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!

East End Treasure: Scarborough Bluffs

As much fun as all of those patio bars are and the hussle and bussle of the city life, there are times we just want to escape it all. The Scarborough bluffs, on the eastern limits of Toronto, give you just that opportunity. Stretching for approximately 14 km from the cities Beaches neighbourhood in the west to West Hill in the east, at its highest point the bluffs stretch about 65 meters above the water, allowing for sensational views both during the day and in the evening when the sun is setting.

You can hike it all, or just take a glimpse. Stay for an hour, or lounge around all day by the waters edge. Although the bluffs may look daunting, there is a short pathway down to the waters edge, so it is a park visitors of every age and ability may enjoy.

Windsurfing at Scarborough Bluffs. www.thishouse.ca

This is the perfect place to take in the sights and sounds of Lake Ontario with the convenience of still being on the "mainland" close to amenities and your car for those days you just want a quick escape. Although this park is a little out of the way for transit users from downtown, it's worth the hassle once you get out there.

Scarborough Bluffs. October 15, 2005. www.birchcliffnews.com  

It may be a little bit of a cool trip to make during the winter, but in late spring, summer and fall there are views you wouldn't even know could exist in the city. After growing up north of Toronto, it has been the discovery of these types of parks that have made the city feel a little more like home. For nature lovers, the Scarborough bluffs are home to some spectacular critters and birds who are always fun to photograph. So pack a lunch, bring a book and invite some friends out to the cities east end to explore one of Toronto's great wonders! City escapes within city limits!