Sustainable Travel Guide to Toronto

Looking to see Toronto in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way? Enjoy the sustainable travel guide to Toronto where we highlight parks and green spaces, walking tours, markets, the best sustainable restaurants in Toronto and so much more.

Experience Toronto's parks & green spaces

One of the best ways to maintain sustainable travel while still seeing the sights is to bask in the great outdoors. Luckily, Toronto is full of green spaces and parks. High Park Toronto is a spectacular destination that captures the essence of nature. One of the more popular attractions is the cherry blossoms, which hit peak viewing in the spring. Take advantage of the playgrounds, an intimate free zoo, and an off-leash dog area. Picturesque wide-open spaces and benches also make it ideal for a picnic, while the serene ponds and lush gardens give the impression of a hidden oasis from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Picturesque views at the Toronto Music Garden

Located on the waterfront, the Toronto Music Garden is alive with music, nature, people, and local wildlife. It’s a superb spot for a picnic with scenic views of the harbourfront and serene walking trails. Take a one-hour free tour by one of the Toronto Botanical Garden volunteers.

Other popular Toronto parks include Toronto Island Park, Humber Bay Park, Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Trillium Park, Christie Pits, Trinity Bellwood’s Park, and more.

Take a walking tour

Uncovering Toronto's secrets on foot is a marvelous way to increase your steps while minimizing your carbon footprint. Plus, you can see more of Toronto’s hidden spots as walking gives you the leisure to stop at wherever your heartstrings pull. But if you’re looking for a more structured tour of the big city, we suggest taking one of the many delightful Toronto walking tours. Tours typically run from the spring to the autumn and follow high-traffic areas that let you explore some of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods. Whether you’re interested in architecture, both historical and modern feats, discovering some of the best restaurants in Toronto, hitting some of the trendy neighborhoods, or perhaps seeing the darker side of Toronto with a ghost tour, there is something for everyone. Tours also cater to a wide variety of languages.

Shop at a farmers' market

Toronto’s farmers’ markets allow for access to some of the freshest local produce while also lending to a sustainable experience. Reducing food miles is better for the environment, plus you gain the benefit of the farmers’ expertise as they love answering your questions. Lastly, local artists and craftspeople populate farmers’ markets making interesting finds practically a guarantee.

St. Lawrence Market Farmers’ Market is one of the most well-known Toronto farmers’ markets and for good reason. It hosts over 120 merchants, resides in the heart of Old Town Toronto, and expands beyond its wares to include restaurants, a Market Gallery, a kitchen with cooking classes, shops, and more. It runs year-round every Saturday from 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and also offers a walking tour of the market.

Weston Farmers' Market is open every Saturday from the beginning of June to the end of October, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and includes 40 vendors. What makes Weston Farmer’s Market stand out is the live weekly music it shares with locals and visitors. While parking is available nearby, many people find it convenient to take nearby Toronto public transportation, keeping it real with sustainable travel, and many visitors enjoy walking to the market.

Scarborough Farmers’ Market is an afternoon market held every Tuesday from June to October, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. This market prides itself on fresh, nutrient-packed produce at fair prices and represents diverse vendors.

Dine at a local restaurant

Are you a foodie who loves to support locals and eat seasonally? Some of the best restaurants in Toronto are renowned for sustainable eating, showcasing the freshest farm-to-table ingredients prepared in mouthwatering dishes. Discover some of the top Toronto restaurants that prioritize showcasing all that Ontario has to offer.

Use Toronto's public transportation

Toronto’s public transportation consists of buses, subways, and streetcars, making it convenient and environmentally responsible. But if you’re looking to uplevel your sustainable exploration of the city, how about exploring it by bike?

Toronto has an intricate network of biking trails and cycling routes. Simply rent a bike from one of the many Bike Share locations and get ready to explore the city. They are conveniently available for rent 24 hours a day, seven days a week, rain or shine.

Another sustainable way to get even more out of your visit to Toronto is to take a bike tour. Much like a walking tour, you’ll explore historical sites, check out popular neighbourhoods and restaurants, and discover hidden gems.

Lastly, if you have your own bike, the GO Train lets you bring it into and out of Toronto with you.

Go green at Toronto hotels

Staying at a green hotel helps ensure sustainable travel.

1 Hotel Toronto is located in King West, a popular Toronto neighborhood. It helps make your visit a sustainable one by using energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, maintaining a sustainable sanctuary that all guests can enjoy, supporting forest restoration with each person who stays at their hotel, and so much more.

The Kimpton Saint George Hotel located in the trendy Bloor–Yorkville neighborhood, is a boutique hotel with sustainable practices. They focus on low-flow toilets, refillable toiletries, energy-efficient LED bulbs in all their lights, and other green practices such as recycling and composting everything.

The Drake Hotel Toronto works hard to focus on the three R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. They do so by reducing the amount of water waste, such as offering water to guests in reusable pitchers. They donate unused toilet paper to a non-profit organization, recycle napkins, and only supply rooms with recycled materials.

But even with all of this, there are many ways you can make your sustainable Toronto stay even more impactful.