Top Rated Parks to Visit in Oshawa

"If you’re a fan of natural locations, Scarborough Bluffs should be at the top of your list for a romantic photoshoot. Whether it is a save the date, engagement or wedding photoshoot, the glittering lake and the distant view of the iconic Toronto skyline will make your photos memorable and extraordinary. You can also pack a picnic and have a picnic-themed photoshoot with your partner and add a domestic element to your photos."

"Lakeshore cliffs with cathedral-spire formations expose evidence of five glacial periods at Scarborough Bluffs. Spanning 14km, from Rosetta McClain Gardens to East Point Park, this is a stunning landscape as well..."

"Kew Park, located in TheBeaches neighborhood of Toronto, is a delightful tree-shrouded park with large lawns and lots of green space. Layer on a fantastic beach at one end and a few historical structures throughout the park, and you have one of Toronto's finest parks. All contained within this 6.5-acre park are the following: tennis courts, a baseball diamond, lawn bowling, a wading pool, spectacular gardens, a concession stand, and a covered picnic area."

"Be it dog walkers, joggers, paddlers or sunbathers, this enormous beach is quite attractive for all kinds of folks around. You can try some rollerblading or biking on the days you’re particularly feeling active as the Martin Goodman Trail ensures a smooth adventure for the same. Other facilities available at the site include a playground, outdoor fitness equipment, a snack bar and an off-leash dog area."

"If you have a dog, you may want to check out the off-leash dog park at Kew-Balmy Beach. Otherwise, this beach is a great way to spend the day because it offers a nice boardwalk to traverse and plenty of sand to spread out on."

"Seven-thousand years ago, Indigenous groups settled around the Don River to catch wild salmon. A lot has changed since then (including Canada paying $145 million reparations to the Mississauga for stealing their land), but you can still see salmon jumping in the Don River while walking or biking along a nearly 10-kilometer trail beside the riverbanks. When you get to the Don River Valley Park, keep an eye out for temporary and permanent public art, including huge murals, gargoyles sculpted out of concrete blocks, and pop-up dance performances."

"Located in the Don Valley, Brick Works Park showcases Toronto’s dedication to healthy and diverse ecosystems. The area is one of the city’s most valued natural environment parks and is home to wetlands, wild flower meadows, forest habitats, and steep cliff faces, not to mention the many species that call the park home. Transformed from a quarry site into a nature sanctuary, the park is directly north of the fabulous Evergreen Brick Works."

"Another little jewel of a park in Toronto is St. James Park. This hidden gem is sandwiched between towering buildings and the St. James Church you’ll find this lovely little sanctuary of green. Part of the park is set like an English garden park with a series of formal gardens, crisscrossing pathways, a gazebo, and a charming fountain."

"This popular Leslieville brunch spot got a new bedtime and west-end digs. Both locations are open from morning to late and focus on rustic, Mediterranean home cooking. From towering sandwiches to those drool-worthy sweet potato beignets with maple dipping sauce, chef Ariel Coplan constantly revamps the menu to incorporate seasonal ingredients."

"Situated astride Lake Ontario, East Point Park is one of Toronto’s largest parkland places spreading across an area of 136 acres. It is home to more than 178 species of birds and is also a migratory staging area for monarch butterflies. The unparalleled view of the landscape made up of meadow, beach, forest, and wetland is worth watching."

"AKA the Pink Park – it brings a splash of colour to the otherwise boring beige concrete lining the city – it’s not hard to miss and can be found at 636 Fleet Street. (credit: @katiechoi_ / Instagram)"

"This park offers you the prettiest view of Toronto’s waterfront. Tourists can choose to visit this place at any season; be it lying on the grass in summers or skating on the outdoor ice rink in the chilled winters, you will never lack options in this natural habitat. The ice rink/splash pad was named in honor of the successful Toronto author named Paul Quarrington in 2014."

"For a view of Toronto’s pretty waterfront, head to Sherbourne Common in the Harbourfront neighborhood. Not far from the busy Queens Quay area, this is an ideal destination during all seasons. Throughout the summer, set yourself up on the grass and get tanning."

"It’s the city’s first gallery devoted to showcasing works by disabled artists, located in the artistic Shangri-La that is 401 Richmond. The thoughtful curatorial approach extends to patrons, too—Tangled makes sure every aspect of the gallery-going experience is fully accessible, which often means hanging works at lower heights, adding audio and video captioning, and providing touchable versions of every piece. Currently on display: a mixed-media exhibit called Own Your Cervix by Vanessa Dion Fletcher, who riffs on femininity with creative textiles—Wampum belts, damask and porcupine quills."

"This community cultural hub is part of the revitalization of Toronto’s Regent Park neighbourhood that began in the mid-2000s. A joint venture between Artscape, Toronto Community Housing, The Daniels Corporation and the Regent Park Community, the facility is home to a variety of art spaces, including Aki Studio – Native Earth Performing Arts and the Hallway Galleries, that feature art exhibitions throughout the year."

