The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Downtown, Canada

March 28, 2022 Lean Nau

We've heard Toronto described as "New York City run by the Swiss," and it's true—you can find world-class theater, shopping and restaurants here, but the sidewalks are clean and the people are friendly. The best place to start is literally at the top—the CN Tower, the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere.
Restaurants in Toronto

1. College Park & Barbara Ann Scott Skate Trail

420 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2H3 Canada
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

College Park & Barbara Ann Scott Skate Trail

2. The Underpass Park

29 Lower River St, Toronto, Ontario M5A 0H3 Canada +1 416-214-1344 https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/2710/index.html
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

The Underpass Park

3. Allan Gardens Conservatory

19 Horticultural Ave Between Jarvis, Sherbourne, Dundas and Gerrard Sts., Toronto, Ontario M5A 2P2 Canada +1 416-392-7259 http://www.toronto.ca/parks/featured-parks/conservatories/allan-gardens.htm
Excellent
54%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 641 reviews

Allan Gardens Conservatory

Donated by a prominent local philanthropist, these gardens boast a beautiful glass-domed Victorian structure.

Reviewed By E2000EFlisas - Boardman, United States

I was in Toronto for my daughter to attend a dance program at the National Ballet School of Canada and had a lot of downtime while she was dancing for 3 days. I decided to explore some lesser known Toronto spots around the ballet area. A friendly gal at Tim Hortons suggested Allan Gardens and I’m so glad she did. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that admission was free and the walk around the park to the building was lovely. As soon as I entered, it was as though I had transported to somewhere very different from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was peaceful, warm, and absolutely beautiful. I took my time and walked slowly though making sure to notice details and take it all in. I loved the Christmas decor mixed in with the more permanent plant displays. I especially loved the turtle pond and spent quite a bit of time watching them. Overall I spent about 2 hours visiting with some of that just relaxing on a bench with my book. I would definitely visit again when in Toronto and recommend it for all ages.

4. Toronto Music Garden

475 Queen's Quay W on the waterfront between Bathurst Street and Spadina Avenue., Toronto, Ontario M5V 2A9 Canada +1 416-338-0338 http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/venues/torontomusicgarden
Excellent
49%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 179 reviews

Toronto Music Garden

Landscape designer Julie Messervy and a group of landscape architects from Toronto's Parks and Recreation Department designed the waterfront's Music Garden in such a way that it actually interprets in nature Bach's First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello. Starting off with the curves and bends of the riverscape, guests make their way through six sections of the garden ending at the Giant Grass Steps, which form a curved amphitheater where performances take place in the summer.

Reviewed By barryjuliej - Narangba, Australia

Delightful garden which was a perfect change of pace from our hectic morning. Lovely planting with twisting, turning paths and a musical theme.

5. Bellevue Square

Denison Sq. and Augusta Ave., Toronto, Ontario Canada
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Bellevue Square

Reviewed By GMS1556 - Palm Harbor, United States

Bordering a residential neighborhood and Kensington Market, this recently updated park has a wade pool, play sand and fancy children’s play apparatus. Our grandkids had a blast. And convenient to Kensington Market for shopping or a bite to eat.

6. Waterfront Trail : 1000 Islands

North Shore of Lake Ontario & The St Lawrence River, Toronto, Ontario Canada [email protected] http://www.waterfronttrail.org
Excellent
58%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 38 reviews

Waterfront Trail : 1000 Islands

Reviewed By 968shelbya - Cedar Rapids, United States

I wish we could've stayed longer here. This is such a nice trail along Lake Ontario. The weather was perfect as well as the scenery. The only thing missing was my dog. I saw lots of people riding bikes and scooters along with those walking and jogging.

7. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

288 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3L9 Canada +1 647-351-3474 [email protected] http://www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20,328 reviews

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

Explore the Waters of the World at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto at the base of the CN Tower, the aquarium is Toronto's must-see attraction for tourists and locals of all ages. Immerse yourself in a world of 20,000 aquatic animals and discover your own underwater adventure. The Aquarium features North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel with more than 5.7 million litres of water and over 100 interactive opportunities. Get up close and personal with several touch exhibits featuring horseshoe crabs, sharks, scarlet cleaner shrimp, and stingrays as well as daily dive shows every 2 hours. This awe-inspiring attraction consists of nine carefully curated galleries showcasing a cross section of saltwater and freshwater environments from around the world – starting with species from Toronto’s backyard, the Great Lakes basin.

Reviewed By brandy7280 - Toronto, Canada

This place is awesome....so much to see and explore....despite the many different species and types of fish you don't feel overwhelmed or claustrophobic....I loved every minute of it...its easy and simple to make your way through and the shark tank treadmill section is totally awesome and worth every penny....I could spend all day there its a great place and will keep the kids engaged from start to finish....will definitely go again and have recommended this place to many people...thanks for a great day Ripley's

8. Coronation Park

711 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3T7 Canada http://www1.toronto.ca/parks/prd/facilities/complex/467/
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

Coronation Park

9. Berczy Park

35 Wellington Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5E 1C6 Canada
Excellent
57%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 87 reviews

Berczy Park

Reviewed By michaelaT8138GW - Toronto, Canada

Terrific and quirky park with plenty of seating, some fun and cool people watching and one of the most enjoyable fountains in the city. The doggy fount is a blast....fun, silly, pretty, and well loved. I really like this park and always make a point to stroll through when I go to nearby St Lawrence mkt. Enjoy....it's great!

10. Philosopher's Walk

78 Queen's Park Cres W, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C5 Canada
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Philosopher's Walk

Philosopher's Walk is a scenic footpath located in the St George campus of the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario. It runs in the north-south direction along the ravine landscape created by Taddle Creek, once a natural waterway that was buried during the Industrial Age and is now flowing underground. The path is bounded by several Toronto landmarks, including the Royal Ontario Museum, the R

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