Winter is quite a magical time in Toronto! Freezing, but magical. The snowy atmosphere is perfect for the run up to Christmas. There are plenty of outdoor activities to do in Toronto including ice skating (which you can do during the day or even at midnight!), hiking along a snowy forest trail, or, for anyone who prefers a less adventurous outdoor activity, visiting a farmer’s market. It can get very cold in this city in winter, with temperatures sometimes falling to minus 20 and below and although outdoor activities can be very enjoyable, it can sometimes get too chilly. When it is simply too cold to be outdoors, there is also plenty of indoor fun to be had too.
Stay Indoors, Stay Warm
As with any large city, Toronto has a great selection of indoor activities available to enjoy. From creative options such as workshops and galleries, to cultural sights like art galleries, there is plenty to enjoy inside in the warmth during the winter months. Some of our favourites include the following:
- Visit one of Toronto’s many restaurants. Oakville’s Cover Bar & Restaurant is a firm favourite for its harbour views and cozy patio
- Try some DIY woodwork projects. There are many schools around the city that offers courses and workshops in woodwork construction
- Stay active and try an exciting indoor obstacle course or escape room. There are also indoor tennis courts that offer affordable drop-in rates
- Spend a relaxed and cozy afternoon in the Board Game Cafe
- Visit the AGO, the Art Gallery of Ontario. It contains over 90,000 pieces of art – that should fill an afternoon or two!
- For contemporary art, head to MOCA: the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto
- Art lovers may also enjoy the Aga Khan Museum which presents Muslim art from all over the world, or the Gardiner Museum of pottery and porcelain
- To create some art of your own, visit the Paintlounge cafe where you can paint a canvas while sipping a cool beverage
- Explore underwater tunnels and meet the sea life at Ripley’s Aquarium
- Toronto is home to some excellent theatres – catch a play at a theatre like the Mirvish, Tarragon or Crow’s Theatre
Toronto Woodwork
When it comes to woodwork, Canada is home to some of the best craftsmen in the world and is a great place to try building your own furniture or constructing your own piece. Top tip – if you are a complete beginner at woodwork and are trying it for the first time without an instructor, you can make life easy for yourself by using a strong wood glue. However, if you live in Toronto you can attend a class or workshop. Some wood workshops offer courses in working with hand tools only, while others will teach you how to use electrical tools to carve and craft a piece from wood. Treating, waxing or varnishing wood is also covered and, at the end of the course, you get to take home your own finished table, chopping board or shelf, for example, along with a new skill.
There are plenty of options available when it comes to making boring Autumn weekends more fun in Toronto. Although the choices may be somewhat more limited than usual for 2020, most businesses and organisations are open in some capacity and there is still plenty to do – both indoors and outdoors – throughout the fall and winter months, making it a great location for anyone who wants to stay active.
