Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
One of the mighty Great Lakes that offers outstanding tourism and recreation opportunities for every season.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Neighbourhood: Downtown
At the heart of Toronto, Downtown is the destination for cheap eats and fast fashion. Cut through by hip and trendy Yonge Street, the vibe here is young, with a strong student influence from the Ryerson University Campus. As a result, the Downtown area is always in flux: undergoing the construction of new facilities, with fresh retail spaces and pop-up cafes. Home to Toronto's largest indoor shopping mall, a number of vintage cinemas, and a healthy nightlife centered on the area's Distillery District bar and clubs near the East End, it's both an easygoing daytime spot and a popular party place after sunset. It also features some of Toronto's best outdoor landmarks, including Yonge-Dundas Square and the Nathan Phillips Square: perfect for a concert, a skate, or a relaxing sit-down.
How to get there
- Union • 10 min walk
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
3,926 within 5 kms
Attractions
532 within 10 kms
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4.5
794 reviews
Excellent
428
Very good
267
Average
73
Poor
21
Terrible
5
Cggrimm07
Blackburn, UK266 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Huge lake , it’s a sight to be seen. Your standing on the edge and all you can see is water it looks like an ocean so you are constantly having to remind yourself it’s a lake.
So many things and places to sit and relax around the lake, I found myself sitting on a deck chair near the lake and just taking in the view and relaxing even in late December.
So many things and places to sit and relax around the lake, I found myself sitting on a deck chair near the lake and just taking in the view and relaxing even in late December.
Written 7 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,626 contributions
July 2018 • Friends
We enjoyed a few activities related to this Great Lake. We went for a boat ride on the lake and around Toronto Island. The water was nice and smooth, and we saw many other boats out. During the day we walked along a boardwalk and in the evening strolled on a path beside the water, from where we watched a beautiful sunset.
Written 7 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sydmo8299
Jonesborough, TN236 contributions
May 2019 • Family
Lake Ontario is a beautiful lake. I would highly recommend a stroll along the shore. Don’t just see it from afar. Experience it up close.
Written 24 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hayley
8 contributions
Apr 2021
Lots of area where more preservation could be done. The lake, if not properly taken care of and left to heal itself after selfish human activities to wreck it might never recover. We need to be vigilant and make the lake more pristine than it is now.
Written 28 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy
Sarnia, Canada8 contributions
Apr 2021
The lake still could be made more pollution free. There still is loads that could be done to preserve this nature's gift to humanity.
Written 4 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bartholomew b
Niagara Falls, Canada5 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
My wife and I decided to picnic by this "Great" lake. Whoever called it great was lying. A "Just OK" Lake is more like it. When we got there, we were underwhelmed. It was so grey and wet. Too wet. It didn't offer much in the way of waves either. It just kinda sat there, not doing much of anything. I don't know if it was the sky or the lake, but there wasn't much of a reflection going on either. Boring! We ate our soggy egg salad sandwiches and left. Will not be returning.
Written 8 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Milton Kanno
Sao Paulo, SP9,892 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Nothing special. I wish I didnt read about the polution of the lake it doesnt fit the image I have from Toronto. The view is nothing special, during summer it may have some apeal for those who take a ride by ferry, in the winter it is the element the leverages cold Wind.
Written 23 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
xoxAJTxox
Toronto, Canada41 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
One of my favourite places in Toronto is the waterfront of Lake Ontario.
Catching the TTC to downtown Toronto, you can get off at Union Station and take a short walk down to the waterfront, to feel like you're in a different world.
In summer, the bustling boardwalk is home to live music, sailing, boat tours, pedal bikes and amazing green spaces to relax and unwind in. It's the gateway to the Toronto Islands, with ferries to take passengers across the bay to explore.
In winter it's an icy wonderland, with hot coffee, ice skating, and lots of warm spots to stop off and eat on the way.
One of my favourite things to do is stop off and grab a coffee before making my way down to Harbour Square Park near the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. From there, the meandering path takes you lakeside, past the Beaver Tails Dessert Shop (which are a must-eat, they are ridiculous but amazing if you have a sweet tooth!) and onto the Waterfront Trail.
The Harbourfront Centre Natrel Rink is a great place to stop off and skate in the winter. Admission to the rink is free and you can rent skates and helmets for around $15CAD if you don't have your own.
Carrying on, if you need to stop and eat, the Amsterdam Brewhouse is a great spot for food. In the summer you can eat outside on the deck (and it's amazing) but in winter it's a snug spot for some hearty food. During busy times you may want to make a reservation, as it's popular here.
There are also great spots to stop off and people watch in HTO park and HTO Park West, before heading along to Ireland Park. Although there are beautiful photo ops the whole way along the waterfront, with different art and architecture all along the route, this is one of my favourite spots with a great photo looking back toward Toronto and the CN Tower.
If you're done with walking, at Queens Quay and Spadina you should be able to take the trolley back to Union Station to get you back on the TTC.
Catching the TTC to downtown Toronto, you can get off at Union Station and take a short walk down to the waterfront, to feel like you're in a different world.
In summer, the bustling boardwalk is home to live music, sailing, boat tours, pedal bikes and amazing green spaces to relax and unwind in. It's the gateway to the Toronto Islands, with ferries to take passengers across the bay to explore.
In winter it's an icy wonderland, with hot coffee, ice skating, and lots of warm spots to stop off and eat on the way.
One of my favourite things to do is stop off and grab a coffee before making my way down to Harbour Square Park near the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. From there, the meandering path takes you lakeside, past the Beaver Tails Dessert Shop (which are a must-eat, they are ridiculous but amazing if you have a sweet tooth!) and onto the Waterfront Trail.
The Harbourfront Centre Natrel Rink is a great place to stop off and skate in the winter. Admission to the rink is free and you can rent skates and helmets for around $15CAD if you don't have your own.
Carrying on, if you need to stop and eat, the Amsterdam Brewhouse is a great spot for food. In the summer you can eat outside on the deck (and it's amazing) but in winter it's a snug spot for some hearty food. During busy times you may want to make a reservation, as it's popular here.
There are also great spots to stop off and people watch in HTO park and HTO Park West, before heading along to Ireland Park. Although there are beautiful photo ops the whole way along the waterfront, with different art and architecture all along the route, this is one of my favourite spots with a great photo looking back toward Toronto and the CN Tower.
If you're done with walking, at Queens Quay and Spadina you should be able to take the trolley back to Union Station to get you back on the TTC.
Written 15 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trainfan2000
Hamilton, Canada2,548 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
There are many places to see this Great Lake. If you are in Toronto the lake is almost hidden from view in the downtown core. If you do go down to Harbourfront area you can get boats tours around the harbour and out into the lake. The east end of city, in Scarborough, offers some nice views of the lake around Rouge Hill and the Scarborough bluffs. In Burlington, out to the west, there are many nice views of the lake and Spencer Smith Park is on the lake itself. Loyalist Parkway, a roadway between Trenton and Kingston offers a hour drive along the lake shore with great views of the lake.
Written 3 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
78victoria
Leeds, United Kingdom23 contributions
June 2018 • Couples
Visited Toronto for 4 nights on a 10 night travelling trip of North America. This was our last stop following New York and Niagara Falls. Both my husband and I loved Toronto and the Canadian people we so friendly. We took a boat trip out in Lake Ontario and the views of the lake from land and on the boat were beautiful. You were given a talk on board about the local history. We would go back to Canada again. Highly recommended seeing the Great Lakes.
Written 29 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
looking cottage in Ontario，can be fishing directly from the backyard of cottage.
Written 22 February 2021
Would like to take elderly Mom beach combing. It's our favorite thing to do together. Any ideas on moderately easy access to beach on U.S. side that would have fun stuff to search through for treasures?
Written 23 July 2018
Where is The best place for recreational fishing for me and my nine-year-old daughter in close proximity of grand island
Written 26 July 2017
From the Canadian side:
STOKES BAY, ONTARIO
Target Species: Smallmouth bass
SERPENT HARBOUR, ONTARIO
Target Species: Muskies
PICTON, ONTARIO
Target Species: Giant walleyes
Hope that helps!
Written 26 July 2017
Where is The best place for recreational fishing for me and my nine-year-old daughter in close proximity of grand island
Written 26 July 2017
Ashbridges Bay is ideal. It's within walking distance of Woodbine beach.
Check out Fishing Toronto's website for more detailed information.
Written 26 July 2017
We are staying in grand island ny near the falls
Is there anywhere neat to visit with my family at Lake Ontario that's not a long drive from where we are staying ?
Thanks in advance.
Written 28 June 2017
Yes, Niagara on the Lake is beautiful! It has nature and trail, the greenbelt runs along. You can also go shopping and have dinner.
Written 27 July 2017
HI there. Lake Ontario is quite large and it depends what part of the lake or beach you are looking for.
Written 11 February 2017
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