Image courtesy of www.suitcaseandheels.com
Just thinking back to the overwhelming heat of last summer may have people scrambling for shade and AC before they’ve even had the chance to enjoy any of those sweet, warm rays we were deprived of all winter. But while indoor activities can be great, when you live in Toronto, or any metropolitan area, it can be hard to remind yourself to get outside for a longer period of time than it takes for your morning and evening commute. Resist the urge to hideout in your room while I remind you of a few fun and cheap ways to get out of the city in the city!
1. Ride your bike! Toronto is a biking city, and according to Google Maps, it takes me 30 minutes to get to work using TTC, but it would only take about 20 by bike. Not only is it good for you, but spending time outside may actually prevent you from going crazy while you’re stuck inside most of the day at work. Don’t let those daylight hours go to waste!
2. If you’re just too lazy to hop on a bike, at least spend some time outside! If you don’t have a yard to sit in (there is no shame in indulging in a front yard tan), try out one of the many parks Toronto has to offer. Take a walk down Queen West and stop in at Trinity Bellwoods when you’re ready to play with a few dogs or sip on a few covert beers. If you find yourself further West, High Park offers everything from an off-leash dog park, to a petting zoo, to water fronts, and Shakespeare performances in the High Park Amphitheatre. This year, players will be performing As You Like It and Titus Andronicus from July to September. And of course, any park is a good park for a picnic.
3. The beach is an obvious summer spot, so obvious that a lot of people forget to actually get over there. Forget about all the other things you have going on, and spend an afternoon getting sand in your underwear with your friends, because you deserve it.
4. Nothing says “You made the right choice” quite like a farmers’ market. There was a time when you’d have to go out of your way to find a good farmers’ market, but these days you can find one in just about any neighbourhood. Brick Works or Soauren Farmer’s Markets are both great, but if those aren’t close enough, take a look online to find out which ones are close to your neck of the woods.
5. You may not have a car, but at least one of your friends does. It’s your duty to harass/bribe them until they agree to take you and a car full of other friends to the Polson Pier Drive-In. The Drive-In will be open from Victoria – Labour Day weekend, and for 15 bucks/person, or $25/car if you go on a Sunday, you get to see a double feature. If you need a break from the city, but spending time with mother nature isn’t exactly your idea of a good time, this has got your name written all over it. If you head over earlier in the day, you can try your luck at the driving range as well.
6. Summer and patio season go hand in hand, so if your not exactly in the mood to spend a whole day outside moving around, a patio is pretty much your go-to outdoor adventure. On the surface, it may not seem as extreme as rock climbing in Niagara, kayaking in Woodbine Beach, or Parkour downtown, but most likely, the people who see it that way just aren’t doing patios properly. This is your chance to show people how it’s done, and here is a list of rooftop patios worth trying out.
7. The Toronto Islands are your chance to get away from the city without having to take time off or spending a lot of money. Along with space for tennis, volleyball, softball, and frisbee games at your fingertips, you can bike, canoe, or spend some time in your birthday suit at Hanlan’s Point. Fear not, if getting naked in public isn’t your thing, you can opt to spend your time on Centre Island which is the most popular, or on Ward’s Island which is actually the closest to the main land but also the least popular.
If you know someone who loves to play sports like tennis, we know the perfect place for you to get tennis gifts.
