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6 Hot Spots to Check Out this Winter
Looking for some winter inspiration outside of Toronto? Here are some suggestions to make the most of this snowy season. 1. Ice skating in Arrowhead Provincial Park. This park has been getting lots of attention lately, and for good reason. This 1.3 km trail provides the unique experience of gliding through the forest on a man-made ice track; no lake necessary. Bring the family, friends, or your significant other for a fairy tale skate in the woods. Entrance to the park is $16. Distance from Toronto: 2h30 mins 2. Wine tasting at the Niagara Icewine Festival. During the weekends of January 13-29th, the Niagara Icewine Festival is the perfect place…
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Warm Weather for Winter: Five Summer Pieces You Can Still Wear Now
It’s that time of year again. We’ve lost an hour of sun, our breath is becoming visible outdoors, and you’re hitting delivery on your Domino’s order lest having to leave the warm enfolding of your apartment. Your skin gets all dry, your hair gets staticky, and your wardrobe quickly morphs into mounds of greys and neutrals. I know. I feel you. I am you. But let me tell you, it doesn’t have to be this way. Those light and flowy pieces that made you feel some kind of way during the warm summer months need not be retired so soon. With a little imagination, here are five items from your…
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5 Indoor Plants for Low Light
The gardens on the Danforth are spectacular. As a newcomer to the area, and as someone who used to work at a nursery, the beautiful gardens and stunning landscapes that made up the neighbourhood were one of the first things I noticed. Even the planters lining Danforth Avenue in the summer are gorgeous. Unfortunately, not everyone can have an outdoor garden, and as fall turns into winter, seasoned gardeners are forced to retreat indoors. Still, the frozen landscape doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy our own little gardens indoors. Check out some of the fabulous nurseries surrounding the Danforth (like Kleinburg Nursery) and pick up one (or all) of these hard-to-kill, low-light loving plants. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis…
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A Guide to Winter Biking
Dressing for the weather, winterizing your bike, and biking safely are all important for cycling in a Toronto winter.
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5 Winter Date Ideas in Toronto
Valentine’s Day is coming up, and even though the snow seems to be on it’s own schedule, you shouldn’t hold back from planning yours. Here are some ideas to help you embrace winter and have fun in the city. 1) Chocolate Café Looking to satisfy your sweet tooth? Hit up Toronto’s chocolate café, Cacao 70. New to Toronto, this Montreal chain is based in the Distillery District, and offers all kinds of delicious chocolate desserts. Some crowd favourites from their menu: dessert pizzas, chocolate fondues and of course, the hot cocoa they’re famous for. They’re open Sundays to Thursdays until 11 p.m. and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, making…
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Warmth on a Winter’s Weekend
I know you; you’re sitting in front of your computer, wrapping misery in a blanket, and you’ve opened this article to scoff at my list of ideas to keep your heart warm through another Canadian winter. You don’t like that snow has seized our streets, patios have shut their doors, and Mr. Frost has personally ensured that you will not be at a restful temperature while outdoors for the next three months. So you might as well read this and enlighten your winter more than your wistful waiting ever could. I’m sitting at a coffee shop—outside the window to my left, the snow falls modestly—in the foreground is my computer,…
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Why Mats Matter
Have you ever seen a dog that looks like it’s wearing a clumpy sweater? The wind blows over them but, aside from a few scraggly bits, the hair remains undisturbed. This is because the coat has become so thoroughly tangled that the tats have become mats: thick bunches of hair resembling dreadlocks. They might be isolated to one or two spots, or cover a dog’s entire body. A lot of dog owners think this impenetrable wall of hair will keep Fido warm in the winter. They’re wrong. I’ve been a professional dog groomer for a number of years and I’ve groomed thousands of our four-legged friends. Over time, something has…
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8 Shows to Binge Watch Over the Holidays
The winter break is coming and you finally have free time to catch up on TV shows. But what should you watch while your favourites are on their winter hiatus? The following shows are some of my top picks to dive into during this break: Shameless Each minute of every episode of Shameless contains its own bit of drama. This show focuses on Fiona and her siblings, showing how they make their lives work with questionable parents. It’s a quick series to catch up on, with only 12 episodes in each season. You’re going to want to catch up quickly since the US sixth season premieres on January 10th. The first…
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Where Are You Christmas?: Unexpected (but Exceptional) Holiday Events
With the holiday season upon us, it comes as no surprise that the city has become a hot spot for festive events. For those wishing to avoid the large crowds of the Distillery District’s Christmas Market and the multitude of events taking place in Young-Dundas Square, discovering new, festive things to do can be difficult. Below, we have a list of some of the less crowded holiday events and activities happening in and around Toronto. Ugly Christmas Sweater Cocktail Cruise Ugly Christmas sweaters have become a staple of the holiday season and this cocktail cruise provides the opportunity to don your favourite hideous holiday attire and celebrate the season while…
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The Active & Outdoor Guide for Torontonians
Don’t let winter scare you away from outdoor fitness and recreation in the city BY ANISSA STAMBOULI Staying active in the winter, whether for fitness or recreational purposes, can be hard to manage in the city. Between the slush and salt, the streets of Toronto aren’t exactly enticing for those seeking an outdoor adventure. Ro Leitner, a student in Brock University’s Recreation and Leisure Studies program with a focus on the outdoors, shared her tips with On the Danforth readers. What are your favourite outdoor winter activities? If time allows, snowshoeing and snowboarding; however, winter hikes/walks, runs and indoor spin classes are my go-to. For Torontonians hoping to stay…
