18 Things to Do in the Beaches Neighbourhood in 2025
Toronto is made up of a diverse range of neighbourhoods. Located just 45 minutes east of downtown Toronto by streetcar, the Beaches neighbourhood is a beautiful and interesting area of Toronto.
The Beaches has so much to offer! You can spend a day at Woodbine Beach, stroll along the boardwalk, or relax one of the many patio restaurants on Queen Street. If you’re visiting during the Beaches Jazz Festival, it’s a great way to experience the area too.
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Exploring the Beaches Neighbourhood: What to See and Do
The Beaches neighbourhood is located right on the shores of Lake Ontario and encompasses about 6 kilometres of sandy beaches and parks along the waterfront.
Having lived in the Beaches neighbourhood my whole life, there are so many excellent things to do in the area. Every season brings different activities and spectacular scenery.
Keep reading and bookmark this complete list of what to do in the Beaches Toronto!
1. Spend the Day at the Beach
Obviously, one of the best things to do is to visit the beach! Woodbine Beach is a perfect place for lounging on the beach, swimming in the lake, playing beach volleyball, or riding the bike trails.
With lots of picnic areas, a large off-leash dog area, and lots of outdoor activities, spending a day at this large beach is a perfect summer activity in Toronto!
While there are many other beaches in Toronto, including Cherry Beach, Bluffer’s Park Beach, Sunnyside Beach, and the Toronto Islands, they are not located in the Beaches neighbourhood and are quite a distance from one another.
2. Walk the Beaches Boardwalk
The Beaches boardwalk is a 3 km stretch along Lake Ontario, starting at Ashbridges’ Bay and ending at the R.C. Harris Water Filtration Plant. It’s open all year, and leashed dogs are welcome anytime.
Perfect for friends, families, couples, runners and cyclists, a visit to the Beaches Boardwalk is one of my favourite ways to enjoy the waterfront in this scenic part of the city.
3. Stroll Along Queen Street East
Locals love to walk along Queen Street. There is a charming neighbourhood feel as people take their dogs for a walk, meet up with friends and family, visit one of the local boutique stores. You’ll find lots of cafes, restaurants, patios, and even a brand new Irish pub!
Local Recommendations
✓ Burnt marshmallow ice cream at Ed’s Real Scoop
✓ Sangria on the patio of Outrigger
✓ Live music and a pint at the brand new Wolfe Tone Irish pub!
4. Relax on an Outdoor Patio
The Beach is a food lover’s paradise. There so many excellent restaurants and outdoor patios on Queen Street. You can find pubs and bars, fine dining, breakfast and brunch, and fast food too!
The patios are also a great spot to visit in order to catch a front-row seat to the Beaches Jazz Festival!
Local Recommendations
✓ Favourite patio: Inmigrante
✓ Best food: Limon
✓ Best coffee: Bud’s Coffee or Remarkable Bean
5. Have a Picnic in Kew Gardens
If you love gardens, Kew Gardens Park is one of the best gardens in Toronto. It’s a hidden gem and a personal favourite of mine. With lots of green space to relax, beautifully manicured gardens, children’s playground, and splash pad, it’s a great spot for a picnic or to simply unwind.
If you’re visiting in the spring, be sure to bring your camera to capture the stunning magnolia trees and tulips in bloom!
6. Enjoy a Festival at Woodbine Park
Woodbine Park is a 28-acre park located on the north side of Lakeshore Blvd. E. directly across from Woodbine Beach.
It is a large open park that features many local food and music festivals, including Afrofest, Ribfest, the Toronto Food Truck Festival, Q107 Canada Day Weekend, and the Beaches Jazz Festival.
There are also lots of walking trails, beautiful cherry blossom trees, a pond with a fountain, and an excellent playground with a splash pad for children.
7. Enjoy the BEST Ice Cream in Toronto at ED’s Real Scoop
When you consider what to do in the Beaches, you must add a visit to ED’s Real Scoop ice cream store.
Their famous roasted marshmallow ice cream is the stuff of legends, and people from all over Toronto come to get their hands on a scoop (or three).
Sure, you might have to brave long lines on hot days, but trust me, it’s worth it.
8. Attend the Beaches Jazz Festival in July
One of Toronto’s best summer activities is the Beaches Jazz Festival. Every year on the last weekend of July the Beaches Jazz Festival takes over Queen Street East. It is my favourite event in the city!
Every year, over 50 bands come together for three evenings. Queen Street is closed to traffic and this street festival comes alive with incredible music at this family-friendly event.
The best part? The entire festival is completely free! It’s a must-see event, so if you’re here in July, don’t forget to add the Beaches neighbourhood to your Toronto itinerary.
9. Walk the Glen Stewart Ravine
The Glen Stewart Ravine is a small, picturesque trail that starts near Queen St. at Glen Manor Drive. It is one of the best spots in Toronto to see the fall foliage.
This short hike takes you through one of the prettiest ravines in the city with it’s boardwalk trail. It is also a favourite Instagram spot for photographers in the fall and winter.
10. Enjoy a Toronto Sunset
The Beaches neighbourhood offers one of the best places in Toronto to capture a stunning sunset.
There are several locations in the Beaches where you can enjoy the sunset. These include the Leuty Lifeguard Station, Ashbridges Bay, and Silver Birch Beach. And just a short distance away, Leslie Lookout Park is one of Toronto’s newest beaches with an incredible Toronto skyline view!
11. Go Skateboarding at Ashbridges Bay Skatepark
If you’re a skateboarder in Toronto, you’ll want to check out the Ashbridges Bay Skatepark, located at Coxwell Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard East near Woodbine Beach.
