Top Rated Parks to Visit in Pickering

"For stunning outdoor views, head to Scarborough Bluffs where lakeshore cliffs with cathedral-spire formations expose evidence of five glacial periods. Spanning 14km from Rosetta McClain Gardens to East Point Park, there are several trails that allow visitors to enjoy meadows, forests, beaches, wetlands and spectacular views across Lake Ontario. The highest section, grassy Cathedral Bluffs Park (65m), makes a great photo op."

"This is the Beaches – and the Bluffs are even further from downtown. Just for your reference!. If Woodbine Beach and the parks in that area weren’t enough, you could drive out to Scarborough (far east of the city)."

"Check out the scenic and gorgeous trails along the Scarborough Bluffs. These magnificent bluffs are along the shoreline of Lake Ontario Scarborough, you’ll want to make sure you have a camera for this one!"

"Since the 1800s, when the Beach boasted amusement rides and quaint cottages, both tourists and Torontonians alike have flocked to this east-end neighbourhood. With tennis courts, a baseball diamond, wading pool in the summer and ice rink during the winter, not to mention the picturesque bandstand and playgrounds, it’s no wonder that Kew Gardens is the go-to venue for those in the know. The park regularly hosts events, with movie nights a favourite throughout the summer; it’s also home to the Beach Guild of Fine Art, a group of local artists who regularly host exhibits and sales in the Historic Gardener’s Cottage."

"The long sandy beach is popular with everyone from sunbathers and paddlers to dog walkers and joggers. The Martin Goodman Trail runs through Balmy Beach Park parallel to the boardwalk and beach so there's ample space for bikers, walkers and rollerbladers. Kew Balmy Beach Park is also home to bike trails, an off-leash dog area, outdoor fitness equipment, a snack bar, a playground and bowling greens."

"Kew and Balmy Beaches are beautiful beaches filled with history and charm. Parking is available. Where: Located on the shores of Lake Ontario in 2 Silver Birch Ave, Toronto"

"Originally known as the Don Valley brickworks a factory dedicated to produce the bricks that build Toronto, after closing its doors in the 1980s all that was left was crumbling buildings and a damage ecosystem. The journey to transform this space started in 2002 by evergreen a Canadian environmental charity with the idea to build an ecological center with a social enterprise, the design and construction was a joint venture between Du Toit Allsopp Hiller Architects and Diamond and Schmitt Architects who developed in what it is now, the first large-scale community environmental centre in Canada."

"Located in the Don Valley, Brick Works Park showcases Toronto’s dedication to healthy and diverse ecosystems. The area is one of the city’s most valued natural environment parks and is home to wetlands, wild flower meadows, forest habitats, and steep cliff faces, not to mention the many species that call the park home. Transformed from a quarry site into a nature sanctuary, the park is directly north of the fabulous Evergreen Brick Works."

"Park green space and part community hub, this 5.3-hectare park on Dufferin Street just south of Bloor Street West has something for just about anyone, especially those looking to get to know the people in their neighborhood. Dufferin Grove boasts a multipurpose sports field, a basketball court, a picnic area, a wading pool, two fire pits, a children's playground, native plant beds, native tree groves, vegetable gardens and a naturalized savannah garden. If that weren't enough, there’s a drop-in garden club wherein anyone interested can help maintain the park's gardens."

"Edwards Garden is one of the most beautiful parks in Toronto which can proffer you with this amazing experience. The garden is beautifully embellished with a wading pool, sand to build castles, a playground & reflexology footpath, a skateboard area, and a sports field. Besides, you can also treat your eyes with the splendid view of tall and pretty sugar maples, the canopy of old-grown trees, wide-ranging swamp willows, and hackberries."

"On any given summer evening, you will see kids running barefoot and laughing around Dufferin Grove Park. Located just south of Bloor Street West and Dufferin Street, the 5.3 hectares are occupied by families and friends enjoying the great outdoors. There is a cool reflexology footpath, sand to build castles, a wading pool, a playground, a skateboard area and a multipurpose sports field."

"Roundhouse Park is right by the touristy CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium, but don’t let that steer you away from exploring it."

"Continuing along Toronto’s waterfront is the city’s newest green space Trillium Park. This man-made park is built on the former grounds of a parking lot, measures 7.5 acres in space and is perfect for those who enjoy walking, jogging, cycling, or a spot to sit and relax and watch the planes come and go from Billy Bishop Airport. The main feature of Trillium Park is the William G. Davis Trail."

"This brand new 7.5-acre park is right on the water at the eastern edge of Ontario Place. Thoughtfully constructed, the park has walkways that wind their way through the rocks and near pebble beaches. A rock climbing area with a sandy base is the perfect place for those with excess energy (i.e. children) to burn it off."

"Looking to get that Toronto skyline shot but don’t have time to visit the Toronto Islands?. Then head to Trillium Park. Located on the eastern part of Ontario Place, Trillium Park is one of Toronto’s newest green spaces."

