Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Lifestyle talk, Vacation Travel

How to Spend a Day of Spring in Toronto

March 31, 2017

Spring in Toronto is a welcome ray of sunshine after a long, cold and snowy Canadian winter. When those days start to get longer and the temperature starts to rise, everyone puts away their winter coats and breathes a sigh of relief. It just feels so good to be able to walk around without trudging through ice and snow (except for yesterday).

How should you spend spring in Toronto? Here are some ideas for ushering in the season which are close to your furnished apartments in downtown toronto apartments!

Spring in Toronto with Cherry Blossoms in High Park

In late April to early May, High Park will come alive in a flurry of pale pink blossoms. It is truly a gorgeous sight to see and you’ll probably get some gorgeous photos. The trees are located all around Hillside Gardens, as well as surrounding the duck pond. You can check back with the High Park website for updates on when the flowers are blooming. Even better – pack a picnic with you so that you can relax in High Park and enjoy the view while feasting.

Take a Coffee Break at a Cafe With a Patio

Chill out in a sunlight-flooded cafe patio while fueling up on caffeine. There are many great spots that will awaken in springtime, such as Fika Cafe – a green oasis that even has a hammock! Or, try Jimmy’s Coffee in Kensington Market, right in the heart of one of the coolest areas of the city. Or, pull up a seat at one of the long communal tables at Full Stop, an independent coffee shop in The Junction.

Oogle Adorable Baby Animals

Spring in Toronto is the season when adorable baby animals are born, so if you can handle the cuteness then consider visiting the Toronto Zoo. It was recently reported that they are experiencing a “baby animal boom” which has lead to a spike in attendance (I’m not surprised.) What could be better than ooing and ahhing at ridiculously cute creatures? If you need more of a baby animal fix you could also check out some of Toronto’s farms and petting zoos, including Round the Bend Farm, High Park Zoo, Riverdale Farm, Far Enough Farm and Springridge Farm.

Watch Some Thought-Provoking Documentaries

Melt any icicles that may have gathered on your mind throughout the winter by checking out some of Toronto’s great spring documentary film festivals. There is the Hot Docs Film Festival which runs from April 27th to May 7th. You’ll be able to check out an outstanding selection of hundreds of films from around the world. You are sure to find some interesting food for thought that will give you something to talk about with your friends.

Why not also check out some of the new restaurants in Toronto too? What are your favourite things to do when spring starts to bloom in Toronto? Let us know about them in the comments below.

Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Holiday Events

Romantic Valentines Day Toronto

February 7, 2017

Valentines Day Toronto is a great city for romance, as there are so many fun things to do with your sweetheart. No matter what you are into, you’ll find a unique, romantic and fun way to spend your Valentine’s Day. If you are looking for a creative and fun Valentine’s Day date, here are some ideas to inspire you.

Food Nook Tour

If your darling has a sweet tooth, take them on a tour of Toronto’s best sweet shops and chocolateries. Valentines Day Toronto Food Nook Tours are guided rambles through Roncesvalles that teach you all about the culinary history of this lovely and welcoming neighbourhood. You’ll get to see how these yummy treats are made and enjoy a few samples.

Sweep Them Off Their Feet On a Helitour

You can take your sweetheart on a high flying date that will really make their heart soar. See the downtown Toronto skyline from above as you glide along in a helicopter. You’ll fly over the waterfront, the CN Tower and other prominent landmarks. Don’t forget your camera!

Go on a Cheesy Date

You can have a really gouda time with your special someone at Leslieville Cheese Market and Fine Foods, where you can take a special cheese appreciate workshop together. Each class includes delicious wines and a flight of cheeses and you’ll learn all about the finer points of each type of cheese.

Art & Wine with Your Valentine

If your Valentine is the creative type, they will absolutely love an evening of wine and art making with you at Paintlounge. You can paint portraits of each other, or just abstract expressions of your love. When you get home you can hang your finished works in your home – so that they will always remind you of a lovely Valentine’s date.

