While we get our fair share of winter weather in Toronto, it is nice to get some respite from the cold and enjoy some time at an indoor establishment from time to time. Here are our 5 amazing places to check out on those cold/wet/generally bad weather days in Toronto…

SKYZONE

Have you ever been on a trampoline? How about an entire park’s worth with a ton of fun games to go along with said trampolines? Skyzone offers just that; a fun family-friendly indoor trampoline extravaganza including activities like warped wall, ninja warrior courses, speed and dodgeball games, climbing walls and more.

BOULDERZ

I got the rock-climbing bug years ago and there’s nothing quite like it. It’s amazing to watch yourself get better with each new route and the satisfaction of reaching the top doesn’t really get old. It’s also great for building confidence in kids which is a great reason to check out Boulderz. They offer a wide variety of routes and options for both adults and kids in addition to events-based programs (ie. birthdays, team-building, etc.) that are sure to get you hooked and belayed in no time.

RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM OF CANADA

We’ve featured Ripley’s before but it’s really the best game in town as far as marine life is concerned; yes, we know there are some exhibits at the Toronto Zoo (shout out to the T.Z.!) But they’ve done an amazing job creating this fantastic aquarium from the petting ponds to the dangerous lagoon. It’s definitely worth a visit!

MASSEY HALL

This place is literally Canadian history. It’s storied past has featured too many amazing musicians and performers to list here. Known for it’s amazing acoustics, Massey Hall is undergoing a renovation to restore much of it’s original glory and add some much needed repairs to the old girl. If you get an opportunity to see an acoustic artist here, take it! You WON’T be disappointed.

AGA KHAN MUSEUM

This building’s stunning design captures your attention even if you’re just driving past it on the DVP, but have you seen the inside? Modern and old-world design mesh perfectly and an experience of art works dating back to the year 900 AD are just some of the reasons to go. They also have a spectacular restaurant on-site; Diwan, which offers Middle-Eastern, North African and South Asian inspired dishes to keep your belly happy before or after a stroll through this great building.

Have you got any suggestions for great indoor activities in Toronto? Please let us know!

We try to keep things as local as possible so we’re running down 5 of our favourite boutiques across the city to shop at this holiday season…

1. Tuck Shop Trading Co.

Located in the Summerhill/Rosedale area right on Yonge St., Tuck Shop Trading Co. provides amazingly well crafted, often local wares that work well from big city to big country; wools, corduroys and denim feature heavily.

2. The Future of Frances Watson

For those on the West side of town, TFOFW offers an amazingly eclectic and stylish set of fashions, accessories and other home and lifestyle products for both men and women. They also put an emphasis on well manufactured goods (which we appreciate), proving that fashion can be an investment rather than a trend.

3. Model Citizen

Model Citizen is a Kensington Market boutique dedicated to Canadian designers and men’s fashion. “Selling to guys is a lot easier than selling to women,” says owner Julian Finkel, explaining his shop’s male-centric merchandise. “It’s a shop for fashion ninjas.” In truth, it’s much more than that. Finkel does quite a lot of his own design work and features many of his own prints on garments in-store adding a special DIY aesthetic to various items.

4. WANT Apothecary

For our uptown/mid-town people, WANT Apothecary provides some modern luxury fashion brought over from Montreal-based WANT bag makers. Fashion, accessories and a great many well made lifestyle products; all the stuff you really WANT for for the holidays ; )

5. Early Bird and Worm

Not to be so selective as to leave out those little people who make the holidays so special, Early Bird and Worm bills itself as a kid's concept shop on Roncesvalles. Selling fashion forward outfits with bold prints and style as well as other accessories, this place will have your baby looking anything but bland.

Wherever your holiday shopping takes you, please let us know! We’re always interested in amazing local businesses. Happy Holidays!

CONGRATULATIONS!

You (or your child) has graduated high school! Where to throw an amazing shindig? Here’s 5 venues that will transport you from those hallowed halls in style…

THE APERTURE ROOM

Aperture Room is a stylish event space located on the third floor of The Thornton-Smith Building in downtown Toronto. The name is derived from one of the building’s most prominent tenants, Toronto Camera, which occupied all four floors in 1966. The space features original exposed brick walls, three magnificent skylights, hardwood floors, plaster ceilings, LED lighting throughout and a refined heritage flare. Aperture Room also offers built-in AV equipment including state-of-the-art screens, projectors and architectural lighting, lending itself to all types of social and corporate events. The space can accommodate 120 guests for a seated event and 180 guests for a standing reception.

DISTRICT 28

District 28 is a boutique events company located in Toronto's iconic studio district. You can choose from three unique studios, an in-house screening room, restaurant, and reception area. The white, blank canvas of the event venue allows for your own creative input into hosting your own corporate event, high-end fundraiser, and more. 

GEARY LANE

Toronto’s hub for culture and creativity. Nestled away on a seemingly industrial stretch of Geary Avenue at Dufferin & Dupont, the Geary Lane studio is centrally located in an area of the city that is ripe with creative drive and youthful energy.

Housed in a 3000 square foot professional film studio and former recording studio, Geary Lane is a multi-purpose space that can magically transform to suit the needs of your creative projects. Whether you are looking for a state of the art location to shoot film or photography projects, a comfortable and accommodating space for intimate music or theatre rehearsals, or to educate the community through workshops, exhibits, or screenings, Geary Lane is the ideal space to let your creative ideas run wild.

THE COSTUME HOUSE

The Costume House is another venue situated in the Geary Avenue arts district. Originally built in the early 1900's by the Eaton family as a horse stable, this newly restored, turn of the century hard loft features a 13ft ceiling, original post and beam construction, textured brick, east-facing windows, and original oak flooring. This epic blank canvas provides the ultimate space for bringing your bespoke event creations to life. 

LONGBOAT HALL

Located in the uber hip West Queen West area, LongBoat Hall is part of The Great Hall. This lower level space offers over 5000 sq. ft of event space with 20 foot ceilings and cast iron beams. Grand, modern and classic all at once, this is a great venue for those who need to accommodate a larger crowd.