We COULD tell you about the CN Tower, the ROM, the Eaton Centre, or Toronto’s numerous world-class attractions. But instead, we’re going to tell you about three things that we, Monika and Amanda, love about the city we currently call home.
Monika’s favourite activities in and around Toronto:
1. Canada’s Wonderland
It’s a bit outside of Toronto (it’s in Vaughan), but I love Canada’s Wonderland. Canada’s Wonderland is Canada’s largest amusement park, featuring over 200 attractions. I have gone there for the past two years during Halloween. There are always people in costumes trying to scare you and cool Halloween-themed shows running. It has its downsides, like waiting in line for a long time after every attraction, and if you don’t have a car, it takes a long time to get there, but it is always 100% worth it. My favorite ride at Canada’s Wonderland is Behemoth. Amanda is from Vaughan, so she has probably been there many more times than me—but it did make my top 3.
2. Toronto Islands
When it’s warm, I love lying on the grass and looking up at the sky. One of my favorite places to do that is the Toronto Islands.
The Toronto Islands, a group of islands connected by bridges and pathways in Lake Ontario, are just a 10–15-minute ferry ride from downtown. They are essentially one huge, beautiful park with sunny beaches, cute cafés, bike rentals, canoe rentals, frisbee golf, and much more.
Out of all the activities you can do on the islands, my go-to is bringing some snacks and a blanket and staying on the grass for hours until it’s time to head back.
3. VEMU Estonian Museum Canada Events & Other Estonian activities
Something that has been invaluable for me as an Estonian in Canada has been the Estonian diaspora community here and working at VEMU. We have weekly events about everything related to Estonia. If I see tons of people around me speaking Estonian, I sometimes even forget, that I am so far from home. My takeaway from this would be that Toronto is such a multicultural city that you can almost always find people who share your traditions.
Honourable Mention: The Underground Dance Studio
Since childhood I have always done a little bit of dance here and there so when I got to Toronto, I was happy to see an ad on Instagram for the Underground Dance Studio. I don’t exactly remember my first time there, but my friend Addie and I started going there about once a week. Last year I was a bit more inactive and put my membership on hold, but now I am going to use up all the classes I still have left.
Amanda’s favourite activities in and around Toronto:
1. 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. Learning that admission was FREE for everyone under 25 was a game changer for me. Plus, it’s literally right down the street from Bahen. Visiting the Art Gallery after classes or exams with friends was such a great way to destress while learning to appreciate so many amazing Canadian artists. I think the most exciting thing to look out for is the limited-time exhibitions. Until October, they have a new exhibition called The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse, featuring pieces by artists like Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Berthe Morisot, Henri Matisse, and more. Many of these Impressionist paintings transformed the art world and changing the way people experienced and created art. Being able to see these revolutionary works up close, right here in Canada and so close to campus, is an incredible opportunity that you should definitely take advantage of!
A tip for international students: Get to know Indigenous art from Canada. AGO has a huge collection.
2. Village by the Grange and Grange Park
The Village by the Grange is, in my opinion, one of Toronto’s most underrated food courts. This year, my friends and I loved going there because it’s so close to campus, and with so many great food options and student-friendly deals, there was always something new to try. Some of our favourites include Fruiteao Bubble Tea daily discounts, Manpuku for its delicious udon, Tasty Chinese Food for its student meals, Coffee Exchange for its fresh maple coffee, and Ka Nom for its strawberry and Nutella crepes. There are so many diverse food options to choose from, making it the perfect spot for a quick lunch between classes. Check out all of the Village by the Grange food options in this blog post.
Right beside Village by the Grange is Grange Park, a beautiful green space with scenic views of the CN Tower, the city skyline, the AGO, and OCAD University. My friends and I loved coming here for picnics after exams, and it is definitely one of my favorite parks in Toronto.
3. Explore Kensington Market
Kensington Market is such a fun neighbourhood, and I definitely recommend exploring it with friends. From rows of vintage stores for thrifting clothes and unique jewelry to its diverse food options, cute cafés and bakeries, and vibrant murals and colourful Victorian-style houses, Kensington Market has something for everyone.
One of the things that makes the neighbourhood so special is that it’s home almost entirely to independent businesses, so you’ll find unique bakeries, cheese shops, spice stores, vintage boutiques, and local bookstores instead of major chain stores. During the summer, the neighbourhood also has car-free street festivals featuring live music, performers, and a lively atmosphere that are always super fun to attend.
My friends and I love spending the day exploring everything Kensington has to offer, and we always leave with a new thrift find, a delicious treat, or another favourite spot to come back to.
Honourable Mention: Riverdale Park
My friends and I recently had the chance to go to Riverdale Park for a picnic, and it definitely lived up to the hype. It has a beautiful view of the city skyline, especially at sunset. It’s usually pretty busy, but having so many people there made the park feel even more vibrant and lively. It’s the perfect place to relax with friends, enjoy a picnic, and take in one of the best views of Toronto.
