1. S’MORES ’N’ MORE AT MINI FAUX CAMPFIRE
Gorge yourself on s’mores, the classic campfire confection of melted chocolate and gooey marshmallow sandwiched between graham wafers, at your table over a mini campfire. MoRoCo, 99 Yorkville Ave., 416.961.2202
2. PERFECTLY PACKED PICNICS
Get up early, hop on your bikes and stop by any of the following for a prepared gourmet picnic, then hit the trails knowing a delicious feast awaits. Pimenton, 681 Mount Pleasant Road, 647.343.4870; Pusateri’s custom picnic basket, 1539 Avenue Rd. or 57 Yorkville Ave., 416.785.9100; Take It Easy personal concierge, gourmet picnic baskets prepared by Scott Stubbins of Roo Foods, 416.578.2890
3. CORN ROAST
Come out to St. Lawrence Market for the annual corn roast festival usually at the start of August. St. Lawrence Market Corn Roast, 92 Front St. E., 416.392.7219
4. STRAWBERRY, RASPBERRY BLUEBERRY
For fruit as fresh as it gets, try these farms around Toronto: Whittamore’s Berry Farm (strawberries, raspberries), 8100 Steeles Ave. E. Markham, 905.294.3275; Reesor’s Farm (strawberries), 10825 Ninth Line, Markham, 905.640.4568; Applewood Farm Winery (strawberries), 12416 McCowan Rd., Stouffville, 905.642.4720
5. BBQ IN A BAG
Your ultimate summer barbecue is in the bag, literally: meat with marinades, spices, sauces and instructions as well as sides, appetizers, desserts, all in a bag, ready to go. Wildfire Steakhouse and Wine Bar, 3438 Yonge St., 416.483.4800
6. STRAWBERRY CREAMSICLE
For a grown-up dessert, try a strawberry creamsicle (strawberry liqueur, amaretto, vanilla ice cream, fresh strawberries, vodka) to end the day. Jawny Baker’s Restaurant, 804 O’Connor Dr., 416.285.1165
7. MAKE YOUR OWN CIDER
A delicious late-summer treat as the evenings start to cool. Make your own on the Danforth. Fermentations! 201 Danforth Ave., 416.778.9000
8. ROASTED MARSHMALLOWS
Far and away the most popular flavour of ice cream at this downtown hot spot. Greg’s Ice Cream, 750 Spadina Ave., 416.962.4734
9. BODACIOUS BURGERS
Some of the most delicious patties you’ll find south of cottage country. Stop in for a burger, shake and onion rings. Steer Inn, 9839 Yonge St., Richmond Hill, 905.884.3032
10. OUTDOOR GAMES
Remember playing hide-and-seek with the cottage neighbours until it was too dark to see? Manhunt Toronto (a spinoff on the classic hide-and-seek) brings it all back, right here in T.O. www.manhunt-toronto.com, Thursday evenings
11. HORSEBACK HIJINKS
The CNE goes country farm starting August 3. Kids get the chance to see the horses and go for a wagon ride. HorseCapades at the Canadian National Exhibition, Aug. 3, 200 Princes’ Blvd., 416.393.6300
12. RAINY DAY BOARD GAME BONANZA
The Great Canadian Board Game Blitz brings together lovers of classics such as Risk, Monopoly and Scrabble for a full day of old-school gaming. July 17, ww.gcbgb.ca, 276 Carlaw Ave., Unit 204
13. GET SOAKED
The kids will have a blast at Ontario Place’s Soak City. Favourites include river rafting, the purple pipeline and hydrofuge. 955 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416.314.9900
14. MOUNTAIN BIKING IN THE DON VALLEY
It’s not the drumlins of the Kawarthas, but with ten kilometres of shrouded trails etched into the ravine and difficulties ranging from beginner to expert, you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference. Access via Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Bayview Avenue, Pottery Road
15. BLITHE & BLISSFUL IN BLYTHWOOD RAVINE
Enter the gorgeous, hidden ravine at the gardens just south of Yonge and Lawrence and enjoy six kilometres of hiking, biking and walking trails.
