traveldk.com

A charming enclave east of Woodbine Ave full of fun for the outdoor enthusiast, including those who consider shopping a sport. Browse the eclectic shops or relax in one of the many cozy restaurants or pubs (see The Beach). Just south of the Queen Street East strip, a popular boardwalk stretches alongside a sandy beach to Ashbridges Bay (see Ashbridges Bay Park).

This is one area of the city that takes full advantage of its lakeside setting, with an atmosphere that feels more like a small resort town. In summer especially, crowds throng to the white sand beaches, stroll the 2.5-mile (4-km) boardwalk, picnic in Kew Gardens, a turn-of-the-19-century park, and shop along Queen Street (see A Day at the Beach). The area is at its busiest best in late July, during the Beaches international jazz festival (see Beaches International Jazz Festival).

This is the social and commercial heart of Greek and Macedonian life in Toronto. At night, especially between Chester St and Pape Ave, lively tavernas are crowded with patrons enjoying souvlaki and seafood, accompanied by retsina or ouzo . In the day, shops are the draw (see The Danforth).

Linked to downtown by the 1918 Prince Edward Viaduct, which spans the Don River Valley, The Danforth has been called home by the city’s thriving Greek and Macedonian communities since the 1950s. In early August, the weeklong Taste of The Danforth street festival is a smorgasbord of tasty treats and live entertainment (see The Danforth).

The collection of late 18th-century buildings that makes up this museum complex impart the feel of a historic village. Fine examples of the original industrial architecture, such as a paper mill, are peppered throughout the site. Two houses – the 1797 Terry Cottage and 1800s Helliwell House – have been restored with period furnishings. The 1881 Don Train Station will delight rail buffs. The Brewery Gallery exhibits pieces related to the site. A wildflower preserve bursts with trilliums in spring, and trails offer nature lovers lots of wildlife spotting opportunities, but be prepared for deep snow in winter.

Housed in the 1929 de Havilland Aircraft of Canada building on the grounds of the former Downsview Airport – an air-force base now being converted to a public park – this museum celebrates Canada’s aviation history. Along with archival photos, it exhibits artifacts and full-sized aircraft, such as the 1950s jet trainer and an anti-submarine aircraft built for the Royal Canadian Navy. Particularly unusual are the exhibits of flight-training simulators used for pilot instruction in the 1940s and 1950s.

Recreational opportunities – from sunbathing to cycling to children’s amusement rides – abound on the car-free islands, Toronto’s summer playground for more than a century. Ferries depart regularly for the islands from the foot of Bay Street; the 10-minute trip across the harbor offers unparalleled views of downtown (see Toronto Islands).