4 Best Sights in Leslieville, Greektown, Little India, and The Beach, Toronto

The Gerrard India Bazaar isn't a place, exactly. It's a strip of Gerrard Street that's home to a row of shops and restaurants with a South Asian flair. One of the city's top cultural landmarks, it's the place to find colorful saris, ceramic incense burners, Indian sweets, and fresh grilled corn and cane juice from streetside vendors. It's also home of the Festival of South Asia every summer.

Just a 10-minute walk east on the boardwalk from Woodbine Beach, the officially merged stretch of Kew Beach, Scarboro Beach, and Balmy Beach is a bit pebbly and slightly more secluded, making it ideal for those seeking a quiet stroll or a dip in the lake. Look for the historic Leuty Lifeguard Station, which was built in the 1920s. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard rental shops sit along the shore. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: walking; sunrise; swimming.

This park comprises a peninsula that juts 5 km (3 miles) into Lake Ontario. Created from rubble from construction sites around the city and sand dredged for a new port, the peninsula has become one of the best areas in the city for bird-watching, photography, cycling (a Bike Share Toronto stand is located at the mouth of the trail), walking, and jogging. At least 334 bird species have been sighted at the park, and the peninsula is home to one of the largest breeding colonies of double-crested cormorants in North America. At the end of the spit of land, you'll find a red-and-white lighthouse, in addition to amazing views of downtown and an awesome sense of isolation in nature. Bird-watching is best from May to mid-October. To get here, head east along Queen Street to Leslie Street, then south to the lake. Dogs and private vehicles are not permitted.

The largest, and probably best-known, of all the area beaches spans 37½ acres along the coast of Lake Ontario. You'll find beachgoers of all ages swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, strolling the boardwalk, and playing volleyball on outdoor courts. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; sunrise; swimming; walking.