Learn to Salsa

Salsa dancing is one of the sexiest things you can do with your partner in public with your clothes on – so why not learn these red hot moves? You can master this sensual dance at Lula Lounge, which hosts beginner lessons on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. When you have the steps figured out, get out on the dance floor and shake it!

Go to a Poetry Readin g

What could be more romantic than a beautifully written love poem? Take your special someone to a poetry reading and let the power of words move and inspire you. The Black Swan hosts the Art Bar Poetry Series every Tuesday at 8pm. Perhaps it will inspire you to write a poem about your sweetheart?

These are just a few romantic ideas of what you can do with your sweetheart this Valentines Day Toronto. There’s so much to enjoy in this exciting and diverse city, so how will you surprise your special someone this year?

Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Fitness and Health

How to Beat the January Blues in Toronto

January 6, 2017

The exciting buildup to Christmas and New Year’s is over – now it’s just cold. However, don’t get too sad as January holds plenty of fun things to look forward to.

You may be feeling a little bit blah after the holiday season. You’ve returned to work, you’re a little bit worse for wear after indulging in too much eggnog and cookies and the January days can be dark and dreary. However, there are many ways to lift your spirits and avoid the January blues. Here are some of the great things that you can do in Toronto this month.

The Next Stage Theatre Festival

January 4-15, 2017

Brighten up your January with some excellent theatre and comedy. This year the festival will be celebrating its 10th anniversary of offering a diverse showcase of thought provoking and funny theatre. Since it began 10 years ago, the festival has been attended by over 75,000 guests. Check out the schedule here to see which plays, improv shows and comedies are currently on.

The Second Annual Something Strange Circus Sideshow Festival

January 21, 2017

The second year of the Something Strange Circus Sideshow Festival will be an eclectic gathering of freaks and geeks from all over the world. From ventriloquists to contortionists to sword swallowers to stuntmen to burlesque dancers and much more, this show will baffle and amaze you.

Eat Some Poutine

On a cold January day, there’s nothing more comforting than piping hot chips smothered in rich gravy and squeaky cheese curds. Poutine is a Canadian

January Blues

delicacy and there are many great places in

Toronto to feast on this warm and satisfying dish.

Fancy Franks offers special poutines with unique toppings such as Korean Beef Ribs and a fried egg or BBQ Pulled Pork and a deep fried pickle. The poutine at Leslieville Pumps is made with rich dark gravy made from the beef smoker and aged potatoes. For more suggestions, check out this guide to the 15 Best Poutine Spots in Toronto.

Go Tobogganing

Zooming down a hill on a toboggan with the fresh winter breeze in your hair is a great cure for the January blues – it will bring you back to the carefree days of your youth. You’ll have lots of great tobogganing hills to choose from. Check out Riverdale Park East for an inviting slope and great views of the city skyline, or Withrow Park for a steep incline that has a set of stairs along the side to make getting back to the top easier. Donora Park, in a quiet residential area, has a smaller hill that is very kid-friendly.

Ripley’s Aquarium Beach Bash

January 27, 2017

If the January cold is really getting to you, why not pretend that you are in the tropics for a few hours? The Beach Bash in the Six is a beach party in the middle of winter where you can party in your swimsuit, sip on a rum cocktail and go for a ride on a surf simulator. It might be freezing outside, but it’s summer in here!

How do you like to beat the January blues in Toronto? Let us know in the comments below. Check out our blog too on some fun things to do in Toronto!

Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk

Things to Do in Toronto At Christmas

December 21, 2016

Toronto at Christmas is a very merry place to be during the winter holidays.

If you are planning to spend Christmas in Toronto – you’re in luck. You’ll be surrounded by plenty of holiday cheer and there will be no shortage of joyous events and seasonal activities to get you in a festive mood. Here are some of the best things to do in Toronto at Christmas time.

