Amelie CameronWhoever said that Toronto is mainly about its skyscrapers and busy streets is wrong—it’s also a playground for those who crave a bit of adventure.
Our city’s landscape is incredibly diverse, offering everything from parks and waterfront trails to thrilling bike paths and hidden gems! And we’ve got the top outdoor activities in Toronto that will satisfy every type of adventurer.
So read on, and let’s get ready to add some incredible experiences to your adventure bucket list!
- Marvel at Niagara Falls’ misty splendour up close
- Try the EdgeWalk at the CN Tower
- Sip wine in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s picturesque vineyards
- Wander Toronto’s Underground City for hidden gems
- Try SUP in the serene waters around the Toronto Islands
- Go camping at Algonquin Provincial Park
- Take a scenic bike ride along the Waterfront Trail
- Enjoy a kiteboarding session at Cherry Beach
- Trek the Bruce Trail for panoramic escarpment views
- Experience thrill rides at Canada's Wonderland
- Explore Royal Botanical Gardens’ vibrant landscapes
- Hike Don Valley’s lush trails for urban nature vibes
- Play disc golf at Toronto Island Park’s scenic course
Marvel at Niagara Falls’ misty splendour up close
Website: https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/
Address: 5704 Falls Ave, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3K7, Canada
Contact details: +1 905 356-6061
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Costs:
- Niagara Falls tour from Toronto (Adult) – $99
- Journey Behind the Falls (Adult) – $24
- Clifton Hill Pass – $34.95
- Butterfly Conservatory – $17
- SkyWheel (Adult) – $15
- Zipline to the Falls – $69
Niagara Falls is one heck of a journey, just about an hour and a half drive from Toronto. It has attractions like Maid of the Mist or Hornblower Niagara Cruises that take you right up close while staying (mostly) dry in your provided poncho.
The place also offers Fallsview Casino, Butterfly Conservatory, and Clifton Hill Street’s carnival-like vibe. And don’t forget the Niagara Parks system, with extensive hiking and biking trails, a floral showhouse, and botanical gardens.
| Pro tip: If you get hungry, the area is chock full of grills, brewhouses, and cute little food spots where you can dig in. Also, if possible, try to visit during the weekdays because it’s a bit less chaotic. |
Try the EdgeWalk at the CN Tower
Website: https://www.cntower.ca/brave-the-edgewalk
Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-601-3833
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 9 PM
Cost: $199 to $225
The CN Tower’s EdgeWalk is 1,168 feet above the ground and the world’s highest hands-free walk. But don’t worry, you’re harnessed and tethered, making sure that your thrilling adventure doesn’t go too bananas!
The EdgeWalk may be headlining the show, but there’s plenty more to see and do. You can sit down for a meal with a view at the Sky 360 revolving restaurant or check out the various exhibits at ground level.
| Pro tip: Remember to book your EdgeWalk tickets online in advance, as slots fill up quickly, especially during our gorgeous summer months. And don’t worry about shoes or gear; they provide everything, even the courage (well, sort of)! |
Sip wine in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s picturesque vineyards
– Media credit: wineriesofnotl
Website: https://www.niagaraonthelake.com/
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Cost: $-$$
Niagara-on-the-Lake is well known for its lush, quaint vineyards and superb wine. The region, often compared to France’s Burgundy, features a myriad of grapes, from Cabs to their famous ice wines (the nectar of the Canadian gods, no exaggeration).
There are around 30 vineyards to choose from, where you can enjoy rows and rows of grapevines, wine tastings, and guided tours. We’re talking places like Peller Estates, with its wine country fare restaurant, and Inniskillin, pioneers in the ice wine market.
| Pro tip: You might want to check out Wine Country Ontario’s Travel Guide for winery listings, promotions, and events. Plus, Uber is available in the area, so enjoy the wine, but make sure you have a safe ride back to your bed! |
– Media credit: gh_notts_photo
Website: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/visitor-toronto/path-torontos-downtown-pedestrian-walkway/
Address: N/A
Contact details: +1 416-338-0889
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours (Shops around it follow regular business hours.)
