Toronto Islands

One year I went to Toronto to see the Virgin Music Festival, which was held on the islands. Not all of them were open, but basically it is a collection of small islands connected by bridges across some canals, a bit out into Lake Ontario. That alone makes it pretty cool. At night you get a great skyline view of Toronto. From what I saw, the islands are mostly set up like a nice park with benches and grills, etc. In addition, there is a small amusement ride area. I was there for the concerts, but on the 2nd day of the festival they opened up these rides for free. Bumper boats, a small Ferris Wheel, spinning cups, a water coaster. It is not some high end amusement park kind of set up, but it was a very fun and relaxing surprise for me. Even with all of the stages and music going on at the festival, I could tell that normally the place was set up as a relaxing park to visit and kind of get away from the city just across the water. Cool place.

…because I was sick – just got the ferry over, photographed the skyline and got the ferry back again! It’s a really nice place for a picnic though, and when I go back again I definitely want to rent a canoe or a bike to see the islands properly.

I stayed at the Artscape international artists retreat centre at Gibraltar Point. I was there as part of a writer’s weeklong retreat. Totally awesome. The facilities were quite nice and I found myself being super productive.

We got to take advantage of all the things the islands have to offer. The beaches, the amusement park, the hedge maze, the board walks, everything was so much fun. Vehicles aren’t allowed on the islands, except for service vehicles, so we biked everywhere. It was like being in a European movie.

Sunsets on Lake Ontario can get really pretty too…

We rented a canoe from the Harbourfront Canoe/Kayak Club and paddled our way across. Next time…take sunscreen!

ohhh boy, the toronto islands are sooo fun I HIGHLY recomend going to them!!! Centre island is much fun for kids and you can rent bycicles for 4 or more people and go around the whole island..its so cool. If you go in the summer also it looks really cool when theres white fluff everywhere…it looks like snow!!