WEST TORONTO. With close to 400 acres and numerous attractions, High Park is Toronto's favorite outdoor space. Highlights include the historic Colborne Lodge, a trackless train ride, and a petting zoo. Hillside Gardens, beautifully landscaped gardens first developed in the 1950s, draws thousands of visitors to the park each ear, but the natural areas are gorgeous in their own right, especially when the lupines bloom in the spring and summer. You'll also find a petting zoo, pool, tennis courts, playground, a nature center, and an ice rink.

The city of Toronto has made jogging, biking, and rollerblading trails a priority for its citizens. The city has over 175km of biking trails, the best of which is the 22-km path along the waterfront known as the Martin Goodman. The wide path more than adequately accommodates the many joggers, bikers, and bladers that share the space. It's the perfect place to get some exercise while away from home. If you have no usual routine, just find a cozy spot in the grass and watch the world go by.

DOWNTOWN. Located in front of City Hall, Nathan Phillips Square and its reflecting pool are year-round landmarks. In spring, summer and fall the square is jam-packed with activity ­ concerts, dance performances, and art exhibits. You can even buy fresh produce at the Wednesday Farmers Market. During the winter months the reflecting pool is transformed into a popular skating rink. If you don't own skates, you can rent them here.

DOWNTOWN. This park occupies the harbor islands opposite the downtown area and is only accessible by ferry from the Bay Street Ferry Dock. After the 20 minute ride out, you arrive at a beautiful, natural haven, with beautiful natural gardens, perfect for recreation. The park is comprised of 600 acres, and no cars are allowed. The old-fashioned Centreville Amusement Park offers over 30 rides and attractions.

DOWNTOWN. This intriguing waterfront garden was designed as a physical interpretation of Bach's First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello. Landscape architect Julie Messervy collaborated with cellist Yo-Yo Ma to create the park, which features six different venues that correspond to the suite's six movements. The allemande becomes a birch forest; the menuett, a formal parterre with a pavilion; and the gigue, a stepped lawn centered around a stone stage. Not only is the site rife with visual and botanical interest, but it finds a common language between artistic disciplines and begs a bit of contemplation. You can pick up an audio tour at 539 Queen's Quay West; guided tours are avilable in the summer.