Scarborough has a lot to offer. From scenic nature to urban gems, the east end of Toronto is one of the most vibrant and diverse areas of the city. There’s something for everyone.
Scarborough is home to a thriving art scene (you don’t have to go all the way down to Graffiti Alley to get that Instagram-worthy picture) and we have beaches and parks galore to take a break from the books and enjoy what nature has to offer. Or you can hit the streets and explore the diverse food and culture that are a big part of the communities that live here.
Whether you’re new to the area or have been here all your life, here is a list of free, must-see places to visit close to campus.
Visit the Bluffs
Many of you may know the stunning landscape of the Scarborough Bluffs, but there is a lot more to this east-end landmark. The Bluffs are actually made up of 11 parks, known for their spectacular views of Lake Ontario and bound to attract people with varying hobbies.
Take a stroll through the vibrant Rosetta McClain Gardens. You can literally stop and smell the roses, as well as a bunch of different planted and raised flowers and even spot butterflies and birds zooming by.
Looking to chill out by the water? Bluffer’s Park Beach is the perfect sandy spot for a beach day. Further east, you’ll find Guild Park and Gardens. The space became a sanctuary for architecture from Toronto’s demolished buildings from 1947. The owners of the property saved pieces from those buildings for about 35 years, and it’s an elegant spot for photo opportunities.
Check out local art
Art is all over Scarborough, from street corners to international festivals.
There are a bunch of utility box murals that add pops of colour to Toronto’s streets, and it’s all a part of the city’s StART Outside the Box Program. More than 350 boxes have been painted by local artists since 2013. There is a string of them to check out close to campus, including one at Ellesmere and Military Trail. And don’t forget about the Creekside: Eastern Gateway Mural near Kingston Road and Military Trail. You can discover for more spots and local artists using this mural map.
Looking for high art? After its initial debut in the east end last year, Nuit Blanche will return to the Scarborough Civic Centre area in October. The Queens and Kings of Scarborough exhibit will turn the space into a theatre, with the theme of reclaiming power by redefining Western European art.
Try the bike and walking paths
Staying active is a great way to take a break from the books, and what better way to do that than with Scarborough’s walking and bike lanes?
Accessible from the campus at the new Valley Land Trail, the Highland Creek Trail follows paved trails through Colonel Danforth Park (located northwest of Lawrence Avenue and Meadowvale Road) and runs along Highland Creek from Old Kingston Road all the way to Lake Ontario. A lot of the tree-lined trails are actually connected to the Bluffs.
You could also let the hydro lines guide you through the 22.5-kilometre path at the Finch Hydro Corridor. The walk and bike trail runs east to west, just keep in mind that it is broken up into five different locations.
Rouge National Urban Park
U of T Scarborough is only a short distance from Canada’s only urban national park. Rouge National Urban Park is the only camping ground in Toronto and features beaches and hiking trails. The site is also one of the oldest known Indigenous sites in Canada, with human history dating back more than 10,000 years.
If you need some help navigating the park, The Rouge App will give you a virtual tour guide at your fingertips. It was created by a group of our very own UTSC students, and is available in English, French and simplified Chinese.
Read more: Co-op students develop app for Rouge National Urban Park
Discover culture in Scarborough
Scarborough is home to many cultures from around the world, which why it’s a hotspot for grocery stores and restaurants that cater to the tastes of home.
Take, for example, Shawarma Row. There are five mom and pop-run shops along Lawrence Ave. E. (between Pharmacy and Warden avenues) that have made the area a go-to for selling the delicious Middle Eastern dish. You can also explore other traditional clothing stores not too far away at Wexford Plaza.
There are multiple festivals that celebrate these communities, like the Taste of Lawrence, Afro-Carib Fest and TamilFest, where you can experience music, food and culture.
Scarborough is also home to a range of community centres that hold events and offer programs. Started in 1986 by Elders, knowledge keepers and community members, the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (whose east-end location is the Scarborough Child and Family Life Centre) offers a range of programs for Scarborough’s Indigenous communities, including culture-based programs to families and hold events, such as their annual powwow.
All of this is just a taste of what Scarborough has to offer. Get out there and explore #ScarbTO!