Summer is officially here! And there are so many great things to do in Toronto on a good summer day.
Summer in the 6ix is nothing short of amazing. And with our favourite spots reopening again, it’s looking up for Summer 2021! Here are our recommendations for fantastic things to do this July in Toronto:
1. Rediscover your city in this immersive experience
You can rediscover your city with an immersive open air experience like Questo’s! Their experience, The Dark Side of Old Town Toronto, gives you an adventure at the tip of your fingertips, right on your smartphone. On your own or with your friends, this exploration game will take you on an action-packed stroll through the streets of Old Town Toronto, thanks to open air riddles that will give you access to all the city’s secrets and curiosities. It’s the perfect mix between an outdoor escape game and a real-world treasure hunt! Check it out here!
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2. Hit up your favourite outdoor marketplace
The most idyllic summer activity is strolling through an open-air marketplace. Buying local produce and supporting local vendors, all while appreciating a beautiful summer day! You can go to any of your fav marketplaces, or check out one of these:
- St Lawrence Market
- Saturday Farmer’s Market
- Evergreen Garden Market
- Sunday Artisan Market
- Kensington Market
- Farmer’s Markets Ontario – for a comprehensive list of farmer’s markets in Toronto
3. Take in the views at beautiful TO patios
Patio season has finally returned! It’s time to dine and lounge on the patios of all your favourite spots. Whether it’s a restaurant, a bar, or a cozy Mom & Pop’s, we’re all going to be taking in the sun this summer. You can hit up your favourite spots or check out a spot from our list below:
- Rosedale Diner’s Patio
- Little Sister’s Patio
- Cabana Pool Bar’s Waterfront Patio
- The Gardens at Casa Loma
- Bar Vendetta’s Patio
- Gusto 101’s Patio
4. Experience a dazzling concert by candlelight
Calm your mind and experience classical music in a new light with these sensational concerts in some of Toronto’s most magical locations. This concert series known simply as “Candlelight” invites everyone to relive the greatest works of classical music, from Vivaldi to Mozart to Bach, in an intimate atmosphere. You can check out the details and get your tickets here!
5. Cool down with a scoop from a delicious ice cream shop
Summer calls for gorgeous weather and, of course, refreshing treats. And what is more perfect than a nice cold scoop of ice cream? You can’t go wrong with one of our 10 favourite spots. Here’s a sneak peek:
6. Stop and smell the roses
Enjoy a relaxing walk in the sun surrounded by the most breathtaking flowers in Toronto. You can go flower-picking or walk through a flower market and take in the beautiful sights and smells. And you can take some of them with you to add a warm touch of life or a pop of colour to your home. Check out some of our favourite spots below:
7. Look up and enjoy the stars
Warm summer nights call for spontaneous picnics and stargazing. The hustle and bustle of city life can be very distracting. Sometimes we forget that we can just take a deep breath, and simply look up. Whether you stargaze with a picnic or just a speaker with some good music, this is an activity everyone can enjoy. You can check out one of these stargazing spots:
- Binkbrook Conservation Area
- Long Point Bird Observatory
- Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve
- Fingal Wildlife Management Area
8. Hit the beach!
No summer bucket list is ever complete without a sun-soaked beach day, or several! And as our winters are long and painful, our summers always make up for it. Toronto has plenty of beaches we can enjoy, and though it’s no Caribbean island, it’s still nice to have some beaches within reach right around our beautiful city! Here are some you can check out:
- Sauble Beach
- Hanlan’s Point (Toronto’s only nude beach)
- Cherry Beach
- Bluffer’s Park
- Sugar Beach
- Professor’s Lake (in Brampton)
9. Take a walk in a park
Of course, you can’t forget Toronto’s iconic parks. Crowds of people start heading to the parks as soon as the cherry blossoms start blooming, and folks keep coming back all summer long. There’s nothing like a classic summer park picnic, with good food, good music and good vibes all around. And a park day is perfect for every kind of park-goer: book-readers, ball-tossers, frisbee players, public dancers. You can enjoy your favourite spots or check out some of these:
- Trinity Bellwoods Park
- High Park
- Corktown Common
- Riverdale Park East
10. Enjoy a concert or festival
Summer events are half the fun of the season! And with restrictions being lifted continuously, many events are happening this summer. Whether a concert, a music festival, a food&drink event or more, exciting experiences await! Here are some of the events you can look forward to this month, while respecting public health measures:
- Rage Against the Machine Concert (Thursday July 22nd)
- Beerfest (Friday July 23rd)
- The Reklaws (Friday July 23rd)
- The Beaches Jazz Festival (last dates: Friday and Saturday July 23rd-24th)
[Featured Image Source: Kateryna T via Unsplash]