Toronto is a great city to live in year round but many people tend to go into a kind of hibernating routine during the winter months and forget all about the wonderful attractions the city has to offer. With fewer daylight hours, cold winds, and slushy streets it is easy to hide inside but it’s important to get outside every once in a while if only to avoid going stir crazy. Here are the top 5 things to check out this winter so you can feel that Canadian cold weather superiority all year long:
1. The Distillery District Winter Market: Pull on your long johns and grab a toque because this market is mostly outdoors. For a few weeks every year the Distillery District’s cobblestone streets fill up with a variety of merchant stalls selling everything from hot cider and schnitzel to handmade Christmas tree ornaments, treats, and knit goods. It even has choirs, performances, lighting displays, a lit-up Christmas tree, a Ferris wheel, and a carousel.
2. Ripley’s Aquarium: A newer addition to the attractions in downtown Toronto, Ripley’s Aquarium has opened near the CN Tower and has attracted a huge crowd with its impressive overhead fish tanks and variety of beautiful displays. Be prepared to stand in line or go at an off-peak time.
3. Local Craft Brews: Toronto has been home to several craft breweries for quite a few years now and it seems more are popping up all the time. From Mill Street and The 3 Brewers in downtown Toronto to the Indie Alehouse in the Junction area and the Granite Brewery in Northern Toronto, local breweries and brewpubs are offering fantastic beer and great food to beer enthusiasts across the city.
4. Theatre: From September to June the Canadian Opera Company hosts a series of free shows at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Soulpepper is a Toronto theatre group playing in the Young People’s Theatre in the Distillery District. They perform a variety of shows year round and usually have a special seasonal show around the holidays.
5. Winterlicious:Running from January 31-February 13, 2014, Winterlicious is an annual culinary celebration held in Toronto. Cited as “the perfect opportunity to discover diverse cuisine”, this festival is greatly anticipated and includes a variety of great offers for meals at some of finest residents. Reservations will be accepted beginning January 16 so act fast to make sure you get a spot!
Of course this list is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to activities in Toronto. From public ice skating to a wide variety of historical landmarks and many theatre options, there is always something to do in to. If you are at a loss for what to do this year, take a look at this handy checklist of Toronto attractions most Torontonians skip and make a New Year’s resolution to check one or two off.
- The CN Tower
- The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
- The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
- Casa Loma
- Spadina Historic House and Gardens
- Black Creek Pioneer Village
- Centre Island
- The Hockey Hall of Fame
John Chris is a professional photographer who has a great passion in traveling . He loves to experiment and enjoy food and best of all from different places and like to share it through articles and blogs. .