Welcome to Toronto’s Underground City, or as locals call it, the PATH. These interconnected tunnels spread across the downtown core offer 30 kilometres of shops, services, and entertainment.
The PATH is an urban explorer’s dream and the perfect spot to score some serious loot. Now, getting lost in this maze can be a given for first-timers, however, detailed maps throughout the PATH, coupled with friendly locals, will guide you back on track.
| Pro tip: Most businesses are closed on weekends, so make sure to check PATH’s schedule before heading down there. And remember, if you get lost (trust us, you probably will), just look for the nearest coloured PATH symbol since each colour represents a different area! |
Try SUP in the serene waters around the Toronto Islands
– Media credit: travelwiter
Website: https://www.torontoisland.com/
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Cost: $15 to $30
The SUP (stand-up paddleboard) lifestyle has seen a surge in Toronto, and for good reason too. You can rent boards from Toronto Island SUP or WSUP Toronto.
And if you’re new to this, don’t worry, they provide lessons on both safety and technique before setting you free on the waters. Besides SUP, you can also rent bikes or canoes or explore the myriad of pathways and boardwalks.
| Pro tip: If you can, try to get to the rental companies early in the morning when the lake is calmest. Oh, and bring a dry bag for some of your belongings. |
Go camping at Algonquin Provincial Park
Website: http://www.ontarioparks.com/
Address: Ontario 60, Ontario
Contact details: +1 705-633-5572
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Costs:
- Age 6 to 17 inclusive – $5.65/night
- Age 18 to 64 – $12.43/night
- Age 65+ – $9.94/night
- Additional Vehicle Permit – $14.13 /night
Camping at Algonquin Provincial Park is just as Canadian as, say, hockey night with a side of pierogies and back bacon, don’t you know? It has 7,653 square kilometres of outdoor paradise with over 2,400 lakes and 1,200 kilometres of streams and rivers.
If you’re not into packing in a tent, no worries because the park offers cute-as-a-beaver’s-tail roofed accommodations like yurts and ranger cabins too. You can check out some wildlife, hike through umpteen trails, and go paddling or fishing.
| Pro tip: Camping rates go as low as $37.19 a night! Just remember, this park is all about “leave no trace,” so pack out what you pack in. |
Take a scenic bike ride along the Waterfront Trail
Website: https://waterfronttrail.org/
Contact details: +1 416-943-8080
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Cost: Free
Now, for those uninitiated in Toronto’s cycling scene, the Waterfront Trail is the spot. It has about a 3,000 km trail system stretching from Quebec to the US border (excuse the brief brag here, but that’s more than half the length of the Trans-Canada Highway!).
If you don’t have a bike, you can use Bike Share Toronto; it’s convenient and simple, and we locals love it. There are plenty of spots to stop off and explore along the route, like public art installations, boutiques, and patios galore!
| Pro tip: The trail is extremely popular during summer weekends, so if you prefer a bit quieter ride, opt for early mornings or weekdays. And keep yourself hydrated, eh? |
Enjoy a kiteboarding session at Cherry Beach
– Media credit: torontowindsurfingclub
Website: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/209/index.html
Address: 275 Unwin Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2 Canada
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Cost: Free
If your idea of chilling includes sun on your face and sand between your toes, then wait till you try kiteboarding at Cherry Beach. PBK-Kiteboarding offers beginner lessons with all the equipment and safety gear too!
And for you, seasoned kiteboarders, the clean, steady wind conditions of Lake Ontario are just great. Once you’re done, you can pop over to the tennis court for a quick game, blare up the barbecue, or even take your furry friend to the off-leash dog area!
| Pro tip: Remember to check the lake’s wind direction. Usually, early mornings or late afternoons are the best times for beginners. Plus, don’t forget your water shoes or flip-flops, you may have to walk a bit in the shallows! |
Trek the Bruce Trail for panoramic escarpment views
– Media credit: noticenb
Website: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/bruce-trail-toronto-section
Address: Campbellville, Ontario, Canada
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Cost: Free
Bruce Trail, an 890 km footpath, is one of those you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it places. This place gives you a through-the-wild tour with some of the purest, most panoramic views of the Niagara Escarpment.
