7 great things to do in Toronto this summer

Like many cities situated along the Great Lakes, Toronto experiences some dramatic seasonal weather shifts throughout the year: Winters, as you’ve probably heard, can be bitterly cold and windy. No surprise then that Torontonians breathe a collective sigh of relief during the summer months, when the city thaws out, temperatures hover pleasantly in the 80s, and sunny days make for unexpectedly excellent beach weather. It might come as no surprise then that these months are a period of making the most of time spent outdoors, whether that means joining friends at a baseball game, sunbathing out in the harbor, hiking in an urban park, or watching movies under the stars. Here are seven ways to make the most of the glorious summer in Canada’s largest city.

Just a 13-minute ferry ride from downtown’s Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, this cluster of 15 islands, which are connected by bridges, acts as a barrier between sheltered Toronto Harbour and the rest of Lake Ontario. Come summertime, Torontonians flock to these shores for picnics, biking, kayaking, public art installations, birdwatching, and the retro-kitschy joys of Centreville Amusement Park, which is meant to evoke the turn-of-the-19th-century. While Toronto might not immediately scream “beach town” to outsiders, the Islands are lined with fun-loving stretches of sand, including Centre Island Beach, which is known for being convenient and family-friendly, and relaxed Ward’s Island Beach, where paths wind through wildflower-dotted meadows.

Insider tip: Hanlan’s Point Beach is hidden away behind dunes and vegetation, and that works in its favor: It’s the city’s only clothing-optional beach, and its nude-friendly sections were recently expanded. The beach was the site of the country’s first Pride celebration in 1971, and last year, the city put up a sign commemorating it as “a historically queer space.” As the sign reads: “This is a space built on acceptance, respect, dignity and diversity. As a guest in this space, please honor these inclusive values.”

When the temperature rises, and the sun finally peeks out from behind the clouds, the Toronto Botanical Garden is ready to burst to life; summer means peonies, roses, phlox, brown-eyed susans, and dozens more species, but the seasonal sensorial delights go beyond the visual and olfactory. In fact, one of the best ways to experience the space is with an outdoor concert. Each Thursday night from July 11 through August 29, the gardens host the free Edwards Summer Music Series, which attracts a diverse array of talent, such as Cuban-born classical trumpeter Alexis Baro, acoustic folk-roots group The Fugitives, and Amanda Rheaume, a member of the Métis Nation and 2SLGBTQ+ community. Shows start around 7 p.m., but if you show up early, you can stop at the Summer Market at the Garden for local produce and artisanal products.

It’s summer blockbuster season, but don’t waste the beautiful weather by sitting in the dark in an air-conditioned room. From June 19 to August 25, the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS) hosts screenings in four parks around the city: Fort York National Historic Site (inside the early-19th-century military fortification), Christie Pits Park, Corktown Common, and Bell Manor Park. For the 14th annual outing, the theme of the festival is “On the Job,” and all films will in some way take a look at work as a concept, from 9 to 5 and Legally Blonde to Wet Hot American Summer and Empire Records. Best of all, screenings are free and accessible.

Baseball may be America’s pastime, but Torontonians also know how to enjoy the game. For proof, head to a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre, which has a snazzy retractable roof and sits at the base of the CN Tower. It’s a fittingly dramatic setting for the only remaining Canadian MLB team after the Montreal Expos decamped to the U.S. capital and became the Washington Nationals. If you’re not a diehard fan and are more in it for the summer vibes, consider a general admission ticket to the Outfield District, which runs for CA$20 or about $15 in U.S. dollars. You won’t have access to an actual ballpark seat, but you can hang out in one of five themed “neighborhoods”: Corona Rooftop Patio, TD Park Social, The Catch Bar, The Stop, and WestJet Flight Deck. The area debuted last year as the first part of a multi-million-dollar ballpark refresh, complete with bleacher seating, a rooftop patio, bars, restaurants, and surprisingly great views of the action.

Opened in 2019, Stackt is North America’s largest shipping container market. Its tumble of industrial-edged spaces houses an assortment of unique businesses, such as Lowlife Skate Shop, which sells roller skates, gear, and apparel; SnaptureThis, a woman-owned paper goods and gift shop; and Let’s Make It, which offers DIY crafting workshops. Hang out on the South Lawn with a margarita from Playa Bar, or drop into the outpost of Blue Moon Brewery for a crisp Belgian-style beer.

Insider tip: If you think (rightfully) that no trip to Canada would be complete with poutine, check out the unique version at Kong’s Hot Tacos: It’s topped with Japanese curry and cheese curds and pairs perfectly with other East-meets-West snacks like yuzu guac and chips, matcha churros, and kalua pork quesabirria.

Located about a half-hour drive northeast of downtown, Rouge National Urban Park became Canada’s first national urban park when it was established in 2015, and it’s a wildly impressive greenspace—emphasis on the “wild.” At 30.5 square miles, it’s 22 times larger than Central Park, encompassing forests, wetlands, uplands, rivers, ponds, and more ecosystems. It’s home to at least 225 bird species (including cedar waxwings, black-capped chickadees, and downy woodpeckers) and 44 mammal species, such as beavers, black bears, and coyotes. The best way to experience the natural diversity is on one of its many hiking trails, including the moderate-to-difficult Mast Trail, which traces a 200-year-old former logging route.

The best view of the Toronto skyline is undoubtedly from the water in the harbor. Get a loon’s eye view on an aquatic adventure with Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre. Experienced paddlers can rent a solo (CA$50, or $37, for two hours) or tandem kayak (CA$70, or $51, for two hours); a two- or three-person canoe (CA$75, or $55); or a stand-up paddleboard (CA$55, or $40). If you’re less confident in your abilities, consider a guided tandem kayak tour (CA$85, or $62) of the Toronto Islands, which cuts through channels and bird sanctuaries and explores secluded beaches and lagoons.

Insider tip: Traveling with a group and love history? You can also book a guided excursion in a replica voyageur canoe, just like the kind 18th- and 19th-century fur traders once used to transport goods through the colonies. They can carry 8 to 18 passengers, and you don’t need any paddling experience—though you will be asked to pitch in!