Ultimate Summer Bucket List for Toronto and Ontario

Summer in Toronto and Ontario offers endless opportunities for fun and adventure. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, this ultimate summer bucket list will ensure you make the most of the sunny days and warm evenings. From beach days to outdoor concerts, here are 25 must-do activities with some local flair, complete with personal touches and addresses to help you navigate.

1. Beach Day

• Destination:Woodbine Beach, Toronto
  • Address: 1675 Lake Shore Blvd E, Toronto, ON M4L 3W6
  • Activities: I love packing a picnic with local goodies from St. Lawrence Market, building sandcastles with my kids, and collecting unique seashells. A dip in Lake Ontario is always refreshing!

2. Road Trip

• Destination:Prince Edward County
  • Activities: Discover charming towns like Picton and Bloomfield, indulge in wine tastings at local vineyards, and take scenic photos along the shores of Lake Ontario. A favorite winery of mine is Sandbanks Estate Winery at 17598 Loyalist Pkwy, Wellington, ON K0K 3L0.

3. Hiking Adventure

• Destination:Bruce Peninsula National Park
  • Address: 120 Chi sin tib dek Rd, Tobermory, ON N0H 2R0
  • Activities: Hiking the Grotto trail to see stunning turquoise waters is a must. Enjoy a trail picnic and explore the park’s diverse flora and fauna.

4. Outdoor Concert

• Event:Toronto’s Festival of Beer
  • Address: Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place, 200 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3
  • Activities: I love enjoying live music from local bands, sampling craft beers from across Ontario, and dancing the night away under the stars.

5. Camping Trip

• Destination:Algonquin Provincial Park
  • Address: Ontario 60, Ontario
  • Activities: Setting up a tent by one of the many beautiful lakes, making s’mores over a campfire, and stargazing in one of the darkest skies in Ontario is always an unforgettable experience.

6. Water Activities

• Destination:Thousand Islands
  • Activities: Kayaking or paddleboarding along the St. Lawrence River, visiting a water park like Splash Island in Brockville, or boating through the islands. Don’t miss a tour of Boldt Castle.

7. Backyard BBQ

• Location:Your Own Backyard or a Local Park
  • Activities: Grilling your favorite foods, playing lawn games like cornhole or frisbee, and enjoying time with friends and family in a relaxed setting is a perfect summer day.

8. Farmers’ Market Visit

• Location:Kensington Market, Toronto
  • Address: Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2K2
  • Activities: Buying fresh produce from local vendors, sampling international treats, and finding unique crafts and vintage items is always a delight.

9. Outdoor Movie Night

• Event:Sail-In Cinema, Toronto Harbour
  • Address: Sugar Beach, 11 Dockside Dr, Toronto, ON M5A 1B6
  • Activities: Watching a classic film on a floating screen from a boat or the shore, making popcorn, and enjoying the unique experience is so much fun.

10. Gardening

• Location:Toronto Botanical Garden Workshops
  • Address: 777 Lawrence Ave E, North York, ON M3C 1P2
  • Activities: Learning to plant flowers or vegetables in workshops, creating a herb garden, and enjoying the therapeutic benefits of gardening is very rewarding.

11. Festival Fun

• Event:Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), Toronto
  • Address: 210 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3
  • Activities: Attending the local fair, riding the Ferris wheel, trying cotton candy and other fair foods, and enjoying carnival games is a summer tradition.

12. Biking Adventure

• Destination:Toronto Islands
  • Address: Accessible via ferry from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2H3
  • Activities: Exploring the islands on a bike, enjoying scenic rides along the waterfront, and packing a snack for a leisurely trip is always a peaceful escape from the city.

13. Ice Cream Treat

• Location:Bang Bang Ice Cream, Toronto
  • Address: 93A Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 2Z2
  • Activities: Visiting this popular ice cream shop, trying unique flavors like Totaro or Burnt Toffee, and enjoying a delicious ice cream sandwich is a sweet treat.

14. Sunrise/Sunset Watching

• Location:Scarborough Bluffs, Toronto
  • Address: 1 Brimley Rd S, Scarborough, ON M1M 1C1
  • Activities: Finding a perfect spot on the bluffs, bringing a blanket, and capturing the breathtaking sunrise or sunset over Lake Ontario is magical.

15. Volunteering

• Event:Toronto Beach Cleanup
  • Activities: Joining a beach cleanup event, helping keep Toronto’s beaches clean, and supporting environmental conservation efforts is a great way to give back to the community.

16. Picnic in the Park

• Location:High Park, Toronto
  • Address: 1873 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6R 2Z3
  • Activities: Packing a basket with snacks from the Cheese Boutique, bringing a blanket, and enjoying a relaxing day surrounded by nature is always enjoyable.

17. Amusement Park Day

• Destination:Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan
  • Address: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan, ON L6A 1S6
  • Activities: Riding thrilling roller coasters, playing carnival games, enjoying park food, and cooling off in the water park makes for an exhilarating day.

18. Fishing Trip

• Destination:Lake Simcoe
  • Activities: Finding a local fishing spot, bringing your gear, relaxing by the water, and enjoying the peaceful experience of fishing is a perfect way to unwind.

19. DIY Craft Project

• Location:Toronto’s Maker Festival
  • Activities: Participating in summer-themed craft workshops, decorating your space with handmade items, and having fun with friends creating unique crafts is creatively fulfilling.

20. Local Museum Visit

• Destination:Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Toronto
  • Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6
  • Activities: Exploring fascinating exhibits, learning about natural history and world cultures, and supporting local museums is always an enlightening experience.

21. Boating Day

• Destination:Muskoka Lakes
  • Activities: Renting a boat or joining a tour, enjoying a day on the water, and packing a lunch for a scenic boat ride through the picturesque Muskoka Lakes is idyllic.

22. Zoo or Aquarium Visit

• Destination:Toronto Zoo
  • Address: 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON M1B 5K7
  • Activities: Seeing your favorite animals, learning about conservation efforts, and enjoying a fun and educational day out is perfect for all ages.

23. Sporting Event

• Event:Toronto Blue Jays Game
  • Address: Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, ON M5V 1J1
  • Activities: Attending a game, cheering for the Blue Jays, and enjoying stadium snacks like hotdogs and nachos is a quintessential Toronto summer experience.

24. Photography Day

• Location:Graffiti Alley, Toronto
  • Address: Rush Lane, Toronto, ON M5V 1P6
  • Activities: Capturing vibrant street art, exploring the unique alleys, and creating a photo album of your summer adventures is always inspiring.

25. Read a Book

• Location:Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto
  • Address: 790 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G3
  • Activities: Choosing a summer novel from a local bookstore like Type Books, finding a cozy spot under a tree, and enjoying some quiet reading time is a perfect way to relax.