Toronto Islands

To live in a car-free community for many is a way of life in the Toronto Islands and is the largest urban community of its type in North America. These islands located on Lake Ontario in the city of Toronto can be accessed via ferries, boats or one can fly into the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport also know as the Toronto Island Airport, located at the western end of the islands. This airport is only used for regional airline service, medical emergency flights, small charters and private aviation.

Centre Island is the largest of the islands and is home to Centreville Amusement Park that opened in 1967 which operates daily during the summer. The park has a miniature railway, Far Enough Farm and a 1907-vintage carousel. There are over thirty rides and attractions on 600 acres that include a Log Flume Ride, Rocking Ferry, Bumper Boats and more. The Carousel Café family restaurant is right on the lake and has a Patio to sit out on and enjoy a cold drink along with delicious salads soups and many other dishes, appetizers or full course meals. There is a Shopsy’s Island Deli Bar & Grill that has their entire selections of award winning deli sandwiches. Many people picnic here at one of the 40 picnic sites scattered among the islands. Centreville Amusement Park is a fun place to visit whether you are a child or an adult with so many things to see and enjoy.

Franklin Children’s Garden is a wonderful place for children to come to enjoy and learn about gardening, or enjoy storytelling in the storytelling amphitheatre. While here be sure to visit the wildlife pond. The garden was inspired by Franklin the Turtle books written by Paulette Bourgeois.

On Algonquin and Ward’s Islands there are somewhere around 260 homes, a public school that goes only up to grade 6. After grade 6 the students  have to go to the mainland to further their education. All roads are paved however only the use of service vehicles are allowed on any of the islands.

There are six beaches with the Toronto Islands where you can swim with one being Hanlan’s Point that includes a nude section.

St. Andrew by the Lake Anglican Church held its first service on the Islands in July of 1894.

Because of boating being so popular here, there are four yacht clubs and a public marina. You will find several clubs here, which include Sunfish Cut Boat Club, Toronto Island Canoe Club, and the Toronto Island Sailing Club (Located on Muggs Island). The Toronto International dragon Boat Race Festival is held here every year.

On Olympic Island a rock concert called the Olympic Island Festival is held every year, which was started in 2004 by Jay Ferguson of the band Sloan.

On Gibraltar Point you will find Toronto’s oldest landmark being the Island Lighthouse that has been there for over 200 years and some say that it is haunted.

Ferries to Toronto Islands are located at 9 Queen’s Quay West, which is located on Bay and Queens Quay, west of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel.