Cathy MerrittEtobicoke offers tourists and locals a wide range of activities to do. From its stunning views of Lake Ontario to its scenic parks to its cultural hotspots and urban entertainment places, there’s a lot to explore in this charming city.
We’ve listed down some of the best things you can do while in the district to help you make some unforgettable memories. Complete your Etobicoke bucket list!
- Stroll or cycle around Humber Arboretum
- Explore the massive Centennial Park
- Enjoy thrilling rides at Fantasy Fair
- Lift your spirits at The Brewery of Silversmith Brewing Co.
- Pamper yourself at The Spa at the Old Mill
- Skate gracefully at Colonel Samuel Smith Park
- Browse and shop at Dr Flea's Flea Market
- Travel back in time at Montgomery Inn
- Find the murals hidden in the buildings of Islington Village
- Play a competitive round of bowling at Planet Bowl
- Practice skating at Eighth Street Skatepark
- Appreciate art at Westmount Gallery
- Unleash your inner child at eZone
- Reconnect with nature at the James Gardens
- Learn more about Hinduism at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
- Challenge yourself to an obstacle course at Pursuit OCR
- Have a date night at Joey Sherway
- Watch an amazing puppet show at Famous People Players
- Fly a plane at Threshold Aviation
- Attend a thrilling horse race at Woodbine Racetrack
Stroll or cycle around Humber Arboretum
Address: 205 Humber College Blvd, Etobicoke, ON M9W 5L7, Canada
Website: https://humber.ca/arboretum/
Contact details: 416.675.5009, [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: Daylight hours
If you’re looking for a serene place to stroll, bike, or explore, the Humber Arboretum behind Humber College is the place to go! It’s a place where themed gardens, woodlands, wetlands, and wildlife are all gathered in one place.
The best part about exploring Humber Arboretum? Admission is free! You can drop by anytime you need a relaxing place, whether you’re visiting Etobicoke for a trip or simply taking a break from work.
| Pro Tip: Most events, like professional photography sessions, happen on Saturdays, so the Arboretum gets busy around that time. Sunday and weekdays are ideal if you want a peaceful time exploring the area. |
Explore the massive Centennial Park
Address: 256 Centennial Park Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9C 5N3, Canada
Website: https://toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/798/index.html
Contact details: 416-338-0889
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Perhaps one of the most well-known landmarks of Etobicoke is Centennial Park, and that’s for a good reason. It’s a park with over 520 acres of land and multiple features for visitors to enjoy.
It’s home to the Centennial Park Conservatory, which is filled with a wide range of flowers and plants. The park is a haven for families who want to have picnics together, as it has several picnic areas.
Golf enthusiasts can also schedule a round of golf at the Centennial Park Centre. If you’re not much of a golfer but do like staying active, there are several playgrounds, sports fields, and even a BMX bike track in the park that you can enjoy.
| Pro Tip: Picnic Area 8 is near Joe Benesh Pond, so it can be an ideal destination if you’re looking for a waterfront picnic spot. It’s also close to the parking lot and the Conservatory. |
Enjoy thrilling rides at Fantasy Fair
– From @letsplaydurham
Address: Woodbine Mall & Fantasy Fair, 500 Rexdale Blvd Unit F006, Etobicoke, ON M9W 6K5, Canada
Website: https://fantasyfair.ca/
Contact details: 416-674-5437, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Located inside Woodbine Shopping Centre, Fantasy Fair is Ontario’s largest indoor amusement park, so don’t miss the chance to drop by while you’re in Etobicoke.
It’s complete with everything you’ll need for a full day of fun, including rides and a food court.
The amusement park has 12 full-size rides and attractions, including a drop tower, climbing wall, spinning cups, carousel, express train, soft play area, and more. If you drop by on the weekend, your kids can also get face painting and balloon animals.
There’s no admission fee, but you’ll have to purchase tickets to enjoy the rides.
| Pro Tip: Bring a pair of socks for your kids because they’re required to wear them in the playground. |
Lift your spirits at The Brewery of Silversmith Brewing Co.
Address: 75 Horner Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 4X5, Canada
Website: https://www.silversmithbrewing.com/
Contact details: 416 252 2739, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Wednesday to Friday: 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Beer lovers in Etobicoke probably know this more for its former name, Black Oak Brewing Co., so this is the name they say to tourists looking for a good beer spot. However, it was acquired by Silversmith in 2022 and renamed.
