The Other Island

You know it’s time to find something new for your family to do when the kids are getting bored of spraying each other with the hose. So get out there and explore all that our city has to offer. Our fave summer escape? Ward’s Island, hands down.

Pack the stroller, bikes, scooters, bathing suits, towels, sunscreen, hats, water bottles and snacks for a full day adventure.

Get yourself down to the Harbourfront Ferry docks where you get the boat to Ward’s Island—it’s always a shorter line-up than the Centre Island Ferry and takes about ten minutes (adults $6.50, kids $3). Enjoy the view of the city. Kids love seeing the Roger’s Centre and CN Tower from a new perspective so make sure you point them out.

Good To Know: The big line up in the middle is for Centre Island, the line to the right goes to Ward’s Island Dock and to the left is the ferry to Ward’s Island, Hanlan’s Point. If your kids are older and you want to ride all around the island, go to Hanlan’s Point. If you are walking with strollers, go to Ward’s Island Dock. Double checking the departure times from the Island could avoid a toddler meltdown at the end of the visit.

Upon arrival at Hanlan’s Point, you will note signs to “clothing optional beach”. We prefer the beach on the other side of the island (ahem) so walk over to the snack bar and ask for a map (it’s free). From there you have about a 5km bike ride through the park along the water. The halfway point is where the tourists go—it’s not a bad stopping point with play grounds, splash pools, public washrooms and concession stands (hot dogs, pizza and burgers). There is also a bike rental service here if you don’t have your own.

After a short stretch continue on the path along the water to see where the real islanders live. A ten minute ride will bring you along a beautiful boardwalk that leads to a small neighbourhood of homes and the lovely little Ward’s Island beach where the water is checked daily for safety standards and lifeguards are on watch. Check the website for E. Coli levels before you go in the water.

For sustenance, one of Toronto’s best kept secrets is the Rectory Café, a lovely little family friendly resto right on the boardwalk. It is a great place for brunch, lunch or an early supper. After seeing it, you might even consider a romantic dinner with your beloved for your next trip to the island—you can bring your fave bottle of wine, (they will charge a corkage fee) and have dinner under the stars.

After that long haul with the kids, they will certainly be hot and deserving of some ice cream. Look for the Gravity Coffee House behind the Tennis Courts near the Ward’s Island beach and you’ll find a casual, no-shoes-required patio serving up great coffee, yummy ice creams, frozen yogurt, smoothies and all-beef hot dogs and chili dogs.

A bike ride back to Hanlan’s Point will expose you to all that the island has to offer. If you need even more activity, Ward’s Island is connected to the more commonly-visited Centre Island where boat rentals are available and Franklin’s Secret Garden is very popular among the toddler set. (Call us island snobs but we’re sticking with Ward’s though.)

A weekday excursion is recommended to avoid the crowds but if you are chained to your desk all week, be sure to head out early on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

It’s a secret adventure. Explore, enjoy and don’t tell the islanders we told you about it.

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