You can hike, bike, or just meander here since there’s no contract saying you have to finish the whole thing (though if you do, you can treat yourself to some beaver tails!). The nearby Caledon Hills and Kelso Conservation Area also offer some scenic views.
| Pro tip: Remember, if there’s one rule to hiking the Bruce Trail, it’s to stick to the path! It’s because this rule reduces damage to the environment and ensures we have this trail for generations to come! |
Experience thrill rides at Canada’s Wonderland
Website: https://www.canadaswonderland.com/
Address: Vaughan, ON L6A 1S6, Canada
Contact details: +1 905-832-8131
Operating hours:
- Friday – 7 PM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM, 7 PM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 8 PM
Costs:
- Fall Daytime Admission – Starts at $44.99
- 2024 Gold Pass – $110
- Funday Bundle – $69.99
- Bring-a-friend tickets – $29.99
Call us biased but we think Canada’s Wonderland is nothing short of awesome! This sprawling 134-hectare playground is located about 30 km north of downtown Toronto.
With more than 200 attractions, including 17 roller coasters, this adrenaline injection park is a top family-friendly spot. If you’re not a thrill-seeker, the place also includes the Splash Works, live entertainment, and a variety of dining options for some refuelling.
| Pro tip: Don’t forget to purchase tickets online and check for combo deals to save a few bucks. Generally, the lines are shorter at the beginning and end of the day, so plan your rides accordingly. |
Explore Royal Botanical Gardens’ vibrant landscapes
Website: https://www.rbg.ca/
Address: 680 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON
Contact details: +1 905-527-1158
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 8 PM
Cost:
- Adult – $19.50
- Student(with student ID)/Ages 13-17 – $16.50
- Ages 65+ – $16.50
- Ages 3 to 12 – $11.50
- Infant/Toddler (Ages 0 to 2 ) – Free
When it comes to beauty, the Royal Botanical Gardens plays in the big leagues, since it’s the largest botanical garden in Canada and one of the largest in the world! With over 27 km of walking trails across 2,700 acres, this spot offers some great experiences.
We’ve got rock gardens, lily ponds, a Mediterranean garden under glass, and one of North America’s largest lilac collections. Oh, and did I forget to mention a 10,000-plant-strong indoor greenhouse for a tropical paradise feel all year round?
| Pro tip: For the best floral experience, try visiting from May to August, when everything’s in full bloom. And if you haven’t got your lily white wheels, you can shuttle there from either Burlington or Hamilton GO stations. |
Hike Don Valley’s lush trails for urban nature vibes
– Media credit: alanmacek
Website: https://donrivervalleypark.ca/things-to-do/the-trails/
Address: Don Valley Pkwy, Toronto, ON, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-338-4386
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Cost: Free
The Don Valley is a 200-hectare park, packed to the gills with walking trails, bike paths, and sylvan charm, right in the heart of the city. Here, you’ve got lush wildlife, burbling creeks, stunning flora—a whole palette of photo ops!
You can even rent a bike and pedal through the trails. if you don’t feel like walking. Or better yet, pack your picnic hamper and blanket, find a comfy nook, and let the good times roll.
| Pro tip: When you get to the Evergreen Brick Works, be sure to check out the year-round farmers’ market. This is where Toronto’s farmers, bakers, butchers, and artisans meet. |
Play disc golf at Toronto Island Park’s scenic course
– Media credit: boltondiscgolf
Website: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/toronto-island-park/ / https://www.facebook.com/torontoislanddiscgolf
Address: Toronto, ON, Canada
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Cost: $5 to $30
Disc golf is the up-and-comer of Toronto’s sports scene, and it’s ridiculous fun! Think traditional golf, but, ya know, more chill, like no stuffy attire, no clubs, no balls—just you and your flying disc challenging a course of ‘holes’ (usually metal baskets).
Plus, it’s an 18-basket course, so you can go round and round, as many times as you want! You can usually rent discs on the island if you need to, just bring your sportsmanship and a pair of comfy shoes.
| Pro tip: To get here, you must get to Jack Layton Ferry Terminal early, especially on summer weekends, as line-ups can be long. Oh, and fantastic news, disc golf is a free sport on the islands, so no need to keep those quarters for the course. |
