Harbourfront Centre

A Must-Visit Spot for Sunset Lovers Just find yourself a spot facing the serene expanse of water and the setting sun, and you’ll feel your worries melt away. There’s something profoundly soothing about watching the horizon blaze with color, surrounded by the gentle sound of waves. It’s the kind of place where you can feel gloriously alone in a crowd, lost in nature’s beauty. A word of practical advice: if you’re carrying food, stay alert! The local seagulls are seasoned thieves, ready to swoop in the moment you glance away. It’s all part of the waterfront charm—but don’t say you weren’t warned! Overall, it’s a wonderful experience for everyone. If you’re single, come here to reflect and find yourself. If you’re married, it’s a place to rediscover the quiet voice of love. And if you have kids, you can soak in the views while they enjoy street food and free games along the promenade. It’s truly a must-visit destination. If you’re coming from farther away, I highly recommend using the GO Train—convenient, scenic, and stress-free.

Beautiful experience at the Harbourfront Centre. The water was relaxing and calming, and even got to see some swans. Watching the boats and planes land was a great Sunday activity as a tourist in the city. I definitely recommend visiting at least once. There is also an art gallery with a few exhibits totally free of charge to visit. Can’t wait to be back.

Beautiful weekend trip. Amazing picnic spot with beach views. You can rent out cycles and enjoy the island. Lots of greenery to enjoy. Good place to take your parents out.

Vibrant, beautiful, scenic, welcoming, and thriving place to visit in downtown !! There's something for everyone - be it walks along the boardwalk by Lake Ontario, art theater, kids playing area, food stalls, cafes, restaurants, and public art installations. One can see the sailboats and yachts docked nearby. People can take a ferry or water taxi to the Toronto Islands. People get to see lovely and amazing views of the Toronto skyline while walking. Got plenty of seating throughout the boardwalk. It is family-friendly, and kids are able to play and enjoy around. A good place to unwind and relax in bustling city.

Harbourfront Centre is one of the most beautiful, vibrant, and culturally rich destinations in all of Toronto. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, this spot is a must-visit if you’re looking for a place that blends stunning waterfront views, arts and culture, food, relaxation, and great service all in one. What immediately stands out about Harbourfront Centre is the location—it sits right along the shore of Lake Ontario, offering some of the best views of the water and skyline in the city. The walk along the boardwalk is peaceful, scenic, and refreshing, with boats gently cruising by, sailboats docked nearby, and the CN Tower looming majestically in the background. It’s the perfect place to take a relaxing stroll, snap a few beautiful photos, or simply sit down and enjoy the fresh breeze off the lake. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and there's something always happening here. From live music and cultural festivals to public art installations, outdoor yoga, dance performances, and artisan markets, Harbourfront Centre is a hub of creativity and entertainment. No matter when you visit—day or night—you’re likely to catch some kind of event or performance that adds life and color to the space. Their event calendar is full year-round, and the best part is that many of the experiences are free or affordable, making it very inclusive. What also really impressed me was the amazing service. Staff at the information booths and event venues are always polite, helpful, and well-informed. Whether you’re asking about directions, ticketing for a show, or details on an exhibit, you’re greeted with genuine hospitality and professionalism. Even during busy summer days or festival weekends, the Harbourfront Centre team keeps things organized, clean, and enjoyable for everyone. If you’re a foodie, you’re in luck too. There are cafes, food stands, and nearby restaurants with incredible menus—everything from ice cream and snacks to gourmet meals and international flavors. You can grab a drink or dessert and enjoy it by the lake, watching the sun dip behind the skyline for a perfect evening moment. Harbourfront Centre is also very family-friendly and accessible. There are public washrooms, seating areas, green spaces, and plenty of open-air room for kids to run around. The entire area feels safe, open, and inviting, whether you’re there solo, on a date, or with your family. One of the best times to visit is during sunset or at night. The lights reflecting on the water, the sound of gentle waves, and the nearby music or laughter from events create an almost cinematic experience. It’s relaxing, beautiful, and alive with culture and energy. You truly get the best of both nature and city life in one setting. Overall, I can’t recommend Harbourfront Centre enough. It offers a unique experience where art meets nature, where local culture meets global inspiration, and where every visitor is treated with care. Whether you're there for a peaceful walk, a live show, a meal by the lake, or to attend a festival—you won’t be disappointed.

