Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
By Jim Ferri
Toronto is one of my favorite cities. Not just in Canada, in the world. It’s good any time of year. But for me Toronto in the summer is something really special.
The reason isn’t only because it’s beautiful, has great restaurants, and plenty to occupy you for a long summer weekend. You find that in many cities.
What differentiates Toronto is its “foreignness.”
Foreignness? You can certainly find a taste of that a lot closer to home.
After all, there are foreign-flavored places such as San Francisco’s Chinatown, New York’s Little Italy, and Miami’s Little Havana. They’re all old areas that originally were home to immigrants years ago.
And there’s the rub. Unlike U.S. cities, Toronto’s ethnic areas aren’t historical neighborhoods. More than half of the city’s present population was born outside Canada, and these areas are home to present-day immigrants. They make Greater Toronto a microcosm of numerous foreign cultures.
In fact, today more than 140 languages and dialects are spoken throughout the greater city area.
You find a multiplicity of cultures all over the city, evident in numerous ethnic restaurants, festivals, and markets. According to the United Nations, it is one of the most one of the most multicultural cities on earth. It’s also rated as one of the safest large metropolises in North America.
“Like New York, But Governed By the Swiss”
But there’s much more to the city than its foreignness. Toronto is also the third most significant English-speaking theater center in the world, after New York and London. It hosts a film festival that nears the prestige of Cannes, and the city supports more than 50 dance companies. It’s also a center of the North American television and film industry.
It’s a city of excitement that, for the most part, works well. Former resident and Academy Award-winning actor Peter Ustinov once described it as “like New York, but governed by the Swiss.”
If your travel plans include Toronto in the summer (or any time of year, for the most part), here are some must-sees to enhance your enjoyment of Ustinov’s wonderful city.
A Don’t-Miss in Toronto: the Royal Ontario Museum
The 100+-year old ROM, as it’s known to Torontonians, is a massive museum of world culture and natural history. Home to more than 6 million artifacts, it’s Canada’s largest museum and one of the largest in North America. If you visit Toronto in the summer, although you may be drawn away to other places, make certain you visit the ROM nevertheless.
Its diverse collection includes Chinese funerary objects, Egyptian mummies, dinosaurs and totem poles, even a living beehive.
Favorite exhibits include the Dinosaur Gallery, Canada’s First People’s exhibit, rare Art Deco furniture and other pieces. Also, see the Arms and Armor exhibit and one of the best exhibitions of Greek sculpture in North America. Some of its pieces date to circa 325BC.
Visit CN Tower In the Summer or Anytime of Year
The 58-second elevator ride up this 1815+ feet-engineering marvel should certainly take your breath away. If it doesn’t, the view over the city and its islands at the top certainly will.
Built by Canadian National Railway, the CN Tower is the second-tallest freestanding structure in the world. On a clear day, you can see the U.S.-Canada border from its observation platform.
It’s one of those things you just have to do, despite the wait for the elevators being quite long at times. At the top, you can take a walk on the glass floor and look down almost 1/3 mile.
If you’re fearless, take a walk on EdgeWalk. It’s a hands-free walk on a five-foot-wide ledge that allows you to encircle the tower. You’re attached to an overhead safety rail by a harness 116 stories above the ground. It’s not for the faint-hearted.
Visit Toronto’s Islands in the Summer
These wonderful car-free islands are easily accessible by ferry from downtown Toronto. A welcome respite on hot summer days, some of the islands are reachable by bridges, others only by boat.
On Centre Island, the popular main island, you’ll find Centreville, a small amusement park. Among its other rides is a late- 19th-century carousel. Many people just like to take the ferry over for a picnic or to stroll about for a few hours.
The Toronto Islands Ferry Terminal is at the foot of Bay St, off Queens Quay.
Art Gallery of Ontario
AGO charms from the exterior as well as the interior. Outside you’ll find a façade designed by native son Frank Gehry, and Henry Moore’s large Two Forms sculpture.
