While Toronto’s energy is addictive, everyone—especially locals—appreciates the opportunity to slow down the pace. Our suggestion? Take a breather in The Beaches, a Toronto neighbourhood that’s also the 6ix’s secret cottage-country escape.
Its main drag, Queen Street East, exudes laid-back charm. You’ll find cafés, restaurants, quaint shops and verdant parkettes not far from the 3.5 km (2.17 mi) long Toronto Beaches boardwalk and scenic Woodbine Beach.
The Beaches International Jazz Festival is a big deal each summer, but some of the most magical days happen when you hit The Beaches with no plans, with just a beach blanket and a good book.
Top things to do in The Beaches, Toronto
Obviously, you can’t visit The Beaches without hitting the beach.
Perhaps the best-known Toronto beach is sprawling Woodbine Beach, known for its bustling volleyball scene, shady picnic areas and beautiful Blue Flag-certified beach (so designated for its water quality, safety and environmental education). Its calm, clean waters are perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking or swimming.
If you’re travelling with your furry best friend, head farther east to Balmy Beach Park, one of the nicest dog-friendly beaches in Toronto for swimming and sunbathing with your pooch.
When you’ve had enough sun, seek cover at tree-shaded Kew Gardens (home to the jazz fest), where kids can have fun playing pick-up basketball, go wild in the playground or splash up a storm in the wading pool. In winter, there’s a neighbourhood ice skating rink to glide around.
Best restaurants in The Beaches, Toronto
The Eastside Social is a nautical-themed restaurant with coastal dishes like PEI mussels, East Coast oysters and a popular steak night. It’s also one of the best brunch spots in The Beaches. In late spring through early fall, try to snag a table on their back patio, considered one of the east end’s best.
For casual fare and late-night eats, fly on over to The Gull, a popular pub that serves up hearty meals, a wide range of beers and another great patio with live music.
Get your caffeine fix at Buds Coffee, a local favourite for coffee, tea lattes, stellar sandwiches and sweet treats. It has a small patio or indoor bar where you can perch and watch the street scene unfold outside.
Support local: Queen Street East shopping
As deduced by their name, Ethical Local Market (ELM) showcases ethically produced international products, as well as items that are made locally in the 6ix. From fermented, gluten-free hot sauces by Toronto sauce meisters Chark, to Turtle Island ball caps and tees from the Indigenous-owned Pre&Peri label, you’ll find souvenirs for everyone on your list (even if that’s just yourself).
Local makers are a top priority at Makers, which carries a trove of handcrafted pottery, jewelry, stationery, body care products, and more, all made in Canada.
Thrifters and fashion hounds will love the vintage shops on Queen Street East. You’ll find can’t-miss vintage shops in Leslieville, a family-oriented neighbourhood just west of The Beaches proper.
Beaches must-try experiences
Beaches International Jazz Festival draws crowds annually. While leafy Kew Gardens is its official home, the festivities sprawl onto adjacent parks and Queen Street East, which shuts down to traffic in order to maximize those music fest vibes.
Woodbine Beach becomes a starkly photogenic draw February through April each year, when Winter Stations art installations take form around the off-season lifeguard stations. Selected through an annual design competition, the interactive public art pieces are created by teams of Canadian and international artists, architects and engineers.
Getting to The Beaches, Toronto
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Cycling: travel east from downtown along the waterfront’s Martin Goodman Trail.
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TTC public transit: take the 501 Queen East streetcar to Woodbine Avenue (or thereabouts). Or take the Line 2: Bloor-Danforth subway to Woodbine station, then take the 92 Woodbine bus southbound to Queen Street East.
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Car parking can be difficult to find in summer, but is available on some streets and at metered spots
