Visitors to Toronto are often surprised to discover the Toronto Islands, a pint-sized archipelago just offshore of the bustling lakeside metropolis. They began as a series of continually moving sandbars which, by the early 1800’s, had formed a natural harbour between the lake and the mainland. They were well known by native people, who considered them a place of leisure and relaxation and by the late 1800’s many of Toronto’s wealthiest families built beautiful Victorian summer homes there. These days they’re home to a lighthouse, a farm, Billy Bishop Airport, Centreville amusement park, beautiful gardens and a baseball stadium where Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run, as well as a handful of private cottage residences.
A trip to the islands can easily fill an entire day and the kids LOVE it. Starting with a ride into Toronto’s Union Station on the GO train (part of the inter-regional public transit system in southern Ontario) we walk to nearby Queens Quay to board the ferry to Centre Island and the Centreville amusement park.
There’s no road link to the islands and they rely on ferries and water taxi’s for their transport needs, thus they boast the largest urban car-free community in North America (with only a few service vehicles permitted,) so for those of us with small children who like nothing better than to run amok that’s one less thing to be vigilant for. Bicycles are allowed on the ferries, and can also be rented, along with quadracycles and canoes, on the islands as well.
Enough of the guide-book stuff, here’s a peek at our weekend, first down at our local beach…
…then all the excitement of a trip to Centreville!
There was a guy in Toronto harbour ducking and diving in and out of the water on what looked like a water-powered, jet-pack skateboard-type-thing.
We couldn’t take our eyes of him – especially when he went head-first into the water!
Then it was all aboard the ferry for Centre Island. There are some beautiful views of the city from the water:
As you can see from the pictures, after the thrill of the rides we headed to the island beach for some R&R.
Closer to home, on the sports field down the road, this weekend was RIBFEST!!!!!
Right on our doorstep, it’s three days of the delicious aroma of barbecue wafting around the neighbourhood as ribbers from far and wide (many from south of the border) gather to compete against each other to get the most votes for their food and sauces. Among the various attractions there’s live music throughout the day and into the night, a fairground (known as a midway here) and a rib-eating contest. I’ve covered Ribfest in previous years, and my pictures were used by the organisers to help promote this year’s event – you can see them here.
Despite free-flowing beer tents, food and sunshine for three days straight, there’s no rowdiness and families stay late into the evening. Somehow Canada manages to retain that small-town community charm while at the same time providing modern conveniences, the portable washing stations, complete with sinks and taps, set up near the food tables always garner my admiration. If you’ve ever eaten ribs you’ll know how messy things can get, for those that haven’t, check out the pictures of the rib-eating contest and you’ll see what I mean.
Anyway, that was a taste of our weekend, how was yours?
Linking up with snowingindoors.com for Point&Shoot
I haven’t visited Toronto Island since I was a child. I still remember the visit clearly why we never took our children when they were young, I’m not sure. Our weekend was full of birthday celebrations for the eldest, who turns 25 on Tuesday.
A quarter of a century *sigh* Where does the time go?
What a fab time! I really love the black and white photos you took, the first is amazing.
The islands look like such fun, and Ribfest sounds pretty amazing too. Great pics 🙂
I think I would like a weekend on toronto Island it looks so much fun on a big scale.
I’d quite like to live there – imagine: all the beautiful views of the city but none of the bustle and chaos…
Sounds like amazing place to visit. What’s a quadracycle?
A four-wheeled cycle that two (or four people if there are two rows of seats) can sit in. Funny looking, they remind me a little of the first motor cars – they have that same thin-wheeled, spindly appearance.
What an interesting place to visit. That rib eating contest sounds wild!
Sounds, and looks, like a fabulous place to visit! I’m so glad that you all had such a good time!
I’ve always had a thing about Canada and your beautiful photographs have just enforced this!
It IS a beautiful country. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to live here.
What a wonderful weekend and set of photographs – I can’t decide which one I like the most – it’s a toss up between the carousel horse and the guy at the BBQ counter!
I have never been to Toronto. Looks a great place to visit. The Centre Island looks fun.
Looks like an amazing place to spend time with lots to do. Wonderful photos too.
Oh wow, it looks AMAZING. One day we will visit Canada, it is on our to do list
Fabulous photos, looks like a marvellous place, especially loving the carousel!
Some great photos!! Looks like so much fun. There was a man that did the water thing on the jets at bristol harbour festival but we missed him last year so hoping to see it this year! x
Your photos are amazing. Your new blog layout is great, very clean and sharp.
AMAZING photos, looks like an incredible place to visit xxx
I am loving the sound of RIBFEST!!! Fantastic photos, as usual you leave me really wanting to visit Canada again 🙂
Thanks for playing along with Point + Shoot xx
what an amazing weekend! Mine was sadly me stuck in bed ill in bed and this weekend will be me working! lol
🙁
I love how very thorough your posts are. That scateboard thing looks mental I would not have been able to take my eyes off it either.
Love the texture in that bar shot.
The portable kitchens sound like a really thoughtful (and necessary) touch.
Liska
@NewMumOnline
x
Sounds like a fantastic family day out. That skating thing looks rather dangerous!
I would love to visit there – looks like a blast!
What great photos! Looks like lots of fun for everyone!
This looks like loads of fun! And I love ribs-I would not be able to resist them 🙂
Toronto sounds like a great place to visit.I like the sound of the jet skier.How fascinating.
Great photos and account of your trip. I saw one of the jet skiers they look a lot of fun don’t they .
I want to go for the ribs alone! I’d love to visit Canada one day. We had planned to visit when I was in America but plans got changed and we didn’t get round to it. Fingers crossed we’ll get there one day 🙂
what wonderful pictures! They look like they are out of a different era! x