"Conveniently located right across from Christie subway station, you’ll find multifaceted Christie Pits Park. This large patch of green space has a lot going for it and is justifiably popular all year round thanks to the Alex Duff Memorial Pool (complete with water slide) in the summer and toboggan-worthy hills in the winter. The park is also home to three baseball diamonds, a multi-sport field, basketball and volleyball courts, an artificial ice rink, a children's playground and labyrinth, a splash pad, a wading pool, and a community garden."

"An 8.9-hectare park located at 750 Bloor Street West and Christie Street, the Christie Pits Parks is named after the famous Christie sand pits that were there until the early 1900s. The park is home to the Alex Duff Memorial Pool, basketball and volleyball courts, an artificial ice rink, a splash pad, a wading pool, and a multi-sport field. Besides, there is also a community area along with fire pit facilities."

"Covering an area of about 22 acres, Christie Pits is centrally located at the intersection of Bloor Street West and Christie Avenue. Originally called Willowvale Park, the area was nicknamed Christie Pits after the Christie Sand Pits which were housed here until the early 1900s. The park features a unique layout, sunken down below street level with sloping sides."

"It is a competition in Toronto to see how early people will get in their shorts. There is usually one hardy Canadian who shows their pasty legs as soon as it goes above zero Celsius. Ashbridge's Bay is a way for Toronto to shake off their winter weariness and remember the good things in life."

"A tried and true favourite for brunch in the city, you’ve got to hit up Old School for a taste of what’s good. Savoury, sweet, light or carb-heavy, this spot is serving the goods to the best of the brunch crowd, and it’s well worth waiting for if there’s a line when you arrive. Address: 800 Dundas Street WestPhone:  416-815-8790"

"Old School has some epic comfort food and is also the home of Toronto’s best pancake stack, the Blueberry Hill. This brunch all-day hotspot has fresh classics made from scratch with a modern twist. Expect to dig into delicious BLTs to chicken and waffles, pulled pork sandwiches, French toast, and so much more."

"School meets diner vibes at this adorable brunch spot on Dundas West. I’d say Old School is definitely up there on my list of the best brunch places in Toronto – the food here is absolutely incredible!. Their Blueberry Hill Pancakes are life – definitely some of the best pancakes I’ve ever had in Toronto."

"What is it: If you're looking for classic Toronto, look no further than this little breakfast joint in Little Italy. Since 1998, Aunties has been slinging eggs and bacon on mismatched plates to appreciative locals. If you're craving a sweet start to the day, the cinnamon French toast or oatmeal pancakes should fit the bill."

"Why go: Tucked away on Lippencott, Aunties & Uncles is the quintessential brunch spot that one daydreams about owning one day. Kitschy and cute, with some of the best and most well-priced breakfast plates in the city. What to order: Thebreakfast pocket, breakfast tacos and banana oatmeal pancakes are a few faves."

"Comfort food and not-through-the-roof prices come together at this cozy brunch spot, tucked into Lippincott Street. Ease your hangover with a fierce, carb-heavy sando, or a plate of breakfast tacos, plus a steamy cup of coffee. Address: 74 Lippincott StreetPhone: 416-324-1375"

"A photo posted by Insomnia Restaurant and Lounge (@insomniatoronto) on Jul 31, 2016 at 8:20am PDT. In addition to their classic oven baked pancakes with mixed berries or candy apple, Insomnia serves up a gluten-free and vegan buckwheat short stacks with peanut butter banana sauce and strawberry coulis. Address: 663 Bloor Street West, TorontoInstagram:@insomniatoronto"

"They really deliver on variety, with 7 options for Eggs Benedict alone, and just about any morning classic you can think of. Since it’s also a bar, they know a thing or two about hangovers. They also know a key yet underrated step in making the best brunch Toronto is willing to line up for: home fries."

"So, this is one of my favourite and pretty unassuming little spots in possibly one of the best restaurants in Toronto that’s hidden in plain sight. Figures is located in the Yorkville neighbourhood of Toronto and a spot you don’t wanna miss. Totally hidden behind an unassuming (almost secret) door is a comic book restaurant that serves some of the coolest food in the city."

"Drawing inspiration from comic book heroes, Figures is totally hidden by an unassuming door before you enter… but once you’re inside it’s another world. Cocktails are served smoking, there are TV dinners for mains and some funky beats to suit!. I swear, I could have stayed here all night."

"Figures brings that nostalgia back with its restaurant concept. No wonder Forbes names Figures one of 2017’s best new restaurants in Toronto. Figures is fully committed to the comic book theme."

"Spadina House is an upper-class historic home, built by businessman James Austin in 1866. An ideal place to visit in the summer, the six-acre grounds have Victorian and Edwardian gardens. From chestnut trees to forget-me-nots, it is an understated place to frolic."