Centreville on Toronto Island is a fantastic family travel destination. If you are from Toronto, it is a perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
My husband and I and our twin boys (3 years old) enjoyed a beautiful sun soaked day at Centreville Toronto and loved every minute. From the ferry ride across, to walking around Toronto Island to taking the boys on their first rides, it was a great day.
We got to the ferry dock around 10:30am and had no problem getting on the next ferry. I would highly recommend going over to Toronto island in the morning as the line ups for the ferry in the afternoon are very long and would be challenging for young kids to wait a long time in a line.
We boarded the ferry with lots of other people of all ages. With strollers, bikes, picnic baskets and wagons it was a ferry full of happy, excited people ready to enjoy the beauty of the island.
The boys loved the view from the boat and were captivated by the lifejackets in the ceiling, the boats going by, the planes in the air and the other passengers.
Once we arrived on the island we instantly realized that we should have brought a stroller (which my boys don’t really like) or a wagon to provide a space for our bag and weary 3 year old legs to rest. Luckily we noticed the line up of wagons for rent right at the ferry dock. What a fantastic idea! For $15 and a credit card deposit we got the use of a wagon all day. Worth every cent!
Walking to Centreville (which took 5 minutes max) we passed beautiful trees, gardens and picnic space. Everything was fresh, green, clean and inviting.
At Centreville we traded our Ride All Day ticket for arm bands that allowed the 4 of us to go on as many rides as we’d like for the whole day. This was a godsend because our boys did not want to get off the train!
Our family had lunch one of the little restaurants, Shopsy’s Island Deli Bar and Grille at Centreville. The boys devoured their Shopsy’s hot dogs and loved eating at the tables in the centre of it all. My husband and I had hamburgers that were truly delicious. You can view their menu online here. Once we were fueled up we were ready to hit the rides again!
After a morning of rides we walked down to Far Enough Farm to see the animals there. Even though we live in the country and near farms it is not very often that we get to get up close with farm animals. My favorite was the pig – he was the biggest pig I’ve ever seen!
Another turn on the train and the Antique cars and we were ready to head home. We grabbed ice cream cones and took a leisurely walk back to the ferry.
Overall, our first trip to Centreville was a fantastic day. There’s nothing better than spending a day enjoying time with your family outside experiencing fun rides and a great atmosphere. If you are looking for a great day activity with your family, I would highly recommend Centreville. We are already planning our next trip there.
Centreville Toronto Highlights:
For our boys: the train, the Antique cars, the swans and Far Enough Farm.
For my husband and I: lots of ride options for our boys, clean, well taken care of grounds, friendly, helpful staff, variety of food items, lots of picnic space and the family all-day ride pass gave us unlimited rides allowing us to indulge our boys’ desire to ride the same ride multiple times.
Centreville is open weekends in May and September and everyday June 1-August 31.
Looking for more information on Centreville? Check out their detailed website and Like them on Facebook and visit our recommendations for Toronto activities and lodging.
This post was generously sponsored by Centreville, but the opinions and images are my own.
This looks like such a fantastic place, the photos are lovely. I wish I could somehow visit with my family – it sounds like an oasis of perfection! Love the wagon rental idea too – if only NYC had wagons available in different locations!
Monica recently posted..A Letter To My Son On His Third Birthday
I hear you Monica! We could have used a wagon last time we were in NYC!
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..Wonderful Food Wednesday #39
What great tips about the ferry, the all day passes, the wagons and the walking. Your day sounds wonderful!
I have fond memories of my family going to Centreville when I was a kid (I had a birthday there!) and we’ve created more memories now that I’ve taken my own family. It is a Toronto must-visit! I’m sure you’re boys will be talking about their train ride for the entire summer.
Susannah recently posted..8 Awesome Summer Backyard Activites!
What wonderful memories for you and your family. You are so lucky to have Centreville in your “backyard” we’d be there every weekend if we were closer.
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..Wonderful Food Wednesday #39
Sounds like you had a fantastic time! I think it’s funny both of our families visited for the first time on the same day! I also found things very clean and inviting, and it’s true that the ferry ride is almost as exciting as the amusement park itself!
Kate recently posted..Family Fun at Centreville Amusement Park
Kate – so wonderful to see you there! Great minds think alike :)
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..Wonderful Food Wednesday #39
The ferry ride over is just as fun as spending the day on the island. We had a great time last year with my sun exploring the Far Enough Farm.
Little Miss Kate recently posted..We Give Where We Live – TELUS supporting communities across Canada
we’ve been meaning to get to Centreville for a while now, maybe this summer
Jennifer recently posted..Chill to Win this Summer with Tim Hortons #Giveaway
Jennifer, make sure you do – the perfect sumer family adventure.
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..Wonderful Food Wednesday #39
Oooh! My family took me to Centreville all the time when I was a kid – I loved the Log Flume ride! It’s good to know it is still a great family destination.
Elizabeth L recently posted..Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Quest for the Crystal Mickey DVD Review
The Log Flume ride looked fantastic but my boys aren’t ready for that yet. Maybe when they are a bit older.
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..Wonderful Food Wednesday #39
I LOVE Centre Island! We took my daughter last year when she was only 5 months old. I’m so excited to take her this year and actually go on some rides – I have a feeling she’ll love the train too. :)
Sarah Lynn recently posted..Pure Via sweeteners (Review & Giveaway)
My boys are still asking to go on the blue train. We’ll have to go and visit again soon.
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..Wonderful Food Wednesday #39
I won’t be able to get that hot dog out of my head now. Haha. Yum! It looks like you had a fantastic time.
Randa @ The Bewitchin’ Kitchen recently posted..39 Dollar Glasses
We’re always looking for new things to do in T.O. when we visit and this sure looks like fun! Looks like a great time and we’ll have to venture there soon too! :)
Brandi recently posted..Littlest Pet Shop: Sweetest Pets DVD Review
This is on my list for things to do this or next year with our LO! What wonderful memories and traditions are made at Centreville! It’s been so long since I’ve been!
I can’t believe I’ve never been here!! I NEED to make a visit this summer with my kids. Toronto is so easy to get to and this looks like such a perfect getaway for the young-ins!
Coffee with Julie recently posted..Can Gadgets Help Kids Be More Active Or Are They Just Gimmicks?
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Centreville. Maybe the last time was when I was a child. I have yet to take my kids there – I always say I will but then we aren’t able to find time.
Your photos look wonderful and it looks like the boys enjoyed themselves. This year I am going to make it happen!!! The ferry ride over is just as fun as Centreville itself.
Cheryl @ Kids On A Plane recently posted..2013 Chevrolet Traverse Review
So question for you…. How smooth was the ferry ride? My kids and hubby get motion sick!
Ferry ride was really smooth didn’t even feel like you were on a boat. I think they’d be fine :)
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..Travel Tuesday #12
I loved going to the island as a child! I haven’t been in years. We took the boys when they were young and it was a wonderful day. Love that ferry ride!
jackie recently posted..coffee shop activity
Great post with awesome tips! I can’t believe but I have not been there! I think I’ll have to change that this summer!
Kelly @ City Mom recently posted..Tech Timeout: I’m Taking the Pledge!
It is fantastic Kelly – we are planning to go back in July because we loved it so much!
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..Travel Tuesday #12