Staycation Spring Break

By Natasha Tsakiris

Spring break is nearly here! No school and no work—for those lucky enough to get time off. It’s time for some fun and a little, very much deserved R and R time.

While many Canadians will be facing extremely long lines at airports for a chance of sun, surf, and sand, the rest of us will be looking for fun activities to do on a staycation.

“A vacation that is spent at one’s home enjoying all that home and one’s home environs have to offer”, as the Urban Dictionary describes it, a “staycation” is a great way to be a tourist in one’s city and save the cash that would be spent on flights and hotels. Toronto is always bustling with activity all year round with many chances to explore, learn, and entertain. We previously wrote about some activities available at the Pape/Danforth library, but take advantage of this great list OTD has created for some fun ways to spend your staycation across the city, no matter what age you are.

1. Culture, history and dinosaurs? Oh my!

The ROM is extending its hours and lowering admission prices for their jam-packed activity-filled March Break. Build a Lego Maya pyramid, sleepover, visit furry critters, and more! There’s no shortage of fun! Check out the full schedule here.

2. Bend it like TFC

Toronto FC is playing Sporting Kansas City on March 9th for a night of great soccer from some of the best players. Get your tickets here.

3. “O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo!”

Pirouette and jete your way down to the beautiful Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts to see Shakespeare’s tragic love story of two star-crossed lovers performed by the graceful and talented dancers of the National Ballet of Canada.

The show runs from March 12–17. Tickets can be purchased here.

4. Hobbits, Trekkies and vampires

Embrace your inner fanboy/fangirl and grab your cloak, wand, or lightsaber. Head over to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to meet some of the creators, actors, and artists of your favourite sci-fi movies, programs, and comics at this year’s Toronto ComiCon on March 9–10. Hurry and get your passes. The mothership is calling!

5. “Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!!”

Ghost hunt and track through Toronto’s famous castle, Casa Loma. There’ll be ghost stories and paranormal fun for everyone exploring the turrets and tunnels of Casa Loma. Feel free to bring your ghost tracking equipment for the investigation.

Get your tickets here, if you dare…

6. Marlies! Marlies! Marlies!

The Toronto Marlies will be playing a bunch of home games this season so come watch the puck drop between March 9th–16th.

Tickets can be purchased here.

7. Music, music, music

Canada’s biggest music festival is back! National and international artists will be playing venues in downtown Toronto at Canadian Music Week from March 19-24, along with showings of music documentaries and film screenings. 350 artists and 35 venues in 4 nights!

Check it out here!

8. Keanu Reeves

Throughout the entire month of March, TIFF Bell Lightbox will be playing the Canadian’s entire film repertoire. From The Matrix to Dracula to Speed and more, TIFF can’t get enough of Reeves! See the schedule here.

9. Green thumb

From eco-friendly inspired film screenings like Wall-E and The Lion King, to crafts, hikes and outdoor public skating, the Evergreen Brickworks has lots of fun nature-related ways to spend your March Break! Check out the site for daily events this month.

10. Toronto Zoo

Who doesn’t love to visit the animals at the zoo? From giraffes, to elephants, monkeys, and more, the Toronto Zoo has a wide variety of animals including newly arrived pandas. Click here for March Break Events.