But don’t worry because the brewery still serves the same amazing juice, just with more choices since the portfolio of the two amazing breweries is now combined into one. The shop now also offers Silversmith’s award-winning The Black Laber Schwarzbier.
If you’re a huge craft beer enthusiast or just want to have a refreshing drink, you’ll love this place!
| Pro Tip: They offer a tour to those who want to see behind the scenes of beer manufacturing, so that can be a unique experience for your Etobicoke trip. Just call 416 252 2739 or email them at [email protected] to book a tour. |
Pamper yourself at The Spa at the Old Mill
Address: 9 Old Mill Rd, Etobicoke, ON M8X 1G5, Canada
Website: https://www.spaoldmill.ca/
Contact details: 416.232.3700, [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Tuesday: 10 AM to 3:00 PM (Boutique only)
Wednesday to Sunday: 1:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Spa services)
Trips are all about unwinding, being stress-free, and refreshing the mind and body. So what better way to complete your Etobicoke trip than spending some time at The Spa and getting a relaxing massage?
The spa offers Swedish massage, facials, manicures, and pedicures in different packages. They have packages for women, men, and even couples.
The place is also located in a hotel, making it the perfect staycation venue!
| Pro Tip: Although they offer nail services, the manicures are pretty basic, so don’t expect intricate designs when you avail of the service. The spa’s main focus is relaxing through massage, facials, steams, and more. |
Skate gracefully at Colonel Samuel Smith Park
– From @seeusoontravel
Address: 3145 Lake Shore Blvd W, Etobicoke, ON M8V 4B6, Canada
Website: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/466/index.html
Operating hours: Always open
Skating hours:
Monday to Friday: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Leisure Skate), 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Unsupervised Skating)
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Leisure Skate)
With its picturesque setting along the shores of Lake Ontario, Colonel Samuel Smith Park is the ultimate destination in Etobicoke during winter. The park turns into a public skating rink during winter, so be sure to pack your skates when you’re visiting.
As you glide along the well-maintained trails, you can take in the crisp winter air and escape the hustle and bustle of urban life without actually leaving the city. You can even spy on some wildlife just behind the rink when you get tired of skating.
| Pro Tip: If you plan on bringing a date, arrive about an hour before sunset. There’s no building obstructing the view here, so the sunset can help create a more romantic atmosphere for you and your date. |
Browse and shop at Dr Flea’s Flea Market
Address: 8 Westmore Dr, Etobicoke, ON M9V 3Z7, Canada
Website: https://drfleas.com/
Contact details: 416-745-3532, [email protected]
Operating hours: Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
If you’re looking for an affordable shopping bonanza, drop by Dr Flea’s Flea Market every Saturday and Sunday. It’s an indoor and outdoor flea market with over 400 vendors, so it has just about anything you’d need.
You can spend hours just rummaging through fresh fruits, flowers, cosmetics, clothes, jewelry, accessories, home decorations, handyman tools, and more. It also has a food court with a bunch of amazing food to choose from.
| Pro Tip: The place can get really crowded, so the indoor area can get warm. It’s best to arrive early to avoid the crowd and secure the best items in the market. If you end up getting caught in the crowd, there’s a smoothie stand in the market that sells really good sugar cane juice. You can sip on that while browsing through the shops to beat the heat. |
Travel back in time at Montgomery Inn
Address: 4709 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M9A 1A8, Canada
Website: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums/montgomerys-inn/
Contact details: 416-394-8113, [email protected]
Operating hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Montgomery Inn once provided travellers with a warm bed to sleep in. Today, it’s a museum that provides them with an opportunity to see how a 19th-century Canadian Inn was run.
Every Wednesday, there’s also a farmers’ market in the inn where you can buy the freshest fruits and vegetables! You might even get some excellent deals from the vendors if you get lucky!
| Pro Tip: Arrive early on the site if you want to plan to shop at the farmers’ market. They bake bread using the inn’s wood-burning oven until supplies last! |
Address: 4972 Dundas St W, Etobicoke, ON M9A 1B7, Canada
Website: https://villageofislington.com/
Contact details: 647-703-4802, [email protected]
Operating hours: Always open
One of the best ways to tell a story is by turning it into an artwork. The City of Toronto knows this, so they made a community-based beautification effort to turn Islington Village into a village of murals that will tell visitors some of Toronto’s historic moments.