Inside you’ll discover significant works by some well-known Canadian artists as well as by such greats as Rembrandt, Renoir, de Kooning, Van Dyck, Picasso, Degas, Matisse, and numerous others.
The Gallery’s permanent collection includes rare Québecois religious statuary, First Nations and Inuit carvings, and a Henry Moore sculpture pavilion.
Casa Loma, A Cozy Home Any Time of Year
Casa Loma, a European-style castle with castellations, turrets, chimneys, and balconies, is something you don’t expect to find in Toronto. Its spectacular 98 rooms are copies of those in English, Scottish, Spanish and Austrian castles.
It was completed in 1914 for Sir Henry Pellatt, a soldier, and financier who spent a fortune on its construction. Unfortunately, he lost the remainder of his fortune to the tax collector a decade later. See its giant pipe organ, majestic Great Hall, and beautiful bedrooms. There’s also a mahogany-and-marble stable reached by an underground passage and a five-acre garden.
A Great Place to Visit in the Summer: the Distillery District
Set in downtown Toronto, the 12+ -acre Distillery District was once the home of the Gooderham and Worts distillery. You might not know its name, but in the mid-19th century, it was the largest distillery in the British Empire. It’s a great place to visit in the summer in Toronto.
Today the area’s Victorian industrial warehouses have been transformed into an area of boutiques, galleries, restaurants, artist’s studios and cafes. There’s even a quite good local performing theater.
Its old cobblestone lanes remain car-free link the 45 buildings in the area. In the warmer months, the district is the center for live music, exhibitions, and food events.
Kensington Market
The market, which originated in the 1920s, is in the old Jewish neighborhood of Kensington. At that time families would set up stands in front of their houses to sell goods to their neighbors.
Today many of those houses remain, with some streets lined with shops and restaurants. It’s a somewhat artsy neighborhood with many vintage clothing shops as well as plenty of goods made in Asia.
Read more 16 Best Things To Do In Amelia Island FL You Shouldn’t Miss
Be aware that there is no formal outdoor market here; the name refers to the somewhat funky neighborhood. The last Sunday of the month, when it’s often most crowded, can be chaotic at times.
A Great Toronto Landmark: St. Lawrence Market
Head to the St. Lawrence neighborhood in the city’s historic Old Town to visit St. Lawrence Market. Once the city’s City Hall, today it’s an incredible food market where you’ll find just about anything you want. That’s one of the reasons National Geographic once tagged it as the top market in the world.
This market is quite large, and an enjoyable place to walk about, looking at the energy and mix of nationalities. At Domenic’s Fish Market I watched a group of French Canadians having their just-purchased oysters shucked. They were obviously were quite excited about what they’d be eating later.
Twenty feet away was Di Liso’s Fine Meats. Signs above it advertised Poultry Lane, BBQ Street, Pork Place, and Beef Boulevard. Like Domenic’s, it was also doing a brisk business.
We visited the market with our friends Bill and Judith, and Judith urged us to try a peameal sandwich. Toronto’s signature dish and an acquired taste, a peameal is simply a Kaiser roll stuffed with Canadian back bacon. It’s quite popular, and thousands are served at St. Lawrence every Saturday.
Hockey Hall of Fame
You don’t need to be a hockey fan to enjoy a visit to the shrine of Canada’s favorite sport. The exhibit contains the largest collection of hockey memorabilia in the world including the original 1893 Stanley Cup.
You’ll also find displays of goalie masks, skate collections, players’ jerseys and a replica of the Montréal Canadiens’ locker room. There are also video games to test your skill against Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier and other hockey greats. Also notable is the building itself, a former 1885 Bank of Montréal branch covered with decorative details.
Niagara Falls
While not quite as close to downtown as other sites, Niagara Falls is a must-see when visiting Toronto in the summer any time of year. On the Canada-U.S. border, the world-famous falls are only a two-hour drive from the city.
There are several ways to see the falls from the Canadian side: above, behind and under the falls. If you have a few hours, it’s easy and well worth doing all three.