The Harbourfront is one of my favourite spots in Toronto. It’s honestly such a peaceful little escape right in the middle of the downtown chaos. The park is beautiful, the views are stunning, and just sitting by the water feels so calming. You feel completely safe, even if you’re just wandering around solo. There’s always something to snack on or check out, and if you’re in the mood for an adventure, the ferry to the Toronto Islands leaves from right here. It’s such an underrated gem. Highly recommend.

Beautiful Harbourfront Experience on Canada Day – A Must-Visit Spot in Toronto! We visited Harbourfront Toronto on Canada Day, and it was truly one of the best experiences we’ve had in the city! The atmosphere was electric — full of life, music, lights, and celebration. The entire area was beautifully decorated, and the vibe was like a free open-air concert by the lake. There were live performances, food vendors, and activities for people of all ages. The event was very well organized despite the huge crowd, and the best part — it was completely free! Everyone was enjoying themselves, from families with kids to groups of friends and tourists. As the sun went down, the fireworks show over the lake began, and it was absolutely breathtaking. The reflection on the water, the sound, and the cheers from the crowd made it feel magical. It was one of those moments you don’t forget. Even aside from Canada Day, Harbourfront is a fantastic spot for a relaxing walk by the lake, boat tours, or just sitting on a bench enjoying the skyline. The area is clean, scenic, and very accessible by public transit. If you’re in Toronto — especially during a major celebration like Canada Day — make sure to visit Harbourfront. You’ll experience the true spirit of the city right by the water. Highly recommended for tourists, couples, families, and anyone who loves a vibrant lakeside vibe!

A lovely spot by the lake with a great mix of art, events, and waterfront views. Perfect for a walk, a coffee, or catching a performance. It’s lively but still feels relaxing. One of my favourite spots to unwind downtown.

Seeking a little low-key meandering, we decided to start our day at Harbourfront Centre. STAR #1 - Great views of the inner harbor, the Toronto Islands, and the Toronto skyline. There's a path/boardwalk that hugs the shore and allows you to stretch your legs while taking in the scenery. Did I mention you can watch planes land at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport? Well, you can, and that's pretty cool for the aviation geek in all of us. STAR #2 - There are several parks (Harbour Square Park and Ann Tindal Park), and even beaches (HTO Beach) complete with sand and umbrellas, along the shore where you can kick back and relax or play with your furry friend. STAR #3 - Tons of fun businesses, including The Power Plant (a contemporary art museum), Amsterdam Brewhouse (brewery, duh), Tim Horton's (coffee, duh), and more! It's definitely meant for exploring. STAR #4 - It's free! There's no admission to take it all in. So if you're seeking just a walk and soaking up the local flavor, you're set! If you're seeking out something to do for the day, many options are at your fingertips here. I'd have to agree with other reviewers that there's easily something for everyone at Harbourfront Centre. So don't skip it! **Pro Tip: Be warned that it can get pretty chilly here, even on a warm day. After all, it is right next to a large body of water. So a light coat or sweater is always nice to have!

Love that they have so many activities and festivals in the summer time! Great for walking near the lake and don't forget to visit the powerplant to see contemporary art!

The camps mostly run during Jul and Aug. They have some camps throughout the year. They are a non-profit organization. My son is attending their camps for the first 2 weeks in Jul. Each season is Mon-Fri, unless there is a public holiday on a Mon; then it runs Tue-Fri at a pro-rated cost. We paid $295 for 4 days and $390 for 5 days. You can pre-purchase lunch at different sizes. A medium-sized lunch costs $45 for 4 days. There are all types of courses from science, art, singing, acrobatics, exploration, and even chess. My son loves the camps he attended. It is well run. The dropoff and pickup are at the Harbourfront Centre, north end. They require a photo ID when picking up. It is easy to email or phone them for questions, etc. If driving, they give you a pass valid for Mon-Fri, Jul to mid-Sep. You can park for free during dropoff/pickup for 20 mins; otherwise, you pay the full amount. Sessions run 09:15-15:45. Dropoff time is 08:30-09:15 and pickup time is 15:30-16:30. They also have extended time camp 08:00-18:00. They do monitor the weather conditions for humidex level, rain, and air quality. Review 2023-225