The village has 26 large murals, mostly painted by the amazing John Kuna, that will surely take your breath away. Each comes with a plaque describing the mural’s history and story, helping tourists understand their importance.
| Pro Tip: Keep your eyes wandering while walking through the village to avoid missing some murals. They could be on the side, front, or back of the buildings, so you can miss them if you’re not careful. |
Play a competitive round of bowling at Planet Bowl
Address: 5555 Eglinton Ave W, Etobicoke, ON M9C 5M1, Canada
Website: https://planetbowl.ca/
Contact details: 416-695-2695, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM
As one of the largest bowling alleys in the Toronto area and the former venue of the 2015 Pan Am Games, it’s one of the best places to play bowling. It has 48 lanes of 10-pin bowling and an arcade that can guarantee you a night of fun and competition.
It also has a cafe that serves great food and drinks, so what else can we really ask for?
| Pro Tip: Despite being large, wait times can still run from 30 to 45 minutes on weekends. Account for that when making a schedule or go on a weekday if you want to avoid such long wait times. |
Practice skating at Eighth Street Skatepark
– From @fayskate
Address: 160 Eighth St, Toronto, ON M8V 3C6, Canada
Contact details: 416 392 2489
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Calling all skaters to have the time of their life and showcase their skills at Eighth Street Skatepark! This park has banks, ledges, ramps, and other unique elements that can help you hone your skating skills.
Etobicoke has a pretty small but tight skating community, and a lot of them skate here, so you can find new skating friends if you drop by. From young kids to young adults, the park is the perfect place for skaters to practice and socialize.
| Pro Tip: We highly advise parents of young kids to accompany them to avoid accidents. Make sure that they’re also wearing all the safety equipment needed. |
Appreciate art at Westmount Gallery
Address: 4140 Dundas St W, Etobicoke, ON M8X 1X3, Canada
Website: https://westmountgallery.com/
Contact details: 416-239-5427, 289-681-6005; [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Westmount Gallery is an artistic oasis for art enthusiasts and artists. Its over-3,000-square-feet area displays some of the best painted works of local Canadian artists, which can give joy to art lovers and inspiration to struggling artists.
The best part about the gallery? They offer paintings at an affordable price, so it can be the perfect place to look for a gift for your artist or art enthusiast loved ones!
| Pro Tip: Join one of the art classes that they offer to make your visit more memorable. The Chinese ink drawing workshop is one of our favourites because it’s pretty unique in Etobicoke. Some other classes you can join include a watercolour class and an oil painting workshop. |
Unleash your inner child at eZone
Address: 120 N Queen St, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 2E2, Canada
Website: https://theezone.ca/
Contact details: 416 252 8300, [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Forget about everything and just play to your heart’s content at eZone. This indoor play area has over 30,000 square feet of stress-free environment where you and your friends can just laugh and play whatever game you might be thinking.
It’s WhirlyBall, laser tag, arcade, virtual golf, sports court, and more all in one place! They even have a restaurant with a patio, so you can basically just spend your entire day there if you want without much problem.
| Pro Tip: Book whatever activity you want to try in advance. They don’t accept walk-ins. |
Reconnect with nature at the James Gardens
– From @toronto__city__life
Address: 99 Edenbridge Dr, Etobicoke, ON M9A 3G4, Canada
Website: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/3/index.html
Contact details: 416-394-8113
Operating hours:
Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Open to the public, James Gardens is another place in Etobicoke where you can reconnect with nature and refresh your mind. It has breathtaking flower gardens and is lined with mature trees, creating a serene environment.
There are also ponds and streams where you can find several ducks swimming around. You’ll also find several squirrels and chipmunks running around, adding to the garden’s natural appeal.
| Pro Tip: If you’re a fan of cycling, there are some trails in the gardens that lead you to the Humber River, where you can cycle a bit more. |
Learn more about Hinduism at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Address: 61 Claireville Dr, Toronto, ON M9W 5Z7, Canada
Website: https://www.baps.org/Global-Network/North-America/Toronto.aspx
Contact details: 416 798 2277, [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Visiting BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir can be one of the most unique experiences you can have in Etobicoke. Visit this Hindu temple, and it’ll transport you to India without having to fly!
