Toronto is one of the greatest cities in the world! Although much of your time will be taken up with school and on-campus activities, you would be completely remiss to not take the opportunity to explore the city. So, without further ado, here are some of our favourite fun things to do in Toronto, Ontario!
Explore Kensington Market
Kensington Market is one of Toronto’s most famous neighbourhoods. With a rich and diverse culture, bars, restaurants, shopping, music, events, and an incredible atmosphere, the market is definitely worth a visit. In short, if you want an evening out, some delicious food, or an interesting and vibrant place to explore with friends, look no further than Kensington.
Sankofa Square
Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square) is in the heart of Toronto, located about 20 minutes from campus and steps from Chestnut Residence! Here you can shop at the famous Eaton Centre, visit restaurants, watch amazing street performers, or just enjoy the bustling downtown atmosphere. This is a fun space to go if you enjoy the fast pace, bright lights, and vibes of a metropolitan city.
Get Your Game On!
Toronto is world-renowned for its sports teams. So, if you’re in Toronto, set aside some time and go watch some sports games. Some Toronto teams are: Argonauts (Canadian football), Toronto FC & AFC Toronto (football/soccer), Blue Jays (baseball), Raptors & Tempo(basketball), or Maple Leafs & Sceptres (hockey) game! Attending a Raptors 905 (basketball g-league) or Marlies (hockey AHL) game is also a fun and more affordable option. If you really want to save money, check out some Varsity Blues games. These are completely free for students.
Skating in the City
Skating in Nathan Phillips Square is a quintessential Canadian activity. Deep in downtown Toronto, Nathan Phillips Square is a large open space with the famous “Toronto” sign! There is also a fountain that freezes over in the winter and becomes a skating rink. The square is about 15 minutes from campus and is literally steps from Chestnut. You can rent skates for $10 for two hours. This is a fun activity to do with friends. Skate rentals close at 10 p.m. but the rink is open 24/7, so if you’re feeling adventurous, go to Nathan Phillips late at night or early in the morning and you’ll likely have it all to yourself. Make sure to get a few pictures with the iconic Toronto sign, too.
There are also other outdoor skating rinks located throughout the city including one by Harbourfront and at College Park. In addition, there is the Varsity Arena on campus.
Visit the Distillery District
The Distillery District, located near Front St and Parliament St, is part of Old Town Toronto. It used to be a large whiskey distillery and has now become a very artistic neighbourhood. It houses artisanal stores, small coffee shops, outdoor sculptures, and more. There’s also an amazing chocolatier, but we’ll let you explore the area for yourself!
The Distillery is a cool, calm oasis of pedestrian walkways and brick buildings – perfect for escaping the city’s bustling atmosphere without leaving downtown. In the winter, the Distillery hosts a Distillery Winter Village which is amazing.
Try Multicultural Cuisines
Toronto is home to large communities of immigrants from around the world and has countless restaurants with international cuisines. You can try authentic dishes at restaurants in areas such as:
Bordered by Spadina, Dundas, Bathurst and College, Kensington market is a unique neighbourhood where you can find amazing Neapolitan pizza, tacos, empanada, gelato, and more. Check out the cafes, too!
Chinatown is centered around the intersection of Dundas and Spadina, and extends along both streets. Located just minutes from campus, this is a great spot to grab cheap and tasty food for lunch and dinner.
Finally, you can go for amazing Middle Eastern food on Yonge Street, get delicious Greek food on Danforth, explore the Gerrard India Bazaar for South Asian treats, and more. There’s a lot of good food in Toronto!
Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands, a set of islands connected by bridges and pathways in Lake Ontario, are just a 10-15 minute ferry ride from downtown. The islands are essentially huge, beautiful parks with beaches, cafes, green spaces, bike rentals, canoe rentals, and more! If you have a free day before school starts and are hoping to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city without going too far, the Toronto Islands may be the destination for you!
Nuit Blanche
Nuit Blanche is a unique and fun Torontonian event that will definitely confuse you the first time you hear about it. Here’s the premise: one Saturday night during fall, artists place artwork all over Toronto. For the whole night until early morning, event-goers walk through Toronto, taking in the pieces while exploring the city. Public transit is usually free during the event to help you get around. If you make a night out of it with some friends, Nuit Blanche can be a fun and fascinating use of a Saturday.
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
The Toronto International Film Festival happens every September. If you’re at all interested in watching new films, attending Q&As with actors and directors, and potentially seeing or meeting actors and directors, a film festival is a super unique and fun opportunity. You can also volunteer for TIFF!
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
Visiting an art gallery in Toronto is a must! The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is one of the largest art galleries in North America and houses a wide diversity of creative pieces, including a huge collection of Indigenous and Canadian art. You’ll find art from Old Masters to Indigenous artists to modern provocateurs. The gallery is just a 10 minute walk from Bahen, and admission is free for everyone 25 and under.
Ripley’s Aquarium
Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto is a 135,000 square feet facility with over 5.7 million litres of water filled with over 20,000 fish and other marine life ranging from stingrays to small fish. It houses a plethora of interactive exhibits as well as the longest underwater aquarium tunnel in North America! The aquarium is located next to the CN Tower in downtown Toronto.
CN Tower
The CN Tower is in the heart of downtown Toronto. It’s the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere at 553.3 meters tall and belongs to the World Federation of Great Towers. At the top is a revolving restaurant, observation decks and a general entertainment area. You can also go on the CN Tower EdgeWalk where you walk along the edge of the tower. Don’t worry, you’re harnessed and secure during this walk!
Explore!
Toronto is a massive city with a myriad of opportunities for fun and exploration. If you hear about or see something in the city that looks enjoyable, don’t hesitate to try it.
For more information about events in Toronto including city festivals, parades and recreational activities, visit the City of Toronto Website. If you take time to explore the city then by the time you graduate EngSci, you will have a whole collection of fun memories of your time in Toronto.