You would think a city as cosmopolitan as Toronto would have a more enterprising lakeshore area to attract unsuspecting tourists like me. But maybe it's just as well there aren't flashy casinos or exclusive resorts that dot the city shoreline. It's just a brief boardwalk area anchored by a large building that houses a non-profit organization with a theater, a market, a performance space, and just a few places to eat. Pretty low-key with colorful Adirondack chairs provided along the way for resting and enjoying the view of the Toronto Islands. If you're feeling particularly nasty, you can get a beaver tail as you stare at the CN Tower (photo: http://bit.ly/31LAnqU). It's not what you think, it's like a flattened funnel cake. RELATED - Traveling to Toronto? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: bit.ly/2LETSfV

My rating is 3.5 stars. I'm rounding up. I don't visit Harbourfront Centre all that often, simply due to distance. I come whenever there is the Vegetarian Foodfest or some other cool event. Earlier this month, we had a team event at work. We were here on a boat cruise. I got here a bit early and decided to walk around. Growing up in the Beaches area of Toronto, it felt like home being close to Lake Ontario. I walked around the pier, looking at the various ships and boats, and soaking up the beauty all around. I also went into The Terminal to check out the shops. Naturally, Timmy's was buzzing with activity and a lineup. I liked the Toronto Book Garden, which is just before you enter the main doors to The Terminal. It has the names of literary greats on the brick pathway as you walk. The flowers were also gorgeous! If I lived closer to this area, I'd be here more often, likely stuffing myself with a beavertail and riding a bike. It's beautiful. I enjoyed being down here as a tourist in my hometown. (184)

I love coming here in the summer time. There are beautiful views and lots of space to walk - even when it's busy. There's always a variety of festivals going on (even in the winter). The festivals give you an opportunity to eat good food, buy souvenirs and clothes, and see lots of art and hear music. It's good for the family, for friends or for dates. The best thing about it, it's free! There are certainly some things you can pay to do in the area (skating, restaurants etc.) but you don't have to spend a dollar if you don't want to. One star off because it is not the easiest to get to if you don't live in the area. Yes you can take the streetcar, but depending on where you come from it can take awhile because there's not many route options. That being said, it's still worth the trip!

Great place to go sailing or learn how to kayak on a warm June day. We took a cruise, but really not worth any more than the ferry.

Every good city has access to water and Harbourfront Centre celebrates that in Toronto. It's a new development on Lake Ontario that stretches a good while making it a great spot to stroll. As you walk along the water, you'll notice amazing views of the CN Tower. In addition, there's shops, restaurants, and cafes inviting you to stay awhile.

This place is accessible by car via the gardener and has underground parking which is expensive. $22 for 2 hours or $24 until 6pm and we arrived at 11:30am. It is also accessible by transit. There are a few buildings and theatres but we specifically went for a seminar in the studio theatre. The seats were fairly comfy but small and it was easy to see the stage from any seat. There are washrooms outside in the hallway which are typical public washrooms. They were clean.

We stopped by the harbourfront Centre after visiting the aquarium and CN tower. We didn't get a chance to walk around the entire harbour. We took a boat ride around the city's waterfront area and enjoyed the views and historical information we received. We saw several areas where you can sit and just people watch. There were some cool boats docked. They had a small concert area with seats. There were several restaurants and vendors to buy snacks. I would love to return to actually enjoy more of the scenery especially on a beautiful spring/summer day.

When on my way to the CN Tower, the cab driver recommended I stop off here. The Harbourfront attempts to be like the Piers of New York, but they fall short. The boardwalk takes a lot of add twists and turns requiring you to street level. At times, it can get very noisy whether it be the traffic or the airport across the lake. Worst of all, compared to New York they don't have any small cafes or carts that sell food for you to eat. There really wasn't anything exciting going on or anything to get involved with. Some fun things could be taking one of the boats or water taxis around. You could also look at the beautiful water fowls. Of course, you could take a walk or run, which I tried to do, but the weird setup through everything off. Other than that, there was really nothing unique you could do here. Altogether, this is a pretty mediocre place.

Stumbled into this place by accident while we were looking for indoor washrooms and we are so happy we did! Walking through the centre, we got to see students creating art in different workshop/open classroom areas, which then led to a free, awesome art exhibit! This was great news to us, as we had just visited AGO and the exhibit we wanted to check out was sold out. The art exhibit was focused around self-portraits and most were truly stunning. We spent a good hour walking around checking out the Canadian portraits. There's a box for donations, which I think is a great initiative. Worth checking out if in the area and what's great is they have an indoor seating area and clean washrooms. Right outside is the Harbourfront, a beautiful area to walk around in the sunshine and with a view of Toronto's CN tower in the background.

Highlight of my time at Harbourfront Centre: it's a toss up between the honeybadger-like-man playing the random piano and just relaxing on the waterfront watching the planes. I think I spent an hour chilling out on a bench at the Harbourfront Centre. When the weather is nice, it's so nice to unwind while watching planes both small & large land at the airport over the water. It's a great place for people watching, as well! There was absolutely no one there on a Thursday morning and I kind of liked it that way. The occasional jogger or couple strolled by us, plus of course the eccentric gentleman playing the piano (so cute), but overall it was pretty desolate.

This is a neighborhood theater for moi. I have seen a couple of performances here and both were memorable. I will comment only on the theater part though. Accessibility is decent as the street car stops right across of this performance space. Getting to the main entrance here can be a bit tricky if you are not familiar with this area as the entrance is in back of the building (can be a bit confusing as one can see the theater lobby from what seems like the entrance when walking down towards the lake). The theater itself is medium sized with flexible seating (traditional and 360 degree). The acoustics are decent though the seating can be quite uncomfortable especially in the balcony area. You are allowed to bring in drinks in the theater which is great if you are attending a long performance. The have an OK selection for snacks as well. 3 stars

Very nice place! The Centre is very popular amongst tourists and as well as locals. In the summer, it's a great place to enjoy a meal in the patio restaurants while soaking in the sun. It also hosts events and activities. In the winter time, the pond turns into a skating rink. Great place to skate while enjoying the view of the lake on one side and CN tower on the other side. Definitely a place you should visit!

Gotta give props to the Harbourfront Centre for always keeping things interesting, diverse, and FREE!! I discovered the Harbourfront Centre in high school when I came for the Canada Day celebrations and found out about their summer weekend festivals (e.g. Hot & Spicy Food Fest, Francofete, Iranian Fest, Ritmo y Color, etc.). Always bustling with energy and lots of performances (music, dance, theatre) as well as cooking demos, a market area, crafts for the kiddies, film screenings, art exhibits, etc. Where else would I have the chance to see Indonesian shadow puppets or try a free flamenco class? I have been to some awesome free outdoor concerts here over the years, including Feist, Esthero, K'Naan and Patrick Watson. The programmers and curators here really do a great job. Most people probably only come here in the summer, but there's also a lot going on year-round. Some things I have checked out included Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, Vegetarian Food Fest, International Festival of Authors (Douglas Coupland gave a talk about Marshall McLuhan), Ontario Dance Weekend (every January). The skating rink is nice in the winter and on selected Saturdays there's a DJ! Admittedly, it's much quieter (sometimes dead) in the off-season, but it rewards anyone willing to explore. You can definitely come here and make a day out of it. The gift shop has some great stuff and then there's the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery next door. Food options are the only thing that is a bit weak... There's the nearby Queens Quay Terminal that has a Sobey's, Il Fornello, and Watermark Irish Pub. In the summer, the best thing is to just grab something from one of the stands (e.g. churros!) and have a picnic, possibly on H20 beach. For free cultural happenings and Canadian content, the Harbourfront Centre can't be beat!

I have not been to Harbourfront Centre ever until this Summer. It is a little out of the way for me since I live in the Suburbs. But with all the events they held this Summer, I decided to make the trek down. Nice to walk around when the weather is nice. Live entertainments, exhibitions and events every week during summer. I think I would come down more often next year if there are more interesting events.

What a great redevelopment of a water front space. There were pubs, boats, an amphitheater, art galleries, classroom space. You name it. I loved being able to walk along and enjoy the waterfront, even if it was a little chilly. It looked like they were setting up for some big festival for the upcoming weekend. Many places weren't open since it was a weekday AND a bit early for summer openings. Great space to wander and enjoy the lakefront.

