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I went to this island around 2:35pm and it had a good amount of people on it. It wasn't too crowded or too empty and the island felt a little big. Toronto Island Park is a place with a lot of different activities and beaches. For example, they have a theme park, lots of flowers to look at, bumper boats, cute peddle boats, a variety of small beaches like a nude beach, and also places to sit and relax. You can also get a good Toronto Skyline view there too! It's so big that many people rented one of those cars to drive around the island! I'd recommend visiting this island! I had slot of fun there and there's many different activities you can do there! It seemed like most people went to the island for the theme park, but most of the rides at that theme park seems like it's more for kids. They do have a nude beach there too, but no one was there to participate in that "theme" when I went, but I don't care about that.
Literally, an island oasis in Toronto - this is such a lovely place to visit on a day trip. Just about 10-20 minutes walk from downtown will take you to the ferry terminal. From there, you can take a ferry (trips back to the city are free) or water taxi to one of 3 islands - Hanlan's Point, Ward's Island, or Centre Island. There's a long trail across the islands you can walk or bike through and various attractions along the way including an amusement park (containing a splash pad), a fully functioning farm, a children's garden, a hedge maze, a lighthouse, restaurants, canals, piers, and of course lots of areas where you can picnic, swim, or lay around on the beaches relaxing. This is not even an exhaustive list! The islands are also well populated with water fountains, lockers, and washrooms. If you can, would definitely recommend you come on a weekday - the ferry lines back were insane even on Thursday, I can't imagine waiting in the sun for hours on a weekend.
I read about this peaceful setting just outside the city center and decided to check it out.....You only need to travel 10 minutes from the city of Toronto to enter a completely different world. Hop on a ferry and embark on a journey to the Toronto Islands. There are no cars, so you're going to want to rent a bike, walk or rollerblades to explore the chain of islands -- the three big ones being Centre, Ward's and Algonquin -- which are connected by a series of pathways and bridges. Along the water you'll find four awesome beaches, while summer cottages from the 1920s and impressive English gardens are one of the main draws on land. We saw many people having a picnic, shopping eating, or taking part of some of the paid events on the island. Just a nice relaxing place.. Easy to get to, beautiful and peaceful.
My friend (who migrated to TO years ago) laughed at me for visiting this place. Well, I found it synonymous to outsiders visiting New York for the first time that they have to see Central Park. Bathrooms are pretty clean and well stocked, the grounds well kept (maybe the maze could use some trimming), and simply open to a lot of possibilities to having events here in the Fall.
If you have a few days in Toronto and the weather is nice, you should for sure pop over here. Take the ferry not the taxi's. Go for a walk, rent a bike, have a beer, eat some food. Go the beach. The Hanlan side is mainly water treatment and construction, so I'd avoid especially if you are walking. The ward island side has a lot more to offer in terms of things to do, places to eat and just generally a cooler vibe. Worth the time and visit.
April 2019 I'm in love with this place. How I wish I could live here and wake up to the beautiful view everyday. It's much better during the summer time when the rides and food stands are open, and when the garden area is flourishing with beautiful flowers. Every year I make sure I visit this place. I do hope I get to that this year. It sure brings peace of mind.
What a perfect day! I was on my own (spouse at a conference). I rented a bike and pedaled from end to end, stopping at the Island Cafe (for a great iced coffee and snack) and three different beaches, each with its own look and feel. The gardens were beautiful. It was fun biking past the cottage communities and looking at the art outside several of the homes. If you have a bit of cash to spare, I highly recommend taking a taxi rather than the ferry. By doing so, I was able to avoid the long, long lines for the ferry and was able to come and go on my own timing rather than the ferry's schedule.
Nice outing. Beautiful view on the ferry. Park is beautiful. A variety of activities for small and large groups. Would visit again.
Love this place, perfect for weekends outing with the family. Highly recommended, it will make your summer worthwhile
A beautiful quick getaway from the mainland that offers gorgeous views of the city and smaller intimate parks/beaches. A 30-minute ferry ride from the mainland, you'll find yourself docked and wondering which direction to head towards. After the storm, I walked along the pier and took in the scenic Ontario waters. If you have a bike, I highly recommend bringing it onto the ferry and the island is quite large and nearly impossible to explore entirely. -1 star for food/restaurant/amenities available. Not many restrooms available besides the ones near the dock. Nearby Subway. There are so many beautiful spots to enjoy before our ferry ride headed back.
Spent a wonderful day in gorgeous weather at Centre Island. Private and public ferries make regular trips from the ferry terminal and harbour front. Private Tiki Taxis charge roughly $11 per person one-way while public ferries are free. Picnic benches all over the island are kept distanced from each other to maintain social distancing.
