The Toronto Island: A Little Slice of Heaven

The Toronto Island Park (key word is Park, or else you'll end up at the airport) is a quick and fairly cheap ferry ride away from downtown. There are no cars allowed on the island itself except for the little army of maintenance vehicles that are there, but I would highly suggest bringing your bike along or renting one when you get there. There are a lot of different trails you can take in order to see the whole island or simply just peddle from beach to beach, stopping on your way at the various vendors to have a quick bite to eat and drink.

Bicycling on the Island. (May 2013). bikingtoronto.com

If you feel like getting a paddle wet, but of course don't want to be carrying a canoe or kayak on the ferry, there are several locations you can rent one from Paddle Toronto for a couple of hours so you can explore the waters edge. If you have never been in a canoe or kayak, the staff that rent it to you will give you a quick run down of what to do and some tips on how to make your experience a little bit better!

Canoeing Around the Island. (July 2012). fashweekly.com

For the little ones, a highlight of the Island is the Centreville Amusement Park located in the middle of the island with rides and games to keep them entertained for hours. The amusement park opens a few hours after the first ferry and closes several hours before the last, ensuring that you have plenty of time to get back to the mainland.

Centreville Train. www.travel-images.com

Of course, you can't forget about the beaches that are on the south side of the island! Be careful, there is a nude beach on Toronto Island, so if this makes you uncomfortable, be sure to avoid that area. There is plenty of traditional beaches on the Toronto Island, filled with locals and tourists, boaters who are anchored just off shore. Many people come prepared for the entire day, bringing picnic lunches and plenty of beach games and sunscreen. If you're there on a nice clear day, the sunset off of the west beach is one you will happily sit and watch, just be prepared for there to be a crowd at the ferry afterwards.

Megan Green. Toes in the Sand. August 2014. 

For such a small island, there is an abundance of things to do for every age group and several festivals throughout the year. So when the weather is supposed to be really nice or there is an event on that particular weekend, be sure to arrive at the ferry earlier so you can beat the crowds (a mistake I will make only once) and allow yourself to pick out a great spot on the grass or on the sand. Escape the city within city limits!

Under the Sea, In the Middle of the City

Constructed only a few years ago, the Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is located in the heart of Toronto. There is so much to do in the city on those gorgeous sunny days, since we are blessed to have some amazing parks and tonnes of festivals throughout the year. It always comes to question what one should do on those rainy days and you just want to get out and about. Both the young and old will enjoy the aquarium and it is definitely a great 'date night' idea. Although the kiddies may have to enjoy the fish during the day, Ripley's aquarium has initiated a great program for those late night visitors. From 7:00pm-11:00pm tickets are cheaper (with the added bonus of a lot less people from my experience)! The much publicized jellyfish tank, that has the almost transparent sea creatures glowing with the colours of the lighting is something that you can't get anywhere close to during the day or on incredibly busy weekends, but after 7:00pm seems to be the time to catch a glimpse! 

It also means that when the kids are gone (or at least very sparse) the big kids come out to play. There are a few spots you can crawl into and experience the colourful fish all around you, or just get that bit closer to the amazing sharks the aquarium houses. For the big kids, its a great way to spend a girls night, birthday, or slow down a day hopping from patio to patio.

For the little ones, it will always be a great couple of hours, as they run around naming all of the fish they can find in relation to the Finding Nemo movie. It is always a time of excitement when they finally spot Nemo and Dori, (don't worry, its near the end, so they won't be distracted right at the beginning) and can't wait to stand in the middle of the tank and gaze at the little fish swimming in and out of the coral.

                     

To get to the aquarium from Union Station, it is an easy walk away which is an added bonus. There are also many different restaurants in the area as well as the Rogers Centre, which in the summer houses all of the Blue Jays games, a great addition to a morning at the aquarium! Whether you're trying to fill a whole day with fun things to do, or just want a unique experience on a rainy day, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is a great choice! City escapes within city limits!

Photo's Courtesy of:

Megan Green, May 10, 2015.