With the nice mild spring weather, i decided to join my friend and her dog for the afternoon at the Harbourfront Centre. There were some tall ships docked there. We walked by Amsterdam Brew House where the patio was filled with people eagerly soaking up the sun and pints of beer. There was an outdoor iced skating rink that was reduced to puddles of water where kids were splashing around. We also walked by the opened air performance stage area that was cluttered and messy. Maybe because it is only the beginning of spring, there wasn't much going on that was interesting. Will have to come back during summer to check this area out again. Hopefully it will be more lively then.

I been coming here for years but never had written a review for it. Recently, I came to check out their HarbourKIDS: Circus festival. The place is busy in summer and quite nice to chill and walk around. You can enjoy some Beaver Tail and check out the water, ships, a great view of the Toronto skyline... Heck just go people watching. There are a lot of activities and festivals on during summer months.

This is a really nice place to take a little stroll and to see the sights of the city. There are boats that you can take a tour of, water craft to rent, and a little open market with people selling sunglasses, and other touristy type wares.

Beautiful area to walk around and take a stroll. You can take the ferry to City Centre Island from here and look at the Toronto skyline, which is a great experience. Area is well-maintained and clean. Would come back next time to take the ferry again!

When friends come to visit Toronto, this is where I take them. There's no question that Harbour Front Centre is a microcosm of everything Toronto has to offer. First, it's beautiful - right on the lake. If it's the summer, the canoe / wading (you might get yelled at) pond is open. If it's winter, there's a skating rink. All season long, there's the lapping waves of the lake. Second, it's full of art - be it the glass work displayed in the fabrication hallways, or the rotating photo gallery, or the open space which has free exhibits all year long. Third, there are always events going on - multicultural festivals, author's reading, theatre... and a great number of these things are free (be sure to ask for a programming guide to check out what's coming up.) Fourth, the gift shop - there are items here you normally wouldn't see outside of internet shopping sites. All in all, it's a great way to spend an hour, as you make your way along the beautiful Toronto Waterfront.

Harbour front has something to offer to each kind of traveler. For those who like tranquil places can walk along the waterfront or in the parks or in the trails. For those who like buzzing spots, there are theatres, event spaces, breweries etc to choose from

I just love coming here in the summer and just take a walk on the Harbourfront boardwalk. It's just so filled with Toronto's diversity and life, along with different types of free entertainment. In the summer they have different types of festivals going on, people selling you stuff, and food. And in the winter time they have the ice rink for ice skating. It's just so filled with life. Coming here in the summer is my thing, and just enjoying the sun while looking at the water (not jumping in it though). It's good to take a breather every now and then just take a break from the city life. Just enjoy the tranquility while you sip on a beer by the patio. I'll really miss doing this in the winter...

one of the most multi use venues in toronto, from the skating rink in the winter, to the kayak pond in the summer, the arts and crafts lessons inside, to the food festivals that are thrown here. there is definatly something for everyone. its very easy to come here and kill some time, or to spend a couple of hours doing stuff down here. the outdoor art gallery is a very nice feature during the better times of the year, and i think gets switched out seasonally. the workers here are really nice, and always eager to help no matter what event is going on. the little cafe is a great place for some coffee and treats as well. something for everyone here

I heart Harbourfront! Right by Lake Ontario, this area is absolutely beautiful and lively. From performers, to restaurant patios, people jogging and rollerblading and not to mention festivals galore! Unlike a lot of places in downtown toronto, Harbourfront is the meca for artsy, cultural and some of the friendliest people in this city. I love going down here in the summer and walking along the boardwalk. Also the festivals are great - I especially love the Hot n Spicy food fest and the veggie food fest (happening this weekend - Sept 5-7). Definitely a place worth checking out. 5+ stars!

I love this place! It is right next to the waterfront of Toronto and offers you a great view of the Toronto skyline from the deck area. It is a great place to do a casual stroll or sit and enjoy the sunrise/sunset. A lot of people walk this lakefront path and there are a lot of restaurants/bars around the area. In the winter, there is an ice skating rink nearby! Parking is ample in an underground lot and it is about $5-6/hour (I think). Go in the daytime and go at nighttime to see the different perspective of Toronto!