You reach the area behind the falls through underground tunnels. To go under the falls board one of the Hornblower Niagara Cruises, for a thrilling (and wet) experience. At nighttime the falls are beautifully lit with pink, blue and green lights.
— Update: 13-02-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article 50 things to do this summer in Toronto from the website www.blogto.com for the keyword things to do in toronto this summer.
Things to do in Toronto for summer 2022 include a season full of events packed with food, music, street festivals and many of our favourite activities.
Outdoor movie festivals are always a season favourite, while newcomers like The World of Barbie and Bob Marley One Love Experience are a cause for excitement.
Here are some of the ways to enjoy summer in Toronto.
New this year
Eat your way through a new street festival
Fun Philippines will be making its debut this summer to take over Little Manila with food, cultural installations and performances from July 23 through July 24. The street festival aims to educate visitors on the history and diversity of the Philippines.
Live out your childhood dreams in the Barbie DreamHouse
You can pretend to be a real-life Barbie this summer when The World of Barbie kicks off its summer tour in Toronto, from July 15 through September 30. Explore the different rooms of her home and neighbourhood or take a seat in the life-sized version of her famed pink camper van.
Grab tickets to the world’s largest hip-hop festival
Rolling Loud has announced that it will be making its way to Toronto for the first time this summer, featuring a huge lineup of major artists including Wizkid, Future and Dave, all as headliners. The hip-hop festival is set to take over Ontario Place from September 9 through September 11.
The World of Barbie starts its tour in Toronto this summer where you can explore different rooms in her home. Photo courtesy of Kilburn Live.
Dance all day long at a new music festival
Get ready to shuffle well into the night because Toronto is getting not one but two new music festivals this summer. SugarLand Festival will be taking over Sugar Beach for Pride from June 25 through June 26 for a weekend filled with live performances, DJs and art installations.
Bob Marley One Love Experience
Learn more about the famed Jamaican singer’s life by checking out this exhibit with never before seen photographs and memorabilia. The exhibit will take you through different points of Marley’s life all while celebrating his heritage. Bob Marley One Love Experience is set to take over Lighthouse Immersive Artscape from July 1 through August 14.
Dance the weekend away at a new EDM festival
Decadence Festival is a three-day EDM festival that will feature Tiesto, Illenium, and Above & Beyond as the headliners. The music festival is set to take place from June 30 through July 2.
Head out to the new Harry Potter Musical
Potterheads, get excited because Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has come to the city for the summer. Toronto is one of only seven cities in the world that are currently showing the play. Don’t miss it while it’s on stage from June 21 until December 24.
Summer favourites
Satisfy your late-night cravings at a night market
One of the best parts of the summer is when the late nights are warm, and what better way to spend one of those nights than to head out to one of the many night markets like Waterfront Night Market and Night It Up!?
Catch a movie under the stars
Grab a picnic blanket and some popcorn and head to one of the many outdoor movie screenings in the city. Curtains Up! and Lavazza IncluCity Festival are set to take over parks and the Distillery District, or you can head out to the back patio of Coffee and Clothing for a more intimate atmosphere.
Head out for a day full of music as Field Trip returns to Fort York this summer. Photo by Hector Vasquez.
Party by the lake
The beach is the place to be all summer long and there’s no better way to celebrate than to party by the water. Parties like Promise Cherry Beach and Sunnyside will be spinning some of the hottest tracks all season.
Spend the day dancing at a summer music festival
Round up your friends and discover some new music at one of the many summer music festivals happening all over the city like Electric Island and Field Trip to name a few.
Check out some outdoor theatre
Head out to either Fringe or Summerworks for your theatre fix in the city with performances from Toronto’s impressive local theatre arts scene.
Marquee events
Pride Toronto
After two years, Pride Toronto returns to the city with a massive street festival to end the month. The festival will be full of music, entertainment, food, and the huge annual Pride Parade on June 26 to celebrate. If you’re looking to plan ahead for all the events, we’ve got a guide to Pride and a round-up of parties for the big weekend celebration.
