Ontario Legislative Building (Queen's Park)

The Ontario Legislative Building, at 111 Wellesley Street West, stands at the centre of Queen's Park in Toronto and houses the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Completed in 1893, it is built of pink sandstone in the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival style, with a long façade, a central tower and carved stonework. Free public tours let visitors see the Legislative Chamber, the grand staircase, the lobbies and art and historical displays, and guides explain how the provincial government works and the building's history. When the Assembly is sitting, visitors may also be able to watch debates from the public gallery after passing through security. Tour times vary with the legislative calendar and are typically offered on weekdays, so visitors should check the official website for current schedules. A visit generally takes about one hour. Weekday mornings are usually the best for tours, with fewer interruptions from parliamentary business, while sitting days can limit access to some rooms. The grounds of Queen's Park surround the building with lawns, monuments and statues, including a prominent equestrian statue of Edward VII, and the exterior is photographed best from the south, looking up the park's drive. The building is steps from Queen's Park station on Line 1 and close to the Royal Ontario Museum and the University of Toronto. Entry is free, though visitors must carry photo identification and expect airport-style security checks. For visitors to Toronto, Ontario, the tour combines architecture and civic education in a single stop.