If you’re looking for fun things to do at the Toronto Harbourfront, you’ll be glad to hear that there are plenty of awesome activities at the waterfront!
Harbourfront is one of my favourite Toronto neighbourhoods, and definitely the area I spend the most time in the city.
There’s always so much going on at the Harbourfront, whether it be bustling festivals, or even just tourists and families wandering around.
You can totally just walk down the Harbourfront and enjoy the waterfront views, but there are also many nice things to do in the neighbourhood.
Here’s my guide on the best and most fun things to do along the Toronto Harbourfront!
Be sure to also follow me on Instagram and TikTok – I share a lot more content on those platforms that don’t make it to the blog!
READ ALSO:
1. Relax on Sugar Beach
Feel like getting your tan on, or just relaxing under the sun while out in the big city?
Sugar Beach isn’t much of an actual beach, but it’s still a nice spot to lounge around at if you’re looking for a spot to catch some sun in the city.
It’s also one of the most Instagram-worthy spots in Toronto with its adorable pink umbrellas!
While it’s not exactly at the Harbourfront, it’s a less than 20 minute walk east along the waterfront.
LOCATION: 11 Dockside Drive, Toronto, ON
2. Have coffee at Boxcar Social Harbourfront
Boxcar Social is one of my favourite Instagrammable Toronto coffee shops, and their Harbourfront location is the best one (in my opinion).
The space is huge, there’s a ton of natural lighting, and both the coffee and food are great.
Grab a matcha latte or one of their seasonal coffee offerings!
If you’re coming in the evening, the café turns into a bar, so you can grab a cocktail or beer if you fancy.
LOCATION: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON | Website
3. Check out a festival at the Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront Centre is offers all kinds of cultural and international events year-round, and their festivals are always a fun time.
There’s always something fun going on and plenty of things to do at the Toronto Harbourfront Centre!
The Redpath Waterfront Festival is a fun event that happens annually at the Harbourfront Centre that’s perfect for families.
LOCATION: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON | Website
4. Visit the Power Plant Art Gallery
The Power Plant Art Gallery gets new exhibits every season, and they’re always a delight to see.
It’s a super underrated art gallery in Toronto and it’s totally worth stopping by.
Bonus points for it being a lot less busy than the AGO!
Oh, and entrance is completely free, if you’re looking for free things to do at the Toronto Harbourfront 🙂
LOCATION: 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON | Website
5. Check out the Peacock’s Tale mural
The Peacock’s Tale is a mural by Canadian artist Ola Volo, and you can find it at the Harbourfront Centre.
It’s a fun and colourful piece of art in an area with so many condos and office buildings.
Stop by and take some cool photos while you’re wandering around the Harbourfront!
LOCATION: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON
6. Pick up Canadian-made goodies at the Harbourfront Centre Shop
Looking to do some souvenir shopping while you’re exploring the Toronto Harbourfront?
From beautiful glassware to handmade jewelry, you’re bound to find some awesome gifts and things for yourself (or your loved ones) at the Harbourfront Centre Shop!
It’s always great to support local, my friends 🇨🇦
If you’re looking for more interesting places to buy souvenirs in Toronto, I have a separate blog post all about unique stores in Toronto!
LOCATION: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON
7. Snack on BeaverTails at the Harbourfront
BeaverTails are an iconic Canadian pastry topped with various sweet toppings, and they have a location right at the Toronto Harbourfront.
It may be a touristy snack, but it’s still a great one even for locals to have!
Along the side of the BeaverTail store is also a gift shop, so you can even do a little souvenir shopping if you’re looking for that.
LOCATION: 145 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON | Website
8. Take a walk or bike along the boardwalk
There’s nothing like a quiet walk along the boardwalk during sunset – it’s super romantic, and you never really get tired of it!
Even solo walks here are really pleasant, and I’ve actually read at the Harbourfront by myself a few times after walking around.
If you’re not much of a walking person, there are bike lanes so you can take a nice (and safe) ride along the Harbourfront!
Just rent a Bike Share and take a ride down the waterfront.
The Waterfront Trail is one of the best bike trails in Toronto!
