14 Places To Take Out-Of-Towners This Summer In Toronto

*By Erin Nicole Davis*

For visiting guests, there’s no better time to take in the arts, eats, and sights of Toronto than in the breezy summer months. But hosting out-of-town friends and family can come with its fair share of pressure – no matter what time of year it is. In addition to prepping the spare bedroom or pullout couch and ensuring your place is guest-worthy clean, the last thing you need is the added stress of wondering how you’ll spend the days. So, to help you out in the planning department, here are 14 no-fail places to take visiting guests this summer in Toronto…

14 Places To Take Out-of-Towners This Summer In Toronto

1. The St. Lawrence Market

You can’t let your foodie friends leave Toronto without a visit to the historic St. Lawrence Market. Grab one of the famous Carousel Bakery peameal bacon sandwiches, a lobster roll from Buster’s Sea Cove, or a fresh bagel from St. Urbaine (or pretty much anything else you’re craving) and eat outdoors at a picnic table on the wraparound terrace. Even better, walk a few blocks south on Jarvis St. and enjoy your eats at Sugar Beach, a manmade urban beach filled with pink umbrellas, Muskoka chairs, and Lake Ontario views. Tip: The St. Lawrence South Market is closed on Sundays and Mondays. 

2. Scarborough Bluffs

While a little off Toronto’s beaten path (expect a pricey Uber ride), the picturesque Scarborough Bluffs make a great option if your outdoors-loving guests could use a fresh air-filled break from the Toronto concrete. Here, you’ll find a variety of hiking trails, picnic spots, and photo ops, thanks to the stunning scenery, which includes eroding sand cliffs with crystal-blue water below, beaches, greenery, and gardens. Tip: To avoid parking lot nightmares on the weekend, make sure you arrive bright and early.

3. The Broadview Hotel

If you’re looking for a cool vibe for food or drinks, and a venue with a strong backstory, hit the east end’s Broadview Hotel. Last summer, it replaced what was once one of Toronto’s most iconic (and most storied) strip clubs, Jilly’s, when it opened its newly remodeled doors. Filled with talking points, nods to the building’s past include the original façade and arched windows, an artistic elevator feature wall made from pieces of the original fire escape, wallpaper inspired by layers of pre-existing wallpaper, and old signage, like the original “New Broadview Hotel” that sits on its Instagram-worthy rooftop terrace (which is complete with unobstructed west-facing views of the city skyscrapers). Tip: Make a reservation as this is a popular spot.

4. The Distillery Historic District

Give your guests a lesson in Toronto’s history sans a stuffy museum and with a side of cocktails, tapas, and shopping at the city’s cobblestoned Distillery District. Here, in what was once the world’s largest distillery, your guests will appreciate the beautiful Victorian Industrial buildings and Instagram opportunities. You also have options when it comes to deciding on a meal – from Mexican dishes (and one of the city’s best patios) at El Catrin, to refined pub grub and fresh beer at Mill St. Brew Pub, or French fare (the French onion soup is a must) at Cluny Bistro. Tip: make sure nobody wears stiletto heels when you explore the cobblestoned district!

5. Graffiti Alley

While the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is naturally up there on the list of places to take art-seeking tourists, if your guests would rather not spend a beautiful summer day indoors to get their art fix, get your cameras ready and head to Graffiti Alley (aka Rush Lane) for a free art experience in Toronto. Here you’ll find eye-catching, creative street art of all colours and varieties. Tip: leave lots of space on your phone for pictures and expect wait times for that perfect shot.

  

6. The Drake Hotel

If you’re looking to let loose on the town, The Drake Hotel in the city’s Queen West neighbourhood is a reliable option – especially in the warmer months on its airy and installation art-filled rooftop terrace, the Drake Sky Yard. Aside from the food, vibe, and live music offered at the Drake Hotel, one of the best things about it is that it truly caters to a mixed bag of clientele to keep all your guests happy – from young professionals of all ages and industries, to artists and music-lovers. Tip: Go early on Friday and Saturday nights to avoid a lineup for the Sky Yard.

