The Best Ways to Explore Toronto in Summer
Despite stereotypes of year-round frigid temperatures, Canada’s largest city boasts a long, hot (and humid) summer, and visiting Toronto in the months of June, July and August are like stepping into a new space altogether.
The season sees locals and tourists alike soaking up the sun on every available green space, eating and drinking their way through the city’s unique neighbourhoods, and using long weekends to escape the city heat to enjoy lakeside cottage country.
The view of Toronto’s iconic skyline from Centre Island, a short ferry or water taxi trip across the city’s Inner Harbour.
Heading to Ontario to celebrate a friend’s wedding earlier this month, I was given a fresh perspective of the city in summer. In the eight months that elapsed since I was last in the city, the contrast between the winter and summer scene truly makes for two very different spaces. I was lucky again to have family and friends that call the city home as they make the best tour guides and hosts.
If you’re planning a trip to Toronto in the summer months, here’s our recommendations on the best ways to make the most from your visit….
1. Head to the waterfront
Any traveller will be forgiven for being caught unaware of the Southern Ontario humidity this time of year and heading to the water front, one of the longest urban lakefronts in the world, is one of the best ways to cool down.
Although you won’t see many swimmers in Lake Ontario, the waterfront benefits from being slightly cooler as you get out of the city grid and hosts many different activities on or near the lake (see our recommendations below). If you are hoping to go for a swim, make sure to check the beach postings for water quality or just wait until you head out of the city for some lake hopping north of Toronto.
Take a ferry or water taxi over to the Toronto Islands to enjoy incredible views of the city skyline, chill out in one of the many green spaces, rent a kayak or stand up paddleboard, or if you’re travelling with little ones, enjoy the attractions in Centreville Amusement Park. Within the city, wander around the waterfront trail that stretches south of city centre, or head to the Beaches, an eastern neighbourhood that is aptly named. Woodbine Beach is the largest and most popular, with disc golf, volleyball and dog parks lined up along the shore. If you’re into water sports, check out the multiple sailing and yacht clubs on the lake just south of Queens Quay W, near Cherry Beach to the east of the city centre, or on Centre Island.
2. Take part in one of the city’s festivals
The city takes advantage of its nice weather by hosting many festivals throughout the summer months and there is truly something for everyone. Here are a few of our recommendations to keep on your radar:
Growing up in the GTA, one of my personal favourites was visiting the CNE, the Canadian National Exhibition (pictured above), which is a pop-up festival in late August that is hosted at Exhibition Place and is great if you’re travelling as a family.
Celebrating Toronto’s diversity, there are also many festivals which centre around the city’s multiculturalism, and so within the summer months you’d be able to attend festivals such as Taste of the Danforth, a celebration of Greek culture and Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival, which celebrates the city’s Afro-Caribbean community in York.
For members and supporters of the 2SLGBTQA+ community, experience Pride Toronto, one of the largest celebrations of pride in the world. With multiple venues taking part in the parade and the Church street hub transforming itself for the festival, it’s definitely worth taking part.
Finally, for lovers of the arts, The Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival is one of the many Fringe events that take place all over the world following Edinburgh’s original Fringe (read about our guide to Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival here). There is also TIFF, Toronto International Film Festival, which takes place early September and shows hundreds of new films across the Entertainment District.
3. Attend a sporting event
One thing you may notice about Canadians is they’re big sports fans (generally speaking), and most people follow at least one of the major league sports. Toronto itself has a particular love for the majors, with teams in almost all of the North American leagues.
Sporting events in North America are much more than the actual game, and we definitely recommend experiencing one firsthand if you’re visiting the city at the same time as a home game. In Toronto this time of year, the most popular sports you’ll be able to catch are baseball, soccer and football (American-style), with home stadiums within the city.
For baseball, be sure to see a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre, which is situated right next to the iconic CN Tower in the city centre. You don’t have to be a fan to get soaked up into the lively and friendly atmosphere and they play frequently from April to September. Get tickets here.
If you’re looking to experience what Canadian soccer is like (highly recommended by us if you’re into European and UK football clubs), check out the Toronto FC, who regularly play at the BMO Field. Their season runs from March until October. Get tickets here.