Something for everyone at Harborfront Centre-- Food, drink, street performers, but most of all what a view of Lake Ontario. Harborfront seems to be the site of numerous festivals and there are plenty of activities, concession booths, entertainers, boats, the ferry, green spaces to enjoy. Sandy beach with umbrellas too! Harborfront is easily accessible by streetcar or the subway from Union Station. Highly recommend.

A big ol' park right on the water. Real cool. The night we came, they had a Barbados festival with free concerts. The main act was Rupee. A nostalgic dance treat, and he pumped up the crowd like a pro. Fun time.

Always a nice place to pass by to see arts and exhibition that they change every few months. Great also to see people working at the glass blowing workshop. There is also a nice Boutique selling some cool items

One of the places in Toronto where you can face a large body of water. I've never came here in the fall or winter as I believe it will be extremely cold. However, I have come here a couple times in the summer time and oh man, I loved it. It's probably because it's hard to get so close to such a large body of water in the GTA region. I mean, there are occasional lakes and ponds, and if you drive a lot up north, you can see stunning views, but in Toronto, not a lot. Walking along the Harboufront feels amazing, as the nice breeze blows across, gently sweeping your hair. It's awesome especially after eating a dinner in the summer time. Harbourfront Center occasionally hosts events with awesome music, cute little botiques that are usually overpriced. If you come here on Victoria Day, it has THE BEST fireworks, they're large and runs for at least 20 minutes to about 30 minutes. I've never came here in the winter yet, but I heard there's a beautiful skating rink here and feels very Christmasy with the DJs and the lights.

Came by waiting for friends to finish skating so we can go for high tea (lunch). The skating ring didn't have a lot of people compare to the Nathan Philips Square skating ring. You can rent the skates for $10. You get a nice view of the Lake Ontario while skating.

Not a ton to do here as expected. You could get a hot dog and an icecream and eat it along the boardwalk but I can see how this area would get crowded at certain times a day. The area does not accommodate well people who want to walk along the water, it's more a loading dock for boat riders. And there's restaurants and shops inside the building to the right. You may see a performer or two.

After an enjoyable time at the Hockey Hall of Fame, we took the Exhibition Streetcar from Union to the entrance of the Harbourfront Centre. By doing some research, I found that there were plenty of Family Day activities, and I was excited to bring my niece, nephew, and fiancée for some free family fun. We first had a difficult time finding exactly where all of the attractions were. We entered the Queen's Quay Terminal, which was dead da-dead da-dead. Basically a shopping mall with no one in it on a Sunday afternoon of a holiday weekend. We scrambled a bit to figure out where the fun was, but finally figured out it was in the York Quay Centre instead. We walked towards the water, and were on our way. As we went out to the harbour, we immediately saw where all the fuss was. People were walking all over the waterfront (it was a pretty warm +3C for February and beautifully sunny). The ice skating rink was overrun with happy Canadians skating about. We decided not to go for that, and instead wandered inside the York Quay Centre to find the free activities. We first wandered to the Junkestra, an assortment of recycled goods which were hung on a large wall, which kids (and adults alike) can come up and strike. All together the wide variety of timbres and people playing on their own made quite the blissful cacophony. Next, we went to the Brigatine Room where they had a large tent with a replica of aurora borealis inside. They gave us a short Inuit story to read to the kids as we sat under the dancing lights. Its sweet simplicity allowed for us to cooly relax in what was otherwise a very stimulating day. After that, my fiancée went with my niece to make buttons while I took my awesome hockey nut nephew to make a hockey mask. They had glitter (though he respectfully chose not to use any) and a wide assortment of markers to create the mask. He made a cool Penguins mask to go along with the Marc-Andre Fleury goalie stick he bought from the HHOF gift shop. At the button spot, kids could cut out pictures from magazines and put them together in artistic ways to make buttons. How neat! We only participated in 4 of the 18 free activities at the Harbourfront that day and amused ourselves for a few hours! After the Harbourfront's Family Day fun, I kept thinking about how different this would have been if it were happening in my home, New York City. It certainly would not have been free, but I also feel like it would have been a much bigger production. Professional buttons, real hockey masks not just made of paper, and a laser aurora borealis show with video and surround sound audio. But this was truly simple. It allowed for my niece and nephew's imaginations to soar. It was so sweet in its simplicity, it seemed much more real and from the heart rather than commercially motivated. It captured the kind of free, imaginative fun I will be looking for when I someday have children. What a great city, Toronto must be, in which to raise a family.