Taste of Asia
The streets will be closed from June 24 through June 26 as 100 vendors set up shop at this massive Asian food festival with flavours from various countries, plus a ton of performances and shopping.
Toronto Craft Beer Festival
Ontario Place is about to be the perfect spot for craft beer this summer when over 40 local and regional brewers stop in the city for the annual festival taking place from June 24 through June 26.
Toronto Jazz Festival
The city will be filled with jazz music for 10 days as the Toronto Jazz Festival returns with hundreds of free concerts taking place all over the city starting June 24 through July 2.
TD Salsa on St. Clair
Grab a partner and get ready to dance at the massive Latin street festival as it takes over parts of St. Clair Avenue West for the weekend from July 9 through July 10. The celebration will include some of the best Latino music, dance, art, exhibitions, salsa dance parties and dance lessons.
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
Support over 350 local artists selling their original work this summer as the annual art fair transforms Nathan Phillips Square into a massive marketplace from July 15 through July 17.
BIG on Bloor
Head out to Bloordale Village on July 16 as a section of Bloor Street West shuts down for a massive street festival full of art, live music, and food from neighbouring restaurants.
Honda Indy
Rev your engines and get ready to check out the world-class motorsports festival at The Exhibition Place from July 15 through July 17 which will feature a ton of activities, interactive displays, food trucks and beer gardens.
Read more 10 Art Spaces Contributing to Atlanta’s Progressive Creativity
Celebrate the city’s Caribbean community and head out to the weekend festival that ends with a massive parade. Photo by Hector Vasquez.
OssFest
The already lively Ossington Strip will be transformed into a bustling street festival complete with extended patios, live music, games, vendors and of course a ton of food and drinks on July 23.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Get ready for a colourful weekend as the festival celebrating Caribbean culture in the city ends with a grand parade, filled with extravagant colours, music and dancing from July 28 through August 1.
VELD
The beloved EDM festival has extended from two days to three days this summer, with a handful of major artists including Alesso, Armin Van Buuren, The Chainsmokers, Marshmello, Martin Garrix and Porter Robinson. Shuffle your way through the crowds from July 29 through July 31.
JerkFest
The savoury flavours of jerk will be on everything at this year’s annual JerkFest from August 5 through August 7. The festival will be full of jerk cuisine, music, and entertainment.
Summerlicious
Restaurants all over will be offering special menus and dishes during the city-wide food event from August 12 through August 28. Make sure to make a reservation as spots will fill up quickly.
CNE
The annual Canadian National Exhibition is back after a brief hiatus to bring carnival rides, outrageous food, concerts, food festivals, air shows and much more to the city from August 19 through September 5.
The annual pop culture convention is set to take over the city for a weekend with all things fandom. Photo by Christian Bobak.
Taste of Manila
Celebrate Filipino culture as the annual street festival takes over the heart of Little Manila for traditional Filipino street eats, performances, music, and activities all from August 20 through August 21.
FAN EXPO
Plan out your cosplay costume as all-things fandom are on at this annual pop culture convention with special guests, a big market, workshops, performances and lots more. The convention will take over the Metro Toronto Convention Centre starting August 25 until August 28.
BuskerFest
Fire eaters, acrobats, jugglers, and clowns will line the streets busking for charity at the city’s biggest street performance festival from September 2 through September 5.
TIFF
The massive international film festival is back for 10 days full of screenings from September 8 through September 18. Keep an eye out for all the celebrities stopping by to walk the red carpet.
Taste of Kingsway
A section of Bloor Street West shuts down from September 9 through September 11 as the Kingsway is filled with music, shopping, food from local vendors, entertainment and carnival rides.
Toronto Ukrainian Festival
Celebrate the city’s Ukrainian community as the annual festival takes over the streets of Bloor West Village from September 16 through September 18 for three days full of traditional food, dance music and entertainment.