16. FRISBEE GOLF AT CENTENNIAL PARK
Everyone knows about Toronto Islands’ edenic Frisbee golf course, but few know of the more rugged one at Centennial Park: higher elevations, vaster expanses and far less crowded. 56 Centennial Park Rd. For discs ($13 to $20): Discsports Canada, 416.570.4755
17. FLY FISHING
Calming, mildly aerobic and a whole new way to snag the big one, fly fishing abounds in Toronto at the Credit River, Scarborough Bluffs and Leslie Street Spit. Wilson’s on Queen provides a one-day instructional course ($189.99) and all the equipment you need. Wilson’s, 199 Queen St. E., 416.869.3474
18. CANOE & KAYAK
Pack a lunch, lather up the sunscreen, then launch into the great blue beyond of Lake Ontario. At $60 for a canoe and $70 for a kayak, an all-day rental is an affordable way to escape the hubbub of the city without leaving town. Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak Centre, 283A Queen’s Quay W., 416.203.2277
19. STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING
The biggest craze to hit the water this summer, stand-up paddleboarding blends the radness of surfing with the self-propulsion of canoeing. To buy: Board Sports ($1,100–$2,500); to rent: Harbourfront Standup Paddle ($30 an hour). Board Sports, 2010 Yonge St. 416.485.9463; Harbourfront Stand-up Paddle, 283A Queen’s Quay W., 416.993.4224
20. YACHTING
Gather the neighbours, a few bottles of your favourite vintage and head out for a relaxing evening yacht cruise on Lake Ontario. GTA Exotics, 416.992.9809; Toronto Yacht Charters, 416.545.7245; Harbourfront Centre Sailing, 416.203.3000
21. LIFE’S A BEACH
Toronto’s dotted with beaches, but Cherry Beach is the prettiest (and one of most kid friendly). Nestled in an idyllic crook between the Port Lands and the Leslie Street Spit, Cherry Beach offers plenty of shade and a shallow wade in for kids. Bottom of Cherry St.; Toronto water quality hotline, 416.392.7161
22. KITEBOARDING
Windsurfer plus giant kite equals massive air when you catch a wave. About as hard-core as it gets, so be warned: instruction very necessary to avoid being dragged across the parking lot or pulled underwater for days ($60 per hour, wetsuit extra). Call Fred Telesforo at Surfuzion, 416.706.3323
23. PEDAL BOATING
Send the kids off to play at Ontario Place while you relax, unwind
24. WILD WINDSURFING
Harness the power of the wind and carve a wake across Lake Ontario on your windsurfer. For lessons and rentals, try the Toronto Windsurfing Club.They offer private lessons from their location just east of Cherry Beach. 2 Regatta Road, 416.461.7078
25. BIRDWATCHING ALONG LESLIE SPIT
Often overshadowed by the glitzier Toronto Islands, the Leslie Street Spit might just be a T.O. naturalist’s best-kept secret.Miles of beautiful hiking, biking and walking trails in Tommy Thompson Park and one of the country’s finest places to spot rare birds. Bottom of Leslie Street, parking available
26. NUDE & RENEWED
Shed your clothes and the stresses of your urban existence as you get reacquainted with your bod the way God made it. You’ll feel liberated, titillated and won’t have to worry about any tan lines. Hanlan’s Point clothing-optional beach, western edge of Toronto Islands; take ferry; follow the nudes
27. SENSATIONAL SCUBA DIVING
Expert scuba diver trainers Chris and Peter will train you in a warm water pool at Bishop Strachan School. For $500 you get a full basic dive open water certification. Advanced divers can join their trips to the wrecks in the St. Lawrence near Brockville twice yearly. Toronto Scuba Club, 416.792.3483
28. GARDEN VARIETY ATTRACTION
Visit “the oasis” for 12 themed gardens, including a teaching garden where kids and families can learn about sustainable farming and how to grow vegetables. Summer schedule highlighted by a private tour of Royal York’s rooftop herb and vegetable garden (Aug. 17, $130). Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave. E., 416.397.1340
29. BEADS, BRAIDS AND BRACELET MAKING
Recreate camp memories with your kids (or on your own!). Bracelets, anklets, necklaces adorned with semi-precious stones, crystals, wood beads. Bead Girl, 2445 Yonge St., 416.322.2202