If you're a fan of the performing arts, this is certainly a spot worth checking out, I've recently been able to explore two of the venues on the Harbourfront grounds to watch my girlfriend perform in dance shows within the Studio theatre inside the main building as well as in the Bill Boyle Artport. It's a little tricky getting to the HFC by car currently with the construction along the Queens Quay, but if you are driving a pro-tip would be to go along Lakeshore, turn onto Lower Simcoe and proceed straight, there is a ton of underground parking right underneath the grounds of HFC, and it's all very new looking. What's interesting about the 10 acres of land, is that it is home to 30 different performance, shops and eateries both indoors and outdoors, all set along the waterfront - most notably would be the Westjet stage, the Amersterdam Brew House (their patio is incredible) and the Watermark Irish pub (avoid the chicken wings). The main building of the HFC also has a Sobeys as well as a collection of small Canadiana type shops and other retailers, not for me but definitely worth window shopping. Not to mention there are several companies who've made the upper floors of the main building their Toronto offices. I'm looking forward to making this a destination spot once the Queens Quay is completed, but until then there is enough to keep me busy and entertained!

What do you do when a vending machine eats your money at 11:30 PM of a holiday and there is surprisingly no information sticker/note on the machine about how to proceed when it happens? 1) Talk to the customer service / management on the day after to know how the refund system works 2) Wander around in the dark searching for a security guy, even though there's no security issue If your answer was 1, congrats, you would get your money back in 99% of the occasions - except if this machine is located at the Harbourfront Centre. Since the machines on this place astonishingly don't carry any instructions on how to proceed when they keep your money and don't give you what you've purchased - something I've never seen before - I decided to do what it's always expected, talk to the people who manage the location. I called them this morning to know how the refund works and the lady told me right away that I should have looked for a security officer. Since I didn't do that I would have to get there in person until 5PM to get my money back because they could only process that in the same business day. After explaining to the lady that it wouldn't work for me - I would waste at least an hour of work that's worth way more than $2 only to get my $2 back - and asking if tomorrow would be OK, she directed the call to the security office. (Note: why do they have this ridiculous rule of "only in the same business day" in place? What prevents me from going there any day and tell them I lost some money that day?) The security lady told me the same thing. I asked her why is it my fault that the machine ate my money and nowhere was posted that I should talk to the security instead of taking the regular measures - requesting a refund to the management - and she interrupted me very rudely saying that my last resort was to call the phone that was posted on the machine and deal with the company myself. When I told her that there was no phone posted on the machine, the response was "look for PepsiCo International on the internet and call them". For the Harbourfront Centre's crappy refund system for their vending machines, and for the absolute lack of help and excess of rudeness of their customer service, I bestow them their first crappy review. Enjoy!

I really wish that the events at Harbourfront were more widely advertized! We went on Friday for a show on ancient string instruments and had a great time but felt there were some real missed opportunities with the music. Possibly because it was poorly advertized, the crowd was mostly families with young children which didn't really work that well for the type of music being performed. The concert of ancient string instruments we went for wound up playing covers of obnoxious pop songs instead of anything from the period, probably to keep the kids entertained. A really cool experimental band, Insideamind, played as well but they had an audience of maybe 3 people who were actually listening, the rest were families talking throughout and kids running around screaming. I honestly felt bad for the performers. I love kids, but it seemed like this was an event that was intended for adults and quickly modified to fit a children's audience because someone forgot to tell any grown ups about it. On the whole we had a great time exploring the waterfront, listening to the bands (except that one Goytre cover...never again do I want to hear someone wailing 'but you didn't have to cuuuttt me offff' accompanied by a sitar) and eating tasty treats from the global food court. I just wish that they would do better to advertize and cater to one audience instead of putting on something that is sort of disappointing for both children and adults.

Fantastic to walk around on a nice day, they have events throughout the weekend with vendors, food, and performances. Very relaxing to watch the sailboats go by, the little kids riding around the water boats, pushing around gigantic inflatable beach balls. I ran into an Iranian fair while I was there, and sat in a adorable make-shift tea room having delicious Persian tea, ate some chickpea sweets, and then had some Chinese dim sum (shrimp dumplings). Only in Toronto lol...

