Things to Do in Toronto Before the Summer Ends

We’re now into the last half of summer, which means you have one month left to pack in your must-do summer events in Toronto before fall beckons. We’ve identified the following things to do in Toronto that make up a quintessential Toronto summer that you won’t want to miss.

Shakespeare in High Park

Canadian Stage is featuring two Shakespeare plays at Shakespeare in High Park in summer 2016: Hamlet and All’s Well That Ends Well. The High Park Amphitheatre is the ideal setting for Shakespeare. There is nothing more blissful than sitting outdoors as dusk settles, watching these Renaissance plays surrounded by natural beauty. Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can or Premium Seating is $25, which can be reserved online. Hamlet is performed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. while All’s Well That Ends Well is on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 8 p.m. You have until September 4, 2016 to see both plays.

Harbourfront Toronto

There is no better place to spend a summer day in Toronto than at Harbourfront and if you haven’t been down to the boardwalk on Lake Ontario this summer, you’ll want to do so while the sun is still hot. Enjoy a leisurely lunch on the water at one of my favourite restaurants, Amsterdam Brewhouse at Harbourfront where they serve a delicious Roasted Vegetable and Goat Cheese pizza. If you feel like escaping to an island oasis, hop on the Centre Island ferry and enjoy a peaceful lunch at the Rectory Cafe on Ward’s Island. I recommend ordering their soup of the day, which is made fresh.

Free Outdoor Swimming Pools in Toronto

Living in the city has some great perks, including access to free outdoor swimming pools in Toronto. With the incredibly hot and humid summer we’ve had, it’s great to be able to cool off at one of these outdoor pools. One of my favourite outdoor pools in Toronto is Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Swimming Pool. The pool has a spectacular setting overlooking Lake Ontario and is one of the largest public outdoor pools in Toronto with a good-sized kiddie section, dedicated lanes for lengths and a large deep end. After your swim, you can go for a stroll along the boardwalk at Sunnyside Beach or stop at Sunnyside Cafe for a bite to eat.

Concerts at Molson Amphitheatre

Seeing an outdoor concert is one of the most popular things to do in Toronto before the summer ends. The line-up for the Molson Amphitheatre offers a wide variety of genres for August 2016:

• Gwen Stefani: This Is What the Truth Feels Like Tour – Thursday, August 4, 2016, 7 p.m. Tickets are $159.25, $119.25, $104.20, $44.20 and $34.20.
• Goo Goo Dolls with Collective Soul – Tuesday, August 9, 2016, 7 p.m. Tickets are $103.75, $93.75, $83.75, $74.25, $69.25 and $33.75.
• Pitbull: The Bad Man Tour with Prince Royce – Wednesday, August 10, 2016, 7 p.m. Tickets are $154.20, $144.20, $134.20, $104.20, $84.20, $54.20 and $34.20.
• Brad Paisley: Life Amplified World Tour with Tyler Farr – Thursday, August 18, 2016, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $103.75, $83.75, $63.75 and $33.75.
• Blue Rodeo with Terra Lightfoot – Saturday, August 20, 2016, 7 p.m. Tickets are $93.75, $83.75, $63.75 and $24.25.
• Blink 182 – Sunday, August 21, 2016, 7 p.m. Tickets are $118.25, $108.25, $94.75, $74.25, $62 and $34.25.
• Counting Crows & Rob Thomas – Friday, August 26, 2016, 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $64.75, $84.75, $44.75 and $30.25.
• Black Sabbath: The End – Monday, August 29, 2016, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $169.25, $119.25, $84.75 and $51.75.
• Meghan Trainor: The Untouchable Tour – Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 7 p.m. Tickets are $74.20, $64.20, $59.25, $49.25 and $34.20.

CNE 2016

The Canadian National Exhibition or CNE is a summer staple for many people living in the GTA. The CNE made our Things to Do in Toronto Before the Summer Ends list because it always signals the end of summer and maintains long-standing traditions such as the Air Show, the Food Building and the Midway. Although much is the same at the CNE every year, there are new artists appearing at the Bandshell concerts, new (sometimes crazy) food items at the Food Building and products to discover at the Enercare Centre. Find out what’s new at the CNE 2016.