Redpath Waterfront Festival
Celebrate all things water as the Redpath Waterfront Festival returns from September 17 through September 18 for a weekend of Maritime-themed fun complete with a massive Theodore TOO Tugboat.
Roncesvalles Polish Festival
Polka your way through the streets of Roncesvalles from September 17 through September 18 as the city’s Polish community fills the street with dancing, performances, food, music, art and art.
Events you can do all summer long
Spend the day at the beach
Beach season has officially started so make a splash at one of the 10 beaches open around the city this summer. Facilities like washrooms, showers, change rooms, volleyball courts, and concession stands are also open.
Take a dip at an outdoor pool
If beaches aren’t your thing then no need to worry as the city has a plethora of both indoor and outdoor swimming pools for you to cool off even when it’s raining outside.
Chill out on a patio
Now that the weather is warm and sunny, the patio is the best place to grab a drink with friends. Luckily, the city has no shortage of patios that are perfect for a quick coffee break or for a romantic date.
Have a picnic at a local park
Pack a basket full of all your favourite treats, grab your blanket and head out to your local park for a bite with friends. A City within a Park, Toronto’s greenspaces make the perfect picnic spot.
One of the best ways to spend time with friends is to head to a local park for a picnic. Photo by Hector Vasquez.
Try every flavour of ice cream
There’s no better way to cool off when the weather gets too hot than to grab a scoop at one of the many ice cream shops in the city serving up soft serve, ice cream sandwiches, and ice cream rolls.
Celebrate the cultural mixing pot of the city at a street festival
Summer in the city means that street festivals are set to take over our main roads and line the streets full of activities, performances, vendors and food. If you’re looking for a street festival to visit, check out our roundup of the top street festivals.
Head out to the Scarborough Bluffs
Spend your day exploring the towering escarpment by checking out one of the nine parks, strolling across a series of bridges that lead across ponds, having a picnic or ending the night with a bonfire and views of the lake.
Go on an outdoor adventure
There are a ton of outdoor adventures that will take you on both water and land across the city. Check out this roundup of things to do outside all summer long.
Cool off at a water park
If you don’t like to relax by the pool or beach to cool off then make your way to a waterpark this summer where you can slip and slide down some of the biggest water slides and inflatables. Splash Works and Wet ‘n’ Wild are fan favourites or you can check out the new inflatable water park at Ontario Place.
Outside the city
Pick your own fruits and vegetables
Head out to one of the many farms just outside of the city to pick your own fresh produce. Strawberries, cherries, blueberries and peaches are just a few to be named that are ready to be picked.
Explore a flower farm and make your own bouquet
From lavender fields to dahlia farms, Ontario has a ton of flower farms for you to spend the day or grab the perfect photo for Instagram. Plus most of these farms allow you to pick your own flowers so you can bring a colourful bouquet home too.
Take a dip at an abandoned limestone quarry
If you need a change of scenery from a beach or pool then why not head out to one of Ontario’s natural swimming holes? Whether you visit St. Marys Quarry or Elora Quarry, both limestone quarries are the perfect day trip with spacious picnic areas for you to grab a bite while taking a break.
Take a swim at Elora Quarry, only an hour away from Toronto. Photo courtesy of Grand River Conservation.
Hike or camp at a provincial park
Escape the city and surround yourself with sounds of nature at one of the many provincial parks where you can hike trails or camp out if you want to go stargazing.
Visit a small town
There are a ton of small towns around the province that will make you feel like you’re on a different continent. The towns are the perfect place to check out local culture without having to commit to travelling too far.
Head out to wine country
You don’t need to hop on a flight to Europe to find some of the best wine because Ontario has great wineries too. Head out to the Niagara Escarpments or Prince Edward county where you’ll find a ton of places that have some of the best vino the region has to offer.
Take a day trip out of the city
If you need to escape the city for a day but don’t have that much time, there are a ton of places to explore outside of the city that will have you back before the sun goes down.
— Update: 13-02-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article 10 Fun Things to Do in Toronto During Summer from the website diaryofatorontogirl.com for the keyword things to do in toronto this summer.
