The winter months in Toronto are notorious for having way too much snow and more than it's fair share of frigid cold days. It makes going outside so difficult that most of us end up hibernating in our cozy homes until the sun finally peaks through again in April.
That method is totally fine to do, I definitely don't blame you for wanted to avoid getting frost bite every day. But if you don't want to waste away months of your life binge watching Netflix, there's tons of fun things to do in the city even during the winter!
While some things are outdoor activities that are best enjoyed in short 1-2 hours spurts, a lot are cozy indoor activities that will only involve you running to and from your car or the TTC to get there.
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Small Plates at 416 Snack Bar
@aanysiaaPrice: $6-$12
Why You Should Go: This spot is both a cool bar and a place to get some great food for cheap. They have a small menu with small plates that are perfect for sharing with your friend group or on a casual date.
Thai Classics at Salad King
@maairahussainPrice: $4-$12
Why You Should Go: This downtown spot is a favourite among Ryerson students. Not just because they make some of the best authentic Thai food in the city, but also because the portions are large and the prices are so low!
Tacos at Wilbur Mexicana
@naveen_junejoPrice: $4-$10
Why You Should Go: This spot is probably one of the most beloved Mexican restaurants because they make the best tacos! What's even better is that each taco is less than $5 making it a super affordable and delicious restaurant.
Unique Fries at Moo Frites
@thehungerfixPrice: $4-$7.95
Why You Should Go: This spot is basically every fry lovers dream come true! They make super unique flavours like their kimchi fries, Japanese inspired fries, classic poutines and more. You can also get yours to go in a cute little cone for an Insta-worthy pic.
Thai Street Food at Eat BKK Thai Kitchen
@kaligirl805Price: $10-$14
Why You Should Go: This a great option for thai food if that's what you're looking for! This restaurant is sharing Bankok street food with Torontonians and it's super delicious and affordable.
Fried Chicken Ramen Burger at Kaboom Chicken
@curiocitytorontoPrice: $5-$12
Why You Should Go: Want to take your Korean fried chicken game to the next level? This spot serves up insane things like Korean fried chicken ramen burger and fried chicken on bubble waffles! You can also get fried chicken in ice cream cones, so yeah this spot wins.
Taiwanese Food at Charidise
@charidise_toPrice: $5-$15
Why You Should Go: This cafe/restaurant serves up some of Toronto's best Taiwanese eats. They have a huge, modern space that's perfect for work and studying, a huge selection of teas plus their food is amazing! Try their popcorn chicken, chicken teriyaki, or huge healthy salads.
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Cocktails at Cold Tea
@carmentsngPrice: $7-$12
Why You Should Go: Drink amazing cocktails, listen to a great DJ and dance the night away at this fun Kensington bar! It's a small place but you're guaranteed a good time and even better cocktails.
Insane Hot Chocolates at MoRoCo Chocolat
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Price: $6-$10
Why You Should Go: During these freezing cold months, everyone needs a hot chocolate to warm themselves up. This chocolate bar takes theirs to the next level with crazy flavours like "Macaron Madness", "Lemon Meringue", and "Fairy Hot Chocolate"!
Massive Tiki Drinks at The Shameful Tiki Room
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Price: $11-$13
Why You Should Go: Party the night away at a tiki bar right here in the city! Their drinks are massive and delicious and the decor will make you feel like you're drinking directly on the beach.
Massive Milkshakes at Short & Sweet Bakeshop
@foooodieeePrice: $7-$12
Why You Should Go: This bakeshop is literally like a fairy princess/unicorn's dream! It is so cute and it makes the best desserts including their giant milkshakes. They also make giant hot cocoa's for the winter season.
Craft Beers at Bar Hop
@iamjb_Price: $5-$10
Why You Should Go: If you're a true beer connoisseur, this bar on King is the spot for you. They have over 30 beers on tap making it a paradise for those that love trying new beers! They also have a small menu of food to pair with their beer selection.
Hong Kong Hot Chocolate at The Dessert Kitchen
@dessertkitchensydembedded via
Price: $5-$8
Why You Should Go: This dessert shop is coming straight from Hong Kong and opening up in Toronto this month! They offer an insane selection of desserts to choose from including this adorable hot chocolate with a marshmallow shaped like a cat. It's definitely worth it to check this place out once it's open.
Bubble Tea at The Alley
@yunze999Price: $4-$6
Why You Should Go: This is the spot to go for some of the best bubble tea in Toronto. They take their teas to the next level with signature drinks like the one above and even drinks out of blood bags!
Holiday Milkshakes at Peace Treats
@peacetreatscoPrice: $6-$8.50
Why You Should Go: Peace Treats is a Toronto-based dessert shop located inside the clothing store of brand Peace Collective. They serve specialty milkshakes all year round but right now they're offering holiday flavours plus other amazing kinds you've got to try!
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Manicures at Her Majesty's Pleasure
@kalturnerPrice: $40
Why You Should Go: This spot is literally the cutest nail salon in all of Toronto. You can get a drink at the bar and then get your nails done in this adorable spot on King!
Spa Experience at The Elmwood Spa
@spasofamericaPrice: $30 (Mondays-Thursdays)
Why You Should Go: Feel extremely relaxed after a day of soaking in hot tubs and drinking champagne at the Elmwood Spa. During the week you can purchase a day pass to the spa for just $30 which is such a great deal!
Blowout at Civello
@eleonorastyle_Price: $35
Why You Should Go: This chain of salons across Toronto and other major Canadian cities offers some amazing hair services. Get all dolled up and look your best for a night out with their signature blowout! They offer tons of other services to choose from as well.
Go For A Wax at Fuzz Wax Bar
@elisaestrefiPrice: $20-$40
Why You Should Go: This wax bar offers tons of services and almost all of them are under $40. They have a lot of locations across Toronto so you'll have no problem finding one near you. Their service is great and the bar itself is clean!