30. MUSKOKA AND MEAT AT THE MILLER
Lounge in Muskoka-style chairs on the sheltered patio while you hunker down at their Cottage in the City Summer Burger Festival. Chicken, lamb, beef, veggie burgers galore! Miller Tavern, 3885 Yonge St., 416.322.5544
31. FRESH AIR ART SHOW
The largest outdoor art show in Canada. Grab a hot dog, cruise the vendors, haggle over price, leave happy. Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, July 9, 10, 11, Nathan Phillips Square (free), 416.408.2754
32. GO BACK TO NATURE AT HARBOURFRONT
Funky group exhibition spotlights the intersection of nature, humans and animals. All summer, 231 Queen’s Quay W., 416.973.4949
33. MIDSUMMER CRAFT SHOW
Bask in the summer sun with a Balzac’s coffee in hand as you check out the innovative new crafts by Artisans at the Distillery, a gathering of Canada’s best craftspeople. Distillery District, 416.507.3454, July 31 to Aug. 2
34. DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATRE
Put the top down and snuggle under a blanket under the open sky as you take in a doublefeature by the water. Polson Pier, 11 Polson St., (off Cherry St., south of Lakeshore Blvd.), 416.465.4653
35. STARGAZING
Recreate summer nights spent stargazing on the dock. If peering into the cosmos won’t reconnect you with your sense of wonder, nothing will. Bring the kids, stretch out on the lawn and listen to the Star Talk series featuring renowned astronomers, Saturday evenings throughout the summer. It’s $5 for adults, $2 for kids (7–17).David Dunlap Observatory, 123 Hillsview Dr., Richmond Hill, 905.883.0174
36. DEEP SPACE GAZING
For a deeper gaze into the great starry beyond, you’ll need to wander further from the bright lights of the city. Check out the EfstonScience program at Palgrave Conservation area (north of Bolton) and mix and mingle with other cosmos enthusiasts. 416.787.4581
37. CINEMA EXTRA-VERITE
We’ll trade stadium seating for the personal touches at the Mt. Pleasant any day, all of it reminiscent of the iconic Highland Cinemas in Haliburton. 675 Mt. Pleasant Rd., 416.489.8484
38. STABLE RELATIONSHIP
Beginners or advanced can ride horseback in a stunning park. Sunnybrook Stables Limited, in Sunnybrook Park, 416.444.4044
39. GREAT LAKES BREWERY AT THE EXHIBITION GROUNDS
Crack a tall can, close your eyes and you’re on the shores of Lake Superior; open them and you’re at T.O.’s Bandshell Park. Sample hundreds of craft beers, including the ever-cottagey Great Lakes beers. Toronto Festival of Beer, Aug. 5–8.
40. KAWARTHA LAKES BREWERY BY THE LAKESHORE
The beer flows like wine at the Session 2010 craft beer festival, June 26, Sunnyside Pavilion. KLB sponsors the Redpath Sugar Waterfront Festival, June 30 to July 4.
41. CREEMORE BREWERY EVERYWHERE
Creemore Brewery takes over Toronto this summer. Catch them at the Taste of Lawrence, July 2; Thrill of the Grill, July 16; Hart House, July 30; Toronto Festival of Beer, Aug. 5; Conscious Food Festival at Fort York, Aug. 14
42. CASUAL DINING, FIRESIDE
This cozy Irish cottage has one of the best patios in town, and its best feature is the fire pit crackling away on cool summer evenings. Smuggle in a stick and marshmallows, and you’re set. Ceili Cottage, 1301 Queen St. E., 416.406.1301
43. BONFIRE BROUHAHA
For about $100 (permit plus insurance), host your own rip-roaring bonfire at a park near you: Olympic Island, Sunnybrook,Taylor Creek, Earl Bales,Downsview Dells, Etienne Brule and Morningside. City of Toronto Parks & Recreation, permits department, 416.392.8188 with your significant other in a pedal boat built for two. Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd.W., 416.314.9900
44. BEACHES JAZZ FESTIVAL
July 16–25: Dan Hill
45. JACK JOHNSON
July 19, Molson Amphitheatre
46. SIMON AND GARFUNKEL
July 19, Air Canada Centre
47. JANE BUNNETT
July 20, Hugh’s Room
48. JASON COLLETT
July 21, Mod Club
49. SARAH MCLACHLAN, CHANTAL KREVIAZUK
Lilith Toronto, July 24,Molson Amphitheatre
50. SOUTHERN VOICE TOUR
Tim McGraw with Lady Antebellum, Aug. 7,Molson Amphitheatre
51. CITY AND COLOUR WITH TEGAN AND SARA
Aug. 28, Molson Amphitheatre