+13 Hidden Gems & Unique Things to do in Richmond Hill
Visiting the Village of Richmond Hill feels like stepping into a small town tucked within the city. It’s a great option for a day trip from Toronto—just a 45-minute ride north from Union Station on the GO Train. I also love visiting from Barrie, and over the years, I’ve come to appreciate just how much Richmond Hill has to offer.
Since one of my best friends moved here more than a decade ago, I’ve discovered a number of hidden gems—cozy coffee shops, restaurants serving a wide range of global flavours, and an arts scene that continues to surprise me. Richmond Hill’s mix of culture, history, and charm keeps me coming back, especially for experiences like shows at local venues and visits to the David Dunlap Observatory.
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Richmond Hill, this guide has you covered. Whether you’re exploring on foot or by car, the Village of Richmond Hill and the surrounding city make for a memorable day trip filled with local flavour and off-the-beaten-path discoveries.
What to do in the Village of Richmond Hill
For those looking to explore the historic Village of Richmond Hill there are plenty of things to do and see within a 25 minute walk from the Richmond Hill Go Station. However, it’s also easy to visit by car as there is plenty of free parking. One thing to note though, is that the large parking lot behind the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts fills up fast on the weekend. Alternatives include the Mill Pond parking lot and street parking.
Enjoy Coffee & Books at Covernotes
Two of my favourite things in one place! I was thrilled to discover that one of the many coffee shops in Richmond Hill had shelves of books too!
Covernotes is a unique café in the heart of the Village of Richmond Hill, right next to the Centre for the Performing Arts. So, the name is beyond fitting!
The café is set in a historic building that dates to 1897 and was once a high school. It maintains the historic vibes with a cozy atmosphere with shelves full of books, plants galore and little nooks.
Along with coffee, Covernotes is known for their extensive collection of over 100 loose leaf teas to choose from. Plus, if you’re hungry, you’ll find a smorgasbord of sandwiches and baked goods.
Explore the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre
One of the many hidden gems in the Village of Richmond Hill is the Heritage Centre. Located one street left of Yonge Street, the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre is located in the old Amos Wright house.
Amos Wright was a prominent figure in the area in the mid to late 1800s and was instrumental in the creation of village of Richmond Hill.
The renovated 1840’s home is now dedicated to telling the stories and showcasing the history of Richmond Hill. I loved the Yonge Street exhibit, which tells the history of how this main street was instrumental in the creation of what is now the Village of Richmond Hill.
Enjoy Afternoon Tea
The Richmond Hill Heritage Centre runs a number of different workshops and experiences, one of with is afternoon tea. So, if you’re looking for unique things to do in Richmond Hill, I recommend checking out their list of upcoming afternoon teas.
There are a number of cool things about this Richmond Hill afternoon tea, like the fact that you get to enjoy tea in a museum. They also do different themes, like Talk & Tea.
I enjoyed one where we had our afternoon tea in the solarium at the back of the museum, overlooking the small park. Plus, one of the museum staff shared the story of the latest exhibit about the history of Chinese people in the area. It was definitely one of the most unique afternoon tea experiences I’ve had.
Insider Tip: If you have dietary restrictions, you can request vegetarian sandwiches. But they do not offer gluten free or vegan options.
Visit the Mill Pond Gallery
If you’re looking for free things to do in Richmond Hill then I recommend visiting the Mill Pond Gallery. Located across from Mill Pond, the gallery showcases the works of local Richmond Hill artists.
During my visit there was a solo showcase of works by Christos Damianos. They coolest part was that he was there to speak with about the inspiration behind his art.
In addition to individual artist exhibits, the gallery also showcases small groups of artists. And the shows change regularly, so all the more reason to visit often.
Plus, if you love the arts, the gallery also runs a number of workshops and classes throughout the year for all levels.
Eat at Sweet Gate
A literal hidden gem in the Village of Richmond Hill is Sweet Gate! I saw a small sign while walking down Yonge Street and had to check it out.
Sweet Gate is a recently opened Persian cafe that is owned and operated by a lovely husband and wife duo from Iran. He excited shared with me that his wife is the master baker behind the delightful desserts.
Inside the small shop, you’ll immediately be met with their warm smiles and the sweet smell of treats. They sell an array of tasty pastries include baklava and a Persian classic–Zaban.
In addition to the zaban, I loved the traditional and Persian baklava!
Take in a Performance
When it comes to Richmond Hill activities for adults, I recommend taking in a show at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.
The large and stunning building is located right downtown, on Yonge Street. Shows are diverse and range from performances by the Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra to live theatre. This year’s shows include Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Roof.
They also host a number of Canadian and international artists. I enjoyed a concert here where I got to see Canadian band Dear Rouge play. The acoustics are great and I feel like there’s not a bad seat in the house.
Visit Mill Pond Park
Need a dose of nature? Right in the heart of downtown Richmond Hill is a gem of a park. Mill Pond Park is the perfect spot for a picnic or for a stroll along the large pond.
One of my favourite features of the park is the boardwalk trail that skirts the east end of the pond. The park is also home to a large gazebo that’s an ideal spot to watch the plethora of bird life around the water. Plus, there’s a large playground.
While it’s a popular spot for locals, I’ve had it nearly to myself on plenty of sunny weekends.
