Harbourfront. Yes, it's a bit of a cliched tourist-trap, but if you've got some weekday time it's worth a visit. (Weekends are overcrowded and best avoided). I had a baby-free day and decided to head down there. I took the LRT from Union Station as parking is steep and scarce.
Some good things at Harbourfront in the summer, many of which are free:
1) The York Quay gallery in Harbourfront Centre. There is pretty much always a decent group show on in the gallery and the coolest craft stuff can be seen in the vitrines located around the building FREE. And yes, the ubiquitous non-free Power Plant is next door.
2) The craft studios. They are pretty much always open to the public and often occupied by artisans doing cool things. No matter how many times I see it I am still amazed by glass blowing. The heat, the speed, the beauty. FREE
4) The Pearl restaurant. It serves some of the best (but not cheapest) Dim Sum in the city and the views (at any season) are pretty phenomenal.
5) The view of the water and island from pretty much everywhere, but especially. . .
6) when sitting on the open-air part of the food court at Queen's Quay Terminal (the VERY 80s-style retail and condo development that also houses some offices and a theatre). There is a great ocean-like breeze up here that you really can't get anywhere else that makes it a few degrees cooler and you can look over the water to the island while enjoying some cheap Udon from Edo Japan ($6.75) and feel superior to those people below paying for overpriced salads at the dockside restaurants. On a warm summer day this feels like a true city getaway and a nice respite from the hipster pavement-side patios of Queen West and College St.
7) The retail store "Bounty" located in Harbourfront Centre. If you are looking for a gift for anyone into design and craft, this is where to go. Most of the stuff is Canadian and all is unique and hip.
Embrace your inner "own city" tourist this summer and revisit Harbourfront.