Fun rides for kids. We took metro (metro equivalent, Canadian street car, subway and bus network) to the Toronto Centre island. Got off and walked around to exhaust the kids while taking rides. By the time we were done with rides the kids were hungry so we had a picnic. We later went to the beach. Open lush grounds with awesome colorful and beautiful flowers and views. Plenty of space for whatever you are into. Spent the entire day till the kids were done. The ride back on the ferry was great. You should try this when the island is open. Pre order your tickets online and skip the line at main entrance, a plus.
Beautiful islands, easily reachable by ferry from downtown Toronto. I love coming here by the earliest ferry when the weather is nice, and leaving before the crowds hit around 10-11am. Early morning, it's quiet and peaceful and all the birds are out singing. The beaches are also empty at that time, giving you plenty of breathing room to just sit and admire the beautiful waves and water. You could dip your toes too, but Lake Ontario is not that warm, heh. The sand dunes have eroded in recent months due to high water levels, but conservation efforts are taking place. And I know cormorants get a lot of hate, but they are magnificent birds. Watching them fish, and take off from the water is quite a sight. Please don't let this gem be ruined by the province's plan for a bigger airport. Protect our nature, appreciate it while we can, and leave it for future generations... read more
I didn't spend much time on the Toronto Island, but I was certainly impressed with it enough to want to go back. It's a nice place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and enjoy some nature and solitude away from the crowds. Only around 10 minutes away from downtown Toronto by boat, you can get an incredible view of the city skyline from several spots on the island. read more
I went to this island around 2:35pm and it had a good amount of people on it. It wasn't too crowded or too empty and the island felt a little big. Toronto Island Park is a place with a lot of different activities and beaches. For example, they have a theme park, lots of flowers to look at, bumper boats, cute peddle boats, a variety of small beaches like a nude beach, and also places to sit and relax. You can also get a good Toronto Skyline view there too! It's so big that many people rented one of those cars to drive around the island! I'd recommend visiting this island! I had slot of fun there and there's many different activities you can do there! It seemed like most people went to the island for the theme park, but most of the rides at that theme park seems like it's more for kids. They do have a nude beach there too, but no one was there to participate in that "theme" when I went, but I don't care about that. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
Such a lovely place!! Great to spend free time and maybe jog around. And also the ferry rides are wonderful! read more
4 years ago
Literally, an island oasis in Toronto - this is such a lovely place to visit on a day trip. Just about 10-20 minutes walk from downtown will take you to the ferry terminal. From there, you can take a ferry (trips back to the city are free) or water taxi to one of 3 islands - Hanlan's Point, Ward's Island, or Centre Island. There's a long trail across the islands you can walk or bike through and various attractions along the way including an amusement park (containing a splash pad), a fully functioning farm, a children's garden, a hedge maze, a lighthouse, restaurants, canals, piers, and of course lots of areas where you can picnic, swim, or lay around on the beaches relaxing. This is not even an exhaustive list! The islands are also well populated with water fountains, lockers, and washrooms. If you can, would definitely recommend you come on a weekday - the ferry lines back were insane even on Thursday, I can't imagine waiting in the sun for hours on a weekend. read more
I read about this peaceful setting just outside the city center and decided to check it out.....You only need to travel 10 minutes from the city of Toronto to enter a completely different world. Hop on a ferry and embark on a journey to the Toronto Islands. There are no cars, so you're going to want to rent a bike, walk or rollerblades to explore the chain of islands -- the three big ones being Centre, Ward's and Algonquin -- which are connected by a series of pathways and bridges. Along the water you'll find four awesome beaches, while summer cottages from the 1920s and impressive English gardens are one of the main draws on land. We saw many people having a picnic, shopping eating, or taking part of some of the paid events on the island. Just a nice relaxing place.. Easy to get to, beautiful and peaceful. read more
My friend (who migrated to TO years ago) laughed at me for visiting this place. Well, I found it synonymous to outsiders visiting New York for the first time that they have to see Central Park. Bathrooms are pretty clean and well stocked, the grounds well kept (maybe the maze could use some trimming), and simply open to a lot of possibilities to having events here in the Fall. read more
If you have a few days in Toronto and the weather is nice, you should for sure pop over here. Take the ferry not the taxi's. Go for a walk, rent a bike, have a beer, eat some food. Go the beach. The Hanlan side is mainly water treatment and construction, so I'd avoid especially if you are walking. The ward island side has a lot more to offer in terms of things to do, places to eat and just generally a cooler vibe. Worth the time and visit. read more
