The best five places to go swimming near you (outside of U of T)
Temperatures have finally gone up. Instead of suffering from Toronto’s cold climate, we’re all suffering from the heat! Thus, time for a dip. But where’s the best place to go? That all depends on your preferences.
- The Easy Pick: Alex Duff Memorial Pool
This outdoor pool in Christie Pits Park has a little bit for everyone, including a spring board and deep pool for diving, a water slide as well as a separate 25-metre lap pool. Good to know: this is one of the city’s pools that’s usually open late during heat waves.
Get there: TTC to Christie Station
How much: Like all City of Toronto outdoor pools, it’s free
- The Olympic: Donald D. Summerville Pools
If you’re not about playing around but want to get right down to it, this pool complex right on the beach at Woodbine Park is for you. There’s a 50-metre Olympic size pool, a 25-metre training pool, and even a separate pool for diving with both 5- and 10-metre diving platforms.
Get there: Bus 92 to 1816 Lake Shore Boulevard East
How much: Like all City of Toronto outdoor pools, it’s free
- The Adventure: The Elora Quarry
For those of you who want to get out of the city, the Elora Quarry is just an hour’s drive from downtown Toronto. This place used to be a limestone quarry, but it is now a park that offers amazing scenery. There’s a beach on the south side of the quarry that’s otherwise surrounded by cliffs.
Get there: An hour’s drive from downtown Toronto
How much: Park entry is 10 dollars
- The Splurge: Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
Just want to have a good, luxurious time while pretending to be a visitor in this city? The financial district is where you find this indoor/outdoor swimming pool. It’s best to check ahead, as guest passes sometimes sell out, especially on hot summer days.
Get there: Streetcar 301, 501 or 502 to York Street & Queen Street West
How much: 30 happy dollars
- The Beach: Ward’s Island
Do you long to get out of the city but want to skip the drive? Toronto Islands is the place to go. On the eastern-most tip is an area called Ward’s Island with a nice and relaxed atmosphere. The beach, located on the southern part of Ward’s Island, is sandy with some rocks as you enter the water and the water quality is generally good here.
Get there: Take the ferry from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal between Bay & Yonge on Queens Quay. You can either go straight to Ward’s Island, or to Centre Island and then walk or rent a bike.
How much: Like the air, the water here is free to enjoy
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