Is Toronto your summer destination? Great choice. It’s where urban buzz meets tranquil Lake Ontario.
As the fourth-largest city in North America, Toronto boasts a wide variety of attractions and activities to keep you entertained. And after immersing yourself in the city’s hidden gems, it’s time to turn your attention to the shimmering expanse of the Toronto waterfront.
DelSuites already ensures that your stay exceeds expectations, so all that’s left for you to do is dive into the waterfront experience. Whether you’re craving cultural festivals, serene parks, exciting water sports, or panoramic views of the skyline, Toronto’s waterfront is sure to deliver.
So, cross that bucket list off, grab your shades, and get ready to make a splash in one of the city’s most vibrant and dynamic areas.
What’s the Toronto Waterfront?
For those not familiar, the Toronto waterfront is essentially a stretch of land along Lake Ontario’s shoreline. It’s a diverse area that combines natural beauty with urban development.
Historically, this waterfront played a crucial role in Toronto’s growth as a major port city. However, over the years, it has evolved into a multifunctional area that offers a range of activities and experiences for both locals and visitors.
Today, Toronto’s waterfront is known for its recreational opportunities. You can find parks, trails, and beaches where people enjoy walking, cycling, picnicking, or simply relaxing by the water. It’s also a hub for cultural events, festivals, and outdoor concerts, attracting people from all over the city.
In recent years, there have been ongoing extensive revitalization efforts aimed at enhancing the waterfront’s appeal. This has led to the development of new public spaces, waterfront promenades, and mixed-use areas that incorporate residential, commercial, and recreational elements.
The waterfront is a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city while still being in the heart of it all – making it a must-see when you’re around town.
Summer Must-Sees on Toronto’s Waterfront
Toronto’s waterfront is the beating heart of summer in the city, so you don’t want to miss it. Check out these top attractions to make your trip unforgettable.
Leslie Street Spit
Let’s start down the natural route. Tucked away in Toronto’s east end, the Leslie Street Spit, better known as Tommy Thompson Park, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Stretching five kilometres into Lake Ontario, this man-made peninsula boasts a unique blend of urban wilderness and vital wildlife habitat.
As one of the largest wildlife habitats along the waterfront, Tommy Thompson Park supports diverse bird and butterfly species. Its expansive 250-hectare area provides a sanctuary for these creatures amidst the bustling cityscape.
But it’s not just the wildlife that draws visitors. The park itself offers an unparalleled outdoor experience, inviting adventurers to wander its trails, cycle its paths, or simply take in the panoramic views of the lake and skyline.
Managed by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) in collaboration with the City of Toronto, the park makes sure that this natural haven remains accessible to all.
Travel pro-tip: Bring binoculars and a camera. There are many bird species in the park, making birdwatching and photography a real treat. Stunning views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline also make for picturesque moments.
Canada’s Sugar Beach
Canada’s Sugar Beach is a beachfront spot nestled along Toronto’s waterfront, and it’s not hard to see why it’s a favourite among locals and visitors alike.
What sets Canada’s Sugar Beach apart is its whimsical ambiance, famous for its signature pink umbrellas and bright yellow beach chairs. It’s a picture-perfect spot for lounging, soaking up the sun, and enjoying Lake Ontario’s scenic beauty.
But there’s more to Sugar Beach than meets the eye. Situated in the East Bayfront neighbourhood, the beach is also part of the city’s revitalization efforts. This transforms former industrial lands into vibrant public spaces.
Even though Toronto is not a typical beach destination, its shoreline is lined with stunning sandy beaches, each with its own charm.
Travel pro-tip: Arrive early to get a prime spot under one of the iconic pink umbrellas – especially on weekends and during peak summer months. And don’t forget your sunscreen and a good book to fully enjoy your time in the sun.
Sherbourne Common
With its combination of recreation, sustainability, and modern design, Sherbourne Common is redefining Toronto’s waterfront. This multi-purpose park isn’t your average green space, either. It’s even named one of the world’s best new parks.
Sherbourne Common is a dynamic destination that seamlessly integrates art, nature, and community. The park’s cleverly designed water channel not only adds visual flair but also doubles as a stormwater treatment facility, contributing to the city’s sustainability efforts.
Take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront promenade, enjoy a picnic in the park, or let the kids play on the splash pad; there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Its central location also makes it easily accessible from other waterfront attractions and downtown Toronto.
Travel pro-tip: Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it at one of the park’s water fountains. It’s a small but meaningful way to reduce plastic waste and contribute to the park’s sustainability efforts.
Music Garden
The Toronto Music Garden is a ‘harmonious’ blend of nature and artistry. Designed in collaboration with world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy, this botanical garden shows off the transformative power of music and nature.
Inspired by Bach’s Suite No. 1 in G Major for Unaccompanied Cello, the Music Garden is divided into six sections, each representing a different movement of the suite. As you wander through the garden, you’ll encounter a symphony of flowers, trees, and pathways that evoke the rhythm and emotion of Bach’s masterpiece.
Visitors can attend free concerts and performances held throughout the summer, ranging from classical recitals to multicultural celebrations. It’s a vibrant area for cultural exchange and artistic expression that brings people together through the universal language of music.
Travel pro-tip: One of the highlights of visiting the Music Garden is experiencing the garden at different times of the day. No matter what time of day it is, each moment offers a unique perspective on this botanical harmony.
Harbourfront Centre
One of the most popular destinations on Toronto’s waterfront is the Harbourfront Centre. With a lineup that includes concerts, theatre performances, dance shows, and art exhibitions, there’s always something exciting happening.
The addition of three public spaces – Ontario Square, Canada Square, and Exhibition Common – has expanded the venue’s capacity for outdoor activities, making it an even more appealing summer destination.
Beyond the arts, the Harbourfront Centre also provides numerous ways to enjoy the water. The Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre has all kinds of paddling options, including kayaking, tandem kayak tours, canoeing, big voyageur canoe excursions, stand-up paddleboarding, and evening social paddles. These activities bring an interesting perspective on the city and a chance to connect with nature right from the city.
Travel pro-tip: Check the event calendar ahead of time and plan your visit around one of their many festivals or performances to make the most of your experience.
Choose DelSuites and You’re Good to Go
Wherever you plan to stay across Toronto, make it a great one with DelSuites. Our luxurious accommodation options provide the perfect home base for your city explorations, so you can focus on the fun stuff at the waterfront and beyond.
Each of our suites, whichever you choose, is thoughtfully designed to suit your every need – comfort, convenience, and elegance. Enjoy the best of Toronto, knowing you have a comfortable retreat to return to after a day of adventure.
Get ready to experience the best of Toronto’s waterfront and city life! Contact us today and find the perfect suite for your stay.
So in April 2020, DelSuites donated approximately 22-25 entire apartments’ worth of furniture (valued at $120,000) to two programs: the emergency housing effort, and the Transitional Housing Program for Newcomers to Toronto, which temporarily hosts new Torontonians until they can find permanent homes.