R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant image

R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant

Water treatment plant

Waterfront, Art Deco landmark with grassy lawns & beach access, plus occasional interior tours. People often mention visit, walk, beautiful, building, sunset, parking, Toronto, enjoy, beach, water,


Address

2701 Queen St E, Scarborough, ON M4E 1H4, Canada

Website

www.toronto.ca

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (452 reviews)

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Working Hours

  • Sunday: Open 24 hours
  • Monday: (Family Day Canada), Open 24 hours, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
  • Thursday: Open 24 hours
  • Friday: Open 24 hours
  • Saturday: Open 24 hours

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: visit (10) walk (9) beautiful (8) building (8) sunset (7) parking (7) Toronto (7) enjoy (7) beach (7) water (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Ruby A. 1 year ago on Google
    I can’t believe I have never visited this historical site near the waterfront! I timed my visit to watch the sunset, and was amazed at how quite and peaceful the area is. I felt transported to a vacation destination in Europe! The sunset wasn’t as vivid as hoped, but the evening skies were unbelievably blue. We found complimentary residential street parking just a few minutes away, but the moment we entered the grounds, there were TONS of mosquitoes! Make sure you use bug repellent. Strangely enough, we didn’t get bitten! I think it was due to the sunscreen we still had on! Note: There are no washrooms facilities available
    14 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nicolette A. 1 year ago on Google
    Strange to say, but this water treatment plant is my favourite part of the city. Whether you live here or are simply visiting, I highly recommend visiting the castle-like grounds of this beautiful building. It is right by the water / beaches and makes for a great place to picnic from the spring right to the fall. Although the inside is not open to the public, I recently visited it as a part of Doors Open Toronto. Would recommend visiting the inside as it is just as beautiful as the outside!
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nihat P. 2 months ago on Google • 55 reviews New
    The view is very nice and it is also one of the places you should visit and see. A spacious and heartwarming place where you can spend a pleasant time with your family.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anderson K. 2 months ago on Google • 555 reviews New
    Nice place to enjoy a sunny and hot day. You can just stay on the park by the plant or enjoy the beach. There are some events in Toronto where you can visit the plant, but those are limited and rare in the city.

  • 3/5 Mary C. 9 months ago on Google • 281 reviews
    My rating reflects the fact that we were unable to enter the premises because of the time we arrived. As part of the Open Doors 2023, we arrived just before 3:30pm. It took us 1 hr 45 min to get there because of traffic, and then it took us another 20 min to find parking and then another 15 min walk to the place. We were so terribly disappointed!!!! The grounds are expansive, and the view is nice, overlooking the lake. There is always next year @
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Allan C. 2 months ago on Google • 331 reviews New
    Nice public park for dog walking, located next to the historic R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant. They offer tours of the plant during Doors Open. Good place to walk along the lake.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 G W. 5 months ago on Google • 464 reviews
    Very interesting Gothic building. There are lots of dog walkers all around the building. Great place for an afternoon walk. Excellent views of the lake. I didn't notice any availability of tours of the inside of the building.

  • 5/5 Nusa F. 6 months ago on Google • 51 reviews
    Nice and calm place. Good for wedding photography. Can have picnic when you bring your own food and can enjoy a beautiful sunset. Finding a parking spot is really difficult but the view is worthy.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gourmetbliss 7 months ago on Google • 106 reviews
    One of my favourite things to do in Toronto is to visit this place. Located in the Beaches neighbourhood in Old a Toronto, it's the perfect place to have a relaxed evening. Take a walk by the beach, dip your toes in the water and just take in the peace.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Patrick X. 10 months ago on Google
    A popular place. Ample street parkings on weekdays. There are public washrooms to the west at the beach. The buildings are magnificent. Dogs paradise, they were off leash, ran around, played with balls l, did not sniff or jumped at people, looked happy.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Daryna K. 1 year ago on Google • 37 reviews
    This is the most beautiful natural place in Toronto. I advise you to visit it in good weather and wait for sunset. In addition, there are not often many people there, and you can have a great coffee in a secluded place.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hugo K. 6 months ago on Google • 35 reviews
    The R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant in Toronto is really a good place to go in summer. Here you can see the leisurely and contented life of Canadians. Here you can feel the infinite scenery of Lake Ontario. It is not the sea but is better than the sea. Who can say no to a summer like this?
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alejandra Quintero T. 1 year ago on Google
    It is a very secret place because there aren’t many people there. I like it so much, you can have a very good time with your friends in a picnic. It is quiet, clean and you will have an amazing view. Also, it is pet friendly! The “bad” thing is that there’s no washrooms close to that place. You can get there by street car or 12 bus. I really recommend it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mamillapalli S. 1 year ago on Google
    A go to place for evening walks during summers. You can enjoy watching the waters and sunset sky views. Options here include walking, sunbathing, watching cn tower and downtown views on the beach, taking a quick walk around near by streets to look at building architecture. This place has got some peaceful, serene vibes.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cirrus S. 1 year ago on Google
    A beautiful and peaceful place with a wonderful mission. The building is built in the art deco style. The interior is preserved with original elements. The entire space is clean, renovated as its exterior of the building. A nice place for a walk and picnic and also good start for stroll if you want to walk along the beach. It is possible to get here by streetcar.

