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 and 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.
Yonge-Dundas Square
Yonge-Dundas Square is in the heart of Toronto, located about 20 minutes from campus and steps away 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 of Toronto, bright lights, and the vibes of a metropolitan city.
Watch a Blue Jays, Raptors, or Leafs Game
Toronto is world-renowned for its sports teams. So, if you are in Toronto, set aside some time and go watch a/an Argonauts (Americal football), Toronto FC (football/soccer), Blue Jays (baseball), Raptors (basketball), or Maple Leafs (hockey) game! Attending a Raptors 905 (basketball g-league) or Marlies (hockey AHL) game is also a fun and more affordable option.
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 away from campus and is literally steps away from Chestnut. You can rent skates for $10 for two hours. This is a very fun activity to do with friends. Skate rentals close at 10 p.m., but the rink is open 24/7. So, if you are feeling adventurous, go to Nathan Phillips late at night or early in the morning and you will likely have the rink 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.
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. It might get busy on weekends, but it is enjoyable nonetheless. In the winter, the Distillery hosts a Distillery Winter Village which is fun (but it can get crowded).
Try multicultural cuisines
Toronto is a very multicultural city and has countless restaurants with international cuisines. You can try out authentic dishes at most restaurants. Check out the following places:
Bordered by Spadina, Dundas, Bathurst and College, Kensington market is a unique neighbourhood where you can find amazing Neapolitan pizza, tacos, empanada, and so on. 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 also go for amazing Middle Eastern food on Yonge Street, get some delicious Greek food on the 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 are a set of islands connected by bridges and pathways in Lake Ontario, just a 10-15 minute ferry ride from the downtown Toronto lakeshore. The islands have beaches, cafes, countless parks and green spaces, bike rentals, canoe rentals, and more! If you have a free day before school starts and are hoping to get out of 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 in Fall, artists place artwork all over downtown Toronto. For the whole night (right through to the early morning), event-goers walk through downtown Toronto, observing and taking in the pieces while exploring the city. 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 is an annual film festival that occurs every September. If you are 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 if you would like to be more involved!
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
Visiting an art gallery in Toronto is a must! A great example is the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). It is one of the largest art galleries in North America and houses a wide diversity of creative pieces. You’ll find art from old Masters to Indigenous artists to modern provocateurs. The gallery is just a few minutes’ walk from campus (7 minutes away from Bahen) and admission is free for everyone 25 and under. So if you enjoy admiring the work of great artists or just walking around in a peaceful area, you should visit the AGO.
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. So if you would like to explore sea life while staying in the city, check out Ripley’s Aquarium!
CN Tower
The CN Tower is located in the heart of downtown Toronto. It is the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere at 553.3 meters tall and belongs to the World Federation of Great Towers. In the CN Tower you can find a revolving restaurant, observation decks and a general entertainment area. You can also go on the CN Tower EdgeWalk where (just like the name) you walk along the edge of the tower. Don’t worry, you are harnessed and secure during this walk!
Explore!
Toronto is a massive city with literally countless 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, perrades 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.