Practical information : Move & Laze around Toronto
Budget & Tips
There are ways to stretch your legs without spending a dime. City and town halls provide a variety of sports facilities, from swimming pools to soccer fields. Access is usually free or for a small fee. There is also a network of free multi-purpose trails for both cyclists and cross-country skiers. A few dollars are required in conservation areas. Adventures such as jet boating, wakeboarding and snowmobiling require a substantial budget.
Toronto has several hundred kilometres of cycling lanes and off-road trails. With a relatively flat terrain, it is easy to get around the city by bike. A few bike paths are worth mentioning, such as the Waterfront Trail - also known as the Goodman Trail - which runs along Lake Ontario between Etobicoke and Scarborough, the Humber Valley Trail around the Old Mill, the Don Valley Bike Path along the Don River, or the (more challenging) Scarborough Bluffs. A number of cycling, hiking, cross-country skiing and other clubs offer low-cost outings in the city and in the region. The city also has several beaches, some of which have access to Lake Ontario, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools located throughout the city.
What's very local
In winter, in parks and other large enough areas, ice rinks spring up like mushrooms. Most of the time, you have to provide your own equipment, but some rinks offer ice skate rentals on site. And it's all beautifully maintained throughout the season!
Your documents please
Some activities require certification or a valid license. For example, if you wish to rent a motorized watercraft, participate in a fishing trip or take advanced kayak or canoe training. The same goes for driving a snowmobile, which requires you to have your driver's license with you. In short, find out what is required beforehand.
To be booked
Because space is often limited, reservations are recommended, if not required, for guided outdoor tours, adrenaline activities(jet boating, zip lining, etc.), water sports and fishing trips, and spa treatments and massages. The same goes for Toronto's professional sports teams, especially when it comes to field hockey, the sport of choice for Ontarians. While tickets can usually be purchased on the spot, during playoff games, reservations are a must to secure a seat.
Main events
There are many high-caliber sporting events in Toronto, starting with the games of the city's professional sports teams (Blue Jays in baseball, Raptors in basketball, Argonauts in soccer, Maple Leafs in field hockey and Toronto FC in soccer), as well as those of the junior leagues (Ontario Junior Hockey League) and universities, which promote the next generation of athletes. There are also the two Toronto marathons (one in May and the other in October), the Honda Indy Toronto Grand Prix in July (Indy Car circuit), and the National Bank Open in Toronto, which welcomes the world's best tennis players every year in August.
To get ideas, fairs are organized in the Toronto area and feature the outdoors, camping, hunting and fishing (The Outdoor Adventure Show, Toronto Sportsmen's Show...).
Tourist traps
At major sporting events, scalpers are omnipresent around the venue. While it is true that you can save a few dollars by buying from them, it would be a shame to waste your money on fake tickets. So go through the official ticket booths.