  • 4/5 Victoria C. 1 year ago on Google
    I visited here on Saturday, July 9, 2022 around 12:30pm and there was hardly anyone here! Such a beautiful spot to hangout on the hills for a few hours. Lots of beach surrounding this spot as well - a bit more secluded too which is nice. Overall I’d come here again, probably for a sunset because the view of the water is stunning. Great day trip spot!

  • 5/5 Matt H. 1 year ago on Google
    What a fantastic location. I had put off coming here for a while because of the drive, but it was worth it. A truly impressive facility with beautiful architecture. Wonderfully maintained hilly lawns. A little beach, great views of the lake, and (limited) street parking right beside the place. I definitely recommend the visit, and when Doors Open Toronto is next on, I can't wait to see the interior.

  • 5/5 Saleena 9 months ago on Google
    Harris WTP is a familiar landmark in the Beaches area along thewaterfront trail. It's scenic from the outside and normally closed to the public - the big exception being open once a year during Doors Open (see my photos). They have a free public tour/ self guided tour set up with lots of information posters to read up about the history of the site and of course to learn how tap water is prepared and distributed across the city and even beyond. The only suggestion I have is that many of the info posters could use modernization and simplification to be more accessible to a public audience/ legible. They literally have pages of one journal article magnified and spread across the main filtration building (the text is fuzzy and weird font makes it hard to read). Some of the maps were also difficult to process and could use updating. Overall, it was a very fascinating experience and neat that you can see the surface level filtration pools, and water pumps in action! Highly recommend!

  • 5/5 Anam R. 9 months ago on Google
    Beautiful views! The infinity water-sky combo is definitely one of nature's wonders. Pretty massive space to even walk or sit and enjoy the sundown.

  • 5/5 Jave Y. 10 months ago on Google
    Nice facility and beautiful infrastructures. Went here to jog and look around. Lots of people having a picnic, enjoying the scenery and walking their dogs. Its a nice place to hang out for a day.

  • 3/5 Namashree B. 9 months ago on Google
    This place is incredibly good for the photoshoot. I like this place although we reached over there after an hour and a half and it took 30 minutes just to find a parking spot and we were very disappointed that the parking facility wasn’t good. My suggestion would be to visit this place on weekdays where there will be less crowd and you’ll enjoy and can click pictures properly. If you’re going for the first time be ready to walk for 10/15mins as there’s literally no parking nearby and might get a ticket.

  • 4/5 Shiji G. 9 months ago on Google • 26 reviews
    The RC Harris Water Treatment Plant and its adjacent beaches offer an awe-inspiring blend of architectural grandeur and natural beauty. The plant's stunning design is a testament to human ingenuity, while the pristine beaches provide a serene oasis for relaxation and enjoyment. Visiting this remarkable location is an unforgettable experience that seamlessly combines history, aesthetics, and the wonders of nature. Love the beauty of this place…

  • 5/5 Hitesh P. 1 year ago on Google
    It was super cool experience to visit this place. One of the best place to visit and enjoy amazing lakeside atmosphere and sunset. It feels such a refreshing here. Good to visit with friends and family to spend quality time. You will not get bored even if you stay here for entire day. Good for camping and other small activities. A must go place ..


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Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park

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