Sightseeing
Toronto Islands is probably our favourite place in all of Toronto! We believe it is a must-see if you have never been and you will be wow’ed during your entire visit!
It is home the absolute best view of the city skyline, amazing sunsets, many beaches (including a clothing optional beach), beautiful landscaping, delicious local restaurants, beautiful homes of the Toronto Island Residents, many trails, piers and boardwalks and of course hundreds of birds and animals.
The best way to see the island is by bike because it is such a big island, but you can still get the most of your visit when walking by going to the ferry dock of your preference, as each area around the ferry docks are different:
Centre Island has the most action. It’s great to experience for your first visit, it’s got a perfect view of the city skyline. There are a few restaurants, a beach, a big pier, beautiful landscaping, a children’s amusement park and 2 splash pads/fun water areas and also the bike rentals including tandem bikes and 2 and 4 seater bicycles.
Wards Island is the residential side of the island. Many people live on the island in beautiful little homes that look like cottages. They have a few restaurants and their own beach. You can also rent paddle boards and kayaks nearby there.
Lastly is Hanlan’s Point. People mostly go there for the beach, but please note that most of the beach is “clothing optional” aka nude beach. It is only 1 of 2 in all of Canada! That being said, it is optional, meaning not everyone is completely nude there… you can wear clothes but if you wish to remove them, it is allowed. This beach is more of a party beach, it is also the one of the main LGBTQA+ hubs of Toronto since Covid-19. This is where you will see the best sunsets from anywhere on Toronto Island.
We are experts of the Islands by now so feel free to ask us literally anything about them! We are happy to provide links to tickets, ferry schedule, recommendations and our favourite spots, beaches and views!
1034 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Toronto Islands
Toronto Islands is probably our favourite place in all of Toronto! We believe it is a must-see if you have never been and you will be wow’ed during your entire visit!
It is home the absolute best view of the city skyline, amazing sunsets, many beaches (including a clothing optional beach), beautiful landscaping, delicious local restaurants, beautiful homes of the Toronto Island Residents, many trails, piers and boardwalks and of course hundreds of birds and animals.
The best way to see the island is by bike because it is such a big island, but you can still get the most of your visit when walking by going to the ferry dock of your preference, as each area around the ferry docks are different:
Centre Island has the most action. It’s great to experience for your first visit, it’s got a perfect view of the city skyline. There are a few restaurants, a beach, a big pier, beautiful landscaping, a children’s amusement park and 2 splash pads/fun water areas and also the bike rentals including tandem bikes and 2 and 4 seater bicycles.
Wards Island is the residential side of the island. Many people live on the island in beautiful little homes that look like cottages. They have a few restaurants and their own beach. You can also rent paddle boards and kayaks nearby there.
Lastly is Hanlan’s Point. People mostly go there for the beach, but please note that most of the beach is “clothing optional” aka nude beach. It is only 1 of 2 in all of Canada! That being said, it is optional, meaning not everyone is completely nude there… you can wear clothes but if you wish to remove them, it is allowed. This beach is more of a party beach, it is also the one of the main LGBTQA+ hubs of Toronto since Covid-19. This is where you will see the best sunsets from anywhere on Toronto Island.
We are experts of the Islands by now so feel free to ask us literally anything about them! We are happy to provide links to tickets, ferry schedule, recommendations and our favourite spots, beaches and views!
A very beautiful botanical garden that is open all year round for a tropical destination within the big city! It’s just down the street - within walking distance from our place. It’s also surrounded by a gorgeous park and next to a dog park!
268 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Izihlahla ze-Allan
160 Gerrard St EA very beautiful botanical garden that is open all year round for a tropical destination within the big city! It’s just down the street - within walking distance from our place. It’s also surrounded by a gorgeous park and next to a dog park!
A photo with the Instagram worthy Toronto sign is a must. A nice spot to visit any time of year, including winter as the pond is converted into a skating rink - with free admission! The square is also the site of concerts, art displays, a weekly farmers' market, the winter festival of lights, and more.
350 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nathan Phillips Square
100 Queen St WA photo with the Instagram worthy Toronto sign is a must. A nice spot to visit any time of year, including winter as the pond is converted into a skating rink - with free admission! The square is also the site of concerts, art displays, a weekly farmers' market, the winter festival of lights, and more.
A gorgeous historic location filled with many restaurants, cafes and local art galleries and studios. Perfect for all seasons, especially winter for the highly anticipated Christmas Market!
“What you will find is a dramatic fusion of old and new. An inspired blend of Victorian Industrial architecture and stunning 21st century design and creativity. The result is an internationally acclaimed village of one-of-a-kind stores, shops, galleries, studios, restaurants, cafes, theatres and more.
The Distillery Historic District opened in 2003 and today it is widely regarded as Canada’s premier arts, culture and entertainment destination. A place brimming with creativity and creative people, that can inspire dreams, and a place that can help them come true.”
1703 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Distillery Historic District
55 Mill StA gorgeous historic location filled with many restaurants, cafes and local art galleries and studios. Perfect for all seasons, especially winter for the highly anticipated Christmas Market!
“What you will find is a dramatic fusion of old and new. An inspired blend of Victorian Industrial architecture and stunning 21st century design and creativity. The result is an internationally acclaimed village of one-of-a-kind stores, shops, galleries, studios, restaurants, cafes, theatres and more.
