To start our trip we were very excited to spend two amazing weeks with our family in Canada. We got the chance to reunite with Ale’s sisters, niece and nephews, uncles and aunts and also her parents came to visit from Chile. Since it was summer we enjoyed going to the park with the kids, playing in the pool and sitting outside till the late hours enjoying some drinks and a barbecue. Most of our time we were in the suburbs but we could also explore Toronto for some days and go on day trips with the family. Following are some of the activities we can highly recommend:
Sandbanks
If you visit Toronto with some time to spare, spend a couple of days in Sandbanks, which is about three hours by car from the city. Take your tent to one of the various campsites (make sure you book ahead though) and enjoy the quietness outside the busy metropolis. If just chilling by the lake is not your cup of tea there are plenty of water sports for everybody. In case adrenaline is what you are seeking, go kite or windsurfing. For a more relaxed sport, rent a paddle board. There are also plenty of dunes around to do some walking and afterwards you can have a dip in the lake to get refreshed.
Liberty District and Ozzington
We had the luck that some of our family lives in one of the coolest areas in the city. Just one stop away from Union station you arrive at Exhibition. From here, it’s a short walk to the lake shore or the other way you will find the Liberty District and Ozzington. During the day wander around the historic buildings and at night go on a little bar hopping around the area. A lot of places offer their own micro brew, for the real beer lovers I recommend The Craft where you can choose from more than 100 beers on tap.
Experience some sports
Canadians, and from my experience, especially the people from Toronto are crazy about their sports teams. On previous opportunities, we had the chance to see the Maple Leafs and the Raptors. Since this time we came in summer I was able to get tickets to see the Toronto FC in their BMO Field. I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the fans and the quality of the football. So whether it is TFC, the Maple Leafs or the Raptors I would definitely recommend seeing a game. If you can’t find cheaper tickets, the Toronto Marlies are also a good option.
50 Toronto city walks
You would not think that a city has a lot of nature walks to offer, but in Toronto you can get a little deck of 50 cards, each containing the description of one walk you can do in the city. Unfortunately, we only had the chance to do one. Setting off at the Mount Pleasure cemetery you soon leave the city behind and feel like you are in the middle of a forest. It is so quiet and uncitylike, we couldn’t believe that we even crossed paths with a deer! From here you just follow the Yellow Creek until you arrive at Elm Street. Here nature turns into a beautiful neighborhood where you can enjoy the breathtaking architecture of the houses and dream about buying one one day. From there you can make your way to the city center around Yonge and Dundas Square or the financial district. If you are in the area and are looking for a bite to eat we can highly recommend the all-vegan restaurant Planta. The menu offers a great variety of flavorful vegan dishes that even meat lovers would surely enjoy.
Kayaking on Lake Ontario
When you think about Toronto most people right away remember the view from the island towards the skyscrapers. And we agree, it is definitely a sight you do not want to miss. However, if you want to enjoy this view in a bit different way, go rent a kayak and you will have the skyscrapers in front of you without anybody blocking the view. We recommend renting a kayak at the Harbourfront Canoe, Kayak and Sup Centre.