Family-friendly city beaches in Ontario

The Beaches, Toronto

There are so many great places in Toronto to dip your toes, from Cherry Beach to the Toronto Islands. And the soft sand, Muskoka chairs and pink umbrellas of Sugar Beach offer relaxing views of Lake Ontario in a unique, urban beach park setting.

However, there’s one Toronto neighbourhood that’s truly dedicated to the ‘beaching’ experience, The Beaches. Splash in the surf and catch some rays at Woodbine and Kew Beach. Then wander the boardwalk and check out the bustling shops and cafes

Where to stay in Toronto: Located in the heart of downtown, Chelsea Hotel has made family fun a mission with the 39 metre (130 foot) corkscrew waterslide and family fun zone.

Eats and treats near the beach:  The Beacher Café has become a neighbourhood landmark or head up to Pizzeria Libretto, a family favourite on The Danforth. Treat your sweet tooth to a maple bacon crunch at Ed’s Real Scoop on the strip.

Location and parking: The Beaches neighbourhood is located between Victoria Park Avenue and Woodbine Avenue in Toronto’s east end. It is accessible by public transit via the 501 Queen Streetcar. Limited parking is available at 30 Ashbridges Bay Park Road.  

Oshawa’s Lakeview Park Beach

Follow locals-in-the-know to Lakeview Park Beach for a day of swimming (supervised), picnicking, a stroll along the pier, beach volleyball and cycling.

What we love: Oshawa’s Waterfront Trail is part of The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, an amazing multi-activity trail that follows over 2,000 kilometres along Ontario’s great lake and river shores. Oshawa’s portion stretches 11 kilometres through parks and forests, by the harbour and to the beach – perfect for cycling, hiking or strolling before your dip.

Where to stay: Find the big three in terms of service; clean, comfortable and convenient; at the Best Western Plus Durham Hotel or the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Oshawa Downtown. With free breakfast and a swimming pool, you can add ‘kid-approved’.

Eats and treats: It’s worth the trip to Oshawa to experience the original Hollywood Cone, inventors of over-the-top, mutant milkshakes, cones and banana splits.

Ottawa’s Rideau and Ottawa River Beaches

There are four inviting, swim-able public beaches in the nation’s capital. Mooney’s Bay Beach is on the Rideau River, while Britannia, Westboro and Petrie Island Beaches are located on the Ottawa River.

What we love: the awesome view across the river from Petrie Island Beach and watching the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival at Mooney’s Bay.

Where to stay: Ottawa has a great selection of places to stay. Just 20 a minute drive west from downtown, Brookstreet Hotel has amenities, activities and packages designed for ultimate kid fun.

Eats and treats: While in the nation’s capital, it’s practically your duty to dig into poutine and flapjacks. If you like your treats on the colder side, look out for the Merry Dairy ice cream truck (or hit up their Hintonburg parlour).
 

Sarnia’s Canatara Park Beach

The beach at Canatara Park proudly flies its Blue Flag status as eco-certified for its water quality and safety standards. Swim, sun, visit furry friends at the Children’s Animal Farm, tear up the BMX track or join in a beach volleyball match. The great news is that there’s a load of kid approved fun.

What we love: Lake Huron sunsets. Find out why communities along Lake Huron have been boasting about their spectacular sunsets for years. And the blue mobi-mats (pictured above) make wheelchair and stroller access to the beach easier.

Where to stay: The Harbourfront Inn & Suites is Sarnia’s only waterfront property overlooking the St. Clair River, and within walking distance of Canatara Park. Just an hour up the coast, Oakwood Resort treats beach-loving families to the sun and surf of Grand Bend.

Eats and treats: What says Day-At-The-Beach better than ice cream and fries? Albert’s Rolling Lunch chip wagon has been serving just that for over 50 years.

Sudbury’s Bell Park Beach

On the shores of Ramsey Lake, next to Science North and Dynamic Earth, Bell Park Beach is a clean, blue flag-certified, accessible beach area supervised by lifeguards.

What we love: Bell Park offers an all-terrain, floating wheelchair service for visitors with disabilities to easily transition from land to water and enjoy a refreshing dip.

Where to stay: Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites offer spacious suites with kitchenettes, complimentary breakfast and a pool for little ones who didn’t get enough splashing in at the beach. Kids stay and eat for free at the Holiday Inn – you can’t find better value than that.

Eats and treats: Check out the burgers at Vespa Street Kitchen (from the Respect Is Burning Supperclub family), enjoy authentic Mexican at La Casa Mexicana, and get your sugar fix at Sweet Nothings.
 

North Bay’s Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake Beaches

Did you know there are a total of 43 beaches in and around North Bay? You can see information on them (including the lifeguard schedule for those with lifeguards) on the North Bay website.

What we love: Fun Rentals at the Marina at Marathon Beach rents out canoes, kayaks and SUP boards as well as bikes.

Where to stay: Families looking for comfort and convenience will love the Travelodge, Comfort Inn or Homewood Suites, all within a stone’s throw of the lakeshore.

Eats and treats: Get fresh and healthy Lebanese fare at The Cedar Tree. North Bays' Lakeside Landmark Restaurant and Bar, The Boat on Memorial Drive is right on the water and features a menu that caters to everyone in the family. Cool off with a specialty milkshake at Moose Crossing Ice Cream.