This skatepark is the largest in Toronto and is an ideal location for pro skaters or those just starting out.
The skatepark also has a cool and unique design that sets it apart from other skateparks in the area.
12. Ride Your Bike Along the Martin Goodman Trail
Looking for a picturesque bike trail with a waterfront view? Look no further than Toronto’s Martin Goodman Trail!
This bike path runs from the bottom of Silver Birch Ave., near the Balmy Beach Canoe Club, all the way to Woodbine Beach and Ashbridges Bay. In fact, the total length of the trail is about 56 kilometres, taking you from one side of Toronto to the other.
With stunning views of Lake Ontario and the beach, you’re sure to enjoy a leisurely and scenic bike ride along the water.
13. Go Swimming at an Outdoor Pool
When summer rolls around, there’s really nothing quite like taking a refreshing dip in a cool swimming pool. There are two outdoor swimming pools that are worth visiting on those hot summer days!
Donald D. Summerville pool is located right on Woodbine Beach and Blantyre Pool is near Victoria Park Avenue and Kingston Road. Both are great ways to cool off in July and August.
14. Go Skating at Kew Gardens or Glen Stewart Park
If you are visiting Toronto in the winter and you’re in the Beaches neighbourhood be sure to bring your skates! Two of Toronto’s outdoor skating rinks, Kew Gardens and Glen Stewart Park, are located in the area.
And when you need a break from the skating rink, head over to the hills! While they may not be the biggest hills around, they’re perfect for an afternoon of tobogganing with the family.
✓ Local Tip: Glen Stewart Park is a natural ice rink, so the weather has to be very cold to keep the ice. If it’s been a warm winter, then this rink may not be frozen!
15. Watch a Movie at the Fox Theatre
Looking for a theatre experience unlike any other? Look no further than the Fox Movie Theatre!
This iconic establishment has been around since 1914, making it the longest running continuous theatre in all of Canada. And not only that, The Fox (as we locals call it) is also fully licensed to serve alcohol.
Whether you’re a film buff or just looking for a unique night out, the Fox Movie Theatre is the perfect spot for a fun and unforgettable evening in the neighbourhood.
16. Visit the RC Harris Water Filtration Plant
Have you ever heard of the RC Harris Water Filtration Plant? Locals like to refer to it as the “water works” and for good reason. This beautiful historic building was built in the 1930’s and sits right on the water.
The architectural design alone is enough to leave you breathless. And the fact that this building has been providing clean water to Toronto for almost a century is truly impressive. If you’re ever in the beaches area, make sure to check out this historic landmark.
17. Take in a Concert at HISTORY Toronto
Located very close to Woodbine Park on Queen St. E. at Kingston Rd. is the brand new concert venue HISTORY. This intimate concert hall with a capacity of 2,500 is a state-of-the-art live music venue.
Opened in 2021, this concert hall has excellent sound quality and is a premiere music venue in Toronto. It is definitely is worth taking in a concert here if you are in the area.
18. Watch the Fireworks at Ashbridges Bay Park
Twice a year Toronto puts on some impressive fireworks displays at Ashbridges Bay. Celebrating both Victoria Day and Canada Day annually, the fireworks start at dusk and last about 15 minutes in total.
Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy these free fireworks displays on each of the holidays.
Where is the Beaches Neighbourhood Located?
The Beaches are located along Lake Ontario in the east end of Toronto, between Woodbine and Victoria Park Avenues. Queen Street East runs through the centre of the neighbourhood, just north of the lake. The area is easily accessible by car or TTC.
Where to Stay in the Beaches
In all honesty, there are no hotels located right in the Beaches neighbourhood. The closest hotel is The Broadview Hotel located in the Leslieville neighbourhood.
The Broadview Hotel
⭐️ RATING: 8.2 | ✓ Check Rates and Availability | Address: 106 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON
✔️ Closest Hotel to the Beaches
✔️ Streetcar is accessible right out front of the hotel
✔️ Boutique Hotel with Rooftop Patio
The Broadview Hotel is not only a fabulous, unique boutique hotel in the city, it is the closest hotel to the Beaches and is my top pick of hotels in the area.
For additional hotel options in the Beaches, read my post on the 10 Best Hotels near the Beaches.
Where Can I Park in the Beaches Neighbourhood?
Depending on when you visit the area, parking can be limited, but there are several parking options if you decide to drive and park in the area.
It is important to note that the Beaches neighbourhood is especially busy on weekends in the summer, on holidays, and during special events. If you can, I highly recommend taking the TTC during these busy times!
Final Thoughts: What to do in the Beaches Neighbourhood, Toronto
When visitors plan their visit to Toronto, most are unaware of how much Toronto has to offer outside of the downtown core. I believe the Beaches neighbourhood to be one of the city’s hidden gems.
Located just 30 minutes from downtown on the TTC, there are lots of interesting things to do in the Beaches neighbourhood. Come hang out at the beach, walk the boardwalk, ride your bike, or relax on one of the many outdoor beach patios.
So come check out my neighbourhood, especially if you are looking for an alternative to some of the more traditional Toronto tourist attractions.
Before You Go: Read More About Toronto
There are so many unique and interesting things to do in Toronto. For a different experience, I recommend heading to The Well, Toronto’s newest indoor-outdoor retail space. With incredible food options and a unique shopping experience, The Well is an interesting location to add to your plans.
You may also want to consider a visit to Toronto’s Graffiti Alley to see some cool street art. And even as a Toronto local, I do recommend a visit to the CN Tower if you have never been before. Of course, no visit to Toronto is complete without a ferry ride over to the Toronto Islands.
