Afternoon Picnic:
Toronto has a bunch of fabulous parks that are perfect for an afternoon picnic! High Park, Scarborough Bluffs, Christie Pitts, & Trinity Bellwoods, to name a few, are all great options. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this helpful picnic packing checklist of items not to be forgotten! If you would rather skip the picnic planning and prepping, Parts & Labor Catering has a brilliant solution for you. Choose from 4 different picnic options ($25-$35 per person)…order it, pick it up and ta-da, you’re all set! Cutlery and a reusable tote are also included…and if returned you will receive a refund of $3.00. For more information, click here.
Wards Island:
Just a short skip and a jump from the city is Ward’s Island. This place will make you feel like you have escaped to the countryside. Catch the ferry to Wards Island at the foot of Bay Street, Queen Street Yacht Club or grab a water taxi from York Street. A round trip ferry will cost you $7.00 and typically leaves every 30 minutes. Have a picnic, hang on the beach, play disc golf, go biking, or simply take a walk around the island and soak in the amazing view of the city skyline. Be sure to enjoy a nice meal at the Rectory or Island Cafe.
TIFF in the Park:
Every Wednesday night starting in July “TIFF in the Park” screens a FREE movie under the stars around 8:00pm-9:15pm at David Pecaut Square (King & Simcoe). From classics like “The Way We Were” to chick flicks like “Clueless”, there is sure to be a flick to suit your taste! Check out the full summer schedule here. TIFF in the Park is a great option for a date night with your loved one or a night out with the girls! They do provide some seating or you’re welcome to bring your own chair.
Magnum Ice Cream Bar:
Wondering what the long line up is all about at Yonge & Bloor lately? How about ice cream lovers eager to get their paws on a Magnum Ice Cream Bar! The silky vanilla bean ice cream is dipped in imported belgian chocolate and offered in 7 different flavours. Magnum Ice Cream Bar is located at 11 Bloor Street West, pack your appetite and your patience!
The Junction Flea:
The Junction Flea is Toronto’s newest and coolest west end flea market and there is still time to check it out! Like any flea market, there will be a mixed bag of items from antiques, food, vintage clothing, records, crafts, artwork…and the list goes on! The next market dates are: September 8th & October 13th. The Junction Flea is located at the corner of Dundas St W and Indian Grove, one block E of Keele St. Happy hunting!
The Drive In:
Pack the fam into the van and enjoy a drive-in movie for just $25.00! The Polson Peir by the Docks, offers movie nights on Friday, Saturday & Sunday throughout the summer and you can find the schedule of movies by clicking here. Movies typically start around 9:15pm-9:30pm and again at around 11:15pm-11:30pm (make sure to check the schedule for exact timing). Prices on Friday & Saturday are $15.00 for an adult and $5.00 for children. On Sundays it’s $25.00 for a car load!
Experience the Crookie:
The much talked about hybrid “crookie” is definitely worth the hype. All you need to know is the following: Croissant + Oreo Cookie = “The Crookie”. Clafouti Patisserie & Cafe owner Olivier Jansen-Reynaud dreamt up this brilliant hybrid creation when approached with a smashup dessert challenge. You can try the Crookie at their 915 Queen St West location! If you want to check out the other smashup dessert contestants, click here.
Sip Sangria:
Sangria is the perfect summer drink made with either white or red wine. If you have not yet tried sangria, I have two great spots for you to sample it! The Drake Hotel’s “Sky Yard” sells both white and red sangria by the pitcher or glass; served in cute mason jars might I add! Cafe Nervosa also serves up a ‘mean’ sangria. Their patio is tucked into a cozy corner above Belair Street in the heart of Yorkville. Enjoy their comfy pillows, blankets, and maybe even a pizza while you’re there! Whether it’s a week night, weekend, or maybe just an afternoon work lunch, be sure to check out these two great spots. A glass of sangria will typically cost you around $10.00 while a pitcher costs anywhere from $30-$45.
Te-Aro:
Located at Queen & Pape is “Te Aro” aka “Pilot Coffee Roasters”. Te Aro has an open concept layout and a front facing patio directly on Queen Street (great for people watching!). They have specialty beans, cold-brew coffee and a great selection of eats! Whether you are solo or with friends/family, Te Aro is a great coffee shop that you will surely find warm and welcoming!
BrickWorks:
The farmers market at Brick Works runs on Saturdays from 8am-1pm and it’s easily accessible by bike! Evergreen Brick Works offers great resources on their website for biking to their location. Click here to download bike trail maps from the downtown core, east end and west end. How about a visit with “Bike Works” from 10am-4pm on Saturdays, which offers tools and information about biking, workshops, rentals and drop-in DIY bike repairs. For more information on “Bike Works”, click here. To expand your biking routes beyond Brick Works – check out my blog posting on biking in the city here.
