities within the 6ix. The public square plays host to many events that happens within the city. Be it hosting local markets to showcase their goods (crafts, foods, products), hosting international sporting events (Pan Am, Invictus) to Cultural Events produced the city (Doors Open, Nuit Blanche, Cavalcade of Lights and New Years countdown). Many people ( local and from a far) flock here to take selfies with the UFO, reflecting pool and even the Toronto sign to remind them where they are... There is plenty to do here and it is constantly changing with no end of entertainment value going forward.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! The time spent with a love one at Nathan Phillips square was an amazing experience! Although it was cold and raining most of the night, the atmosphere was fun and lively. The DJs and artists performing were great! It was my first time hearing of Candace Weapon and his songs are awesome and available on spotify (sweet!). There were about like 10 food trucks available, so you are never hungry or thirsty. They had POUTINE!! hot dogs, sausages, pop, and water. Some hot dog stands even take credit and debit cards! :-O. There was also hero burgers and tim hortons on site, which was great!! because you could get warmed up with the hot beverages. The Toronto sign and ice skating ring were beautiful. It was great seeing people from all over the world come to Nathan Phillips square to celebrate the new years. The count down fireworks were magical. I had a great time with my partner in crime. We would definitely visit here again!! I wish you all a great New year :-D

When visiting Toronto, this is one of the must see places...the big TORONTO sign! On my list and it was a good 30 min walk from the harbour side... Best to go later in the day around sunset or so to see the illuminating colors of the sign and the reflection of the water. Very peaceful around there just watching... Yes, always a crowd of people standing in front to take pictures. If you go upstairs, it's a better view and you can get the full sign w/o being right in front of it. If you drive, there is a parking lot around.

I love Nathan Phillips Square. It's a big event space that surrounds New City Hall. It now has the big "Toronto" sign that is popular with tourists, but that was erected long after I left Toronto. I love it for the beautiful reflecting pool that in the winter freezes over to become a skating rink. I love the beautiful light displays around Christmas. As a kid, I loved the free cake that would be given out there on Canada Day (who are we kidding, I still love free cake, but haven't been in Toronto for Canada Day in ages, so not sure if they still dole out free cake). And of course there's the New Year's Eve Celebrations at Nathan Phillips Square. I still remember ringing in the millennium there. Y2K, baby! Haha. Oh the fireworks were fantastic! I also loved getting fries at the chip wagons that lined Queen St by Nathan Phillips Square. So bad, yet so good, lol. There are few things that make me miss Toronto more than pictures of the CN Tower, and pictures of Nathan Phillips Square.

Oh, so there's supposed to be either a pool of water or an ice rink. Well, when I visited the place, the space had sad puddles of water in it lol I reckon they're getting ready to put in the ice rink as it's almost November. Anyway, cool landmark. Went at night and it was really pretty. I went on an uneventful Friday night and it wasn't crowded, pretty relaxing place. Definitely check it out if you have the chance. Though, I must mention this. So sometimes (or most of the time) I see tourists being stu--- silly. For instance, people were trying to sit on the O's of the Toronto sign for a photo op, but uhh at night those people are just gonna be tiny indistinguishable silhouettes in the pictures lol. I mean, I'm a tourist myself and I could easily take a picture of a person sitting on one of the O's and say "look it's me! I swear it's me!!" but I ain't a liar.

A cool place to check out whether a tourist or a resident of Toronto or the surrounding GTA. The 3D sign is not to be missed and apparently, they turn the fountains into an ice skating rink during the colder months. How cool is that! It's also a great activity to do after getting some shopping done at the nearby CF Eaton Centre, or before. It is a clean place but it does get a little crowded. However, that's what you'd expect out of a touristy spot like this place.

We stopped by Nathan Philips Square after dinner to check out the Toronto sign that's right smack in the middle of the Square. It was fairly quiet and we were able to grab some nice photos with the sign. You can take a picture of it really up close - there are no barriers or fences around it - or you can take a photo of it from across the "pond" in the middle. I hear that it gets turned into an ice skating rink during the holiday season. It was definitely all water when we visited! We drove by the Square another time during the day and it definitely had a very different look. If you're time restricted and can only visit once, I would definitely recommend visiting at night instead of during the day.

