MY MEDALLION
The Toronto waterfront has been improving steadily as the city invests more into beautifying and preserving the land around Lake Ontario. If you are a hiker or a cyclist, you may have already explored parts of the waterfront; but there are also some unique ways to relax and meet people that we’ve come up with! Read on for our suggestions for enjoying the waterfront this summer.
Visit Toronto Islands
An oasis just a short ferry ride away from downtown, the Toronto Islands can get you thinking you’re in cottage country but without the long drive! Enjoy beautiful beaches with a view of the city along with great trails for walking and biking. The ferry accommodates cyclists so it’s a breeze to bring your bike. We recommend checking out Island Cafe’s cute patio for drinks and nachos, or hitting the frisbee golf course to sharpen up your frisbee throwing! Check out the Toronto Islands website for ferry schedules and you’ll be enjoying Toronto’s waterfront in no time!
Walk Along Beaches Boardwalk
If you don’t have a whole afternoon to devote to the waterfront, a quick stroll along The Beach boardwalk is ideal. With over 3km to enjoy, there’s plenty of cafes and bakeries to stop at if you need a rest. Athens Pastries is a favourite of ours, which offers flaky Greek pastries to reward yourself for all those steps! If you want to try something different, rollerblades are available for rent along the boardwalk as well. Whatever your transportation method, the Beaches boardwalk offers the best of Toronto’s waterfront with beautiful views of Lake Ontario.
Bike Martin Goodman Trail
Whether you’re looking for a challenging long distance ride or a more leisurely one, Martin Goodman Trail is a great way to spend a weekend afternoon. At 53km, the trail winds through many neighbourhoods and has several access points. Parts of this trail were once devoted to parking for Ontario Place, so it’s a great example of repurposing unused areas into greenspace for Torontonians. It also winds through many favourites of Toronto’s waterfront, like The Beach boardwalk and Cherry Beach, so you can combine it with other fun outdoor activities for a weekend outingl.
Play Volleyball at Ashbridges Bay Beach Volleyball
Beach volleyball is a great way to have fun while being active, and newcomers to the sport can get just as much out of it as veteran players. Ashbridges Bay Beach Volleyball is a league for adult recreational and youth volleyball, and their mission is to build community through the sport. They aim to be inclusive and offer teams for all skill levels. Register now for their summer session, or if you’re more of a spectator, make sure to catch one of their games this summer at Toronto’s waterfront!
Take a Paddleboat Ride
Relax and enjoy the breeze from the lake with a paddleboat ride on Natrel Pond! Take in the picturesque Harbourfront Centre while you paddle around for only 10 dollars. We recommend going at sunset so you can watch the beautiful views of the sun dipping below Lake Ontario! Two and four seaters are available, and lifejackets are provided.
We hope we’ve given you a few ideas on how to get the most out of Toronto’s waterfront this summer! It’s easy to fall into a routine, but we encourage you to explore new parts of your city now, since there’s no time like the summer to get outside and explore! Follow along the Medallion blog for more great ideas around Toronto.