Simply beautiful scenery, the water, the CN Tower and Rogers Centre are in view. Rent some boats and go out in the water. Always make sure to wear your life jacket, safety first.

This is probably the most lively spot to hit on the Toronto waterfront. Its beautiful, outdoor, and the entertainment is free! There are sometimes street performers along the boardwalk, such as a magician or a human statue, or you might catch some live music or a film at the outdoor amphitheatre. In fact, there are free cultural live music shows in the summer... a different theme every weekend! Also in the summer, there is an outdoor island-style flea market, a food tent, a bar, and a number of restaurants each with patio's along the water and on either side of the harbour. If you go during one of the food festivals, you might be able to try some celebrity chef cooking! And you might find they have even closed down Queen's Quay for the festival. In the winter, there is free skating with DJ'd music. There are outdoor art exhibits and there's a film festival theatre indoors. Its fairly touristy... but what do you expect? Tip: The best Second Cup is right there on the water.

The Harbourfront Centre, a place that I heard about since I came to Toronto 2 months ago, but since I was always busy, didn't have the chance to go there. Well finally on Sunday I got my schedule organized and went there to see the mexican Dead Party festival. I have to say that I got way more impressed by the harbourfront centre than for the festival, but that's natural, since the festival was just a small event compared to the place itself. I want to go their again at the summertime, have a nice day walking around and drinking a good beer, watching the sunset, that's one of the nice places I found in this beautiful and gigantic city. Other reason to go back there is that I didn't see even a half of the attractions, just the beauty of the place. So, check-ins will be here for sure! FP.

The venue is a nice set up for friends and family to hang out. There's a stage in the center of the venue with lots of open space for you to lounge. In the summer, there's even red Muskoka chairs for you to sit and relax on. There's no good food places around so you're stuck with hotdogs, fries, and pop. But better yet, bring your own picnic. There's a few bars around and they're located right along the waterfront. Come in the late afternoon and grab a pint on any of the patios. Pro tip: There may be a long wait for patio seats.

Love Harbourfront especially in the spring & summer. While there's events, classes, exhibits throughout the year I personally think it's the best in the spring and summer as they have the outdoor market with food, clothing and trinket stands - not too mention free samples from companies. I love that every weekend in the summer there's always some sort of festival or event to bring people out to enjoy. The Harbourfront folks seem to put in their best efforts to make the place entertaining and the weekend festivities are free! Fun and free, can't be beat!

I regret to say that although there are many festivities, all free, most of them are not worth going to. A lot of them are focussed on children. I would love to see more advertisements of events going on, hopefully it would bring out more people and generate better events in the future. The harbourfront itself is still a nice neighbourhood to walk around with the lake ontario to the south.

I love this place! Amazing location right on the lake, great festivals and activities and all FREE! Plus in the winter you can skate at Harbourfront FREE! I have gone there so many times and even when I just sit and relax I have fun. Thankyou Harbourfront, for always providing a great atmosphere for everyone!

Beautiful views. People watching. Relaxed atmosphere. What's not to love? I came to the Harbourfront Centre twice, once late at night with one of my dancers and we walked around a bit before heading back. The view of the moon was gorgeous - it reflected upon Lake Ontario. I came back to the Harbourfront Centre on a night they were doing a free film screening of Paris Je'taime (22 short films filmed in Paris). It was amazing! Everyone around me had a great time. I enjoyed the free screening. Most of the people were Torontonians and I felt for a brief moment one of them while sitting there watching the films.

I work in the terminal building right next to Habourfront Centre and I have to say, I feel great coming to this area day in and day out. It's right on the lake and provides a majestic view of the city. I always see tons of ads posted for different events, authors fair, science days for kids, holiday celebrations of all kinds. They also have boat tours, cruises, kayak and canoe rentals during the warmer months. Unfortunately, they also have tourists prices for everything - the shops in my building are exorbitantly over priced and the gifts stores nearby are clearly robbing visitors to Toronto. Il Mercato as well as some other resto lounges are located in the building - but I wouldn't come here for a meal. Harbourfront Centre is beautiful and it's worth it to stop by, check out the sights and sounds and the view. I would advise against shopping or eating here as you'll pay too much and there are TONS of other places in the city to do both of these activities.

Interesting place to visit and see free shows. Only thing you have to pay for is the food and parking.