Looking for the best summer activities in Toronto?
Summer is the best time to visit Toronto – the city bustles with all kinds of cool activities, and the weather is lovely (except when it’s pouring rain or extremely humid, but let’s not talk about that).
Whether you’re looking to get out and do some water activities in Toronto or hit up some Instagrammable coffee shops, there are plenty of awesome things you can do in Toronto this summer.
Here are the best and most fun summer activities and things to do in Toronto this summer!
Be sure to also follow me on Instagram and TikTok – I share a lot more content on those platforms that don’t make it to the blog!
Summer activities in Toronto
Hit up a cool patio in Toronto
One of the best parts of summer is dining out on patios. Agreed? Agreed.
Read more 10 Fun Things to Do in Toronto During Summer
Lucky for you, I’ve got a good number of blog posts to help you put together the perfect summer patio bucket list 😉
- Looking for the ultimate list? Check out the best patios in Toronto.
- Doing it for the ‘Gram? Hit up these Instagram-worthy patios in Toronto.
- In the mood to hit up a rooftop? Stop by one of these rooftop patios in Toronto.
- Dining out on a rainy day? Visit one of these covered patios in Toronto!
And if you’re just looking for somewhere cool to get drinks, check out the best spots for drinks in Toronto!
Stroll through High Park
High Park is one of the largest and nicest parks in Toronto, and it’s the perfect place for a stroll, bike ride, or even for rollerblading.
Get active on the tennis courts or spend your time enjoying all the greenery – over a third of High Park is still in its natural state!
High Park is also the perfect spot for a picnic in Toronto since it’s so huge and filled with great shady spots.
Afterwards, you can head on over to iHalo Krunch for some charcoal soft serve ice cream, bubble tea made with ice cream, or ice cream cakes!
LOCATION: 1873 Bloor St. West, Toronto, ON
Wander through Kensington Market on Pedestrian Sundays
Kensington Market is one of the absolute cutest neighbourhoods in Toronto, and there are so many fun things to do in the area.
Pedestrian Sundays at Kensington Market run from May 31st through October 25th every year, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: a completely pedestrian-friendly, vehicle-free Sunday!
You can do all your vintage shopping, ethnic grocery shopping, and just some good ol’ exploring without having to worry as much about bumping shoulders with strangers.
I’ve also got blog posts all about things to do in Kensington Market and the best vintage stores in Kensington Market!
If you’re looking to do fun guided tours in the area, I’d definitely recommend checking out this Canadian food tour in Kensington Market, or this 2-hour Kensington Market and Chinatown walking tour.
LOCATION: Kensington Market, Toronto, ON
Vintage shop on Queen West
I love how close all the vintage shops are in Kensington Market, but another place I love shopping vintage is along Queen West.
There are plenty of awesome vintage and non-vintage stores along Queen West, and it’s fun just walking down the trendy neighbourhood and peeping out all the shops!
What better way to get outside and do a little explorin’ than with some window (or real) shoppin’?
I’ve also got a blog post all about the best vintage stores in Toronto, featuring a few amazing Queen West vintage clothing stores.
Take photos at Graffiti Alley
Graffiti Alley is super busy during the summer months, and it’s an unofficial tourist destination in Toronto.
It’s basically a whole alley full of all kinds of colourful murals and graffiti, and it makes for epic backdrops in photos!
I love coming back here every now and then to check out new pieces that might have popped up!
I’ve also got a blog post all about cool Toronto murals to check out if you’re looking for more fun street art 😉
LOCATION: Rush Lane (between Portland St. & Spadina Ave.), Toronto, ON
Cycle along the Waterfront Trail
The Waterfront Trail is actually the longest bike path in Toronto, and there are so many cool stops along the way.
From Sugar Beach (with its cute pink umbrellas) to Humber Bay Park (with the aesthetic bridge), there’s lots to see along the Waterfront Trail!
Adam and I love biking along the Waterfront Trail during the summer and checking out different parks and spots each time.
