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Exploring North America’s Largest Urban Car-Free Community

By Peter Vanden Bos
Read time: 5 minutes

Travelers come to Toronto, Canada’s largest city and the capital of the province of Ontario, for many reasons — its iconic skyline, its pretty lakefront and parks, its arts scene, its multiculturalism, and its tasty food, for starters. However, there’s one thing about Toronto no one likes: traffic. According to recent studies, Toronto has the worst congestion on the continent — which might make the fact that it’s home to North America’s largest urban car-free community all the more surprising. Discover the fascinating history of the idyllic car-free island escape that’s been a favorite of Torontonians and visitors alike for more than 150 years.

History of the Toronto Islands

View of Toronto skyline from Toronto Islands
Credit: FrankvandenBergh/ iStock via Getty Images Plus 

About a mile south of downtown Toronto, just across Lake Ontario, you’ll find an archipelago of 15 islands that make up the Toronto Islands. It only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to reach them by ferry or water taxi, but once you arrive, it’s easy to forget you’re still in one of North America’s biggest cities — unless, that is, you turn to admire the incredible views of the skyline behind you.

Interestingly, the islands weren’t always islands. They were originally a peninsula that extended out from Toronto, but after a particularly strong storm arrived in 1858 and dug a channel, the islands were cut off from the mainland. Since then, they’ve more than doubled in size to their current 820 acres — nearly as big as Manhattan’s Central Park — thanks to winds, currents, dredging, and landfill operations over the years.

In 1833, the first ferries began carrying people across Toronto Harbour to the islands, where the first hotel, the Retreat on the Peninsula, opened the same year. Several other hotels were built in the next few decades, turning the islands into a popular summer resort area, though none still exist.

A fisherman named David Ward established the first residential community in 1834 on Ward’s Island, on the eastern side of the islands. Other residential areas followed, and by the 1950s, there were approximately 8,000 people living on Centre Island, the largest in the archipelago. 

During this time, theaters, stores, schools, and other amenities also were built as the islands’ population grew, but in the 1950s the city decided to demolish them to create a park on the islands instead. Many residents fought unsuccessfully to save their homes, but in 1981 the Ontario government passed a law protecting those that remained.

A Tight-Knit Community

Kayakers enjoying the Toronto Islands
Credit: HonestTraveller/ iStock Editorial via Getty Images Plus

Today, Wards Island, which is linked to neighboring Algonquin Island, has about 260 homes and 650 residents. But there are no cars, with the exception of a handful of emergency and commercial vehicles. To get around the island, residents must walk or bike, and they have to hop on the ferry or their own boat to reach the mainland for groceries and other essentials. 

Given those obstacles, living on the Toronto Islands isn’t for everyone. But that isn’t to say this tight-knit community is not a highly coveted place to live. There’s a waitlist for anyone looking to buy a home here, and since there’s a maximum of 500 names on the list, there’s a lottery to even join it in the first place.

Those who make it on the waitlist have to be patient — it could be decades before a home becomes available. Only 70 homes were sold in the last 30 years, according to the CBC. The homes themselves are owned by residents, but the land they occupy is leased from the city.

A big part of the appeal of becoming an islander, beyond the small-town feel and laid-back lifestyle, is the price tag. Home prices are set by an appraiser, and there are no bidding wars, meaning they sell for far below market value — if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on one.

Toronto Islands Attractions

Gibraltar Point Lighthouse on Hanlan's Island in Toronto
Credit: Selector Jonathon/ Shutterstock 

The rest of the islands’ population is made up of daily visitors — to the tune of around 1.5 million people per year. On the busiest summer days, as many as 20,000 people descend on the islands.

It’s easy to see why: Together, the islands make up one of Toronto’s largest parks, complete with epic skyline views, beaches, gardens, restaurants, and even a children’s amusement park. Popular activities include walking, cycling, fishing, paddleboating, sunbathing, picnicking, sailing, birdwatching, paddleboarding, disc golf, and more. 

Hanlan’s Point, on the western edge of the islands, holds particular importance for Toronto’s queer community. It served as one of the city’s only safe spaces during a time when LGBTQ+ individuals faced persecution, and it hosted the city’s first-ever gay pride celebration in 1971. Today, its beach remains a popular gathering place. 

Also on Hanlan’s Island is the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. One of Toronto’s oldest landmarks, it was built in 1808 and remains the oldest existing lighthouse on the Great Lakes. (It’s said to be haunted by its first keeper, who was murdered in 1815.)

The Toronto Islands also are home to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, built in 1939. By far the smaller of Toronto’s two main airports, Billy Bishop offers flights to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S. But because of its short runway, it can only handle turboprops and not larger jets. Many travelers still favor it for its convenient location near downtown, which can be reached via an underground tunnel. 

Plan Your Visit

Toronto Island Ferry in Lake Ontario
Credit: Gilberto Mesquita/ Shutterstock 

For many visitors, the most convenient way to reach the Toronto Islands is via the Toronto Island Ferry, which is operated by the city. Ferries depart from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, a short walk from Toronto Union Station in the downtown Harbourfront area. In summer, they run as often as every 30 minutes to Centre Island, Hanlan’s Point, and Ward’s Island, though services are more limited in winter months.

As of early 2025, adult tickets cost a little over $9 CAD roundtrip (equivalent to about $6.50 USD), and it’s recommended to buy them online in advance, as lines on peak summer days can be quite long.

There are also a number of private water taxi services that will bring you to the islands from several points along the Harbourfront. While the water taxis cost a bit more (around $12 to $13 CAD one way), they’re smaller and typically less crowded than the ferry.

Once you’re there, biking is a great way to explore the islands at your own pace, though there are plenty of walking paths to explore, too. You can bring bicycles on the ferries or water taxis, or there’s a bike rental shop on Centre Island, which is open seasonally. 

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