Mr. Toronto

Yes, you read that right…although most people come to Toronto for the excitement of a “City” vacation – blockbuster shows and events, world famous museums and attractions, more stores and restaurants than are imaginable – it’s important to know that we have some pretty awesome places to just lie down in the sand and soak up the sun as well. (Especially important since the temperatures have been in the ‘90s for the past 2 weeks!)

There are a number of beaches that are just a stone’s throw away from downtown…. three of the best can be found on the Toronto Islands, with (inexpensive and quick) ferry access available at the foot of Bay street:  Centre Island has a sandy, family-friendly beach with change rooms, washrooms and a nearby snack bar (also known as Chelsea Beach, with transportation available from the Delta Chelsea Hotel as well); Ward’s Island is a bit more “residential, bordered by trees and greenery: and Ward’s Island is the City’s only “clothing optional” spot! Other “City” beaches include:

• Cherry Beach – at the foot of Cherry Street, by the port lands
• HTO Park – a truly “urban” beach at 339 Queens Quay West (nice sand, but you can’t go into the water)
• Sunnyside Beach – 1775 Lakeshore W, with its long, historic boardwalk
• Woodbine Beach – at the foot of Woodbine, a great place to play – or watch volleyball, then stroll along nearby Queen St. for boutique gazing and ice cream eating…

If you’re feeling more adventurous – and have a little more time, you can also take a day trip (or overnighter) to one of the real/real lovely waterfronts outside of the City:

• Long Point Provincial Park in Port Rowan (519-586-2133)
• Beaches of the township of Tiny (705-526-7884)
• Sandbanks Provincial Park in Picton (613-393-3319)
• Sauble Beach in Owen Sound (519-422-1262)
• Wasaga Beach (705-429-2516)

All beautiful, and a heck of a lot closer than the Caribbean!

Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Mr. Toronto

…. Summer activities, that is.  Sorry it’s taken me longer than usual for this entry, but the lure of recreational activities when the weather is nice is just too strong (to be sitting in front of a computer…)

Since we last “spoke”, I have officially kicked off summer concert season with an awesome Dave Matthews Band show at the Molson Amphitheatre at Ontario Place.  To be honest, the Amphi is not my favourite venue to see a show – too big, and the security is over the top (and totally unnecessary).  But when it all comes together – great weather and great tunes – as it did for DMB, it can be fantastic.

Speaking of fantastic, event season also kicked off with Luminato in June, a 10 day Festival of the arts – ALL kinds of arts – that focused this year on the guitar.  Fantastic free shows at Metro Square and Yonge-Dundas Square, including Randy Bachman (from the Guess Who- Canadian gods…), Daniel Lanois (another famous local boy, more famous for producing U2 albums than his own music), Taj Mahal and Derek Trucks (without doubt, one of the finest living slide guitarists on the planet).  From here on in, the festivals come fast and furious…(gay) Pride next week, Jazz Festival the week after….

Also getting into some serious bike riding now, and Toronto is a great place to do it.  Loads of trails, parks, ravines, that will take you just about anywhere.  You can pick up a great map at City Hall.  I rode my bike over to Toronto’s newest “hot” district for brunch the other day- Liberty Village in the south/west end of the City.  Used to be an industrial district, now a happening place for film and agency types, and more fantastic places to eat than you know what to do with – and each one with a fab patio to catch those glorious sunny days…

Hope to catch you out there!

Mr. Toronto