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 with more festivals and events taking place. If you’re looking for a guide on how to best fill your time this July, then we’ve got you covered with our favorite recommendations for fun things to do this July in Toronto:
1. Take on a wild adventure
Lace up your boots and be transported to Isla Nubar at this larger-than-life experience in Mississauga. Dinosaurs will take center stage and you can get up-close-and-personal in a way that’s just like the iconic Hollywood films. Get your tickets here for the adventure of a lifetime.
2. Immerse yourself in the iconic story of Stranger Things
All throughout July you can experience the fun and adventure that is Stranger Things: The Experience. It starts with an immersive storyline that makes you the hero who is called to save Hawkins. Finally, after saving the world from the Upside Down with El and the gang, head to Mix-Tape: a retro area where you’ll be able to enjoy sundaes from Scoops Ahoy or try out the iconic slices at Surfer Boy Pizza! Get your tickets to Hawkins today!
3. Enjoy these gorgeous candlelit concerts in some of Toronto’s best venues
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 an open air tribute to Abba’s best songs and another one where you can hear Hans Zimmer’s epic soundtracks, in an intimate atmosphere. You can check out the details and get your tickets here!
4. 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
5. 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
6. Stop and smell the roses and go strawberry picking
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. Don’t forget this is also the season for strawberry picking so we’ve included a few farms and orchards offering a U-pick perfect to make your own strawberry lemonade or desserts or salads. Check out some of our favourite spots below:
- Toronto Flower Market
- Andrew’s Scenic Acres
- Garden Party Flower Farm
- Makkink’s Flower Farm
- Organics Farm
- Applewood Farm Winery
- Strawberry Creek Farms
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