Do you have lots of company coming to Toronto for the holiday season? Are you wondering what options you have for them?
Here are a few things in and around Toronto to check out with your family:
1. The Bentway Skate Trail
The Bentway Trail is a 1.75 km trail that runs from Strachan Avenue to Bathurst Street. The trail is popular for art exhibits and markets but during the winter months, it is a great place to skate. When you want to get out of the cold, nearby Liberty Village has restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops where you can warm up.
2. Nathan Phillips Square
If you feel like going somewhere a bit more central, there are plenty of other city-run skating rinks including Nathan Phillips Square where the now-iconic Toronto sign is installed. You can take TTC to Queen Station and walk west towards Bay Street. The square is steps from Toronto Eaton Centre and if you didn’t bring your own skates, you can rent a pair so you can join in the fun.
3. Explore the Distillery Historic District
Take a trip back in time and head over to the Distillery Historic District. There, from mid-November to December 23, you’ll find the Toronto Christmas Market. Little ones, both two- and four-legged, will be able to visit with Santa for photos. Admission is free during the week until 5:00 pm on Friday when tickets have to be purchased for an entry during the weekend. Once the Christmas Market is over, there are still tons of exciting shops, restaurants and a brewery to discover in this historic cobblestone village.
4. Go skiing or snowshoeing
Rouge Urban National Park lies on the border of Toronto and Markham. Currently, 12 km of trails stretch through the park. The trails aren’t maintained in the winter but they are still open for cross country skiing and snowshoeing
5. Explore the ice sculptures in Yorkville
a visit to Bloor-Yorkville is almost mandatory and if you’re there during Icefest, you’ll have the chance to marvel at the ice sculptures that dot the sidewalks.
6. The Royal Ontario Museum
The ROM nearby at Bloor Street West and University Avenue with Yonge/Bloor Station at one end of Yorkville and Museum Station at the other, it is easy to get there on the subway.
7. Ontario Place
Ontario Place offers something for everyone, from a Winter Light Exhibition, to skating, to taking in the beauty of Ontario Place illuminated by fairy lights or a stroll on the newly opened Trillium Park and William G. Davis Trail!
8. Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame
For the hockey fans, the Hockey Hall of Fame is at 30 Yonge Street where you’ll be able to satisfy any hockey fan.
There is truly something for everyone in Toronto! Enjoy the city and show off the character as you celebrate this holiday season with your friends and family.
Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Yalda!
Happy New Year!