J&J’s Live Like a Local Guidebook
Relaxation
Enjoy a nice beach boardwalk stroll, or get a tan at the beach.
Take the kids to the playground or splash pad.
Go for a walk or bike ride along the park’s paths. Explore the waterfall and creekside ravine trails to the north, or forested trails to the west.
34 locals recommend
Marie Curtis Park
2 Forty Second StreetEnjoy a nice beach boardwalk stroll, or get a tan at the beach.
Take the kids to the playground or splash pad.
Go for a walk or bike ride along the park’s paths. Explore the waterfall and creekside ravine trails to the north, or forested trails to the west.
Sightseeing
CN Tower
290 Bremner BlvdIf planning a day trip out to Niagara Falls, head to Niagara-on-the-lake for brunch or a play/show.
628 locals recommend
Niagara on the Lake
If planning a day trip out to Niagara Falls, head to Niagara-on-the-lake for brunch or a play/show.
Just because… a bit touristy, but if it’s your first time in the area you should go.
1604 locals recommend
Niagara Falls
Just because… a bit touristy, but if it’s your first time in the area you should go.
African Lion Safari
1386 Cooper RdToronto Islands
First time in Toronto? You gotta go
Pedestrian only Distillery District is a neat place to check out if you’re downtown Toronto as it indie restaurant, bars, boutiques and even a chocolate factory. In December, the annual Christmas Market takes over the streets.
1704 locals recommend
Distillery Historic District
55 Mill StPedestrian only Distillery District is a neat place to check out if you’re downtown Toronto as it indie restaurant, bars, boutiques and even a chocolate factory. In December, the annual Christmas Market takes over the streets.
A lakefront cultural hub in downtown Toronto that often hosts events throughout the year.
512 locals recommend
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay WA lakefront cultural hub in downtown Toronto that often hosts events throughout the year.
Yonge-Dundas Square
1 Dundas St EShopping
CF Sherway Gardens
25 The West MallShop for designer outfits or enjoy a nice bougie lunch
Dixie Outlet Mall
1250 S Service RdShop for bargains
Toronto Premium Outlets
13850 Steeles AveIt’s worth a trip to the outlets
Just a 25 minutes drive north will bring you to this large local outlet mall for deal lovers and shopaholics.
270 locals recommend
Vaughan Mills
1 Bass Pro Mills DrJust a 25 minutes drive north will bring you to this large local outlet mall for deal lovers and shopaholics.
Shop right in the heart of downtown and don’t forget to check out Dundas Square while you’re there.
2460 locals recommend
CF Toronto Eaton Centre
220 Yonge StShop right in the heart of downtown and don’t forget to check out Dundas Square while you’re there.
Recreation & Sports
Lakeview Golf Course
1190 Dixie Rd
Marie Curtis Park
2 Forty Second StreetVolleyball courts are located at the West beach
Enjoy nature along this beautiful waterfront park, or go for a family ice skate on the outdoor skating trail.
35 locals recommend
Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr
Enjoy nature along this beautiful waterfront park, or go for a family ice skate on the outdoor skating trail.
Located in Vaughan, just north of Toronto, the amusement park features more than 200 attractions including 17 roller coasters, two children's areas, and Splash Works, the 20-acre water park.
591 locals recommend
Canada's Wonderland
1 Canada's Wonderland DriveLocated in Vaughan, just north of Toronto, the amusement park features more than 200 attractions including 17 roller coasters, two children's areas, and Splash Works, the 20-acre water park.
A local water park with attractions and rides for all ages. Great for a day activity with the family.
34 locals recommend
Wet'n'Wild Toronto
7855 Finch Ave WA local water park with attractions and rides for all ages. Great for a day activity with the family.
Food scene
A local favourite for a sit down dining experience
Pulcinella Ristorante
3687 Lake Shore Blvd WEnjoy an omakase experience at one of Toronto’s best sushi spots. Be sure to book reservations in advance, or alternatively call to see if they have any last minute cancellations.
13 locals recommend
Sushi Kaji Restaurant
860 The QueenswayEnjoy an omakase experience at one of Toronto’s best sushi spots. Be sure to book reservations in advance, or alternatively call to see if they have any last minute cancellations.
Burrito Boyz
224 Adelaide St WHungry? Grab a burrito boyz
Grab a hickory wood grilled burger, poutine and a beer at this local favourite
27 locals recommend
Woody's Burgers
3795 Lake Shore Blvd WGrab a hickory wood grilled burger, poutine and a beer at this local favourite
Enjoy an amazing fair trade coffee and on-premises baked muffin/pastry at this local favourite cafe
17 locals recommend
Fair Grounds Organic Cafe and Roastery
3785 Lake Shore Blvd WEnjoy an amazing fair trade coffee and on-premises baked muffin/pastry at this local favourite cafe
OBQ Burgers
602 Brown's LineAnother great local burger joint
Dairy Cream
715 Lakeshore Rd EI scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!
Thrive Organic Kitchen & Café
3473 Lake Shore Blvd WVegan’s paradise. Ooh so tasty!
Sloppy Joe's
3527 Lake Shore Blvd WGreat wings, even greater on wing night
George The Greek
3575 Lake Shore Blvd WLocal Greek food
850 Degrees Pizzeria
3455 Lake Shore Blvd WGreat casual local spot for fire oven pizza
Grab some tasty tapas while listening to some live music at Spice Lounge and Tapas. This is one of our local favourites.
Just a short drive west to Port Credit.
7 locals recommend
Spice Lounge and Tapas
52 Lakeshore Rd EGrab some tasty tapas while listening to some live music at Spice Lounge and Tapas. This is one of our local favourites.
Just a short drive west to Port Credit.
Super tasty empanadas of all different flavours. Try them with a side of avocado fries. A local favourite indeed.
12 locals recommend
The Empanada Company
122 Fortieth StSuper tasty empanadas of all different flavours. Try them with a side of avocado fries. A local favourite indeed.
Groceries & Essentials
Go to the local supermarkets to pick up ingredients to whip up a gourmet meal or stop by the one of the nearby pharmacies to pick up any essentials
LCBO
3730 Lake Shore Blvd WConveniently purchase liquors, spirits, wines, whiskeys or beer.
Jeff, Rose & Herb's No Frills
3730 Lake Shore Blvd WLocal affordable supermarket
Where else do you go get beer in Ontario? But, of course… “The Beer Store”
102 locals recommend
Beer Store
323 Symington AveWhere else do you go get beer in Ontario? But, of course… “The Beer Store”
Rexall
3701 Lake Shore Blvd WFor all your drug store / pharmaceutical needs
Farm Boy
1005 Lake Shore Blvd ESome of their house brand products are pretty good.
Entertainment - Kids
A fantastic large Amusement park a 30-minute drive north: Roller-coasters, games, amusement rides, splash park, and shows.
591 locals recommend
Canada's Wonderland
1 Canada's Wonderland DriveA fantastic large Amusement park a 30-minute drive north: Roller-coasters, games, amusement rides, splash park, and shows.
This indoor Lego amusement centre is ideal for Lego lovers aged 3-10 with family friendly attractions with rides, play zones and Lego builds .
33 locals recommend
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto
1 Bass Pro Mills DrThis indoor Lego amusement centre is ideal for Lego lovers aged 3-10 with family friendly attractions with rides, play zones and Lego builds .
Great place to take the kids and feel like you're swimming with the fish
2071 locals recommend
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
288 Bremner BlvdGreat place to take the kids and feel like you're swimming with the fish