Mill Pond Park is a great place to visit in the summer for Concerts in the Park. On Thursday evenings in July and August you can enjoy free live entertainment.
Check out the Terry Fox Monument
Another gem I discovered while walking down Yonge Street was the Terry Fox Monument. Much like the hidden gem in St. John’s Newfoundland I discovered, this one has a statue of Terry Fox running in is Marathon of Hope.
The Richmond Hill Terry Fox statue is located in a small square just south of Centre Street, on the east side of Yonge Street.
Do a Workshop at Let’s Make It
If you’re looking for unique activities in Richmond Hill then check out Let’s Make It! This is the flagship store for the company, but there’s another location in Stackt Market in Toronto.
With a passion for creating, repurposing, and building communities Catherine Chambers is a game changer in the field of experiential tourism.
At Let’s Make It, located in the Village on Yonge Street, you can choose from a range of workshops. Workshops including soap making, candle making, resin art and so many more.
Let’s Make It workshops are perfect if you’re looking for things to do with your girlfriends or solo.
Things to do in Richmond Hill with a Car
Visit the David Dunlap Observatory
When it comes to what to do in Richmond Hill, a must is visit the David Dunlap Observatory. Celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2025, the observatory is a literal star in the city.
David Dunlap Observatory is home to the largest optical telescope in Canada. Completed in 1935 as part of the University of Toronto, it is also a National Historic Site of Canada.
The coolest part is that the 90-year-old telescope still works and you can visit it!
I visited during the annual Doors Open Richmond Hill event that allows free guided tours of the site. It’s a hot ticketed event and if you want to visit during Doors Open you have to grab your tickets weeks in advance.
But there are tours and events that you can purchase tickets to throughout the year. You can get tickets to their family nights, where you’ll get to visit in the dark to see telescope in action. And tickets usually run $20 per adult.
FUN FACT: The 74-inch telescope weights 25 tons!
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada also puts on stargazing parties that you can attend for free. Members come out with their various types of telescopes and set up on the lawn in front of the observatory. Everyone is incredibly helpful and you can check out the night sky through their telescopes.
I am fortunate, as I grew up with my father being a hobbyist astronomer with his backyard telescope. But being able to visit this site was truly memorable for both me and my dad.
Insider Tip: The observatory is located within a large park that covers 189 acres and is filled with trails.
Walk the Weldrick NightStar Bridge
Whether you’re looking for unique things to do in Richmond Hill at night or fun date night spots, head over to the Weldrick NightStar Bridge. This hidden gem is located off of Weldrick Road East, just east of Yonge Street.
Created a decade ago, this award-winning bridge is dreamy to see at night. The panels running along the sides are filled with cut-outs of starts and lit to illuminate the bridge.
Plus, in the daytime you can see the bridge surface is lined with names of some famous constellations.
Dine at Diverse Restaurants
One thing I love about visiting is that there are so many diverse restaurants in Richmond Hill. You can easily find a different global cuisine every night of the week to try.
A favourite of mine is Dear Saigon. Created by a Vietnamese family that immigrated to Canada years ago, they now have a number of locations in the Toronto area. And the Richmond Hill location is a few minutes away from the observatory.
The atmosphere is just as incredible, with plants hanging from the ceiling, fun basket-like light fixtures, and incredible plating and presentation on each of the dishes.
When it comes to food, the menu at Dear Saigon is full of authentic Vietnamese dishes. You’ll find everything from rice plates to Pho as well as Vermicelli.
If you’re visiting the Village of Richmond Hill on foot there’s plenty of great places to eat along Yonge Street.
- Jatujak – for Thai food
- El Bocho – for Mexican
- Eva Turkish Restaurant
- Imperial Cafe & Lounge – for Persian cuisine
Grab a Coffee
The coffee nut in me is always on the hunt for great cafes and I’ve found a number of amazing coffee shops in Richmond Hill over the years.
In addition to the unique Covernotes, there’s another lovely coffee shop in the Village of Richmond Hill is BB Café. This family-owned café serves up coffee and homemade pastries. What I love is that they prioritize using Canadian ingredients like grains and dairy.
When it comes to hidden gems, I love Rise Coffee! This coffee shop opened a couple of months ago and is located in an industrial area near Sussex Park. Inside it has a bright and welcoming space. And they use one of my favourite Markham coffees, Hatch!
But if you’re looking for a cool drink to try this summer, order their Forest Latte! It’s a perfect blend of hojicha topped with matcha cream.
Another must-visit coffee shop is Chillax Coffee! Best known for their incredible brunch menu that use farm fresh ingredients, they also make a mean coffee.
Wander Lake Wilcox
Need to stretch your legs? Head to Lake Wilcox. As one of the most popular places to visit in Richmond Hill in the summer, Lake Wilcox is great to visit in the spring and fall for fewer crowds, especially during the weekdays.
Lake Wilcox is a kettle lake located on the stunning Oak Ridges Moraine. While it’s home to a variety of wildlife, birds and fish, swimming is not allowed.
There are plenty of things to do and see at Lake Wilcox. Families love the playground and splash pad. Plus, there’s a picnic area. But my favourite is the boardwalk trail that stretches out over the water!
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