Given Toronto’s reputation for being a cold, inland city, it is not surprising that many visitors, when planning a Toronto vacation, do not think to pack their beachwear.  This is a big mistake (at least in the summer!), as Toronto’s spectacular Beaches neighbourhood provides a great opportunity for hitting the beach in Toronto!

Stores along Queen Street East in The Beaches. Source - Bill Smith (Wikipedia)

The Beaches (known as “The Beach” to many locals) has a long history of being a popular destination for tourists and Torontonians alike.  The area that is now The Beaches was initially divided up into lots shortly after Toronto’s founding in 1793, though it did not really become popular for visitors until stagecoach and rail service was extended to the area in the 1870s.  Following this development, many large hotels opened in The Beaches, and the famous Scarboro Beach Amusement Park opened in 1907.  Modelled after parks such as Dreamland and Luna in New York’s Coney Island, Scarboro Beach featured roller coasters, freak shows, and funhouses, and was a magnet for Beaches visitors until its closure in 1925.  The City of Toronto eventually decided that the shoreline in The Beaches should be set aside solely for public recreational purposes, and opened Beaches Park in 1932.  The park included a 1500 metre boardwalk along Lake Ontario, which is still a prominent feature of The Beaches today.  While no longer pervaded by the carnivalesque atmosphere of the early years, The Beaches has now become one of Toronto’s most desirable residential neighbourhoods.

The Beaches Boardwalk. Source - John Vetterli (Wikipedia)

Today, there are many things to see and do in The Beaches for Toronto visitors.  The best way to get a sense of the beach itself is to walk along the aforementioned boardwalk, which provides lovely views of Lake Ontario, benches for relaxation, and plenty of concession stands selling delectable treats.  There are also many opportunities for partaking in recreational activities such as sunbathing, swimming, kite flying, and volleyball, among other fun things.  Architecture enthusiasts will love checking out the RC Harris Water Filtration Plant, a spectacular Art Deco structure on the shores of Lake Ontario that has also been a filming location for many popular Hollywood films.  Shoppers will definitely want to take a stroll down Queen Street East, where over 350 stores, many of which are independent retailers selling hard-to-find and unique goods, line both sides of the street.  Music fans will want to head to The Beaches in July, when acclaimed jazz artists come to the world-famous Beaches International Jazz Festival to take part in a big street party along Queen Street East.  Finally, there are many well-known pubs in The Beaches, such as Lion on the Beach, and Murphy’s Law, which are both located in beautiful old bank buildings along Queen Street East, and are great places to relax and have a few drinks.

A visit to Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood is a great thing to do in Toronto in the summer!

TIPS FOR VISITORS: The Beaches is roughly bounded by Kingston Road to the north, Woodbine Avenue to the west, Victoria Park Avenue to the east, and Lake Ontario to the south, with Queen Street East acting as the neighbourhood’s main thoroughfare.  It is easily accessible by public transit, with the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) 501 Queen streetcar being the most convenient (and scenic) route.  Bus routes from Coxwell (# 22), Woodbine (# 92), and Main Street (# 64) subway stations also service The Beaches.  Driving to The Beaches is also possible, but not recommended during the summer or on weekends, as the traffic will be slow and parking hard to come by.  If you’re planning to swim in Lake Ontario, take note as to whether the beach has a ‘blue flag’ flying or not, which will tell you if the water is clean enough to swim in.