April 2019 I'm in love with this place. How I wish I could live here and wake up to the beautiful view everyday. It's much better during the summer time when the rides and food stands are open, and when the garden area is flourishing with beautiful flowers. Every year I make sure I visit this place. I do hope I get to that this year. It sure brings peace of mind. read more
4 years ago
What a perfect day! I was on my own (spouse at a conference). I rented a bike and pedaled from end to end, stopping at the Island Cafe (for a great iced coffee and snack) and three different beaches, each with its own look and feel. The gardens were beautiful. It was fun biking past the cottage communities and looking at the art outside several of the homes. If you have a bit of cash to spare, I highly recommend taking a taxi rather than the ferry. By doing so, I was able to avoid the long, long lines for the ferry and was able to come and go on my own timing rather than the ferry's schedule. read more
3 years ago
Love this place, perfect for weekends outing with the family. Highly recommended, it will make your summer worthwhile read more
A beautiful quick getaway from the mainland that offers gorgeous views of the city and smaller intimate parks/beaches. A 30-minute ferry ride from the mainland, you'll find yourself docked and wondering which direction to head towards. After the storm, I walked along the pier and took in the scenic Ontario waters. If you have a bike, I highly recommend bringing it onto the ferry and the island is quite large and nearly impossible to explore entirely. -1 star for food/restaurant/amenities available. Not many restrooms available besides the ones near the dock. Nearby Subway. There are so many beautiful spots to enjoy before our ferry ride headed back. read more
2 years ago
Spent a wonderful day in gorgeous weather at Centre Island. Private and public ferries make regular trips from the ferry terminal and harbour front. Private Tiki Taxis charge roughly $11 per person one-way while public ferries are free. Picnic benches all over the island are kept distanced from each other to maintain social distancing. read more
4 years ago
Fun rides for kids. We took metro (metro equivalent, Canadian street car, subway and bus network) to the Toronto Centre island. Got off and walked around to exhaust the kids while taking rides. By the time we were done with rides the kids were hungry so we had a picnic. We later went to the beach. Open lush grounds with awesome colorful and beautiful flowers and views. Plenty of space for whatever you are into. Spent the entire day till the kids were done. The ride back on the ferry was great. You should try this when the island is open. Pre order your tickets online and skip the line at main entrance, a plus. read more
If you want a little getaway from the bustling city then just hop on the ferry at Jack Layton Front Terminal and 10 min you are in hands of nature. They have the ferries every 30 mins and it costs like $8 ( Round trip) for adults. There are 3 cafes on the island if u want some coffee or a drink watching the skyline. You can grab a bike before getting on the ferry if u want to stroll around on the island. I wanted to watch the skyline during the day and night as well. Hence I made sure that i reached there around 7 pm and was on island till 9.30 pm and covered both views and they are "Amazing". BEST PART IS TO WATCH THE SUNSET AND THE PLANES INTERSECTING WITH CN TOWER. THE VIEW AT NIGHT IS LIKE A PAINTING. CHECK OUT THE PICS!!! read more
10 years ago
Just a short 15 minute ferry ride away from the mainland lies the Toronto Islands, a lovely escape from the madness of city life. Pretty easy to get to using public transportation. You'll want to arrive at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal before 10 am or after 6pm to avoid the crowds during the Summer or Fall seasons (LINK- http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=3690dada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD). It costs $7.50 for the ride to the island and back; you can catch the ferry ride back at any time. The ferry ride is very relaxing, it feels like you're gliding over the water. You get such a beautiful panoramic view of the Toronto skyline from the deck of the ferry. Once you get off make sure to pick up one of the maps at the informational booth to the left of the Lions Club Pavillion (see pic). For new comers I would suggest to take the ferry to Centre Island so you can take the Toronto Island Tram Tour. First tour boards at 12 noon. If you take an early ferry you'll have enough time to take tons of pictures of the flora, fauna and the many different features on Centre Island before the start of the tour. The tram will take you around the island from Hanlan's Point to Ward island and back in about 30 minutes (LINK - http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=ea5f249e30b0f410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=34e9dada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD). It's a relaxing low stress way to view the entire island. As an added benefit, you also get historical and informational tidbits from the "tour guide" (the tour guide is actually a recording that the bus driver plays). Tons of things to do - play in the sand at Manitou beach, ride/paddle a boat through the waterways between the islands, enjoy a walk/jog/bike through the park, play a game of disc (frisbee) golf, visit the animals at Far Enough Farm, ride the rides at Centreville Amusement Park. Don't rush around, soak up some sun and enjoy the day. read more
