Take a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto and ride a quick 10-minute ferry to the serene Toronto Islands. Ferries from various terminals at the harbour in Toronto regularly service this chain of 15 small islands in Lake Ontario. Attractions at the islands include an amusement park, children’s garden, petting zoo, 200-year old lighthouse, beaches, cafés, campsites, cute 1920s-style cottages and much more. Boating, kayaking or canoeing are said to be the best way to explore the islands. There are many sunny beaches to enjoy, with kayak, canoe and bike rentals, sports facilities, etc. The islands are interconnected by pathways, boardwalks and bridges, so you can even walk from one island to the other. From swimming to picnics to exploring, take a look at our list of things to do on Toronto Islands, Canada.
1. Play with your kids at Franklin Children's Garden
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Located close to Manitou Beach, Franklin Children’s Garden is a themed garden that features characters from the children’s TV show Franklin the Turtle. It is divided into seven sections that each provide an interactive activity that’s sure to be fun for the whole family and educational for the little ones.
Among these gardens is the Little Sprouts Garden that teaches children how to plant and maintain a vegetable and flower garden. There’s also a Hide and Seek Garden that features a vine tunnel and treehouse.
Franklin Children's Garden
Website: Franklin Children’s Garden
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 2pm - 6pm; Fri - Sun: 12pm - 6pm
2. Enjoy a serene time at Toronto Island Park
Located in Lake Ontario, Toronto Island Park is a group of 15 interconnected islands that approximately stretches 5 km (3.1 mi) long. The island features a plethora of attractions and activities that are sure to be enjoyable for the whole family. The beautiful beaches and kayak rentals offer up a place where you can cool off and enjoy the waters. There are large grassy fields for those who want to go on a picnic.
Centreville Amusement Park is located just south of Toronto Island Park. There’s no end to the fun and relaxing things you can do on these islands.
Toronto Island Park
Address: Toronto, ON, Canada
Website: Toronto Island Park
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
3. Find the way out of the beautiful William Meany Maze
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Built in 1967, this maze was originally created by Peter Vanderwerf as a gift by the Dutch-Canadian community to the city. The maze’s intricate design would give you a warm and fuzzy feeling as you search for the exit. Although it fell into disrepair, a wealthy businessman named William Meany donated a large sum of money to restore the maze to its former glory as it has given him much joy as a child.
Whether you’re a kid or an adult, you are sure to spend hours while traversing this maze as you avoid dead ends and try to identify any of the numerous optical illusions while looking for the exit.
William Meany Maze
Address: Avenue of the Island, Toronto, ON, Canada
Opening hours: 8am - 11pm (daily)
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4. Have a nice meal at Toronto Island BBQ & Beer Co.
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Posted by Toronto Island BBQ & Beer Company on Saturday, September 5, 2020
Boasting amazing views of the Toronto skyline, Toronto Island BBQ & Beer Co. offers you a casual restaurant experience while still enjoying a delicious meal to boot. The restaurant has take-out and patio services and offers a wide variety of food for your enjoyment, from smoked meat to tasty side dishes and salads.
The restaurant’s event space can also be rented for special occasions and includes a lakefront area, beaches, vast green spaces, and countless picnic areas. There are also summer events where you can listen to some great music during the evening.
Toronto Island BBQ & Beer Co.
Address: 120 Centre Island Dock, Toronto, ON M5J 2E9, Canada
Website: Toronto Island BBQ & Beer Co.
5. Get to know Toronto at Toronto Islands Evening Bike Tour (from USD 83.0)
Learn about Toronto in this three-hour, after-dinner bike tour around the Toronto Islands. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Toronto skyline at night as you visit attractions like Gibraltar Point Lighthouse and Royal Canadian Yacht Club.
The knowledgeable tour guide will be teaching you the islands’ 200-year history and taking you through car-free neighborhoods so you can enjoy your cycling without worries. You will also stop by an island cafe for dessert while admiring the city’s waterfront parks and sunsets.
Toronto Islands Evening Bike Tour
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
6. Rent a canoe or a kayak
Canoeing or kayaking through the calm waters of Toronto Islands is one of the best ways to see the beauty of this area. Plus, the distant Toronto skyline views from the open water are simply amazing! Renting a canoe or kayak is easily done through the Boat House rental on Centre Island. As per your comfort level, you can rent solo or tandem kayaks and canoes to explore waterways, bird sanctuaries, secluded beaches and lagoons teeming with over 35 species of fish. Not confident kayaking or canoeing on your own? You could even join a guided canoe or kayaking tour to learn more about the islands.
The Boat House
Address: Centre Island Dock, Toronto, ON M5V 2H1, Canada
Website: The Boat House
Opening hours: In season, 11am to 6pm
Price: 22-56 USD
7. Visit the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
Gibraltar Point lighthouse is a major tourist attraction on the Toronto Islands. The lighthouse is not only immense and picturesque but also popular among visitors since it is said to be haunted by the ghost of its first lighthouse keeper, who was murdered there and his remains were never found. Built in 1808, Gibraltar Point lighthouse is one of the oldest buildings in Toronto. Besides visiting the lighthouse, you could also admire the sand dunes on Gibraltar Point Beach nearby.
