About the Tour
Escape the bustle of downtown Toronto. Discover the city's much-loved hidden gem, the community on Toronto Island. 

The tour is a perfect mix of nature, history, photo-worthy views and storytelling.

The Toronto Island community is situated in the  858-acre Toronto Island Park,  only a 12-minute ferry ride from downtown Toronto.  

The 90-minute tour, led by two longtime residents, Linda Rosenbaum and Susan Roy is ideal for curious travelers, photographers and anyone looking to see a different  side of Toronto. 

Highlights
  • Panoramic skyline views of Toronto
  • Toronto Island Park, a car-free green oasis just minutes from downtown Toronto
  • The year-round heritage community on Ward's Island that calls the Island home
  • Stories about their fight for survival
  • Hidden beaches, gardens, lagoons known mostly to locals
  • Experience a personal, authentic adventure
  • Buying handmade items by Island artisans

Linda and Susan will tailor tours to your group's needs. Past participants  include:
  • conference-goers and plus ones;
  • groups of families, friends. senior and leisure clubs
  • international travelers
  • professional, non-profit and recreational groups
  • ESL and international students....
.

What you'll do
​​
  • Have a leisurely walk through the charming, sidewalk-lined community (no cars so no streets)
  • See cottage-like homes, gardens, green spaces, beaches and historic buildings where 700 residents live. 
  • Learn about the community’s 150 year-history and 35-year fight to save their homes from bulldozers when their community was slated for demolition.
  • Enjoy photo-worthy views
  • Hear what it’s really like to live year round in the middle of a park with no stores or personal vehicles, and live your life by a ferry schedule​

​Relaxing, leisurely and accessible
  • The tour is leisurely on flat terrain. 
  • The ferry docks and Island paths are family friendly, wheelchair and stroller accessible.
  • Tour is suitable for all fitness levels. 

Anything to do after the tour?
It's easy to make your visit a full or half day experience. There's plenty to do.
  • Food and drink at two Islander-run licensed restaurant/cafes serving homemade food (The Island Cafe and The Riviera).
  • Bike rentals 
  • Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) rentals 
  • Kayak and canoe rentals
  • Shop at The Island Outpost, a general store selling Island-made goods and other merch, including art work, children's books, souvenirs, snacks, t-shirts and hoodies. Kid and adult bike rentals. A great, friendly place, check it out. 
  • Walk and wander the Island's beautiful pathways
  • Bring a bathing suit and go to the beach
  • Or sit at one of the cafes and ponder the meaning of life.

​What makes this community so different?
  • You'll never hear the sound of traffic or see a highrise anywhere.
  • Not a single condo!
  • You won't even see streets. Just sidewalks and pathways.
  • The Island community is made up of 262 cottage-like wood homes (unusual for Toronto). The 700 residents live there year-round. No cars. No stores.

Tour Details
Specializing in group tours from May through October. 

Book now for group tours of 4 or more people.  Contact Linda and Susan to schedule your date and time. 

Tours for fewer than four people will be scheduled monthly throughout the season. Check back in May for specific dates. 

See contact form in this website, or: [email protected]m 

Cost: $40 per person.
Groups of 15 or more receive a 10% discount and the organizer comes for free.
Special arrangements can be made for educational and non-profit groups.

Once you book your tour, Linda and Susan will provide information about boat schedules, advance ferry tickets, deposit, where to meet, etc.

You will be taking a 12-minute ferry to Ward's Island from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal in downtown Toronto. Linda and Susan will be waiting for you as you get off the boat. 

Our Photography Policy
Toronto Island Walking Tours reserves the right to use photographs or videos taken by representatives of Toronto Island Walking Tours or by participants during the tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used on our website, social media or other promotional materials, please you notify us and/or the photographer at the start of the program.
 
See FAQs for more details about tours.

Contact us for more information.

Your Guides
Linda Rosenbaum and Susan Roy are longtime Island residents. As co-owners of Toronto Island Walking Tours, they will both lead your tour.

They started giving tours 8 years ago, appreciating how curious visitors are about  what it's like to live on the Island.  Having answered what seems like a million questions from tourists over the years, they decided to tell all.​

TORONTO ISLAND WALKING TOURS

[email protected]