Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens — Attraction in Toronto

Alexander Muir Memorial Garden is absolutely one of my favourite spots to visit, especially during the summer. This garden is stunning! The well-maintained grounds, lush greenery, and beautiful flowers make it a peaceful retreat in the middle of the city. It’s always such a joy to walk through, with so much natural beauty to take in. Whether you're relaxing on a bench, enjoying the vibrant flowers, or just taking in the fresh air, the atmosphere here is so calming and serene.

The park is also really well designed, with plenty of benches and quiet spots to sit and enjoy the surroundings. It’s an ideal place to have a picnic, with lots of open green space to spread out a blanket and relax. I’ve had some lovely afternoons here with friends, and it’s also a fantastic spot for a photoshoot—the landscape and gardens provide such a beautiful backdrop for pictures.

I also appreciate how clean and well-kept the garden is. The staff clearly take pride in maintaining the space, and it really shows in how well everything is looked after.

Overall, Alexander Muir Memorial Garden is a hidden gem that I can't recommend enough. It’s a wonderful place to spend time outdoors, whether you're looking to relax, have a picnic, or just enjoy a quiet moment. It’s truly a beautiful spot to escape to in the heart of the city!

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Alexander Muir Memorial Park gets 5 stars from not for the park itself but because it is the unofficial trailhead of probably my favourite hike in the city, especially in the later fall.

You start at Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens and head south, making your way through the Bylthwood Ravine and into Sherwood Park. You walk through Sherwood and head into the off-leash dog park and follow that up to Bayview where you do a tricky street crossing into Sunnydene Park where the trail continues across the road just behind the yellow road gate posts.

Once past the posts, you can take the trail to left or up the hill to the right. To the right is my favourite route, it gives you great views from the top of the ravine but it has very steep inclines with sharp declines - so be prepared with good shoes and have a buddy

This meandering route will lead you into Sunnyside Park. Go left at the park and find the trailhead that loops you back - it's directly before the Sunnyside dog park. This is about a 8.5 k hike through forest and by streams. Go in the later part of the day and you will have the trails mostly to yourself. The fall colours...

If you're looking for a proper escape in the middle of the city, this is it. It's not a huge park, but it's tiered, formal, and just beautifully designed. The positives are huge. It feels like a secret, manicured European garden that leads right into the wild, peaceful Blythwood Ravine. The stone walls, balconies, and formal rose and herb beds are stunning—it’s an incredibly popular spot for wedding photos for a reason! It's super easy to get to, being right off the Lawrence subway station, and it’s perfect for a quiet, romantic stroll or just sitting with a book. It’s also a key gateway to the Northern Ravines and Gardens Discovery Walk trail system. The drawbacks are minimal, but worth noting: Because it's a formal garden and a popular photo spot, it can sometimes feel a bit crowded or like you're intruding on a photo shoot, especially on weekends. Also, while the trails continue into the ravine, the garden area itself is relatively small, so don't expect a long hike until you descend into the woods. Finally, it's more of a scenic viewpoint and formal garden than a traditional park (no kids'...