9. Watch the sunset at HTO Park
HTO Park is a little west of Sugar Beach, and it has yellow umbrellas instead of pink ones.
It’s more of a sand pit than an actual beach, but it’s still a neat little spot along the Harbourfront.
They’ve got a bunch of fun colourful beach chairs you can sit on as well to enjoy the sunset views!
LOCATION: 339 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON
10. Eat sushi at Miku Restaurant
Craving some sushi while you’re exploring the Harbourfront?
Have some aburi oshi sushi at Miku, one of Toronto’s prime sushi spots!
If you’re looking for something a little less pricy, Kibo Sushi is a great casual takeout spot nearby with affordale prices.
You can pre-order Kibo to pick up through Ritual (use my code to get $10 off your first order), one of the best Toronto food apps, then enjoy your sushi along the Harbourfront!
If you’re looking for more great places to eat in the neighbourhood, I’ve got a blog post all about the best Harbourfront restaurants!
LOCATION: 10 Bay St. Unit 105, Toronto, ON | Website
11. Sip cocktails on SOCO’s rooftop bar
Whether it’s post-work drinks or a girls’ night out, SOCO’s rooftop is the perfect spot for your evening soirées!
You’ll also get the best views of the CN Tower for the ‘Gram.
SOCO is a restaurant attached to the Delta Hotel, and I find their actual food can be a hit or miss.
LOCATION: 75 Lower Simcoe St, Toronto, ON | Website
12. Treat yourself to ice cream at The Fix
Indulge your sweet tooth at Joe Bird’s The Fix and get your ice cream fix.
They make their own delicious soft serve and also serve up local Kawartha Dairy ice cream.
Their menu also changes seasonally, so you can pop in every season to check out their new sweet treats!
LOCATION: 207 Queens Quay West #150, Toronto, ON | Website
13. Skate at the Natrel Rink
During the winter season you can skate the cold away right near the Harbourfront Centre.
It’s a lot less busy than Nathan Phillips Square, but just as lovely!
They even have DJ Skate Nights, so you can skate your heart away under the night sky.
LOCATION: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON | Website
14. Canoe or kayak along the Harbourfront
Looking to get out on the water and do some physical activity?
Rent a canoe or kayak and do some exploring out on the water along the Harbourfront.
I love how it’s like a little escape out of downtown within downtown, and you get gorgeous, scenic views of the Toronto skyline!
You can even rent a stand up paddleboard instead if you’d rather.
LOCATION: 283 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON | Website
15. Explore the Toronto Islands
Take a ferry over to the Toronto Islands and spend a morning of picnicking, biking, beaching, exploring, and more!
There’s even a nude beach if you feel like letting yourself be free.
If you’re looking for things to do, I have a blog post all about things to do on the Toronto Islands!
It gets more packed on the Toronto Islands as the day goes on, so go as early in the morning as you can to avoid the crowds.
You can totally make a day trip out of exploring the Toronto Islands, but a few hours is enough to walk around and explore!
The ferry leaves from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
LOCATION: 9 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON
What to do at the Toronto Harbourfront:
- Relax on Sugar Beach
- Have coffee at Boxcar Social Harbourfront
- Check out a festival at the Harbourfront Centre
- Visit the Powerplant Art Gallery
- Check out the Peacock mural
- Pick up Canadian-made goodies at the Harbourfront Centre Shop
- Snack on BeaverTails at the Harbourfront
- Take a walk or bike along the boardwalk
- Watch the sunset at HTO Park
- Eat sushi at Miku Restaurant
- Sip cocktails on SOCO’s rooftop bar
- Treat yourself for to ice cream at The Fix
- Skate at the Natrel Rink
- Canoe or kayak along the Harbourfront
- Explore the Toronto Islands
There’s so much to do along the waterfront (and it actually stretches on forever), but I thought I’d just share some of my most favourite things to do and places to go at the Toronto Harbourfront.
What are your favourite things to do along the Toronto Harbourfront? Are there any other fun activities at the waterfront? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram!
If you’re looking for more Toronto neighbourhoods to explore, check out some of my other posts on the best things to do in various neighbourhoods:
