The first day of official summer is June 21st, 2022 – and we are here to help you come up with awesome summer plans that leave you escaping the city, without actually escaping the city.

Forget scrambling to piece together a last-minute plan that’s likely to end up in utter disappointment. We’ve gone ahead and listed some fun things to do in Toronto this summer at the waterfront! From exciting events, to sun-soaked patios, to family beach days, we’ve rounded up some of the most fun things to do in Toronto on waterfront this summer.

Fun Things To Do in Toronto: Live Performances All Summer Long

Firstly, we’re so excited for all the LIVE performances available at the Toronto Waterfront this summer! Check out a dockside performance series bringing together musicians, artists, comedians, poets, dancers and more for an intimate outdoor productions called 100 Days by Art & Water.

Secondly, the highly anticipated Summer Music in the Garden series by Harbourfront Centre is FINALLY back. Concerts take place most Thursdays at 7:00pm and Sundays at 4:00pm at the Toronto Music Garden along the waterfront. You can check out their website for a full list of performances and dates.

Fancy a Sunday afternoon dance lesson in the park? Pay-what-you-can to support Latin Dance Arts at these family-friendly & pet-friendly latin dance lessons at HTO Park West. They happen every Sunday at 1pm. You don’t even need a partner to join! Learn more on their website.

Fun Things To Do in Toronto: Spend Time on a Patio

It’s really easy to remember you live in the city during the summer surrounded by so much concrete. Head down to the waterfront to get those much needed water views in your life! Relax at an abundance of patios with beautiful waterfront views such as Against The Grain, The Slip, Boxcar Social, The Goodman, Pie Bar, Joe Bird & many more options.

The waterfront’s newest brewery, Great Lakes Brewpub, features a 7 Barrel brewhouse, 20 taps, 2 spacious patios, full kitchen and an extensive retail store. Bonus: Plenty of natural light for the perfect Instagram photo.

Need a mini-escape from the hustle and bustle of city life? Cozy waterfront eateries like Nforno Pizza and Golden Eggs All Day Breakfast will soon become your go-to kick-back joints. Ps: we even have vegan fast food burgers at Mavericks Burger Co.

Fun Things To Do in Toronto: Waterfront Ice Cream Tour

The ultimate fun thing to do in Toronto? A waterfront ice cream tour of course! The Toronto waterfront is blessed with an abundance of ice cream shops and we recommend you try them ALL!

Cool down with a picture-perfect cup of ice cream from The Fix Ice Cream Bar. The shop proudly serves up frozen treats with insane flavour combinations in very generous portion sizes.

If The Fix won’t flatter your sweet tooth, maybe you should check out a local gelato bar like Touti Cafe. Emphasizing authentic Italian gelato flavours, they offer supremely tasty cold treats in a rainbow of colours and tastes.

You can even grab your friends and do a waterfront ice cream bar crawl and add a third stop at Ice Creamnology. They make mouth watering hand-crafted flavours like Southern Banana Pudding 😍

For stop number four, head over to Lisa’s Ice Cream located near the Harbourfront Centre campus. Take a walk along the water to help digest all that sweet ice cream goodness.

Fun Things To Do in Toronto: Be a tourist in your own city

Just a few steps from downtown Toronto is a beautiful oasis waiting to be discovered. Escape the concrete jungle and find more fun things to do in Toronto than you thought possible at the waterfront.

This summer, knock a few things off your bucket list by exploring your own backyard. Don’t know where to begin? Start with one of the most touristy things to do in Toronto: a harbour tour. Check out our boating page for a complete list of Toronto harbourfront boating opportunities.

Can’t afford a tropical getaway? Never fear! Head to the Toronto Islands and experience a taste of Island life without leaving the city. Hop on a water taxi or ferry to any of the three Islands and experience beaches, delicious restaurants like the Island Cafe and fun activities like Stand Up Paddleboarding.

Looking for a bit more activity? Rent a bike from long time bike rental shop, Wheel Excitement, and take a cruise along the Martin Goodman Trail and experience unreal waterfront views. 

Still stumped? We have plenty more tips if you reach out to us on social media like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok!

It’s no secret there is an abundance of fun things to do in Toronto. However, it often gets overwhelming. The waterfront is a true undiscovered Toronto gem so get out by the water and explore this summer.

If you need some other resources check out our upcoming events page or browse some waterfront businesses. See something that may catch your eye like electric scooter rentals or dance theatres.

See you at the waterfront!