Plus, it’s super easy to rent a Toronto Bike Share, with plenty of docking stations along the waterfront!
If you’re looking for even more fun cycling paths, I’ve got a blog post all about the best Toronto bike trails.
Canoe or kayak on the Harbourfront
Summer in Toronto ain’t complete without a visit to the Harbourfront, and canoeing or kayaking is the perfect way to cool off and enjoy the waterfront.
In case you didn’t know (because I didn’t before): canoeing is the one that’s more like a boat, while kayaking is the one where you sit in the little seat hole!
You can bring your own canoe or kayak, or rent them by the hour from the Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre.
After your time out on the water, check out some other fun things to do at the Harbourfront or hit up one of the best Harbourfront restaurants!
LOCATION: 283 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON
Go on a Harbourfront boat cruise
Another fun way to experience the waterfront: going on a boat cruise!
Adam and I did a fun salsa dancing cruise in Toronto a couple of years ago, where we got to eat good food while learning how to salsa dance!
You can find all kinds of fun cruises at Toronto’s Harbourfront, including themed ones, and these are a few fun options you can try:
The Toronto Harbour Tour is a 1-hour narrated boat cruise that takes you around the Toronto Harbour and the Toronto Islands, and they even make stops at the islands during the summer months – it’s the perfect tour if you’re looking for something short and sweet.
If you’ve always wanted to live your sailor dreams, the tall ship boat cruise is a fun 2-hour experience that includes a tour of the vintage 1930s ship, sailing along the coastline (while helping the crew if you’d like!), and even firing out of the ship’s cannon.
And if you really want to take your time enjoying the Toronto skyline, the 3-hour buffet dinner cruise includes a full-on buffet dinner and cash bar, and you can dance the night away to beats from a live DJ.
LOCATION: 207 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON
Wander around the Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands are a nice little escape from the city, without actually leaving the city.
There are plenty of fun things to do on the Toronto Islands, and you can spend a whole day just exploring around the different islands!
Go stand-up paddle boarding (one of the best water activities in Toronto), swimming (at the nude beach), or just chill and have a picnic on the beach.
If you’re interested in doing a guided tour, you can also do a fun 3.5 hour bike tour of the Toronto Islands, where you get to ride all around the islands and learn about the island’s 200 year history.
It also includes your ferry tickets, bicycle and helmet, plus water and snacks, which makes life a little easier!
LOCATION: Toronto Islands, Toronto, ON
Do the EdgeWalk at the CN Tower
Looking to do something really epic this summer in Toronto?
Try dangling off the edge of the CN Tower!
I’ve been to the CN Tower many times in my life, but I never tried the EdgeWalk until a few years ago.
You also get to go to the top of the CN Tower for free with your EdgeWalk ticket, which is pretty sweet!
LOCATION: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON
Best summer activities in Toronto:
- Hit up a cool patio in Toronto
- Stroll through High Park
- Wander through Kensington Market on Pedestrian Sundays
- Vintage shop on Queen West
- Take photos at Graffiti Alley
- Cycle along the Waterfront Trail
- Canoe or kayak on the Harbourfront
- Go on a Harbourfront boat cruise
- Wander around the Toronto Islands
- Do the EdgeWalk at the CN Tower
Of course there are plenty more activities and fun things to do in Toronto during the summer, but these were just some of my favourites!
What are your favourite things to do in Toronto during the summer? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram!
If you’re looking for even more fun things to do in Toronto, you might enjoy these posts:
- Bored and looking for a general list of things to do? Peep out these fun things to do in Toronto or these free things to do in Toronto.
- Into more active activities? Try out one of these awesome water activities in Toronto!
- Searching for cute date ideas in Toronto? Check out my date ideas during winter, summer, or fall, or my Valentine’s Day date ideas.
- Looking for more seasonal activities? Check out my posts on things to do in Toronto during the winter or spring.
- Visiting during the holidays? Here are festive things to do in Toronto!
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