Day tripping to a scenic spot outside of the city is a great way to enjoy nature, but you don’t have to get in your car to find the perfect outdoor location this spring. Toronto is filled with incredible scenic points that make for even better photos, and most can be explored during your lunch break. The city has everything from old cobblestone streets to long wooded trails making staying inside the least appealing option, especially now that the warmer spring weather is upon us.
The Beltline Trail
The Kay Gardner Beltline trail is a nine-kilometre trail that loops through the Moore Park, Forest Hill, Chaplin Estates, Rosedale, and Fairbank neighbourhoods. The trail was once home to a railway in the 1800s and provides plenty of trees and shade. This trail is also an excellent path to take if you’re new to running as the terrain is straight with just a few nice curves and just a bit rocky.
Toronto Music Garden
A stroll through the music garden is an excellent way to activate your imagination. Bach’s First Suite inspired each section of the park for Unaccompanied Cello, and you can also envision the rocks dancing to each section — famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma even had an influence on how this park was built. Bring your headphones and listen to the Bach classic while you stroll, or unplug and enjoy the wonder that is a secret garden in the middle of the city. You’ll find the Toronto Music Garden at 479 Queens Quay W.
Ontario Place Trillium Park
You probably know about this scenic area already, but it’s worth visiting Ontario Place more than once or twice. Now that the weather is nicer and the ice and snow are melting as spring is officially here, snapping a few photos by the water has never felt so good. There are over seven acres of green space at Trillium Park and plenty of spots to picnic. Trillium Park is at 955 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
University of Toronto Campus
It may feel a bit strange to hang out on a university campus if you aren’t a student, but many great books have been read, and photos have been snapped under the archways that line this U of T expanse of pristine green. Head to 27 King’s College Circle to explore the campus and act as a student for the afternoon.
Distillery District
Maybe not the slice of nature you were thinking about, but we can’t leave the fantastic photo ops the Distillery District provides off this list. Plus, you can grab lunch at an outdoor patio or stroll with an icy drink while snapping photos against centuries-old buildings and cobblestone streets. If you’ve never been to the Distillery District when it’s not the holiday season, now is the perfect time to explore.
