Exploring The Natural Beauty Of Toronto Island Park

Picture Of A Park

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The Toronto Island Park, also known as The Toronto Island, is a perfect example of the nature at its best. One could simply forget about all the stress and strain of their lives, and get out of the busy downtown Toronto, by getting to The Toronto Island. The Toronto Island is basically a conglomeration of small islands and is near the downtown Toronto. Only boats are the means of transport to reach these islands, and people living on these islands relish the idea of taking the boat to run errands. The island doesn’t have any stores, but, it certainly abounds in the best sceneries of the nature.

Reaching The Toronto Island Park

As one needs to come by the water route, so, boats are the only means of transport. However, one could exercise certain options here as well as they could go for the Toronto Island Ferry that can be taken from Mainland Ferry Station that is in close proximity to the hotel Westin Harbour Castle. The best part is that it just takes a quarter of an hour to reach this amazing place with breathtaking views. The place is open for a major part of the day, closing just for about 6 hours from 11:30 pm to 6:30 am, and people are always welcome to explore the nature at its best during the rest of the time.

Star Attractions Of The Toronto Island Park

Hanlan’s Point

Hanlan Point is notoriously famous for its Hanlan Point Beach that permits full nudity, like some of the other public beaches in Canada. The Hanlan Island offers a variety of entertainment options to its visitors as well including softball diamonds and volleyball courts. Then there are the bicycle trails, and pedestrian trails for the people to roam around and enjoy the natural beauty of the island.

Centre Island

Centre Island is mainly the most preferred destination among the locals as they come along with the families to enjoy during the weekend. They rent boats, bikes, etc. and witness the tranquillity and serenity of the place, availing the chance of rejuvenating and refreshing themselves. They play volleyball, enjoy BBQ, take train rides, eat at Carousel Cafe, and do shopping. Then, there is the Franklin’s Children Garden, which is a star attraction for the kids, and a popular play spaces. There is a zoo “Far Enough Farm” which always draws the attention of the kids because of its animals including donkeys, horses, bunnies, peacocks, and pigs.

Ward’s Island

Ward’s Island is the place where the people reside. However, it does have the Beach here that is open to the visitors. Then, there is the Rectory Cafe, public drinking fountains, Church, and a public bathroom there. There is lush green grass all around the church, and the place is so peaceful and serene. One could get phenomenal panoramic views of the downtown Toronto from Algonquin Island.

Thus, the Toronto Island Park is the best place to visit as it offers a much needed retreat from the fast-paced hectic life of the people, and give them a chance to connect and commune with nature.

Fun Family Activated To Do In High Park In Toronto

People Enjoying Their Time At High Park

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High Park is one of the places in Toronto that sparks the spirit of adventure in all that visit. It has beautiful gardens, walk and jogging trails, cafes, restaurants, and cafes. Families both local and those visiting Toronto rarely miss going to spend the day or a few hours in the park.

The park’s West Beaches Boardwalk is located in the southern part of the park. The boardwalk is the perfect place to take a stroll, jogging, or cycling as it winds its way around the lake and Humber Bay. Colborne Lodge is to the north of the boardwalk. The lodge is a 19th Century home housing the Toronto Museum. The museum displays various pieces of art and furnishing from the 17th century and offers guests a chance to learn the history of the neighboring areas.

A Paradise At The Heart Of The City

People who love nature relish taking a walk in the park. The ornamental garden beautifies the landscape with a carpet of flowers and other plants. The maple leaf shaped flower bed being a very notable feature. The park has a rock garden on a hill that is adjacent to the Grenadier Café. Also, there is a hanging garden with fountains, and a sunken garden. The gardens are a heavenly treat to nature lovers a natural paradise located in the middle of a big city.

Activities In The Park

Visitors can engage in yoga or paddle boarding at the Humber River. Stand-up paddle boarding is trending watersport in Toronto and other parts of the country. North to the Grenadier Café is the Chartres pattern, a labyrinth drawn on a concrete circle. It is a fun place to take the kids and let them run around the maze trying as they try to make it to the center of the circle and try to come back out faster than they went into the center. It is hard to have your full of the park in a single visit, even if you spend an entire day; this would probably be possible if you visit the park for three consecutive days.

Eating Out At The Park

If you fill that you’ve had your full of the park, you can go the north of the park to relax at Bloor Street. Villa Restaurant is an Italian eatery located there that makes some fantastic pizzas and one of the best places to grab a bit. The Green Mango is yet another restaurant in the same areas that offers Thai cuisine at reasonable prices. The Yellow Griffin is a quaint pub where folks are treated to various drinks and more than 35 kinds of burgers. High Park also has several bars such as The Bar with No Name and Shakey’s.

High Park is a treasure trove of adventure, and this extends to its surrounding areas. If you are hunting for some fun and adventure when visiting Toronto, you now know where you can find all that and more.

Toronto’s Parks That Also Are The Perfect Picnic Spots

People Enjoying Their Time In High Park

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Nearly all of Toronto’s parks get a flood of people when summer comes knocking. The same parks are also the best places to have a picnic. Thus, it is a common sight to see the parks covered in a sea of picnic blankets and couples making the most the time with small talk other activities. Whichever your picnic fancy, here are some of the park within the city that are perfect spots for picnics.

Trinity Bellwoods

The H-Bar and several BBQ stands are the reason why most local like going for a picnic at Trinity Bellwoods. They can get a pre-ordered basket of food from the stand or even opt to pick a spontaneous basket from Nadege, Poutin’s or Chippy’s.

High Park

A picnic is often in a lush green space with ample shade to head for the hot sun, and the High Park has plenty of all this. With eighteen designated picnic sites in the park, visitors are left to enjoy their day just as long as they will not do any barbecuing.

Christie Pits

A picnic cannot be complete without something to bite. Hence, Apiecalypse is a good option to consider when thinking of what to buy when you get to the park. The other option is the Tacos El Asador. After you get your meals, find a spot on the park furthest from the sports field and relax.

Ashbridges Bay

Just a few feet from the Ashbridges Bay parking lots is a section with shady trees and pristine tables. Located on a lakeside, the park is very popular with the locals. They go there for a swim and merry making.

Scarborough Bluffs Park

If a picnic next to Lake Ontario is not enough, then the open expanse that is the Scarborough Bluffs Park should suffice. Either ample picnic opportunities may be hard to find anywhere else in Toronto. The park is a 15KM stretch of land running across the lake.

Dufferin Grove

If your idea of a picnic is something romantic during the late hours of the day, then Dufferin Grove is the place to go for a late picnic. It has gazebos and bonfires that give that a unique edge above most parks.

Cherry Beach Park

A picnic can also be on sandy ground, not just a grassy one. The Cherry Beach Park can be an ideal location for a picnic as one is amazed by the waterfront view. The drive-in located nearby can be an excellent distraction if you get bored and need something to spark up the end of the day.

East End Beaches Park

The east end park is a mix of green spaces and sandy shores. It is a stretch of land with several stands and shops to purchase provisions for the picnic.

Withrow Park

A fire pit in a grassy field that has green trees are the hallmark of Withrow Park. Such a setting is perfect for picnics. But, plan to go for the picnic when the farmer’s market is open so that you can stock up on farm fresh produce.