Fun Things to Do in Winter in Toronto
Ugh winter. Ugh winter in Toronto. I know, I know, winter in this city is less than ideal especially after an amazing Toronto summer. But, if you’re headed to Canada during the winter not to fear, there are still many fun things to do in Toronto in winter! Yay!
Whether it’s snowing, freezing rain, hailing or just a gorgeous blue sky winter day, if it’s your first time visiting Toronto then aside from checking out the top city spots here are the best things to do in Toronto in the winter. So keep scrolling!
1. Lace Up Your Skates & Get on the Ice at an Outdoor Rink
⛸️ Nathan Phillips Square
Toronto’s best ice rink, Nathan Phillips Square, has been a quintessential Toronto experience for generations. Set in the unique urban backdrop of sparkling lights and the gorgeous city hall it’s a must-skate-destination! Bring your own skates and skate for free! Or checkout their rentals and other information HERE!
⛸️ Harbourfront Natrel Rink
This gorgeous skating rink is nestled along the beautiful shores of Lake Ontario! Harbourfront Centre is one of Toronto’s most scenic rinks so don’t pass up the opportunity to tear up the ice here! Checkout skate rentals, locker rentals and more HERE!
⛸️ The Bentway
A skating rink underneath the infamous Gardiner Expressway? The Bentway is the epitome of cool! No pun intended. Don’t watch winter slip through your fingers without taking a loop around this iconic rink! There’s free wifi and skate rental available for your conveniences! For more information click HERE!
⛸️ Gage Park in Brampton
When you get a fresh blanket of snow, Brampton’s skating trail at Gage Park is the perfect spot to star in your very own Hallmark movie. For more information click HERE!
⛸️ Celebration Square in Mississauga
If you’re looking for a lively, urban skating experience, Mississauga’s Celebration Square is an absolute winter must! For skate rentals and more information check them out HERE!
2. Sip on Some of Toronto’s Most Decadent Hot Chocolate
🍫 Soul Chocolate
Both chocolate lovers and chocolate makers, Soul Chocolate, is home to some of the most delicious and best hot chocolate in Toronto. They’re specialists here and will be sure to leave your tastebuds feeling sweet!
📍Soul Chocolate, 583 Gerrard St E, Toronto
🍫 Sweet Jesus
How does hot chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, chocolate sauce, chocolate peanut crumble and whipped cream sound? Because if you don’t know by now, Sweet Jesus is all about being as extra as possible. But, hey I’m here for it!
📍 Sweet Jesus, 106 John St, Toronto
🍫 Bobbette & Belle
Bobbette & Belle has taken your humble cup of hot chocolate to new mouth-watering heights! I mean common, they even have toasted vanilla marshmallows. I mean drool. This is real Canadian hot chocolate.
📍Bobbette & Belle, 3347 Yonge St, Toronto
📍Bobbette & Belle, 1121 Queen St E, Toronto
🍫 FIKA Cafe
This Kensington Market cafe is all you could ever want and more when it comes to ordering specialty hot chocolate! If Willy Wonka were serving up hot chocolate there’s no chance he would think to serve up FIKA Cafe’s lavender white hot chocolate! Yum!
📍 FIKA Cafe, 28 Kensington Ave, Toronto
3. Take A Winter Walk Through One of Toronto’s Magical Trails
❄️ High Park
One of the most beautiful parks in Toronto, High Park is a gem in the city’s park system. In the winter, trails aren’t maintained, but you can cross-country ski anywhere in the park. Plus, a fresh snowfall brings out the beauty that lies in its trails, fountains and especially surrounding Grenadier Pond!
❄️ Glen Stewart Park Trail
In the middle of Toronto is the beautiful Glen Stewart Park Trail. During the winter months this boardwalk can be a bit icy, but rest assured you will be walking through a winter wonderland if you tough it out!
❄️ Scarborough Bluffs
Ah the beautiful Scarborough Bluffs! A summertime destination that sees flocks of people soaking up the sun on its beach, but let’s not forget it’s unforgettable winter views! Unleash your inner Elsa as you run through its rugged snowy terrain.
❄️ Trillium Park
The Trillium Park and William G. Davis Trail is home to 7.5 acres of public green space on a spectacular part of Toronto’s waterfront. Soak in the Toronto’s winter skyline from this stunning trail!
❄️ Graffiti Alley
A fantastic place to stroll through snowy murals and soak in Toronto’s street art scene. Graffiti Alley will be sure to bring some colour to those dreaded and dreary winter blues!
4. Warm Up With A Boozy Winter Drink
🥃 Hot Spiked Cider at The Gaslight
In the colder months you need to try The Gaslight’s thermos of signature Hot Spiked Cider. Because just try to name a feeling better than that first sip! It’s one of the best winter cocktails in Toronto for sure!
📍 The Gaslight, 1426 Bloor St W, Toronto
🥃 Spiced Toddies at Pure Spirits
Housed in a former distillery in the historic Distillery District, Pure Spirits’ Spiced Toddy is absolutely impossible not to crave! They have a drink list to impress, so make sure you check out this Toronto cocktail gem!
📍 Pure Spirits, 17 Tank House Lane, Toronto
🥃 The Hot Pimm’s & Absinthe Hot Chocolate at Short Turn
Shouldn’t every day be hot pimm’s day? Well at Short Turn on Queen it is! Even their typical lineup of cocktails will be sure to warm you up from those sub zero temperatures!
🥃 Warm Mulled Cider at Famous Last Words
Warm up by the fire with a warm mulled cider, a board game or a book! Famous Last Words is a sure fire way to warm you up!