The Distillery Historic District opened in 2003 and today it is widely regarded as Canada’s premier arts, culture and entertainment destination. A place brimming with creativity and creative people, that can inspire dreams, and a place that can help them come true.”
Since the closure of the original brick factory, this quarry situated in the Don Valley has been converted into a gorgeous city park which includes a series of beautiful ponds home to many turtles and frogs, while the other green landscapes house hundreds of different birds. The buildings of the old factories have been restored and opened as an environmentally focused community and cultural centre by Evergreen, a national charity dedicated to restoring nature in urban environments.
275 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Evergreen Brick Works
550 Bayview AveSince the closure of the original brick factory, this quarry situated in the Don Valley has been converted into a gorgeous city park which includes a series of beautiful ponds home to many turtles and frogs, while the other green landscapes house hundreds of different birds. The buildings of the old factories have been restored and opened as an environmentally focused community and cultural centre by Evergreen, a national charity dedicated to restoring nature in urban environments.
Food scene
Click to see links to the mentioned patios and rooftops
Toronto patios: local, waterfront and bougie rooftops
Here are some of my favourite patio recommendations within walking distance, and also some down by the waterfront:
Patios near by
House on Parliament
(416) 925-4074
https://goo.gl/maps/9n4KgCWCnM7e5QsJ8
Phosome Restaurant
(416) 551-6395
https://goo.gl/maps/9s5CPfFdAJ9uM3NJ8
DOVA Restaurant
(416) 901-3501
https://goo.gl/maps/VS8HooUyg7AZRB688
Patios on the waterfront
Amsterdam BrewHouse
(416) 504-1020
https://goo.gl/maps/3Bn7fAZt1eRmvcHe7
The Slip
+1 833-416-7547
https://goo.gl/maps/khneCfpnCNmnfyTo8
The Goodman Pub and Kitchen
(647) 341-2337
https://goo.gl/maps/6xZPGuc2q5WMBuEcA
Boxcar Social
+1 844-726-9227
https://goo.gl/maps/cb7G8krYinJtrZWWA
Here are some fancy patios/rooftops, I give a few options because they get booked up quick. These definitely require a reservation. But there are still more options in case they are all booked, we can help you find something!
Lavelle (rooftop patio)
+1 647-347-9353
https://goo.gl/maps/XzxpacFVnzBdBSPg6
KŌST (rooftop patio)
(437) 800-5938
https://goo.gl/maps/5S2XVwBHTXxp7s5A6
Cabana Waterfront Patio and Pool Bar
(416) 469-5655
https://goo.gl/maps/zvzdutz8J6xdjzbK6
The Roof at SOCO (rooftop patio)
(416) 637-5465
https://goo.gl/maps/ohQZK1XoLSYCMaH17
The One Eighty (rooftop patio)
(416) 967-0000
https://goo.gl/maps/zKhKCgmUXs5BvbzD9
The Rooftop at the Broadview Hotel (rooftop patio)
(416) 362-8439
https://goo.gl/maps/T8m7pChW2N7LQkmVA
Falcon SkyBar at Hotel X Toronto (rooftop patio)
(647) 475-9286
https://goo.gl/maps/ALZ5p9vVcnga3C4f8
248 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Toronto
Toronto patios: local, waterfront and bougie rooftops
Here are some of my favourite patio recommendations within walking distance, and also some down by the waterfront:
Patios near by
House on Parliament
(416) 925-4074
https://goo.gl/maps/9n4KgCWCnM7e5QsJ8
Phosome Restaurant
(416) 551-6395
https://goo.gl/maps/9s5CPfFdAJ9uM3NJ8
DOVA Restaurant
(416) 901-3501
https://goo.gl/maps/VS8HooUyg7AZRB688
Patios on the waterfront
Amsterdam BrewHouse
(416) 504-1020
https://goo.gl/maps/3Bn7fAZt1eRmvcHe7
The Slip
+1 833-416-7547
https://goo.gl/maps/khneCfpnCNmnfyTo8
The Goodman Pub and Kitchen
(647) 341-2337
https://goo.gl/maps/6xZPGuc2q5WMBuEcA
Boxcar Social
+1 844-726-9227
https://goo.gl/maps/cb7G8krYinJtrZWWA
Here are some fancy patios/rooftops, I give a few options because they get booked up quick. These definitely require a reservation. But there are still more options in case they are all booked, we can help you find something!
Lavelle (rooftop patio)
+1 647-347-9353
https://goo.gl/maps/XzxpacFVnzBdBSPg6
KŌST (rooftop patio)
(437) 800-5938
https://goo.gl/maps/5S2XVwBHTXxp7s5A6
Cabana Waterfront Patio and Pool Bar
(416) 469-5655
https://goo.gl/maps/zvzdutz8J6xdjzbK6
The Roof at SOCO (rooftop patio)
(416) 637-5465
https://goo.gl/maps/ohQZK1XoLSYCMaH17
The One Eighty (rooftop patio)
(416) 967-0000
https://goo.gl/maps/zKhKCgmUXs5BvbzD9
The Rooftop at the Broadview Hotel (rooftop patio)
(416) 362-8439
https://goo.gl/maps/T8m7pChW2N7LQkmVA
Falcon SkyBar at Hotel X Toronto (rooftop patio)
(647) 475-9286
https://goo.gl/maps/ALZ5p9vVcnga3C4f8