Summer Fun On Ward's Island

By Wendy Kam Marcy

I've been spending my weekends here and loving every minute of it! For those of us who don't have cottages, Ward's Island is your speediest summer getaway - just a 10 mins ferry ride ($7.50 round trip) or water tiki taxi ($10 one way) from downtown TO.

While your buddies are stuck in gridlock traffic heading up north, send them an Instagram of you relaxing in one of these cute B&B's.

The Island Cafe on Ward's Island hosts live music, trivia nights and special events all summer. There is also a Long Weekend Arts Festival and a Labour Day weekend Brunch en Blanc lunch.

All Island Cafe concerts are pay-what-you-can, so bring a blanket and some cash and enjoy an evening under the stars.

Make it a day trip! Grab your sunscreen because there is a pretty sweet beach here with a nice long boardwalk (for biking). Soak up the sun as you leisurely glide across the water on a paddle board, canoe or kayak. Love scavenger hunts? Try geocaching! There is even a frisbee disc golf course if you are feeling competitive. Enjoy a garden dinner at The Rectory Cafe and order the pulled tofu sandwich and char grilled calamari. On Tuesdays 5-7pm, drop by the Kale Pilot Project for some free organic kale!