📍 Irish Embassy Pub & Grill, 49 Yonge St, Toronto
🥃 Gingerbread Negroni at Project Gigglewater
Craft cocktail masters, Project Gigglewater’s skills are unbeatable! With a rotating menu of incredible, yet classy cocktails something there is something to warm everyone up!
📍Project Gigglewater, 1369 Dundas St W, Toronto
5. Head Inside For an Afternoon of Indoor Fun
🖼️ Art Gallery of Ontario
With a collection of more than 90, 000 works of art, the Art Gallery of Ontario is among the most distinguished art museums in North America and will be sure to keep you busy and warm all afternoon.
🛒 St. Lawrence Market
One of the oldest markets in Canada, St. Lawrence Market is a must-visit, must-eat destination. Spend the afternoon shopping and eating your way through the incredible vendors here!
⚱️ The Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum has a gorgeous collection of art, world culture and natural history. One of the largest museums in North America there is tons to discover on a cold winter day!
🦈 Ripley’s Aquarium
Immerse yourself in a world of 20, 000 aquatic animals and discover your own underwater adventure at Ripley’s Aquarium! This incredible aquarium never disappoints no matter how many times you visit!
🍺 Distillery District
With more than 40 boutiques and one-of-a-kind shops, The Distillery District is the ideal location for a gorgeous snowy day. Store hop and shop around this historic square and soak in all those snowy European vibes.
6. Fuel Your Soul With a Tasty Toronto Soup
🍜 Cafe Polonez
Located in the heart of Toronto’s Polish community, Café Polonez has been serving the people of this city for over 30 years. Although their menu is lined with incredible dishes you don’t want to pass up the opportunity to sip on one of their tasty homemade soups!
📍 Cafe Polonez, 195 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto
🍜 Pho Tien Thanh
This busy, no-frills, Ossington phở spot is serving up some steaming bowls of soup from 11:00am until 10:00pm everyday. Trust me when I say Pho Tien Thanh is some of the best phở Toronto has to offer.
📍 Pho Tien Thanh, 57 Ossington Ave, Toronto
🍜 Ravi Soups
A huge bowl of thick soup is the hug we all need to warm up from the frostiness that is Toronto. I don’t even think my own mother could make soup better than Ravi Soups and that’s saying a lot!
📍Ravi Soups, 322 Adelaide St W, Toronto
🍜 Khao San Road
Serving up some absolute classics, Khao San Road is the spot you’ve been dreaming of to warm your tastebuds! I’ve never met a khao soi, green curry or massaman curry I didn’t love!
📍 Khao San Road, 11 Charlotte St, Toronto
🍜 Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu
Although unassuming from the outside, Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu is cooking up some of the tastiest spicy tofu hot pots in the city. If you want soup for the soul then head this way!
📍 Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu, 691 Bloor St W, Toronto
7. Unleash Your Inner Kid at Toronto’s Best Tobogganing Hills
🛷 Riverdale Park East
Riverdale Park East blends perfect sledding with one of the best views of Toronto’s skyline. The steep hill on the east side of the park is perfect for thrill seekers while the smaller hill on the west side is great if you’re a beginner tobogganer.
🛷 Christie Pits Park
After you step out of Christie Subway Station, Christie Pits Park is a great pick for some steep slopes. This hill gives toboggan lovers a thrill while also being surrounded by great spots to grab a coffee afterward!
🛷 Humber Valley Park
Next to the Humber Valley Village Junior Middle School, Humber Valley Park’s hill is a great place for some downhill sledding. It also has a great outdoor ice rink in case you want to check off all the winter activities in one day!
🛷 Centennial Park
This sprawling Etobicoke park offers dedicated hills for sledding so you’re in for a treat! And if you’re looking for beverages, snacks or just a place to warm up, head over to Centennial Park’s onsite ski chalet!
🛷 L’Amoreaux North Park
This is a great spot to hit the slopes! L’Amoreaux North Park has a longer hill than most, so you’ll be sure to take in all the winter scenery!
Anything you’d add to this list of things to do in Toronto in winter? Let me know below!
Looking For A Place To Stay In Toronto?
If you have any questions or just want to see some more travel content find me on Instagram at @agirl.enroute! I’m always happy to chat!
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Oh Canada. My home and mother-land! What an amazing country it is! And it has so much to offer travelers too! With some of the most stunning landscapes, tasty food, incredible wildlife, brilliant breweries and above all, the most wonderful locals, Canada is a great place to come and adventure! Checkout more of my blogposts below!
Check out my Toronto travel guides…
📌 33 Cute Cafes In Toronto You Need To Checkout
📌 49 Places To Love In Toronto’s Kensington Market That Never Disappoint!
📌 How To Have The Funnest Winter in Toronto This Year
📌 Toronto’s Little Poland: 7 Spots For The Most Authentic Polish Food in Toronto Roncesvalles
Things to do in the GTA just outside Toronto …
📌 The Ultimate Guide to Port Credit Mississauga
📌 Roundup of the 10 Best Snack Spots in Mississauga
📌 Discover Oakville: Your Essential Local Guide to Discovering This Quaint Small Town
📌 16 Instagram Worthy Spots in Mississauga to Checkout Now
More Ontario travel for you…
📌 19 Fun Things To Do As A Tourist In Ottawa
📌 Eh Frame Haus: A Dreamy Waterfront Cottage In Haliburton
📌 Thirty Island Lake Hide-Out: A Tranquil Cottage Retreat in South Frontenac
Heading to Montreal?
📌 This 3 Day Montreal Itinerary is All You Need!