5 years ago
One of my favourite attractions in Toronto. Not my first visit, and not planning to be my last. I love the scenery and how it's so tranquil here. read more
I was here too early in the year on a weekday for many of the amenities to be open but had a lovely time wandering the island and enjoying the lake. I even got to see Canadian geese in their natural habitat! The island is HUGE so renting bikes or jitneys (or y'know bringing your own) is a great idea. The amusement park looked fun but it was closed. Most of the food sellers were closed or looked...very child oriented. When I did try to buy a bottle of water from a vending machine, it wouldn't take my coins. So I suggest bringing your own picnic with you. I loved watching the spaces getting spruced up for the summer season and really loved wandering in Franklin Children's garden. And loved watching the little kids reaction to a wide open green space...Time to start running!!! read more
8 years ago
What a fucking damn nice day all by myself at the Toronto island. I yelped my way over to a little park over looking the waterfront when I started to see a ferry coming back and forth dropping people off. So I went on yelp again and found info on this island. I took a chance all by myself and jumped on. It was only 9 bucks for there and back it takes about 15mins. The island was nothing short of amazing. I was alone and felt so safe and at peace. There is a mini amusement park for kids, rentals for bikes, kayaks, a NUDE beach, pier and so much more! I walked across to the beach side and brought my yoga mat and chilled hard practicing yoga. The beach was not over crowd at all. There is public showers for after the beach and bathrooms with changing areas. Bike rentals are 9 bucks an hour. They also have bikes for older people who can't go on a normal bike. Stop at the carnival cafe and to my surprise it was really good. I only got a kale summer salad but it was super fresh with a great view. read more
8 years ago
Great place for a scenic walk/bike ride, with plenty to do! The island is huge, but you can bring a bike to get around. If you don't have your own, then there is a bike rental store on the island that offers bikes for single riders, double riders, and family riders. On a nice day, it's perfect for picnics, as there is a lot of grassy areas for you to spread out a picnic blanket on. However, if you're too busy to pack a picnic spread, then there are also dining options on the island. There are at least 3 freshwater beach shores on the island, one of which is clothing optional if you'd like to take a dip. If not, then there is also a small amusement park for you to keep yourself entertained. read more
Great place to visit if you have little kids. You could spend a whole day here. We didn't get there until 4pm so we weren't able to experience the whole island. Next time we come back to Toronto, This will be on my place to visit again. read more
8 years ago
Great getaway from the city! Using the Ferry pay 8$ for a round trip. Went on a weekend from 7-9 pm. You can buy the tickets online for quicker access and skip the long queue. Beautiful scenes await you. Best for walking, picnic or just relaxing. Expect the ferry back to the city to be packed. Be aware of the cobwebs and spiders on the ferry ceiling (they start to come down at night). read more
Who knew there was something like this?!? A cool island, a short distance away from the busy city center. On Labour Day weekend, my friend and I were visiting Toronto. We decide to visit Toronto Island, as we were staying in downtown anyways, and wanted something to do for the rest of the afternoon. Upon reaching the ferry dock, there was a massive line up. We were about to turn around, and do some shopping in Yorkville instead, when right by the Second Cup, we see these small raft style boats. There seemed to be a much smaller line up for these, so we inquire. We believe they're private companies that also go to the Toronto Island. They would charge us $10 per person, which would take us to Hanlan's point, and then we can take the free regular ferry back to the mainland. Given there were only a few people in the line up, we joined in. The ride there was kind of fun; a small raft, driven by a young teenager..lunch in one hand. To me, the island felt like a little escape from the tall towers in the Toronto City Center. We walk along a path, which evenutally leads us to the Amusement Park. Lots and lots of kids and families were present. This park was huge!! There were many cool rides, and food stalls reminded me of the carnivals in the 70s. Cotton candy, hot dogs...and a new found love-funnel cake!! We got one with the 'works', sugar, whipped cream....yummy!! Many of the rides were targeted to younger kids though. You can purchase single tickets for the rides, mulitiple tickets, or a day pass. We did go one one ride where we sit in gondolas and it goes through the park. It was relaxing. We walked around the island a bit more. It's pretty cool; like a large park, but surrounded by water. I would like to come back to do a day of bike riding. We had no problem getting back to the mainland from the ferry on Center Island. There's a great view of the city skyline from the island. A great little getaway from the city. We had a very fun filled afternoon! read more
14 years ago
17 years ago