7. Toronto’s West End Microbreweries

If your guests have a soft spot for quality craft beer (and doesn’t everyone these days?), set aside an afternoon for a tour of some of Toronto’s best microbreweries – many of which, conveniently, happen to be clustered in the west end. These include favourite spots like Bellwoods Brewery, Bandit Brewery (which features a sprawling patio), Duggan’s Brewery, and Indie Alehouse. Tip: This is best enjoyed on foot (counter the calories with steps clocked) or via Uber – so leave your own car at home.

8. Canoe Restaurant

The view from Toronto’s famous CN Tower is definitely impressive, but the spot remains a bit of a hectic tourist trap – especially in the summer months. For a less touristy – but equally as view-filled – experience, take the elevator 54 stories up the Toronto Dominion Centre for a cocktail and snack (or a full meal, if you’re hungry and don’t mind dropping dollars) at Canoe Restaurant, a swanky Financial District staple that’s known as much for its innovative cuisine as it is for its impressive views. Tip: For a livelier vibe, hit this spot during happy hour on a weekday.

 

9. The Bata Shoe Museum

If your guests love fashion and footwear, make sure their time in Toronto includes a few hours clocked at The Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto’s museum devoted entirely to shoes. This summer will be an especially exciting time to visit the spot – especially if your guests have a thing for fancy footwear – as Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes will make its final and only North American stop in Toronto from May 16 to January 6, 2019. The must-attend, world-class exhibit offers a stunning retrospective of the iconic shoe made massively famous by Carrie Bradshaw. Tip: When the museum is home to the world’s largest, most comprehensive collection of shoes and footwear-related objects, you may want to stay for more than the Manolos.

10. Trinity Bellwoods Park

While Toronto’s massive High Park is always a reliable option for visitors to Toronto, if your guests are looking for something closer to downtown then you should definitely spend a few hours at Trinity Bellwoods Park, especially on a Sunday. Filled with an assortment of eclectic characters – from hipster families and twenty-something-year-olds with guitars to football-throwers and artists – the park on a summer Sunday offers a laid-back but happening vibe that locals describe as the perfect “Sunday Funday.” Tip: Don’t forget a blanket to sit on.

11. Toronto Botanical Garden

The Toronto Botanical Garden makes a solid option for Toronto visitors with a green thumb or a passion for flowers and is perfect for visiting parents or older friends and relatives. Spanning four acres within the city’s Don Valley Ravine, the indoor and outdoor gardens offer a tranquil break from the Toronto grind. The summer months offer dining at the garden café, a Thursday organic farmers’ market, free guided tours and a free outdoor music series. Tip: Leave the dog at home; four-legged friends are, unfortunately, not welcome here.

12. Kensington Market

Channel your inner bohemian spirit at Toronto’s vibrant, artist and street food-filled Kensington Market neighbourhood. If your guests happen to visit on the last Sunday of the month (from May through October), that’s an extra bonus: “Pedestrian Sundays” mean a lively, vehicle-free experience, complete with food vendors, art, performances, and no shortage of people watching opportunities, thanks to the eclectic characters that grace its gritty (in a great way) streets. Tip: This may not be the best choice for the more reserved or conservative set who are offended by things like a the scent of marijuana.

13. Waterfront Trail

One of the best ways for your guests to experience the city – complete with unobstructed views of Lake Ontario – is via physical activity. The good news is that Toronto has thousands of public bikes available throughout the core so grab a few and hit the Waterfront Trail. The two-lane bike trail spans nearly the entire length of Toronto’s waterfront all the way to Woodbine Beach (another must-hit spot for visitors). Tip: This trail is simple and appropriate for all ages, but does get congested on weekends.

14. Toronto Islands

If you have the time to spend at least an afternoon here, the Toronto Islands offer something for most out-of-town friends – from those with small kids (thanks to the kid-friendly amusement park, Centreville), to the outdoors enthusiasts, who can take in the city’s stunning skyline via a kayak, canoe, or bicycle – all of which are available for rent. If you can, avoid the island on the weekend, when the long lines for the ferries and overcrowded beaches can make for a draining experience. Tip: Take a water taxi to the islands and return via free ferry ride. The Tiki Taxi is a fun and popular option.

 

Where do you like to take out-of-town guests when they visit Toronto in the summer? Share via comments below – we are taking notes!

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