The start point can be Cherry Beach as it has quite a bit of free public parking and it is always fun to visit with the lifeguard station and the life guard boats lined up beside the building. You can unload the bikes and head out into the city. You can also take the GO train into the city and begin there, cutting down the tour as required to make it walkable.
Union Station is also part of the tour as the building is very impressive and many times Union has some type of festival or giveaway going on. Also you can walk past the ttc subway station at Union and head into the underground PATH system. Just a few minutes walk gets you into the Brookfield building on Bay Street which is very cool and has been featured in many movies.
I have tried to limit travelling on roads without bike lanes as everyone is always concerned about safety ridding along the city's busy streets. If you are more comfortable with the streets you can travel alternate routes to save time.
Union Station: architecture, art and festivals. Plus bathrooms.
When it comes to the Islands if the Ferry Docks is overflowing with customers travel west down the Queens Quay waterfront trail to find island water taxis and avoid the crowds for roughly the same cost. You can go by the clothing optional beach at Hanlans, stop at the haunted light house, travel north to see Centreville Amusement Park, check out the lake on the pier and drive through the cottage neighbourhood and restaurants at Wards Island.
The following places are incredibly interesting by themselves while also allowing opportunities to see
other events and attractions, including buskers.
Union Summer above and Humanity art installation below
Brookfield Place: architecture and art. Plus bathrooms in the food court.
Day and night at Berczy Park
Berzcy Park: dog fountain, art mural and flat iron building with a nice restaurant in the basement.
St Lawrence Market: food. If you have time check out Sculpture Garden on King Street East near St James Park.
St Lawrence Market: food. If you have time check out Sculpture Garden on King Street East near St James Park.
Distillery District: travel along the Esplanade features a lot of great restaurants, off the beaten path, then you hit the historic district made of bricks. architecture, art and festivals. Plus bathrooms.
Yonge-Dundas Square: Giant advertisements and the Eaton Centre. In summer there are fountains in the square and is a happening place for festivals and giveaways.
Caribbean Carnival launch at Toronto City Hall
City Hall: architecture and festivals, Nathan Phillips Square and the reflecting pond. Plus bathrooms.
It gets busy in Graffiti Alley
Graffiti Alley: officially south of Queen Street but alleys run along both sides of Queen Street. new condos are cutting off sections of the alleys. This is where Rick's rants (Rick Mercer show) took place.
Umbrella installation in the Stackt Market
Allan Gardens: lovely grounds with an amazing set of glass greenhouses full of plants. Plus bathrooms.
Waterlicht installation at the Bentway
Bentway Park: An urban park built under the Gardiner Expressway. In winter it's a public skating rink and in the summer it is known for art and festivals. Plus bathrooms.
Old Fort York: Paid entrance but worth it to see an old army fort for the War of 1812 and soldiers in bright red firing muskets. Sometimes known for festivals in and outside of the fort. Plus bathrooms.
Toronto Music Garden: Queens Quay is generally a great place to be in the summer. Views of the lake and concerts in the summer, with art.
Model photoshoot (Theresa Longo) at HTO Park
HTO Park: one of the urban parks along the waterfront, no swimming but there is a sand beach and big, yellow umbrellas. The other urban park is Sugar Beach to the east of HTO Park.
Harbourfront Square: fun area, full of festivals, art and performances. Skating in winter, bars and patios in the summer. Plus bathrooms.
Roundhouse Park: Great views of the downtown skyline, Rogers Centre and the CN Tower, super restaurants and Steam Whistle Brewery, ride a tiny train and visit the Railway Museum. Plus bathrooms.
Roundhouse Park: Great views of the downtown skyline, Rogers Centre and the CN Tower, super restaurants and Steam Whistle Brewery, ride a tiny train and visit the Railway Museum. Plus bathrooms.
City Skyline view: at the end of Polson Street off of Cherry Street. On the left is the Toronto Islands, then the inner harbour and on the right the city's skyscrapers take over the view. Plus port-o-potty.
Cherry Beach: Big sand beach, lifeguard station and hard core swimmers doing laps parallel to the beach. Plus bathrooms.
Cherry Beach: Big sand beach, lifeguard station and hard core swimmers doing laps parallel to the beach. Plus bathrooms.
The garden car in Kensington Market
Kensington Market: On summer Sundays it is pedestrian friendly. Eclectic atmosphere, stores, restaurants and buildings. Also graffiti plus a port-o-potty in the park.
Ferry Docks: your gathering point to take one of three ferries to the Toronto Islands. If it is busy grab a nearby water taxi.
Toronto Islands: Optional because it will take a couple hours to enjoy and travel. A relaxing way to enjoy the summer sun, in the buff on the west side and clothed everywhere else. Rent some bikes including the big quads, enjoy the patios and restaurants. If you take a water taxi over you can still take the big ferries back. Plus bathrooms.
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