This is a great place to gain a few seconds of peace and learn more about Hinduism. It’s not that common to find a traditional Hindu place of worship, especially in the West, so grab the opportunity to check it out while you’re in Etobicoke.
| Pro Tip: Taking photos is not allowed inside the temple, so keep your phones or cameras in your bag when you’re inside. |
Challenge yourself to an obstacle course at Pursuit OCR
Address: 75 Westmore Dr. Unit A, Etobicoke, ON M9V 3Y6, Canada
Website: https://pursuitocr.com/
Contact details: 647-467-8444, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM
A playground made for and just for adults, Pursuit OCR is the perfect destination for those who love adrenaline-pumping activities and have an inner child that needs to be unleashed!
This is the largest obstacle course in Canada, with 33,000 square feet of space. It features an impressive track for tricycle racing, a massive ball pit, hanging rings, a 20-foot giant slide, a laser maze, and other American Ninja Warrior-style obstacles.
This is a strictly 18+ playground, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally hurting little kids while playing around.
| Pro Tip: Come dressed in comfortable clothes and running shoes. They have washrooms where you can change, but there can be a long line during peak hours. |
Have a date night at Joey Sherway
Address: 25 The West Mall Unit 500, Etobicoke, ON M9C 1B8, Canada
Website: https://joeyrestaurants.com/location/joey-sherway
Contact details: 647 748 5639
Operating hours:
Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Sunday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Joey Sherway is the place to go for a relaxed date night with your lover. The restaurant’s warm ambience and modern industrial design create a very romantic atmosphere, perfect for date nights.
Food is always on point, from their yummy salad and sandwich menu to their juicy steaks and tender chicken dishes. They also have an extensive selection of wines and cocktails to pair up with your meal!
| Pro Tip: They do happy hour from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM daily, so you can get discounts when you come around that time. If you come on Tuesday or Wednesday, you can get up to 50% off on their drinks! |
Watch an amazing puppet show at Famous People Players
Address: 343 Evans Ave., Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1K2, Canada
Website: https://famouspeopleplayers.com/
Contact details: 416-532-1137, 1-888-453-3385; [email protected]
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Famous People Players might just be the most unique theatre and entertainment centre in all of Etobicoke. Instead of singers, dancers, or actresses performing, they have puppets performing in a glow-in-the-dark stage!
Their shows have different themes but mostly pay homage to famous people, hence the name. The performers are people with disabilities, making the performances even more special.
As if the shows aren’t impressive enough, they also serve some really great food!
| Pro Tip: They host workshops for kids to learn about black light techniques and using life-size puppets. It can be a fun activity for your kids, so check that out! |
Fly a plane at Threshold Aviation
Address: 215 Carlingview Dr #110, Toronto, ON M9W 5X8, Canada
Website: https://www.thresholdaviation.com/
Contact details: 905-673-3315, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
This is another unique experience you can have in Etobicoke if you’re interested in flying planes.
Threshold Aviation has a 737 flight simulator that will help you fulfill your dream of flying a jet without actually getting into one (and compromising the lives of many)!
You can build scenarios like a sudden emergency situation, set the weather you want, pick which airport to depart or land, learn more about takeoffs, and so much more! You don’t even need proper training outside to try it!
| Pro Tip: Threshold Aviation has a store filled with various aviation-related items, which you can gift to a loved one who’s very into aviation. You can even gift a session for their jet simulator! |
Attend a thrilling horse race at Woodbine Racetrack
Address: 555 Rexdale Blvd, Etobicoke, ON M9W 5L2, Canada
Website: https://woodbine.com/
Contact details: 416 675 7223
Operating hours: Depends on the scheduled races
The iconic Woodbine Racetrack has been the hub for horse racing enthusiasts all over Canada for decades. The atmosphere during every race is always vibrant and filled with excitement.
Aside from its horse racing events, Woodbine Racetrack is also home to the Woodbine Casino and various restaurants. It’s basically a place made for everyone’s entertainment!
| Pro Tip: You can exchange US dollars at Woodbine, so don’t bother looking for a money changer elsewhere! Save your energy and just head over to Woodbine. There are also bank machines there if you run out of cash. |
