If you want to walk along Lake Ontario, or just work on
your tan, this is the best place to do it. There’s a
boardwalk that goes the length of the beach (yes there is an
actual beach) but it’s usually crowded with rollerbladers
and pedestrians. The water is nice to look at, but,
unfortunately, it’s often too polluted for swimming. So if
you don’t see anyone in the water, then assume you
shouldn’t take a dip either. This is a great, laid-back and
easygoing part of the city, much more like a lakeside resort
than a city suburb. Sandals are the preferred footwear.
Running parallel to the beach is Queen Street, where
you’ll find bead shops and Starbucks cafes and sarong
vendors. There are often festivals here all summer long with
free live music. Pick up a copy of Now magazine (free
in newsstands everywhere) to find out what’s happening.
To get to the Beaches (or The Beach, as it is also called),
catch the Queen Street streetcar eastbound from the city core.