Nathan Phillips Square is one of the most recognized landmarks of Toronto aside from CN Towers. Large open area great for communities events and celebrations: New Year Countdown, Canada Days, Cultural Days, Weekly Farmer's Market, Art Events and Carnivals etc. Love the Christmas lights and winter skating during the holiday seasons probably a highlight of growing up in the City. Why the 3 stars? It is getting really dirty and smelly. Garbage, Bird Poop, Urine Smell really turned me off. I hope the City would have clean the area more frequently.

Cool place to get some great shots with the Toronto Sign.Right in middle of downtown and which is just 1.2 km from St.lawrence Market hence it was an easy walk for us after having a fresh breakfast . Not too crowded early morning hence could get some solo shots. You can walk to Chinatown and graffiti alley easily from here.osgoode hall which is right next to it is also beautiful. There is a walkway one stair above to click pictures as well.

Came here on Christmas Eve and it was beautiful! They had the lights lit up and it looked magical. The ice rink was well-maintained and it was clean as well. Would recommend!

This was one of my favorite spots in Toronto. I love the 3D TORONTO sign. Good luck trying to take a picture without other people in it though. It's situated in front of New City Hall and to the left of Old City Hall (National Historic Site of Canada), which are both impressive buildings. The square features a reflecting pool that turns into a skating rink in the colder months. Without the skating rink or any events going on, there isn't much to actually do there. It was a nice place to take a break, enjoy your lunch, and people watch. FYI- In case you're wondering who Nathan Phillips is, he was a former mayor of Toronto

Pretty location for ice skating in the downtown area near the old city hall. People seem to care about safety, plenty of helmets going around. Free if you have your own skates or $15 to rent a pair for 2 hours.

This place is pretty great. As a tourist I always love those kind of "go-to" places for tourist photos. I don't there is anything wrong with it either. Nathan Phillips Square is just that. You can get a picture in, besides, or in front of the huge Toronto sign. Or if you're a local, you can have your lunch outside in the seating areas. It's a great meeting spot because it seems to be pretty centrally located. In the winter they put an ice staking rink in front of the sign. I would never partake, but it would be amazing to witness. I saw office employees spending time on their lunch break there, I saw tourists and yes, I saw a few homeless, but it's a really great spot to just take ten-fifteen minutes and realize. It's close to Eaton Centre so if you're a shopper there is that too! I'm a fan of this place. It's definitely an Instagram worthy opportunity if you go.

Nathan Phillips Square is Toronto's core... well depending on who you talk to BUT it is where most Toronto celebrations or big events start or end. It has a few iconic and well known snaps that everyone in the world can recognize. The big TORONTO sign... yes! it's there. Tag your shot #Toronto and be like every other tourist! Most people like to stand in the 'O' and have someone take a shot from the other side. It is also back drop to our 'futuristic' city hall. Most sci fiction movies or shows have used that building at one point in time. In the summer, you'd have the events on the weekends but I'll admit that during the week day evenings... it's quiet. TOO quiet perhaps? There's very very little going on. Sure there's a reflection pool for you to sit nearby and maybe one food truck. But it honestly feels deserted. Now during the winter, you've got some of the bigger draws which includes the Winter Christmas market leading up to Christmas (duh) and our really touristy but fun skating rink. The reflection pool is frozen over and (semi) maintained for skating. For $10, you can rent skates to skate in the heart of Toronto. For all those who are beginner skaters, don't worry... most people there are just skating for the first time too. So you're not going to look out of place. For all those who can skate or skate a bit, you're going to feel like you're on the Gardiner highway in the middle of rush hour. IT IS CROWDED and with people just flailing or falling around, it is anxiety on ice. #BeenThereDoneThatAndNeverAgain Overall, Toronto's centre does bring us together for those touristy and little memories but does it keep us coming back... perhaps not.

Pretty awesome place to hang out with friends, especially in the weekends. The parking is $8 max for weekend which is affordable. You just need to park there and walk around the downtown. It's worth.

Very cute tourist place to take pictures and send send to family/friends. In the winter it does turn into a skating rink for kids and adults alike. The beauty does get a little lost with so many people, but it is what you expect. There is a nice food stand or a usual food truck in close proximity.

