Things to do on the Toronto Islands

1. Centreville Amusement Park

For over 55 years, Centreville Amusement Park has always been one of the most well-known attractions on Toronto Island. The amusement park is very popular amongst families and offers a variety of fun games and rides like their cars on tracks, mini rollercoasters and the ski-lift that crosses the park. Centreville also offers kiddie golf, an arcade, and a splash pad for those looking to cool down.

2. Hanlan’s Point Beach

In the late 1800s, Hanlan’s Point Beach was originally a popular summer cottage resort. The area was named after the Hanlan Family who became the first to settle in the area in 1862. They turned their home into a hotel in 1870. The hotel became popular and attracted many visitors throughout the summer season before being destroyed in a fire in 1909.

Today, visitors can enjoy volleyball, baseball, tennis, the bike trail, and the beach while visiting this side of the island.

The beach happens to be the most-known attraction in the area as it is one of the few clothing optional beaches in the country. Another being Wreck Beach in Vancouver.

3. Gibraltar Point Lighthouse

The Gibraltar Point Lighthouse is the oldest in the Great Lakes and also one of Toronto’s oldest buildings dating back to the early 1800s. The location of lighthouse moved around from different areas across Ontario before finding its permanent place on the Toronto Islands. Built-in 1808, the lighthouse helped with guiding ships to Toronto’s harbour until its decommission in 1958. It was also used to look out for friendly vessels returning to safe harbour and detect enemy ships during the War of 1812 and the Battle of York in 1813.

Spooky Fact: JP Rademueller (The Lighthouse’s first keeper) murdered two Fort York soldiers in 1815, and his body was never found. It’s being said the ghost of JP Rademueller returns to the island every summer and his howls can be heard throughout the island on hot summer nights.

4. Franklin Children’s Garden

Franklin Children’s Garden sets the stage for interactive learning disguised as play. Here, children can engage in a range of educational delights that are both fun and informative. From vibrant flower beds to thriving vegetable patches, little ones can learn the wonders of horticulture and the importance of environmental sustainability. Based on the characters from the “Franklin the Turtle” books, the garden features educational activities through gardening, storytelling, exploring wildlife, and through sculptures.

5. Far Enough Farm

During the spring and summer months, Far Enough Farm is a petting zoo that features over 40 species of barnyard animals and exotic birds. During the winter season, the animals will be transported north of Toronto and will be cared for at the Beasley Farm in Schomberg.

Fun Fact: The horses on the farm receive training for various competitions.

6. Ward’s Island Beach

Located on the east side of the islands, Ward’s Island Beach is adjacent to the residential section of the Toronto islands and doesn’t see as many visitors as some of the other beaches. Life may not be ordinary for the roughly 650 people who live on the island as there are no stores, cars, or public transportation. However, the boardwalk happens to be popular as it provides a great view of Lake Ontario.

7. Toronto Island Bicycle Rental

Bike rentals aren’t just only available on the mainland throughout the Toronto area. The bike rental station is a 15-minute walk from the Centre Island ferry terminal and offers single and tandem bikes along with two types of awning-covered quadricycles. Bikes can be ridden around every part of the island and even on the docks — except for the quadricycles.

8. William Meany Maze

The original iteration of the hedge maze was built in 1967 to celebrate Canada’s 100th birthday. Unfortunately, it was removed in 2011 due to years of neglect. But the maze made its comeback in 2015 and was named after William Meany, who donated $200,000 to have it rebuilt about 10 meters from the original site. Now people of all ages can enjoy getting lost again in this black cedar tree maze.

9. Toronto Island Walking Tours

While visitors have the option to tour the islands on their own, there is also the opportunity to have a customized tour with Toronto Island residents as the tour guide. These tours give visitors a better depth of the island’s history and walkthrough of homes, gardens, green spaces, and historic buildings on Ward’s and Algonquin Islands.

Tours are available for groups of four or more and can be organized via email:

torontoislandwalkingtours@gmail.com

10. Where to eat on the Toronto Islands

There are several good places to eat while visiting the Toronto islands and you should try and visit at least one while you are there. I always love heading to Ward’s Island first and stopping by the Island Cafe which is across from Ward’s Island ferry where you get off. They have a great outdoor space and some simple snacks to get you started on your day. Here are our favourite options for food and good views.

• Island Cafe – Directly across the Ward’s Island ferry dock.

• Rectory Cafe – On Ward’s Island close to the fire station.

• Carousel Cafe – Near Centreville and main pathway through Centre Island from the ferry.

• Centrevilla food court – Inside the Centreville amusement park.

• Toronto Island BBQ and Beer Co. – Next to the Centre Island ferry dock.

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Risk-free Getaway Without Leaving The City. Yacht Or Not!