Because Muskoka is too far, and dreadfully cliche, there is Toronto Island Park. I love to getaway from the noise, pollution and crowds of the city. Sadly TIP (clever, eh) has all of those. Unless you wake up at an ungodly hour, no thank you, the first obstacle you run into is the mob of everyone else trying to get away to the island. Prepare yourself for a fight against oversized off-road strollers, large hairy men washing in sun screen, loud obnoxious bored-to-tears children, tourists yielding unnecessarily giant maps, and yes, hipsters. With no clear lines, every single impatient body just seems to mass outside the ferry ticket gates. Here's a hint, bud in. I know, I know... but it does work. This is an expert near-ninja move so use your discretion. I warned you. So after you navigate around half the population of Toronto and pretty much every tourist in the city, you buy your ferry pass and then get to wait again. Yipee! But this time it's inside a fen with even less room to move around. Personal space invaded, check! Later there is the crowding onto the ferry, more tick tock, and then ferrying off the ferry, tick tock, yada yada yada. You get the picture. I always feel bad for sheep at this point. After you finally land at the Island you'll be quick to discover that it too is over-crowded. I suggest bringing a bike, renting a bike (bring lots of cash), rollerblades, or some other (non-motorized) fast travel method. The island is really too big to walk in day. I know it can be done but this is suppose to be a relaxing getaway right? Most people seem to keep to the same tourist trap area - from Centre Island ferry dock down to the pier. I refer to this as the busy middle (ok I just made that up). Try taking the Ward's Island or the Hanlan's Point ferry for something different. Once you get away from everyone the island is really a great place. You can remind yourself that the color green really does exist. I've had a lot of coffee today. Maybe it's a bad day to write a review. I still highly suggest regular visits to the island. I've never had a bad time. Maybe you should just consider this a PSA about the crowds. The go early, stay late method should help. Just don't miss that last ferry! PROS: A good mini-getaway, super close, green, beach, quad bikes! CONS: Can be busy, stupid high prices, you're in the hands of mother nature. read more
4 years ago
A beautiful getaway from the hustle and bustle in downtown Toronto. $7.25 roundtrip and a short ferry ride brings you to the many beaches and parks here in the Islands. Everything is so clean and well-maintained here. It feels like a mini paradise! There are 3 different ferries you can take from the terminal to get to different points on the Islands: Hanlan's Point, Centre Island, and Ward's Island. Once on the island, you are surrounded by Lake Ontario with a view of Toronto's skyline. On a nice day, the sight can steal your breath away. The best view is right off the docks on Hanlan's Island. There is a bicycle rental shop by the pier of Centre Island, which is on the opposite end of the Centre Island ferry dock. It's the only one on the Islands, which makes it a hassle. read more
The islands are a great escape from the bustle of the city. A short ferry ride over ($7.50 for adults, round trip) whisks you to either Ward or Centre Island, or Hanlon's point. Once on the island, you can wander the many trails and gawk at the incredible views of the Toronto skyline. The ferry ride over is just part of the adventure...Centre Island has a small amusement park for kids (called Centreville), while Hanlon's Point offers a clothing optional beach (just remember that sun burns usually exposed areas quite quickly). You can also rent bikes (for 1, 2 or 4 people). Rates are reasonable. great place to escape the city without having to drive for 2 hours. Can and does get VERY busy on weekends in the summer. read more
7 years ago
11 years ago
This is a great way to spend a nice afternoon. They have ferries regularly between Toronto and the Island (more frequently in the summer). The ferry ride is about 15 minutes long and gives you great views of the city. There's lots of areas to take walks, settle down for a picnic, enjoy the nice scenery, etc. There were lots of bicycles around, people with dogs, etc. The beaches really aren't that impressive -- not a lot of space but the water seemed clean. In the summer, they have more activities set up, like a little amusement park area with rides. read more
A great place to visit and escape the city for a while, we spent most of the day here. After a short ferry ride we walked round the whole island following the trails taking in the wonderful views of Toronto and enjoying ambience if the island. You can hire bikes if you wish and there are enough places to relax and eat ! read more
11 years ago
My kids loved this place! We live in Florida and go to Disney world at least once a month, so I was surprised on how much fun they had. A lot cheaper too! The kiddy area and farm were cool. What child doesn't like to see real farm animals! My wife took a blanket, and some snacks so we found a shady spot & set up a picnic with a great view of the city. The BEST view of the city! The one thing I did not like was the waiting in the long lines for the ferry, to and from the island. read more
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More info about Toronto Island
Toronto Island
Toronto, ON M5J 1A7
Canada
Waterfront Communities-The Island
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(416) 392-8186
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http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/
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