Toronto Discount Car Rental and the Toronto Islands

Think it's impossible to find a natural oasis in the heart of a major urban center like Toronto? You've obviously never taken the ferry out to the Toronto Islands then! The Toronto Islands are a network of small island landmasses located just off the shores of Toronto, in the area of Toronto Harbour. Lush and green, these islands comprise the largest urban car-free community in all of North America, providing Toronto discount car rental travelers with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. So if you're longing for some greenery during your upcoming Toronto discount car rental vacation, don't worry - prime parkland is just minutes away.

Find your way to the Islands

Unfortunately, Toronto discount car rental travelers will have to park their car if they wish to visit the Toronto Islands - there is no fixed road connecting the mainland to these floating attractions. Thus, travelers will need to rely on ferries and water taxies to transport them back and forth. Currently, there are three public ferry routes that provide links for passengers and service vehicles from the Toronto waterfront dock at Hanlan's Point, the dock at Centre Island Park, and a final dock on Ward's Island. A fourth public ferry runs from a dock at the foot of Bathurst Street and provides direct services to the Toronto City Centre Airport. For more information on ferry services, please contact the Toronto Island Ferry Information line at 416-392-8193.

The public parks of the Toronto Islands

Toronto discount car rental travelers will find a number of parks within the Toronto Islands system. One of the largest is located at Hanlan's Point. This island picnic park features a 2.48 kilometre bike/pedestrian path, as well as 13 picnic areas, and three fully accessible washrooms. If hunger strikes while you're at the Hanlan's Point Park, be sure to stop by one of the two snack bars for a tasty treat. Other attractions include two supervised beaches, six illuminated tennis courts and the Toronto Island Natural Science School. Another great picnic park is located on Ward's Island. It boasts a number of great amenities like the Centreville Amusement Area, the Iroquois Restaurant, Avenue of the Islands Gardens and the Disc Golf Course.

The Toronto City Centre Airport

While most Toronto discount car rental travelers are familiar with Pearson International Airport, very few realize that another, smaller airport is also located within the city. Toronto City Centre Airport is located on the Toronto Islands. It was initially opened to aviation in 1939 and has been used as both an air force training facility and civil aviation center. The airport is operated by the Toronto Port Authority and is used for regional airline services, including medical emergency flights and small charter flights. While service is limited from the airport, Toronto discount car rental travelers can catch a flight to the Muskoka's, Halifax, Montreal, Newark, Ottawa and Chicago, depending on the season.

Interesting facts about the Toronto Islands

• Toronto's first professional baseball stadium used to be located where the Toronto City Centre Airport now stands. This stadium was the site of Babe Ruth's first professional home run.
• Toronto discount car rental travelers can still see the original 1939 wooden structure of the airport's terminal building. It is now a designated historical site.
• Children's attractions abound on the Islands, including a miniature railway, Far Enough Farm and a turn-of-the-century themed amusement park named Centreville.
• Toronto discount car rental travelers will find three yacht clubs on the islands - the Island Yacht Club, Queen City Yacht Club and the Royal Canadian Yacht Club.
• The Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival is held annually on the islands.