Things to do in Pickering
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Top 10 attractions in Pickering
Bluffers Park
Bluffers Parkis one of the more popular waterfront parks in eastern Toronto and a great place to enjoy the Scarborough Bluffs. On one side is the blue lake where water meets the sky, and on the other are continuous cliffs dozens of meters high. The scenery is rich and layered, and it is often considered the area in the Scarborough Bluffs scenic belt that is easiest to access the lakeshore. The park features a beach, trails, picnic areas, barbecue grills, and a parking lot. In summer, it is suitable for swimming, walking, sunbathing, and relaxing by the lake; in fall, the trees along the shore change color, which is perfect for photography; winter is quieter, and you can enjoy the expansive lake views along the shore. There are also marinas and sailing clubs near the park, where those interested in water sports can learn about related activities.Toronto · 19km from Pickering
Unionville
Unionville history of settlement here dates back to the late 18th century; by the mid-19th century, a community had formed around the "Union Mill"—from which the village takes its name. Today, the main street area is designated as a heritage conservation district, featuring rows of well-preserved buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of these structures are officially listed as heritage sites, with facades and porches that retain their original character—a unique sight amidst the high-rises of the Greater Toronto Area. The village also boasts historic workshops and churches that reflect the atmosphere of early settlement life. Whether strolling along streets lined with quaint shops or wandering through tree-shaded paths, visitors can enjoy the scenery, which offers excellent opportunities for photography.Markham · 18.2km from Pickering
Scarborough Bluffs
Scarborough Bluffsis a white cliff face stretching over 10 km along the shore of Lake Ontario. It was formed by layers of sediment from an ancient lake during the glacial period over 10,000 years ago. The cliffs rise dozens of m above the lake and are one of the most iconic natural landforms in Toronto. The cliffs are pale white with a yellowish tint, glowing softly in the sunlight on clear days. Below lies the azure Lake Ontario, while the grassy slopes at the top are lush and green. The interplay of blue, white, and green creates a vast and pristine scene. Bluffers Park at the foot of the cliffs is one of the few waterfront parks along the stretch with a beach and a marina, allowing visitors to look up at the entire cliff face from the sand. Several walking trails are distributed along the top of the cliffs, perfect for walking or cycling while overlooking the expansive lake from above. With lush vegetation in spring and summer, it is a popular time for locals to come here for sightseeing, picnics, and photography.Toronto · 18.5km from Pickering
St. Lawrence Market
St. Lawrence Market is located in the heart of Old Town Toronto and has been operating as a city market since 1803. The market consists of three buildings: theSouth Market, the North Market, and St. Lawrence Hall. It houses numerous vendors offering fresh produce, artisanal baked goods, specialty meats and cheeses, international cuisine, and handicrafts. South Marketis the main area of the market. The ground floor features various food stalls and restaurants, while the second floor houses the Market Gallery, which hosts rotating exhibitions related to Toronto's art, culture, and history. The North Market hosts a farmers market every Saturday morning, where local farmers bring their own meat, cheese, and produce to sell; on Sundays, it transforms into an antique market, offering everything from vintage furniture to small trinkets, making for a unique weekend experience in Toronto. The market also features many specialty stalls, allowing you to taste flavors from several continents in one visit. If you're inspired to learn, the market also offers ongoing cooking classes for all skill levels.Toronto · 31.1km from Pickering
University of Toronto
University of Toronto was founded in 1827 and is a well-known public research university in Canada. The St. George campus is the main campus and has no walls, blending into downtown Toronto's neighborhoods. The campus features century-old Romanesque revival buildings alongside modernist new structures, and the contrast between old and new creates a unique charm. Entering the campus and crossing the open green leads to the main building of University College, a mid-19th-century Romanesque revival structure that is one of the campus's iconic views, with its heavy stone exterior and arched doors and windows conveying the solemn dignity of a classical university. On the side of the lawn, Hart House is another classic building, housing reading rooms, galleries, and student activity spaces, and its Gothic revival style is worth a close look. The campus is dotted with sculptures and green spaces, and it is common to see students in small groups discussing or relaxing on the lawn, creating a strong academic atmosphere. Strolling across the campus along King's College Circle to the Hart House lawn offers a concentrated way to appreciate the campus scenery shaped by generations of interwoven architecture.Toronto · 31.5km from Pickering
Rouge National Urban Park
Rouge River Gorge National Park is a national urban park located in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada, formed around the Rouge River and its tributaries. The park is home to more than 1,700 species of plants and animals, including rare Caroline forests and camping areas unique to Toronto. The park is also one of the oldest known Aboriginal sites in Canada, with a history of more than 10,000 years. The park features a number of trails suitable for visitors of all fitness levels, along which you can enjoy the magnificent river valley scenery and rich vegetation. The visitor center at Rouge River Gorge National Park provides detailed maps and information to help visitors plan their trip. The park is about 30 minutes' drive from downtown Winnipeg, so it is recommended to drive there. There is a parking lot at the entrance of the park for visitors to park their vehicles. Visitors are advised to bring plenty of drinking water and insect repellent spray, especially in summer, to ensure a comfortable visit.Toronto · 10.3km from Pickering
Yonge Street