Life’s better at the beach, and there’s no shortage of sandy fun to be found all over Ontario.

Lakeview Park Beach, Oshawa

Follow locals-in-the-know to Lakeview Park Beach for a day of swimming, picnicking, a stroll along the pier, beach volleyball and cycling.

Oshawa’s Waterfront Trail is part of The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, an amazing multi-activity trail that follows over 2,000 kilometres along Ontario’s great lake and river shores. Oshawa’s portion stretches 11 kilometres through parks and forests, by the harbour and to the beach – perfect for cycling, hiking or strolling before your dip.

Where to stay in Oshawa: Find the big three in terms of service; clean, comfortable and convenient; at the Best Western Plus Durham Hotel or the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Oshawa Downtown. With free breakfast and a swimming pool, you can add ‘kid-approved’.

Eats and treats near the beach: It’s worth the trip to Oshawa to experience the original Hollywood Cone, inventors of over-the-top, mutant milkshakes, cones and banana splits.

Location and parking: The park is located at 1675 Simcoe Street South and parking is available off Lakeview Park Avenue.

Rideau and Ottawa River Beaches, Ottawa

Due to the fact that Ottawa sits at the intersection of three key rivers and a heritage canal, the city boats great water-based activities, including inviting, swim-able public beaches.  

Highlights include the view across the river from Petrie Island Beach and watching the annual Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival at Mooney’s Bay.

Where to stay in Ottawa: Ottawa has a great selection of places to stay. Just 20 a minute drive west from downtown, Brookstreet Hotel has amenities, activities and packages designed for ultimate kid fun.

Eats and treats near the beach: While in the nation’s capital, you’ll want to try flapjacks, poutine and beavertails! If you like your treats on the colder side, look out for the Merry Dairy ice cream truck (or head to the Hintonburg parlour location).

Location and parking: Mooney’s Bay Beach is located at 2950 Riverside Drive on the Rideau River. Britannia Beach is located at 2805 Carling Avenue and Petrie Island Beaches is located at 795 Trim Road in the Orleans neighbourhood, both on the Ottawa River.

OC Transpo provides bus service to Britannia Beach. Limited free and paid parking is available at each beach location.

Canatara Park Beach, Sarnia

The beach at Canatara Park proudly flies its Blue Flag status as eco-certified for its water quality and safety standards so it’s a great spot to swim and play. You can also visit furry friends at the Children’s Animal Farm, tear up the BMX track or join a beach volleyball match.

You’ll also want to catch one of Lake Huron legendary sunsets. And the blue mobi-mats (pictured above) make wheelchair and stroller access to the beach easier.

Where to stay in Sarnia: The Harbourfront Inn & Suites is Sarnia’s only waterfront property overlooking the St. Clair River and within walking distance of Canatara Park.

Eats and treats near the beach: Nothing compliments a day at the beach better than ice cream and fries. Albert’s Rolling Lunch chip wagon has been serving just that for over 50 years.

Location and parking: Canatara Beach is located along Christina Street in the Point Edward neighbourhood of Sarnia. A parking lot is located off Christina Street.

Bell Park Beach, Sudbury

On the shores of Ramsey Lake, Bell Park Beach is a clean, blue flag-certified, accessible beach area supervised by lifeguards. Bell Park offers an all-terrain, floating wheelchair service for visitors with disabilities to easily transition from land to water and enjoy a refreshing dip.

It’s also within walking distance to Science North and Dynamic Earth, and close to downtown Sudbury.

Where to stay in Sudbury: Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites offer spacious suites with kitchenettes, complimentary breakfast and a pool for little ones who didn’t get enough splashing in at the beach. Kids stay and eat for free at the Holiday Inn.

Eats and treats near the beach: Check out the burgers at Vespa Street Kitchen (from the Respect Is Burning Supperclub family), enjoy authentic Mexican at La Casa Mexicana, and get your sugar fix at Sweet Nothings.

Location and parking: Bell Park Beach is located off Paris Street in Greater Sudbury, with parking available in lots at 506 Elizabeth Street and 100 Ramsey Lake Road.

Shabogesic Beach, North Bay

There are over 40 beaches in and around North Bay! Get information on the lifeguard schedule at supervised beaches, including Shabogesic Beach, formally known as Marathon Beach, on Lake Nipissing.

Fun Rentals at the Marina on Memorial Drive at Shabogesic Beach rent out canoes, kayaks, SUP boards and bikes.

Where to stay in North Bay: Families looking for comfort and convenience will love the Travelodge, Comfort Inn or Homewood Suites, all within a stone’s throw of the lakeshore.

Eats and treats near the beach: Get fresh and healthy Lebanese food at The Cedar Tree. North Bays' Lakeside Landmark Restaurant and Bar, The Boat on Memorial Drive is right on the water and features a menu that caters to everyone in the family. Cool off with a specialty milkshake at Moose Crossing Ice Cream.

Location and parking: Shabogesic Beach is located beside King’s Landing off of Memorial Drive on the north shore of Lake Nipissing. A public parking lot is located on the south side of King’s Landing Wharf.