If you're like thousands of other Canadians, you're ready for spring. You've enjoyed the snow, had a great holiday season, but enough's enough. It's time for some warmth! As the days get longer, and inch closer to zero degrees we can all smell the daisies. Here's a few ideas on how to bide the time until that first toque-free day of spring is upon us:
- Skating at one of the many free outdoor rinks, Nathan Philips Square (University Ave. and Queen St. W), Lake Devo (located on the Ryerson campus; Victoria and Gould streets), or Harry Gairey Rink (Bathurst Street just south of Dundas).
- For a link to all of Toronto's outdoor rinks click here.
- Sledding/Tobogganing at Riverdale Park just east of the Don Valley Parkway. The views here are quite exceptional, as is the hill!
- Free admission promotions at the Art Gallery of Ontario (FREE Wednesday Evenings from 6 pm to 8:30 pm, FREE general admission for Ontario High School students with valid school ID, Tuesday to Friday, 3:30 – 5:30 pm, FREE general admission for Ontario teachers with valid ID from the Ontario College of Teachers. Info courtesy of www.ago.net)
- Window Shopping on Bayview Avenue. There is a wide range of beautiful little stores, old-world bakeries, photography shops and gorgeous architecture. Pick a milder day and enjoy the short stints of cold air as you poke in and out of hot, dry shops.
- Get a group together and build a snowman at Trinity Bellwoods Park (Starting at Queen St. W.and Strachan Ave.)
- Gardiner Museum drop-in clay-making classes. Tickets go on sale 30 minutes before the start of each class. They are $10/person and classes run Fridays 6-8pm and Sundays 1-3pm. A little tip: if you're looking for a calming experience avoid Sundays where the class fills with a large number of children.
If all of the above fail to turn your mood around, here's a few more dates that might trigger your interest:
Feb.20 – Mar. 1 – The National Home Show
Enjoy some of the leading trends, vendors and celebrities in all things home and decor. Taking place at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place. (100 Princes' Blvd., Toronto, ON. Call 416-263-3000 for questions)
Mar. 8th – International Women’s Day
Mar. 17th – St. Patrick’s Day
Nuzzle into any one of the GTA's hundreds of Irish pubs for green beer and drunken cheer. Some may even consider taking the 18th, a Wednesday, off. No boss is going to believe you woke up with flu.
Mar. 20th – FIRST DAY OF SPRING!
You made it. You always do!
Robyn Shanks - My name is Robyn Shanks, I graduated from Ryerson University in Toronto with a degree in journalism in 2007. I've travelled to Europe ...
