fun things to do with kids in city waterfront harbourfront toronto canada   Travel for Kids
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Toronto – Waterfront

HTO Beach

Toronto is situated along Lake Ontario, and the central waterfront area has a variety of fun things to do with kids. Take a ferry to the Toronto Islands, where families can bike around, go boating, and picnic outdoors. Or just stroll from the boardwalk at Harbourfront Centre, over the wave deck walkway, past HTO beach (you can't miss the bright yellow umbrellas) to the Toronto Music Garden, stopping to pick up an ice cream along the way (in the summer months).

    Toronto Island Park
      Take the ferry – A great way to see Lake Ontario is the short ferry ride from Bay Street at Queen's Quay to the Toronto Islands. Ferries stop at Centre Island, Hanlan's Point and Ward Island. Here's the ferry schedule.
      Centre Island – Head for the Centreville Amusement Park with its animal shaped boats, antique carousel and rides, play at Franklin Children's Garden (with figures from the Franklin children's books) or Saturn playground, and cool off at the wading pool.
      Rent bikes or surreys (near the pier on Centre Island) and pedal all the way to Hanlan's Point and the historic Gibraltar Point lighthouse, then head back around to Ward Island.
      Go boating – Rent a canoe or kayak and explore the lagoons and waterways around the islands.
      There are seasonal cafes and snack bars throughout the islands, but take advantage of plentiful picnic tables and fire pits. Bring a picnic lunch or dinner for your day at the islands.
    Harbourfront Centre - This area is many things in one, with restaurants and cafes, wavy pedestrian walkways and promenades along the lake, free concerts.
      Natrel Pond – In summer, rent canoes or pedal boats and go around Natrel Pond (don’t worry, you can’t get out onto the bigger lake), May to October. In winter, the pond is Natrel ice skating rink.
    Toronto Music Garden – Cellist Yo-Yo Ma worked with landscaper Julie Messervy to interpret the first of Johann Sebastian Bach's Suites for Unaccompanied Cello as a garden, and this is the fantastic result. Each part of the musical piece is represented in a different part of the garden: Prelude is the river scape; Allemande is a forest grove; Courante, a wildflower meadow, Sarabande is a conifer Menuett a pavilion, Gigue as giants grass steps.

Fort York National Historic Site – Experience Toronto’s past (it was previously named York) by visiting Fort York. Constructed in 1793, Fort York defended the city (plenty of cannons) and housed the garrison. Open year-round, there are cannon and musket shooting demonstrations, and kids can learn how soldiers fought with swords.

    Hit the trail The Martin Goodman Trail winds along the lakefront for more than ten miles west to Humber Bay. Walk as much or as little as you like – public transit is always nearby if you need a lift back. Also stop at one of the bike rental shops along the lake and bike along the trail.
travel for kids | canada | ontario | toronto | toronto waterfront
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