Toronto is a pretty straightforward city to navigate. If you’re ever in doubt about how east or west you’ve strayed, you can crane your head to look for the CN Tower. And if you’re ever doubtful how south you are, you look for that vast, shimmering expanse of seemingly endless water – Lake Ontario.
Yes, Lake Ontario looms large in the Six’s ethos. Not only does the city use the body of water to navigate, air-condition its apartment buildings, and pump its tap water, but we also use it as a source of summer joy. When the weather spikes, you’ll find throngs of Torontonians flocking to the cool breezes, exciting activities, and sun-tan spots dotting the civic waterfront.
If you’re new in town (welcome!), this guide offers an insider’s take on the best way to capitalize on Toronto’s waterfront. And if you’ve lived here forever, let this be an annual refresher of all the many ways you can fall in love with this city all over again.
Hit the Open Waters for Toronto Islands
Judging solely by the lines at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, you know Toronto Islands are hopping in the summer. And once you disembark at one of the area’s charming islands, you immediately understand the appeal.
What other city holds this kind of ace up its sleeve? The charming island chain features a slow pace of living, bohemian sensibilities, charming cafes, and a slew of beautiful beaches (Hanlan’s, Ward’s, you name it). It feels like you’ve taken a long-haul flight to somewhere much different than the frenetic Toronto centre. Revel in the laid-back vibes for a day, then head back to the city – grateful that Toronto contains this accessible oasis at its doorstep.
For a longer voyage on the open waters, check out Harvey Kalles Real Estate’s list of the best day cruises in Toronto.
See What’s on at Harbourfront Centre
The beating heart of downtown’s waterfront has to be Harbourfront Centre. This buzzing central spot for arts and culture is smack-dab in the middle of the action just south of Scotiabank Arena. Run by a registered, charitable, not-for-profit cultural organization, the centre routinely hosts summer events, block parties, festivals, movie nights, dances, and more.
Harbourfront Centre celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, so expect them to pull out all the stops in their programming schedule. Even when it isn’t celebrating a milestone birthday, the hub remains one of the finest places in TO for activities by the water.
Get the Blood Pumping with a Bike Ride on Waterfront Trail
Waterfront Trail was one of Ontario’s best ideas. Forging a long pedestrian highway from Prince Township to the Quebec border, it’s a 3,600 km trail celebrating this province’s natural splendour. And lucky for us, it cuts a clean line right along Toronto’s beautiful waterfront.
In the header, we suggest taking your bike along the trail. However, in actuality, you can pick your mode of analog transport: running, inline skating, skateboarding, etc. Whichever way you traverse it, Waterfront Trail is a fantastic opportunity to get some fresh air, work up a sweat, and enjoy the beauty of Lake Ontario.
If you prefer to ride the slipstream in a pack of cyclists – or you just want company – check out our write-up on Toronto bike tours at the link.
From Downtown Beaches to The Beaches, Explore a Laid-Back Side of the Six
While it might not have the cultural cache of a “beach town” in California or Florida, Toronto is no slouch in the sand department. Its hot and humid days lend themselves perfectly to one of the city’s numerous waterfront beaches.
You can find good spots to sun yourself from end to end. In the central part of the city, you’ll find places like HTO Beach and Sugar Beach – steps away from the skyscrapers, yet facing the serene blue Lake Ontario waters. Head a little further east or west, and you’ll reach Cherry Beach and Sunnyside Beach, respectively; both are ideal for summer picnics, BBQs, and lazy afternoons.
Then, there’s The Beaches (or The Beach, if you prefer). It’s right there in the name. The eclectic neighbourhood sports some of the mainland’s best sandy retreats, like Woodbine Beach and Kew-Balmy. It’s a fantastic neighbourhood to take kids, as there’s much to do. Tack on a trip to The Beaches’ charming strip of Queen Street East, and you’ve got yourself a perfect day in the Toronto ‘burbs.
If you’re eager to find a property close to one of these Toronto sandy locales, connect with the expert realtors at Harvey Kalles Real Estate. We can find you your very own beach retreat in the Six.
Reserve a Fire Pit at Ontario Place
After a long day exploring the Toronto waterfront, there’s only one thing left to do: Cap it off with a stunning sunset. You can find ideal views of the sunset up and down the waterfront; however, for our money, the best place when night falls is Ontario Place.
Through their website, you can book a free fire pit, located right on the water. Bring your friends and family, crack a couple of (publicly permissible) beverages, and soak in the mix of natural beauty and concrete innovation at Ontario Place. It really is the perfect end to a perfect day on Toronto’s waterfront.
Partner with Toronto’s Best Realtors
Exploring the city’s waterfront on a day trip is one thing. But if you want to explore the waterfront as a viable place to call home, partner with Harvey Kalles Real Estate. We’ve helped countless Torontonians find their idyllic slice of waterfront real estate, and we’d be honoured to help you, too.
Summer is the busy season for real estate. Talk to our expert realtors now to capitalize on the fresh influx of lakeside inventory in the city.
Follow the (mostly free) steps above to get re-acquainted with Lake Ontario this summer. Ride the ferry, ride a bike, catch a concert, lounge on a beach chair, and catch an evocative sunset next to a roaring fire. For warm-weather lovers, Toronto doesn’t get much better than this.
