If you didn’t know, it’s international day of friendship on July 30th so then (or anytime really) grab your besties, the gang, or whatever you call yourselves and head out into the city for some summer fun.
1. Go to a swanky cocktail bar or rooftop
One of the best things about summer in Toronto is getting to enjoy the cooler evenings on top of one of the city’s awesome rooftop bars. From Pretty Boy Rooftop which recently opening in the spring to old favorites like, there’s plenty of places to enjoy elevated views. By that same line of thinking, you might want to escape a hot summer day by sneaking into a cool speakeasy or cocktail bar where you can pick from a range of specialty cocktails and small bites. We especially love Bar Raval and Civil Liberties.
2. Immerse yourself into this epic Stranger Things adventure with the gang
You and your friends can become the heroes of Hawkins at Stranger Things: The Experience, an exciting and immersive adventure. Become a part of a storyline where you save Hawkins from the Upside Down then celebrate your victory over at Mix Tape, a retro space where you can order a Chips Ahoy cookie sundae from Scoops Ahoy or a slice of ‘za from Surfer Boy Pizza.
Get your tickets at a discounted rate before the experience leaves Toronto!
3. Grab a ferry to Toronto Islands
Catch a ferry from downtown Toronto to Centre Island and begin your adventure. Toronto Islands has a lot to offer for a summer weekend afternoon to do with friends. Explore Centre Island’s multiple beaches, all with a varying degree of space and busyness. Then after swimming, you can grab a bite at a restaurant like the Greek Grill or Toronto Island BBQ and Beer.
4. Go on a hike to a breathtaking waterfall
Nothing like a summer hike to see one of Toronto’s stunning ribbon or cascading waterfalls, always in their full glory during the summer. Most are within a couple hours drive from Toronto so head out with a bag packed full of food and water and hit the trails to Webster Falls or Albion, pictured above.
5. Catch an outdoor movie at some of Toronto’s best parks
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show has returned to the city for the summer months, so check out their summer line up that you and your friends are excited about and grab your tickets. What’s even better is that the screenings are totally free. Films will be a mix of features from around the world and films by locals under the theme ‘Another World.’ Pan’s Labyrinth, The Matrix, and the Truman Show are among some of the films shown, and you can see their full calendar here.
6. Take a foodie tour with friends in Toronto
One of the best ways to bond with friends and enjoy the city this summer is to take on a foodie tour of some of the best neighborhoods. Toronto is known for being one of the most multicultural cities in North America with an incredible food scene to match it. Kensington Market is one such neighhborhood you can explore as well as Downtown Chinatown and Old Toronto/St. Lawrence. We’ve included guides we’ve written about some of our favorite spots in Kensington and Chinatown as well.