"Regent Park is arguably the largest revitalization the city has seen in decades. Its community cultural hub, Daniels Spectrum, is home to many art and community initiatives and organizations. Open to the public and free of charge, its Hallway Galleries showcase the work of artists from Regent Park and beyond."

"A must see for all film buffs, the TIFF Bell Lightbox is the official home of the Toronto International Film Festival. Inside you’ll find a museum which celebrates all things film and if you really want to geek out be sure to check out the film archives which houses the worlds largest collection of film resources. Sometimes the touring exhibitions are free so check the website before visiting."

"Toronto is famous for the Toronto International Film Festival, which delivers as much clout in the sphere of film as the likes of Cannes and Sundance. Although the festival takes place in September, TIFF has a permanent space in the city known as the Lightbox which can be enjoyed all year round. The building houses five public cinemas, two galleries and three learning studios."

"Home of the Toronto Film Festival, as well as other visual arts celebrations, the TIFF Bell Lightbox is a building dedicated to Toronto's film world. Theaters, libraries, galleries, offices, lecture halls, as well as a swank members' lounge and..."

"What was once the Gibraltar Beach Sand Dunes is now a nice stretch of sandy shores between Centre Island and Hanlan’s Point on the Toronto Islands. This Blue Flag-certified beach is under the radar and is accessible from the main ferry to Centre Island or the Hanlan’s Point Ferry at the docks. The islands are actually connected, so you can walk from one to the other."

"Situated close to the famous Rouge river, the charming Rouge beach is home to a wide range of wildlife species and you can also spend the entire day sunbathing and swimming in the soothing waters here. Camping is surely an option here as made available at the Rough National Urban Park. Other facilities at this beach include bike trails, washrooms, a massive volleyball court and changing rooms."

"If you want to combine swimming and hiking, Rouge Beach, Toronto’s eastern most beach in Scarborough, is the spot for you. Set in an urban nature park, the beach is home to marshes, wetlands, a pedestrian bridge, trails, wildlife and beautiful sunsets: you can easily spend the entire day here. Bonus points: It’s also a great canoeing destination."

"Located at the mouth of the Rouge River at the east end of Lawrence Avenue, this beach is shared with the West Rouge Canoe Club. Near the beach is a marsh that provides a home to a variety of wildlife. Any time of the year, the picturesque scenery around Rouge Beach is calming and impressive."

"On the West End of Toronto, on the shores of Lake Ontario, is a lakefront district that was the "bee's knees" in the 1950s. Although it no longer has the amusement park that made this area hopping back in the day, it does have a beach and park area around Ontario's Humber Bay. The waters of Humber Bay are popular for boating and dragon boating clubs are a popular past time with Torontonians."

"Located between the Humber River and Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion, Sunnyside Beach has a lot to offer in terms of summer fun. The beach itself is popular with sunbathers and paddlers. Canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards can all be rented and the water is ideal for all three thanks to the offshore breakwall that protects the area and ensures mostly calm water."

"Located between the Humber River and Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion, this long, narrow beach has been a city-wide destination since the 1890s. Sunnyside is protected by an offshore break wall which helps control erosion and provides calm water for rowers and paddlers.It has an amazing boardwalk and waterfront trail and sunrise and sunset at Sunnyside are magical."

"2 Bloor Street East, Eaton Centre at 220 Yonge Street, Dominion Centre at 66 Wellington Street West. Purdys Chocolatier is one of the most popular Canadian West Coast sweet shops. Starting in 1907, Richard Carmon Purdy found great success selling premium chocolates in British Columbia and Alberta."

"Woo your love interested at this Italian restaurant offering an impressive wine list and immpecable service. Signature dishes like buratta with roasted grapes, and the chili-spiked all’amatriciana wins hearts everytime. Address: 832 Dundas Street West, TorontoPhone: 416-364-4785"

"Best known for the softness and how chewy its cookies are, The Night Baker has unique tasting cookies that are ‘doughy’ and ‘chewy’ at the same time. This bakery on College St. offers a large selection of cookies including ‘The Classic’ which is a popular cookie that combines dark chocolate, walnuts and sea salt, resulting in a delicious tasting cookie."

"More like “Ooh Bae,” this appropriately titled cookie creation is from The Night Baker. This ube cheesecake cookie is filled with ube jam to give you that sweet kick. Address: 825 College StreetHours: Tuesday to Thursday from 12 pm to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday from 12 pm to 10 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 7 pm, Mondays closed."

"A post shared by The Night Baker (@thenightbakerto) on Mar 27, 2020 at 9:28pm PDT. The Night Baker is bringing back the limited red velvet cookie which will be available until Valentines Day. They also have a gooey Choco Oats cookie with Beglian chocolate, cinnamon, and oatmeal that will melt in your mouth."