Express Facial at Blitz Facial Bar
@blitzfacialbarPrice: $15
Why You Should Go: Blitz Facial Bar offers tons of amazing services. In addition to any of their higher priced facials you can get an express facial for just $15! They also offer tons of beauty products such as sheet mask for under $40 as well.
Red Carpet Blowout at Blo Blow Dry Bar
@bloheartsyouPrice: $40
Why You Should Go: Get the Hollywood glam look you've always wanted but could never do yourself. This blow dry bar offers 7 signature blowout styles to choose from and all you have to do is sit back, relax and watch the magic happen!
Unique Manicures at Polish'd Nail Bar
@char1enezhangPrice: $25
Why You Should Go: This nail bar takes nail art to the next level with their beautiful designs! Their manicures are super affordable as well making this an amazing Toronto spot to pamper yourself.
Drop In Yoga Class at Yogaspace
@liv.movePrice: $20
Why You Should Go: While attending a yoga class might not be an obvious way to pamper yourself, getting your heart rate up by practicing yoga is a great way to feel more energized. Attend any number of drop-in classes at this studio on Ossington.
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Skiing at Blue Mountain
@ar7_7raPrice: $47 (night skiing)
Why You Should Go: Take a trip a few hours outside the city to the closest major skiing hill, Blue Mountain. Enjoy a day full of skiing, drinks afterwards and beaver tails for a treat!
Tubing at Chicopee Tube Park
@ru_sashkaPrice: $25
Why You Should Go: This is a super fun way to enjoy the winter months. Chicopee Tube Park is just over an hours drive from Toronto and you can get two hours worth of tubing here for just $25!
Healthy Bakeshop Treats And Window Shopping in Yorkville
@alessiavendittiiPrice: $5-$20
Why You Should Go: Grab some guilt-free treats at Sorelle & Co. in Yorkville and then stroll past the cute stores and window shop! This outdoor outing will cost you less than $40 for sure (unless you end up splurging on that cute top you saw in the window).
Walk Through Toronto's Distillery District
@rohhit7Price: Free!
Why You Should Go: Though the Toronto Christmas Market might be over, that doesn't make the Distillery District any less magical. Winter is the perfect time to visit with all the pretty lights, massive Christmas tree and decorations around every corner of this area.
Skating Trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park
@tabathacrewsPrice: Free! ($10 for skate rentals)
Why You Should Go: This trail is 1.3 km long and is the perfect adventure to take this winter. Skate through this winter wonderland forest in Muskoka for the perfect winter activity.
Ice Sculpture Viewing in Yorkville
@angelfooodcakesPrice: Free!
Why You Should Go: From February 24th to 25th, Yorkville will be transforming into a magical ice land with tons of ice sculptures decorating the streets. There will be music, free food, drinks and fun activities to experience in one of Toronto's nicest neighbourhoods.
Hike To Frozen Waterfalls on Bruce Trail
@kalinreginaPrice: Free!
Why You Should Go: The waterfalls in Hamilton are some of the best in Ontario! During the winter they're that much more magical because they because frozen winter wonderlands! Hike the Bruce Trail to reach them for amazing winter views.
Skiing at Mount St. Louis Moonstone
@mjaeePrice: $43 (night skiing)
Why You Should Go: Though it's slightly over $40, it's still a super affordable place to go skiing close to Toronto. It's also much closer than Blue Mountain, at just a 1.5 hour drive.
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Skating at The Bentway Skate Trail
@_garviniPrice: Free! ($10 for skate rentals)
Why You Should Go: The much-anticipated skating trail under The Gardiner Expressway is now open! Entrance to the skate trail is completely free and they're offering fun events all winter long.
Greenhouse Exploration at Cloud Gardens
@gmin7Price: Free admission
Why You Should Go: Cloud Gardens will make you feel like you entered a tropical cloud forest as soon as you walk in. It's the perfect place to escape the winter cold and wander through the rows of plants!
Tobogganing at Riverdale Park
@melaniejoyyyPrice: Free!
Why You Should Go: Riverdale Park is the best spot in Toronto for tobogganing during the winter. It offers the best views of the city skyline plus the hill is so huge you'll get a real thrill every time you ride down.
DJ Skate Night at Harbourfront Skating Rink
@wonderflakesPrice: Free! ($12.50 for skate rental)
Why You Should Go: Every Saturday night from 8-11pm the Harbourfront Skating Rink offers DJ skate nights with a gorgeous view of the water front and the CN Tower. It's a fun way to spend a winter evening.
Museum Exploration at Aga Khan Museum
@agakhanmuseumPrice: Free on Wednesdays
Why You Should Go: Every Wednesday evening from 4-8pm the Aga Khan Museum is completely free to visitors! Experience and view a unique insight into Islamic cultures and civilizations through the winding halls of this museum.
Shop Local at The St. Lawrence Market
@yogansunPrice: Free entrance
Why You Should Go: The St. Lawrence Market is a historic spot in Toronto that everyone should return to from time to time. You don't even have to spend a dime while you're there, you can just peruse the isles and take it all in!
Wander Through A Winter Wonderland at High Park
@torresdaniiiPrice: Free!
Why You Should Go: High Park is a beautiful nature-filled location right in the middle of the city. It's so pretty through every season of the year and winter is absolutely no exception! It turns into a winter wonderland and is the perfect place to take a snowy stroll.
Skating at Nathan Philips Square
@sarahmianPrice: Free! ($10 for skate rentals)
Why You Should Go: This skating rink is basically a Toronto staple in the winter. If you don't go skating in front of City Hall and the colourful Toronto sign, are you even a true Torontonian? Well, yes you definitely are, but it's still a super fun winter activity!