Yonge Street is a major north-south artery in Ontario, Canada, starting from the shores of Lake Ontario in the south, running through downtown Toronto and North York, and extending into the York Regional Municipality, spanning dozens of km. It also serves as the baseline for dividing Toronto into east and west. The street was built in the late 18th century, connecting the bustling areas along its route. In its early years, the street was connected to Highway 11, with a total length of nearly 1,900 km, and it once held a Guinness World Record for this length. Later, the relevant sections were re-designated, and the record was revoked. This anecdote remains a topic of conversation among locals to this day.Richmond Hill · 30km from Pickering
Rotary Park
Ajax · 5km from Pickering
The Beaches
The Beaches is a waterfront neighborhood in eastern Toronto bordering Lake Ontario. Stretching from Woodbine Beach to Balmy Beach, the sandy coastline spans several km and is connected by a boardwalk, giving the area the overall atmosphere of a laid-back lakeside town. Woodbine Beach is especially popular, where you can see beach volleyball, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, and the calm lake waters are suitable for swimming in the summer. Further east, Balmy Beach is a well-known pet-friendly beach where you can bring your dog to play in the water. Kew Gardens, located not far from the beach, is lush with greenery and features children's play facilities, and a community ice rink opens there in winter. On Queen Street East, which runs parallel to the coast, cafes, restaurants, and specialty shops are lined up one after another, so you can always find a place to rest when you are tired. Walking, jogging, or cycling along the boardwalk is a classic way to experience this neighborhood.Toronto · 25.2km from Pickering
Chinatown
Chinatownis located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, with its core area at the intersection of Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street West. It is one of the oldest and most well-known Chinese communities in the area. It began to take shape in the late 19th century, when early Chinese immigrants opened laundries, restaurants, and grocery stores here. As the city developed, the community moved to its current location and continued to expand. Strolling through the streets, you will see bilingual Chinese and English street signs and shop signs. Chinese supermarkets, roast meat restaurants, dim sum teahouses, Chinese bakeries, and produce stalls are packed side by side. Streetcars clang as they pass through the center of the street, and the sounds of Cantonese can be heard all around, creating a vibrant, bustling atmosphere.Toronto · 32.4km from Pickering
Experiences you can't miss in Pickering
Featured Cultural experiences in Pickering
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Free things to do in Pickering
Bluffers Park
Toronto · 19km from PickeringUnionville
Markham · 18.2km from PickeringScarborough Bluffs
Toronto · 18.5km from PickeringSt. Lawrence Market
Toronto · 31.1km from PickeringUniversity of Toronto
Toronto · 31.5km from PickeringRouge National Urban Park
Toronto · 10.3km from PickeringYonge Street
Richmond Hill · 30km from PickeringRotary Park
Ajax · 5km from PickeringThe Beaches
Toronto · 25.2km from PickeringChinatown
Toronto · 32.4km from Pickering
What travellers say about Pickering
小鱼儿20156 February 2020
4.0
There is a cliff park next to Lake Ontario in Toronto. It is also a very tall place with beautiful natural scenery and a waterfall with a large drop. There are many small animals in the park, making it a very suitable place for entertainment.
Bluffers Park
Morphino6 July 2023
5.0
It is a small community with European-style buildings in Markham. There is a festival celebration every June. There is also a trail near the lake where you can enjoy ice cream while walking. It is very leisurely!
Unionville
M25***4021 December 2020
4.0
Plenty of free parking but why weren't there any public toilets open? It was a lovely walk along the water. A great place to go for free, the restaurants were closed so bring a picnic, lots of stands with great views.
Scarborough Bluffs
xiaorennnn19 August 2025
5.0
Recommended Day to Visit: SATURDAY On weekends there are flea market beside the main building. pretty cool to check it out for handcrafted goods. The market itself has lots of awesome goodies like sweets and snacks to taste from. Very local and very friendly store keepers. DO BRING CASH!! Not all stores accept card payments.
St. Lawrence Market
YoYo_1I8Q7O5O1 September 2026
5.0
The University of Toronto building was a drab gray, covered in vines, some windows were dark and gaping. Students lay sprawled on the lawn, sunbathing, their backpacks tossed aside. Passing through the archway, the lettering on the stone wall was worn smooth to the touch. A squirrel darted out of a trash can, snatching a potato chip. A guitarist sat on the steps of the library, playing a languid tune. Turning out, across the street was the Chinatown sign, bright red, a stark contrast.
University of Toronto
_GG***7216 July 2021
5.0
Beautiful conservation area a definitely a must see one in the area
Rouge National Urban Park
BetTerDAY29 July 2020
5.0
Dundas-Yonge Street is the Nanjing Road of Toronto. It is very lively every day with a constant flow of people. I also watched an IMAX movie "Shazam!" here and drank the long-missed milk tea. It was really a very happy experience.
Yonge Street
M24***2117 January 2022
5.0
It's a very clean area with not many people, as if the whole beach belongs to one person alone. When the weather is good and the sun is abundant, you can bask in the sun on the beach, with the warm sun shining on your body. The sand here is also great.
The Beaches
D了个Y3 May 2020
4.0
I am here#
Spadina Avenue is a main north-south street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It starts from the Gardiner Expressway in the south and ends at Bullock Street in the north. The Spadina Avenue we are talking about today refers to the section of Spadina between Queen Street West and Bullock Street, not far from City Hall. In a broad sense, it is Chinatown
The signs in Chinatown are written in both Chinese and English (as shown in the picture), and the government has also set a precedent by setting up a road sign with "Chinatown" written in Chinese on the Gardiner Expressway
Today, Toronto's Chinatown is one of the most famous Chinatowns in North America. There are more than 400,000 Chinese people nearby. It's amazing that my great China has its people all over the world
Chinatown
