Celebrate the unofficial start of summer with our guide to Canada Day with kids, friends and family in and around Toronto. (And don't forget to check out our weekly What's Happening column, for the five best events in our fair city each week.)
Best Island Get-Away: Hanlan’s Point and Ward’s Island
Save Centreville for another day and stroll from Hanlan’s Point to the Gibraltar Point lighthouse. Catch the Ontario Place fireworks from the beach (check first for clothing-optional loungers) or head to Ward Island beach for the east-end view.
Ferry tickets: adults $6.50, juniors $3; 9 Queen’s Quay W (at Yonge); www.toronto.ca/parks/island
Best 905 Beach: Burlington Beach
Check out the recently restored waterfront park, complete with a water-jet plaza and pirate playground. Then meander down the waterfront trail to the clean shores and mature trees of Burlington Beach and you’ll feel like Martha’s Vineyard has headed north for the summer.
Spencer Smith Park and The Beachway Pavilion; Lakeshore Rd. (at Brant St.); www.burlington.ca
Best Canadian Landscape Representation: McMichael Art Gallery
Head out to gorgeous Kleinberg to take a peek at archetypal Canadian landscape art by the Group of Seven and Tom Thompson (have a chat about what parts of Canada their paintings look like). Let the kids loose in the Discovery Space or hiking trails and have some delish food in Kleinberg.
$30 for a family pass; 10365 Islington Ave. (at Major Mackenzie Dr.); www.mcmichael.com
Best Urban Hiking: Sherwood Park
Get your Canadian on with a picnic and nature hike through the hilly trails of Sherwood Park – and bring Fido, too (it’s a popular off-leash area). The park includes a great shaded playground as well as a splash pad. Trails wind all the way up to the beautiful Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens at Yonge and Lawrence.
190 Sherwood Ave. (east of Mount Pleasant, north of Eglinton)
Best Canadian Recreation: Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak Centre
Embody the true Canadian spirit with a paddle out to the islands. It’s a relatively easy trip if you have a passing acquaintance with a canoe and kayak and kids are surprisingly quick learners (perhaps better than our dearest?). Or check out the guided tour options in a large, stable Voyageur Canoe.
Basic canoe rental from $30 per hour. 283A Queen's Quay W. (at Rees St.); www.paddletoronto.com
Best Canadiana Experience: Metropolitan Toronto Zoo
Skip the African Savannah and head up to the Canadian Domain, featuring grizzlies and moose and the Tundra Trek with the awesome polar bears. Fill grumbling tummies with a decadent Canadian treat —the whole-wheat cinnamon sugar pastry goodness that is a Beavertail (rarely found outside of Ottawa).
Zoo admission $23 per adult, $13 for children 4-12. Available at the Toronto Zoo; North of Hwy 401 on Meadowvale Rd; 416-392-5929; www.torontozoo.com
Or head out to try these all-Canadian treats!
Best Montreal Bagel: The Bagel House
We’ll cheerfully borrow these delectable morsels from uber-cool Montreal. Ever so slightly sweet, warm and chewy, they’re delicious and their small size makes them perfect for wee hands.
$6 for 12; 1722 Avenue Rd. (north of Lawrence); www.thebagelhouse.ca
Best Doughnut: San Remo Bakery
Although there are some killer good gourmet versions out there, we’re looking for a true yeast donut on this day of days, and we found them at the newly spruced up San Remo Bakery. Apple fritters are popular but we still swoon for the chocolate dip.
From $1; 374 Royal York Rd. (south of the Gardiner); www.sanremobakery.com
Best Butter Tart: Flaky Tart
Aren’t we lucky to hold claim to one of the tastiest pastries in the world? We love the bang-on delicate taste of these gigantic gems from the Flaky Tart (also home to delicious chocolate chunk shortbread and mouth-watering scones).
$3 each; 711 Mount Pleasant Rd. (south of Eglinton); 416-484-8278
Best Way to Eat Maple Syrup: Hazel’s Diner Pancakes
We love that Canada produces a sweet treat to feel good about: maple syrup. We especially enjoy it served over the piping hot pancakes at Hazel’s Diner, which also produces a fantastic grilled cheese sandwich.
Half-stack of pancakes; 3401 Yonge St. (north of Lawrence); 416-850-0121
Thought that was sweet? You'll enjoy: