Spring is here, and so is picnic season! With the warm weather on the horizon, it’s time to grab some lunch, a couple of snacks, and a checkered blanket and head to your favourite park or trail for a tasty, scenic lunch.
From High Park to Riverside Park East, there are so many beautiful spots in Toronto, it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily for you, we’ve put together a list of some of the best picnic locations in the city. Check out some of the best picnic spots in Toronto below.
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High Park
Not only is High Park packed with some of the most beautiful cherry blossom trees in the city, but it also boasts a whopping 18 designated picnic sites for large group events. This huge west end park is full of lush, grassy spots that are perfect for pulling out cheese, sandwiches, and everything in between. Plus, on top of all that, there’s a free zoo located within the park to gawk at some animals after a nice, hearty meal.
Toronto Music Garden
Although this is a smaller park, Toronto Music Garden is stacked with flowers, architecture, and music to really bring your picnic game to the next level. The landscape of this musical landmark is designed after Bach’s “Suite No. 1 in G Major for unaccompanied cello, BWV 1007,” and was originally designed by legendary cellist Yo Yo Ma and landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy. This garden is the best spot in the city for a picnic in the shade, and it even has a great view of Lake Ontario.
Christie Pits Park
Located across from Christie station, Christie Pits Park is a central picnic spot located along Bloor Street West. This buzzing summer hub is the perfect place for a day outside, with a baseball diamond, pool, basketball court, fire pit, sports field, playground, and more. It’s the perfect spot for picnics as well, with picnic shelters and sites interspersed throughout the expansive park.
Ward’s Island Beach
Ward’s Island Beach is just a short ferry ride away, so grab your picnic supplies and head over to Centre Island. Not as many tourists head to Ward’s Island Beach, so if you’re looking for a private picnic experience, you’ve found it. With a beautiful view of the city, tons of grassy space, and the coast of Lake Ontario, this is one of the most scenic spots in the city to snack on some fresh fruits and veggies.
Riverdale Park East
Riverdale Park East is the perfect sunset picnic spot. With an unmatched view of the city skyline and tons of grassy real estate to choose from, this is definitely one of the romantic parks in Toronto to have a little outdoor meal. There’s also tons of activities you can partake in throughout the course of your picnic, as this east end spot features bike trails, a baseball diamond, a pool, tennis courts, off-leash dog areas, picnic grounds, and more.
Sunnybrook Park
Sunnybrook Park is the Toronto picnic spot for hikers. With a variety of trails intertwining throughout the park that offer up views of peaceful wooded areas and beautiful, flowing rivers, you’re sure to find a serene spot to indulge in a tasty meal with some pals.
Dufferin Grove Park
Dufferin Grove Park is definitely a picnic spot for families. There are tons of amenities located throughout this grassy space, such as clean picnic sites, two bake ovens, two large fire pits, a wading pool, a sports field, a basketball court, and a skateboard park. Located just off the subway station, this park even boasts a farmers’ market every Thursday, so you can grab the supplies for your lunch and go enjoy it at one of Dufferin Grove’s many picnic sites.
Morningside Park
Escape the bustling, crowded nature of the city at Morningside Park, which features a variety of picnic areas, walking and biking trails, and a splashpad. Although it’s a little far from the city center, as it’s located in Scarborough, this picturesque park has a creek running throughout eroded cliffs and an expansive forest.
Trinity Bellwoods
If you’re willing to fight through the crowd for a picnic spot at the hippest place in the city, then Trinity Bellwoods is the park for you. This Queen West hot spot is the epitome of Toronto parks, packed all summer long with pups, people, and picnics. If you’re hoping to indulge in a tasty lunch at this popular spot, make sure to get there early and save yourself some grassy real estate.