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
Address: Gibraltar Point, Toronto Island, Toronto, Canada
Website: Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
Opening hours: All days, 11am to 6pm
8. Pet animals at Far Enough Farm
Opened in 1959 on Centre Island, Far Enough Farm provides city-folk with an opportunity to observe and interact with farmyard animals and birds in a picturesque amusement park style environment. From farm animals like sheep, cows, goats, and pigs to exotic ones like alpacas and llamas, there are about 40 species of animals and birds in this unique petting farm. And the farmers are always on hand to answer any questions. Adults can enjoy boating on the pretty swan boats of the small lagoon on the farm and children can enjoy the pony rides.
Far Enough Farm
Address: Centre Island, Toronto Island, Toronto, ON M5J 2E9, Canada
Website: Far Enough Farm
Opening hours: In season, 10am to 5pm
Price: Free
9. Play frisbee golf
For the uninitiated, frisbee golf (also known as Disc golf) is a sport similar to golf in which players throw a disc at a chain-link metal target. On Toronto Islands, you can check out the long and challenging 18-hole Frisbee golf course off the main road between Ward’s and Centre Islands. Bring your own Frisbee and try your hand at this sport while taking in the views of the picturesque Toronto skyline.
Frisbee Golf
Address: Wards Ferry Terminal, Toronto, ON, Canada
Website: Frisbee Golf
Opening hours: All days, 8am to 11pm
Price: Free
10. Have fun at the Festival Of India
Take part in a buzzing array of activities at the Festival of India held every summer in Toronto. The festivities start off with a colourful procession (ratha-yatra) down Yonge Street and then continue for an entire weekend at Centre Island in the Toronto Islands. The festival is free for everyone. Activities at the festival include music and dance performances, cooking demonstrations, a bustling South Asian bazaar, group yoga sessions, fun activities for children, face-painting and a sumptuous and free vegetarian feast free for all.
Festival Of India
Address: Centre Island, Toronto, Canada
Website: Festival Of India
Opening hours: On festival days, 12pm to 5pm
Price: Free
11. Picnic at Centre Island or Olympic Island
Centre Island is the most popular island among all the Toronto Islands. It has many family-friendly activities, including several picnic areas with superb views. Bring your own packed picnic hamper, cook a barbecue meal or just grab some food from the many cafés and restaurants on the island and enjoy it on the grassy landscape of the island. Another good spot for picnics is Olympic Island. It is supposed to have the best downtown Toronto views that can be enjoyed from picnic spots close to the water. The island also has large grassy areas on the islands that are ideal for picnics and barbecue.
Centre Island
Address: Centre Island, 9 Queen’s Quay W, Toronto, ON, M5J 2H3, Canada
Website: Centre Island
Opening hours: In season, 8am to 10pm
Price: free for groups of under 25 people
12. Relax on Hanlan's Point Beach
Hanlan’s Point Island is relatively quiet and greener compared to the other islands. Besides its many attractions, Hanlan’s Point Island is probably most famous for its ‘clothing optional’ beach that is popular with locals and tourists alike. The beach is also the only place on the Toronto Islands to watch the sunset. So, kick back, relax and enjoy the friendly atmosphere on Hanlan’s Point beach.
Hanlan's Point Beach
Address: Hanlan’s Point Island, 9 Queen’s Quay W, Toronto, ON, M5J 2H3, Canada
Website: Hanlan’s Point Beach
Opening hours: In season, 11:30am to 6pm
Price: Free
13. Go swimming at Centre Island Beach
Swimming at the beach on Centre Island is easy, convenient and very safe. Centre Island Beach has many changing rooms and lockers right next to the pier and lifeguards are on duty during the day. Many eateries and food outlets are also close by, ideal to grab a quick snack or drink. The beach is very popular with visitors and the perfect place to go swimming on the islands.
Centre Island Beach
Address: Centre Island, 9 Queen’s Quay W, Toronto, ON, M5J 2H3, Canada
Website: Centre Island Beach
Opening hours: In season, 11:30am to 6pm
Price: Free
14. Have fun at the Centreville Amusement Park
Another major attraction on Centre Island is the Centreville Amusement Park that is a big hit with families. Suitable for younger children, this amusement park has over 30 rides like a mini train, Ferris wheel, carousel, etc. But some rides are fun for parents and older children too. You could even visit the Far Enough Farm petting zoo and the swan lagoon adjacent to the amusement park. Plenty of food options are also available throughout the amusement park.
Centreville Amusement Park
Address: Centre Island, 9 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2H3, Canada
Website: Centreville Amusement Park
Opening hours: In season, 10:30am to 5pm
Price: 21-90 USD
15. Go for a bike ride at twilight (from USD 83.15)
While visiting Toronto Islands on your own is good, experiencing the beauty of the islands on a bicycle at dusk is simply magical! On this three and a half hour twilight bike tour, you get to enjoy the serenity of the largest car-free neighbourhood in North America with the guidance of a local expert. Your guide will enthral you with tales of the islands and its 200-year-old history while you take in the spectacular views of Toronto city and admire famous attractions like the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, charming cottages, sandy beaches and open green parks of the islands. Ferry tickets to and from the islands are also included in the tour price.
Toronto Islands: Morning or Twilight 3.5-Hour Bike Tour
Duration: 3.5 hour
Fun and games on Toronto Islands
Just a short ferry ride from downtown Toronto will take you to the beautiful Toronto Islands. As is evident from the list above, there is so much to see and do on the islands, for kids and adults alike, that just one day will not be enough. So, grab our list, catch a ferry and have a jolly good time on Toronto Islands, Canada!
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