Top Outdoor Things to Do in Toronto

Toronto is Canada‘s largest and most populous city. It is also a world leader in technology, finance, business, entertainment, and culture. This Canadian city is a famous tourist destination with something for everyone. Everything invites visitors to explore, from its diverse neighborhoods to its beautiful landscape. The city is also home to one of the world’s tallest structures and numerous world-class museums, art galleries, and historic landmarks. And let’s not forget the year-round celebrations, music fests, and events that create a vibrant atmosphere.

While this city has many attractions, our blog discusses the top outdoor things to do in Toronto. This city offers plenty of outdoor and recreation activities available throughout the year. Whether you want to climb Canada’s gigantic skyscraper or indulge in watersports, Toronto is full of surprises. So, without further ado, check out these top must-do outdoor things.

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Sail To Toronto Islands

• Address: St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands, ON, Canada; Google Map
• Things To Do: Sightseeing, Beach Day, Water Activities
• Social Media: Official Website

Embark on an exciting adventure to the Toronto Islands, a group of fifteen islands interconnected by bridges and pathways. You can take a boat or canoe from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Queen’s Quay Terminal and Bay St. A ferry ride to the islands only takes 13 minutes, giving you plenty of time to explore and indulge in various outdoor activities. You can also take a luxury yacht to the islands.

Visitors will find plenty of kid-friendly activities on the island. They can work on their tan on the beaches, walk, run, bike around the islands, stroll around gardens, and walk their dogs. Moreover, you will find several picnic spots, nature paths, and playgrounds. Toronto Islands also have a 200-year-old Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. Locals believe this lighthouse is haunted by its former keeper, John Radelmulle.

Enjoy Paddleboarding On Lake Ontario

• Address: Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Google Map
• Things To Do: Boat Tours, Swimming, Paddleboarding, Kayaking

The gorgeous Lake Ontario is among the five Great Lakes of North America in Canada and the United States. It is the primary water source for Canada, supplying water for over 9 million residents. Likewise, 25% of Canadians live within the watershed. One special thing about this lake is it is the only Great Lake that doesn’t border Michigan state. It is also home to many natural wonders and geographical landscapes, including Niagara Falls.

Regarding recreational activities, Lake Ontario offers water activities, including swimming opportunities at many beaches. You can also book a paddleboarding or kayaking tour and paddle through this lake’s deep, tranquil waters. Guided tours are better alternatives to self-paddleboarding. These tours usually have guides who will ensure your safety and ensure you have a great time.

Climb The CN Tower

• Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9, Canada; Google Map
• Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
• Prices: Adults (14 to 64): $45, Senior (65+): $32, EdgeWalk: Starting at $199

Canada’s tallest building, the CN Tower, is conveniently located in Toronto. You can visit this place year-round at any time of the day. This 553-meter tower was the tallest freestanding structure from its completion from 1976 to 2009. It is still the tenth-tallest structure on the land and the third-tallest tower. In addition, it is the center of Toronto’s telecommunications, serving over 17 Canadian television and FM radio stations,

Canada’s National Tower has several observation levels that accommodate visitors’ preferences. You can take high-speed elevators from the ground floor to the Main Observation Level, 346 meters above ground. From its window walls, you can see the entire city. Next, the Lower Observation Level allows guests to experience the glass floor. Then comes the Top, the highest observation platform, 447 meters above the ground. If you are feeling adventurous, try the EdgeWalk, where you will walk along the tower’s outside edge, 116 stories up, with only a harness securing you.

Watch Sea Creatures At The Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

• Address: 288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9, Canada; Google Map
• Opening Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM
• How To Get There: Take the subway and get off at Union Station or St. Andrews Station.
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram

Next, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is a family-friendly attraction open from 9 AM to 9 PM. This aquarium aspires to foster and provide exceptional care and the highest standard of welfare to its animals. At the same time, it offers fun activities and interactive, hands-on experiences for visitors of all ages. Dive into Ripley’s Aquarium of Canda and experience an underwater adventure like never before!

This indoor attraction features over 80 aquatic species, from local fisheries to giant Pacific octopus. You will see velvety red anemones like White-spotted Rose Anemones, crustaceans like Red King Crab, American Lobster, Giant Acorn Barnacle, and Pacific Spotted Shrimp, and many fish such as Lake Sturgeon, Lumpfish, Bowfin, American Eel, Bluegill, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, and Red-Bellied Piranha. Furthermore, visitors can shop for souvenirs and unique keepsakes at Cargo Hold Gift Shop. After their exploration, they can pad their stomach at Ripley’s Cafe.

Sunbathe At Sugar Beach

• Address: Downtown Toronto, ON, Canada; Google Map
• Opening Hours: 24 hours
• Things To Do: Sunbathing, Playing in the sand, reading

Visiting the Sugar Beach is among the top outdoor things to do in Toronto. It is an urban beach park famous among locals and tourists. This beach is located across from Redpath Sugar Refinery, and its name comes from it. Unlike typical beaches, this place doesn’t allow swimming or wading. Instead, it was opened as a waterfront public space for leisure, relaxation, and social activities. Its loungers, Muskoka chairs, and pastel-pink umbrellas are available for the same purposes.

Visitors can lounge on chairs, read books, play in the sand, socialize, or watch boats on Lake Ontario. This beach is crowded during the summer months of June, July, and August. The chances of finding a spot underneath the umbrella are slim during the weekends; hence, you should visit on a weekday. Furthermore, Sugar Beach’s plaza often holds public events and waterfront festivals. You can also enjoy lunches or brunches in nearby restaurants.