The Toronto Christmas Market

Inspired by the Christmas markets in Germany in the 1400s, the Toronto Christmas Market creates the ideal festive atmosphere with craft maker stalls, mulled wine, street food, dancers, brass bands and carollers. Set within the Victorian-era cobblestone streets of the Distillery Historic District, this annual event is a great opportunity to shop for hand-made treasures and get in the Christmas spirit. Tomorrow is the last day so make sure you hurry there and visit!

Christmas at Casa Loma

Casa Loma is a unique architectural wonder. Built over three years between 1911 and 1914, it was constructed in the style of a Gothic castle, complete with battlements, secret passageways and over 98 incredibly ornate rooms. Visit between December 1^st and January 8^th to see the castle decked out in its Christmas finest, with several stunning sparkling trees throughout the castle decorated by celebrity designers. Visitors can go on a scavenger hunt through the historic castle, listen to carollers and enjoy sitting down with Santa.

Public Skating Rinks

Skating on one of the public rinks in Toronto is an essential Christmas experience, so lace up your skates and go for a spin. There are three public rinks in Toronto available for skating – the Evergreen Brick Works, The Natrel Rink at Harbourfront Centre and Nathan Phillips Square. The Nathan Phillips Square might be the most iconic rink, underneath the beautifully lit arches, but the Natrel Rink has a DJ spinning live tunes on a Saturday night.

The holiday season is one big long party in Toronto and there are so many great activities and events to enjoy. Pack a warm coat, a toque and a scarf and bundle up for a great holiday season in this lively Canadian metropolis.

Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Events, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk

Visiting Toronto in Winter

November 28, 2016

Visiting Toronto in winter might send a shiver down your spine, but as long as you bundle up there are a lot of things to enjoy in this chilly city during the winter months. Plus, there will be fewer tourists, flights and accommodation will be less expensive. You may even have the opportunity to get to know the locals. Here are some of the reasons visiting Toronto in winter can be enjoyable.

There’s Always Somewhere to Skate when Visiting Toronto in Winter

Toronto has approximately 50 skating rinks run by the city, which means that no matter where you are you can always find somewhere to strap on your skates and glide gracefully across the ice (or crash awkwardly into the boards). Check out the rink at Nathan Phillips Square, the Colonel Samuel Smith Park skateway in Etobicoke or the covered rink at Greenwood Park.

You Can Feast at Winterlicious

When you have worked up an appetite with all of that skating, you can warm up inside and enjoy the fantastic culinary scene that Toronto has to offer. Winterlicious will run in the last week of January for two weeks and during this time many restaurants throughout the city offer a menu of discount fixed price dinners. Each menu showcases starters, entrees and desserts and features the specialties of the restaurant. The 2017 event will take place from January 27th to February 9th and more than 200 restaurants will be taking part.

You Can Warm Up Inside a Museum

When the weather outside is chilly, you can stay warm within some of Toronto’s fantastic museums and art galleries. The Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario are the big names, but there are also many others to explore including the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, the Ontario Science Centre and the Bata Shoe Museum.

You Can Do Some Underground Shopping

Want to be able to shop until you drop without having to brave the freezing temperatures? The underground PATH system has 19 miles of retail shops and restaurants, making it the largest underground shopping complex in the world. You can spend all day shopping, eating and exploring without ever having to venture outside.

Hockey Season will Be in Full Swing

Cheering along with the roaring crowd at a Toronto Maple Leafs game is an essential Canadian experience to have during your visit to this great city. Winter is the best time to do this, as you will be visiting right in the middle of the hockey season. If you want to learn more about the sport before the game, you can visit the Hockey Hall of Fame and learn the stories of the best players in the NHL.

These are just a few of the many reasons why visiting Toronto in winter is great, even during the coldest months of the year. Wear a toque, breathe the crisp cold air, stop for regular hot chocolate breaks at Tim Hortons and enjoy!

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