Very nice open square in the heart of Toronto with a supersized water fountain with oversized stainless steel letters spelling out the name of city. There is a second level on the perimeter with an experimental garden and a large number of flags from the nations out in front. Great place to take some time to relax, reflect and ponder the magnificence of your surroundings.

Even if you only have a few minutes to spend - Nathan Phillips Square is a pretty awesome spot to walk through while visiting Toronto. The square itself is lovely - open, water fountain feature right in the middle, plenty of benches situated all around with views of all sorts of lovely architecture - the old City Hall in its Romanesque glory, and the 'new city hall' with its glass and concrete and modern style. I love the stark contrast of the neighborhood. The best part of this square though is without a doubt the giant TORONTO letters - which create the ultimate and best touristy moment. Hubs and I spent way too much time posing in front of the letters but we came home w/ a couple really great photos. Bonus - the giant letters light up at night! And if you sit there and watch it for a bit it ends up being a light show - changing between red/white/blue to pink/green/yellow. I can't decide if I like the daytime or nighttime views better... if you've got the time and are close by - try and visit the square both during the day and after the sun sets. No visit it complete without a goofy photo in front of the Toronto letters!!

Cute tourist spot to take pictures while visiting Toronto. The only drawback would be that there is limited bench seating in the shade. Most of the benches were out in front of the nice Toronto sign, which is great for pictures, but I just wanted to be out of the way and people watch with a sandwich. Overall, still a very nice square.

This is review is only for the underground parking garage. If you are interested in taking Instagram photos of the Toronto sign above ground, you may refer to the other reviews here. The parking garage is cheap. It is centrally located. And it's big. You can see now why a person would choose to park here. But beware. No matter how many times I have memorized where I parked, written down the number code, remembered my section's animal (wolf, trout, moose etc.) or taken a photo of my car, I have yet to find my car easily. Several times I have broken down and wept in frustration. Once I asked a passing policeman for advice and he pointed me in the wrong direction. I think there may even be two lots side by side. One is a Green P and one is for City Hall. They are not separated in any way, which adds to the confusion. There are several entrances to the underground lot. They are not signed so you must commit your closest entrance to memory. The stairwells are badly maintained, damp and smell like urine. There are small signs sporadically located next to the stairwell doors with maps of the aforementioned animal sections. They are not oriented to the actual layout of the lot (which way is north?) nor is there a "You Are Here" sticker. Once you finally find your car, driving out of the lot is another trial. The exit signs are only for the pedestrians, not the cars. To get out you must follow the red signs on the floor. They could easily lead you further into the maze instead of to the surface. I wish the City Hall would improve the signage. The extra revenue from customers wandering around looking for their cars could help pay for it.

at the base of city hall lies a public space like no other in Toronto. Nathan Phillips square boasts a lot of cool features that a lot of city halls don't offer, a fountain in the summer, a skating rink in the winter, the newly crowded birds nest(during the blue jays play off run, they had a huge projector to watch the games on), a couple of art sculptures, a couple of gardens on the upper level of the structure, a Christmas tree in the winter, fireworks during holidays, a snack bar to get some snacks or a hot beverage. aside from annual events and the occasional protest/demonstration this is an excellent place to just relax, people watch, or take some photos with all the surroundings. you could easily spend a day here! lots to see and lots to take in.

If I lived in Toronto, this would be my lunch spot everyday. As much of a great city and a comfortable lifestyle Toronto has to offer, it lacks a lot of sightseeing localities, not only for tourists but also for residents. Nathan Phillips Square was a breath of fresh air from all those cluttered streets of those hip stores on Yonge. Not exactly an ideal place to hangout since there are fairs and whatnot that block half of the space. As far as art in Toronto goes, this is pretty much one of the few places you can see an outdoor art creation and it's nothing like what you'll see in Chicago. I came here when there was an art fair and while the white tents did ruin the fun a bit, the fountain was a gorgeous view. Granted, it's not the Bellagio but that's Toronto's city hall for you and I'm sure it looks beautiful at night. I've been to many city halls and this was certainly not the most dull-looking. It's much cleaner than I had imagined and more spaces. Plus, their tap water comes from from a tank rather than pipes!