Niagara Falls Day Tour From Toronto

• Duration: 9 hours 30 minutes
• Price: $74.57~
• Free Cancellation

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Who hasn’t heard of Niagara Falls? This beautiful natural wonder falls on the international border between the US and Canada. While it is not necessarily in Toronto, you can always include a trip to the falls in your itinerary. This Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto is a full-day activity perfect for first-time visitors. You will meet your climate-controlled coach in the city center bright and early. Next, you will board an air-conditioned vehicle alongside other participants and head to the falls.

Upon arrival, you can choose how you want to spend your day. You can choose to admire the falls, board a Hornblower cruise to get up close to the falls, climb the Skylon Tower, visit local landmarks like Floral Clock, Niagara Whirlpool, and Niagara River viewpoint, and stop for a lunch break. If you want to watch Niagara Falls from the Skylon Tower, the tickets can be purchased on the same day. Furthermore, this tour is for small groups and includes round-trip transport.

Downtown Toronto Bike Tour

• Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Price: $74.90~
• Free Cancellation

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What screams more outdoorsy than biking? A better alternative to walking, cycling around Toronto will give you a closer look at everything it offers. If you want a recommendation, check out this Downtown Toronto Bike Tour. It is only 3 hours and 30 minutes long, making it a perfect half-day activity to add to your itinerary. You will meet your tour guide and group near the Village by the Grange. Your guide will briefly introduce the city before leading the group on an unforgettable expedition.

The team’s first stop will be the CN Tower, a 553-meter gigantic structure. From there, you will cycle through Chinatown, Toronto City Hall, Financial District, Kensington Market, Entertainment District, CF Toronto Eaton Center, and Sugar Beach. Your guide will entertain you with insider stories about these places throughout the journey. You can also take pictures during the stops. Furthermore, this tour takes participants to scenic areas off the beaten path. It also includes a bike, helmet, granola bars, and water.

Stroll Through St. Lawrence Market

• Address: 92- 95 Front St East, Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1C3; Google Map
• Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 9 AM – 7 PM; Saturday: 7 AM – 5 PM; Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
• How To Get There: By subway, Yonge-University-Spadina line, King Street Station
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram

Strolling through St. Lawrence Market is among the top outdoor things to do in Toronto. This is one of the oldest Canadian markets, which began in the early 19th century. If you are curious about the Canadian lifestyle or want to enjoy it as a local, this is where you should be. The hustle-bustle, incessant chattering, and busy atmosphere portray a new side of Toronto. You must prepare yourself for crowds, as this market is pretty famous.

The modern St. Lawrence Market is a huge complex with three main buildings. The St. Lawrence Hall has City offices on the second floor and retail businesses on the ground floor. Likewise, the South Market houses over 120 specialty vendors selling groceries, fruits, grains, baked goods, meat, fish, and dairy products. Finally, the North Market is known for its Saturday Farmer’s Market. Local restaurateurs and sellers open food stalls featuring local delicacies.

Step Back In Time At The Royal Ontario Museum

• Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6, Canada; Google Map
• Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram

You can never go wrong with a museum, especially the Royal Ontario Museum. This is Canada’s largest museum, featuring a world-class collection of 18 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens. Founded in 1914, the ROM’s mission is to help people understand the past, make sense of the present, and shape a shared future. It aspires to be a distinctly 21st-century Museum known globally for expanding the boundaries of knowledge by 2028.

The Royal Ontario Museum has two main programs. Exhibition and Gallery features physical and online exhibitions and experiences. There are separate galleries for displays of Chinese Architecture, the Age of Dinosaurs era, Earth’s treasures, Nubia civilization, Egypt civilization, the Age of Mammals era, and birds. Likewise, the Digital, Research, and Learning program includes virtual lessons, museum visits, and specialty digital programming.

Tour Casa Loma

• Address: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, ON M5R 1X8, Canada; Google Map
• Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 5 PM
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram

Toronto has many historical landmarks, including the iconic Casa Loma. This Gothic Revival castle-style mansion was initially a private residence built from 1911 to 1914. Sir Henry Pellatt was the man behind the building, investing $3.5 million to complete it. He also filled the castle with priceless artwork from Canada and worldwide. Unfortunately, the Pellatts couldn’t live in their dream mansion for long. The city seized the building for unpaid taxes in 1924.

Casa Loma remained vacant until 1937 before being used as a tourist attraction and event venue. While the castle is worth visiting, its mysterious ghost stories attract visitors. The most famous ghost haunting the mansion is the Lady in White, a late maid who supposedly died of influenza. There have also been sightings of Sir Henry Pellatt and his wife, Lady Mary Pellatt. An even more bizarre tale is that of Mr. Happy, a grumpy ghost who claims to be a friend of Sir Henry.

Finally, our blog on top outdoor things to do in Toronto ends. We have handpicked the must-try activities in this beautiful city. You can try them alone or with your friends and family. Visiting Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Casa Loma, CN Tower, and Sugar Beach are among the best things to do with family. Likewise, Toronto has many indoor attractions suitable for when it rains or during the off-season. These include top art galleries, shopping centers, and museums like the Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery Of Ontario, and Bata Shoe Museum. Another must-do thing here is to try the local cuisine. This Canadian city has become a haven for foodies with its rich culinary tapestry that seamlessly blends local and international cuisines.