Toronto Division: Island Trails, Parks and Urban Culture

Some of the defining impressions of Toronto Division include waterfront trails and parks, as well as museums, historic sites and urban spaces. When planning your stay, first consider whether you would like to focus more on nature and walks, or on collections, history and city life.

Island Trails, Parks and Waterfront

Toronto Island Park is connected by numerous shared paths, trails and bridges. The Toronto Island waterfront offers a 1.5-kilometre walk with views of Lake Ontario, Tommy Thompson Park and Ward’s Island Beach. The island’s trail network includes both paved and unpaved paths. Ferries to Toronto Island operate year-round from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. As schedules and operating conditions can change, check the current schedule before your trip.

The Scarborough Bluffs stretch for about 15 kilometres along the shore of Lake Ontario. The parks along the bluffs offer trails, beaches, gardens, and sports and recreation facilities. When planning, you can weigh up walks, time at the beach and other recreational options. High Park covers around 23 hectares of tallgrass savanna, prairie and woodland; it is also home to the High Park Animal Display, Canada’s oldest animal facility. Toronto Zoo is home to more than 5,000 animals and has over 10 kilometres of walking paths.

History, Art and Distinctive Urban Spaces

The Battle of York reached its violent climax at Fort York in 1813 during the War of 1812. Seven historic buildings still stand there today, all built between 1813 and 1815. Visitors can explore them on guided tours and through special programs. The Royal Ontario Museum showcases art, culture and nature from around the world and across different eras. The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto features a growing permanent collection of more than 1,200 masterpieces, including manuscripts, paintings, ceramics and textiles dating from the 9th to the 21st century.

The Clark Centre for the Arts also focuses on art, offering nearly 85 accessible art programs each year, including art classes, workshops and lectures. At Casa Loma, visitors can explore opulent rooms, secret passageways and manicured gardens. The Distillery Historic District is a pedestrian-only area with Victorian architecture and cobblestone streets. The main observation level of the CN Tower features floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass floor. For a taste of the local food scene, the St. Lawrence Market Complex is a destination with more than 120 vendors and farmers.

City Routes and Choosing Your Accommodation

The PATH is a largely underground pedestrian walkway in the city centre, connecting 27 kilometres of underground shopping, transportation and entertainment options. The Toronto Transit Commission, locally known as the TTC, is the main public transit operator and runs subways, streetcars and local buses. Union Station and the Union Station Bus Terminal are directly connected to local transit, taxis, car sharing, airport services and regional transit.

When looking for a vacation rental, you can base your choice on the experiences you want to shape your stay: island and park trails, animal attractions, museums or historic urban spaces. Also consider which transport connections matter for the routes you plan to take. This can help you choose accommodation based on your interests and how you want to get around Toronto. If you would like to explore the big-city perspective further, discover Toronto too.

Discover more destinations: Lennox And Addington County, Grey County, Lanark County, Chatham-Kent Division, Waterloo Regional Municipality, Dufferin County, Haliburton County.

For the overview of the wider region: Ontario.