First, as a ‘social member’ of the Island Yacht Club (IYC) you don’t even need a yacht to join. Furthermore, you get to enjoy all the lifestyle perks of being a club member including: relaxing poolside at the outdoor pool, access to the clubhouse including lockers and shower amenities, an award winning restaurant, fireside lounge, courtyard patio, private tender (shuttle boat) from Queens Quay, clay tennis courts, access to BBQ stations, soccer pitch and badminton, a nature trail, and use of club keel boats, kayaks and canoes. Ya, membership does have privileges!  Daaaa, it’s like a home away from home (without the inconvenience of having to lug a canoe with you!).

And if you have children, they will have access to their own kid stuff, including a playground and clubhouse room. Plus a summer kids camp for ages five and up. Kids and teens love going out to the island because there is plenty of space from mom and dad (FYI we were told this by numerous club staff and parent members). Just so you know, the average age of social members is 40 to 46, and they have one or two children on average.

What else does IYC offer? The club has yoga on Sunday mornings (before bunch at the clubhouse), croquet, paddle boards, food and wine events – and yes, if you are a member, this is all for you to enjoy. Oh, you can also bring guests with you.

Sure many of the members do own boats, and the IYC does much to integrate the boaters with the social members. For instance, you can socialize with yacht owners at the regular Social Sailing Wednesday nights from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, followed by a BBQ in the club courtyard. You might even meet a Canadian Olympian!  However we don’t want to name-drop.

Invest In Hassle-free Summer Fun. Location Is Everything. 

Never again risk renting a cottage for a long weekend and have it ruined by rain. Never again get stuck in Muskoka/Toronto traffic. Torontonians know there’s a long list of deterrents preventing a relaxing cottage experience. Therefore, think of being an Island Yacht Club member as an investment in your valuable time. Don’t risk one day of precious summertime ever again! The biggest IYC perk is having a private island at your disposal. You can pop out to the IYC any day of the week to swim, canoe or just chill in the clubhouse with a beer. Another big club perk is the vibe is uber laid-back; it’s totally got a chill cottage vibe.

There is still so much more that could be said about IYC, and their plans to extend the club season. Think snowshoeing and perhaps even a winterized yurt!

Oh, did we mention that IYC has their very own club peacocks, Bella and Conrad. They just turned up one day and decided to stay on. We don’t blame them! Island Yacht Club is an oasis of peace and paradise just a short boat ride from downtown Toronto.

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If you’re curious about a social membership don’t delay. The club does have a cap on how many boat and social members are admitted. Please contact Andrew Birch, Director of Membership, at the Island Yacht Club Here –  Ask for a tour!

Here is the link to the 2017 rate card.

About IYC 

Nestled on a private island and dedicated to active, resort-style living, Island Yacht Club provides a cottage-in-the-city member experience.  Island Yacht Club calls Blockhouse Bay home. It’s often called the most beautiful cove on the Toronto Islands, and rewards visitors with unprecedented views and sunsets. Board the IYC private shuttle at Queens Quay, and arrive 10 minutes later on Muggs Island. Boating members enjoy a full-range of marine services, including: storage, repairs, hauling and launching, handled by an experienced team.

SPOKE ON THE WATER ™ 

The Island Yacht Club has a mainland sister club, The Spoke Club, a private members club on King Street West. Spoke on the Water is the fusion of two great groups: The Spoke Club and Island Yacht Club. This alliance, which creates a mainland club for yacht club members, ensures camaraderie and relationships forged over the spring and summer months continue during the coldest of winters.

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Martin from Toronto sent us this great shot of the Toronto Harbour, the Toronto Island Airport and the Toronto Islands. Check out his page for more of his images from around the city.

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Ben Roffelsen sent us this great shot of the Toronto Islands flood that is currently taking place. Check out his page for more of his images from around the city.

To have your photos featured on our website, please join our 500px group.

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The first wave of musical artists for 2017 has just been announced and the lineup includes Deerhoof, Dilly Dally, Jessy Lanza, Rich Aucoin, Duchess Says, DATU X HATAW, DJ Shub, Un Blonde, The Luyas, Emilie & Ogden, Ice Cream, Os Tropies, Zuze, and more.

A three-day celebration of art, music, community, and beach fun, Camp Wavelength embraces the DIY spirit that have put Wavelength and Toronto on the world map for independent music. Proudly championing local, homegrown, sustainable, and community-run culture, Camp Wavelength invites you to immerse yourself in the escapism of the Toronto Islands for a weekend of summer-camp nostalgia, balanced with forward-looking programming. Through art installations, pop-up performances, and interactive group activities, the grounds of Artscape Gibraltar Point will be transformed into an alternate dimension of creativity and chill vibes, only a 10 minute ferry ride – but also a million miles away – from the bustle of downtown Toronto.

Read our review of last year’s Camp Wavelength 2016 festival here.

Takes place August 18-20 2017. Be sure to get your Early Bird Passes that are currently on sale via wavelengthmusic.ca.

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