Lastly, if you’re more into the American variety of Football, see a Toronto Argonauts game within the CFL (Canadian Football League). The season runs from June to November (when the playoffs for the Grey Cup happen), so prime time if you’re visiting in the summer and want the experience. Get tickets here.
Looking for an easy way to get around the city and still enjoy the sunshine?
Although walking around the city is a great way to get to know it better, consider trying out Toronto’s bike share if you’re wanting to cover more ground. With “24/7 convenient access to 6,850 bikes and 625 stations across 200 km2 of the city”, it’s a really great way to get around in the summer months and is quite cost effective. Although they offer annual memberships for locals, they have reasonably priced 24hr or 72hr passes. For more info and to see their updated rates, read more here.
4. Take part in Patio Season
The distillery district is no doubt touristy, but it’s easy to see why. In the winters, it’s a perfect place to get your Christmas fix, and in the summer months patios are set up all along the bricked pedestrian streets to enjoy the sunshine.
As we mention in our recommendations for The Best Ways to Explore Toronto in Winter, Toronto is known for the diversity of its neighbourhoods, offering a particularly distinctive food scene. No matter the time of year, eating and drinking your way through the unique Toronto neighbourhoods is a huge part of appreciating the city.
However, unlike Toronto in winter, these experiences can now be enjoyed on rooftop patios, poolside cabanas and patios set up along the city streets, all very much a part of the summery Toronto tapestry. For a trendy and upscale evening, head out to King West to be wined and dined, or check out Kensington Market if you’re looking for something a bit more laid back and hipster. We frequented quite a few spots that were perfect for catching up over good food, enjoying the summer evenings and people watching.
If you’re visiting Toronto on a budget and are looking to make your own food, head to St. Lawrence Market for some fresh, local and seasonal produce. Take it back to your accommodation to whip up something delicious, or grab something pre-made to take to one of the local parks for a picnic.
Always highly recommended, the St. Lawrence Market is a great spot to get local produce or to find a quick eat no matter the season.
5. Experience live music outdoors
Whether it’s at sporting events, patios or hanging out in the multiple parks that are within the city, you’re always likely to spot Torontonians outdoors in the summer months, and another great place to really soak up the summer scene is enjoying live music at an outdoor concert or weekend music festival.
With the Budweiser Stage at Ontario Place being arguably the most popular venue for summer concerts, especially their lawn access section, there are also many festivals that go on within the city centre such as:
Veld, for EDM and Hip-hop enthusiasts
NXNE (North by Northeast), whose festival showcases Canadian artists, international musicians and big names in venues all across the city
Jazz Fest, for all you Jazz lovers
Canadian Music Week, which is dedicated to the ‘expression and growth of the country’s music, media and entertainment industries’.
There are also many live music venues spread throughout the city, and multiple festivals and events that take place within the Greater Toronto Area (or GTA). Livenation and Ticketmaster are always great go-tos for searching for music events within your favourite genre.
6. Bonus Tip: Head out of the city
One of my most anticipated childhood activities were summer camping trips to Algonquin Provincial Park and the surrounding area. From late night campfire, swimming in the lakes, or undertaking longer term hiking, canoeing and portaging trips, the provincial parks in Northern Ontario are pretty special (just don’t forget your bug spray).
Although there are a lot of things to do within the city itself in the summer months, you may notice that most locals use the multiple long weekends that go on throughout the Ontario summer (July, August and September) to head away from the city. Seemingly counterproductive, heading out of the city on weekends is ironically one of the best ways to really see what the summertime culture of Ontario residents and Toronto locals is all about.
Usually heading to family or friend’s cottages situated on one of Ontario’s many lakes, enjoying cottage country a very huge trend across all of Ontario. Referring to small woodland cabins on lakefront, ‘cottaging’ usually involves water sports on the lake, BBQ and campfires, and drinking and relaxing with friends and family. Other than cottaging, you’ll hear of lots of outdoor activities like hiking, camping and canoeing, which is always mixed in with a road trip (it is Canada after all).
If you’re looking to make a trip to Canada, and are a fan of cities, definitely check out the bustling Toronto metropolis. In the summer, the diversity of events that fill the summer scene including live music, sporting events and festivals make it well worth a visit.
Happy Travels,
Sam
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