Once a small rural village, Scarborough is now part of Toronto. Sitting above Scarborough Bluffs and bordered by Lake Ontario, it has an enviable location. Since World War II, citizens from around the world have settled in Scarborough giving it a vibrant buzz and diverse foodie scene. And, with Toronto Zoo on the doorstep and plenty of green spaces, it's the perfect location for a family holiday. Scarborough has a good choice of short term rentals which range from compact apartments to spacious bungalows.
A multicultural gastronomy
While your vacation bungalow or apartment will have a kitchen, there is so much dining choice in Scarborough that you can dine out on a different cuisine every night. Tamil, Persian, Portuguese, Japanese and Korean all feature.
Indulge yourself with fresh pasta in Little Italy or feast on tasty dumplings in Chinatown.
City residents love to eat out at sidewalk cafes on warm summer nights or are happy to wrap up in the winter for some Vietnamese street food.
The attractions of Scarborough
You don't have to venture far from your Scarborough bungalow to enjoy some of Toronto's sights such as the hand-carved stone and marble BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple. This eye-catching building was constructed using traditional engineering principles without any steel, nails or iron reinforcements.
The kids will love the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada's largest natural history and world culture museum.
A little quirkier is the Bata Shoe Museum, a temple to 13,000 'foot artifacts' from around the globe. Exhibits include shoes that belonged to Elton John and Pablo Picasso.
Points of interest in Scarborough
Toronto Zoo
Toronto Zoo has over 450 species housed in natural habitats and with 10 kilometres of trails, you should plan to spend the whole day here. Highlights include elephants roaming their savannah and watching polar bears swim underwater. The kids will definitely be ready for an early night when you return to your vacation bungalow.
Guild Park and Gardens
Guild Park sits proudly on top of Scarborough Bluffs and is a picturesque mix of a stately home, formal gardens, architectural ruins and forest. Look out for the Greek Theatre, created from marble arches taken from the Bank of Toronto.
Scarborough Bluffs
If you fancy a walk from your short term rental head to Scarborough Bluffs. The views from this long earthen escarpment which towers over Lake Ontario are magnificent.
Bluffers Park
Bluffers Park is perfect on a summer day. Enjoy swimming in Lake Ontario and having fun on the family-friendly beach. Don't forget to pack a picnic before you leave your Scarborough bungalow.
Rouge National Urban Park
Wild and wooded, the Rouge National Park is home to deer, coyotes and foxes and intersected by several hiking trails. Look out for turtles and beavers in the spring and you may catch a glimpse of spawning salmon in the fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical availability of vacation rentals in Scarborough?
At the moment, there are 447 vacation homes from 9 different providers in Scarborough.
What are the most popular vacation home amenities in Scarborough?
When looking to book a vacation home in Scarborough, the most requested amenities include Internet, Pool, and Pets allowed.
Are there pet-friendly vacation rentals in Scarborough?
Finding a vacation rental in Scarborough that allows dogs is definitely possible, with 50 pet-friendly homes on offfer.
What's the best month to visit Scarborough?
If you're looking for balmy weather, July and August are typically the hottest months in Scarborough with temperatures around 27 °C. February and January in Scarborough are the coldest, with -7 °C on average.