From holiday celebrations to a few days of work here and there, the week between Christmas and New Years can feel like a blur. But this year, Toronto is experiencing some warmer-than-average temperatures, so what better time to get outside and enjoy the city?
We’ve rounded up some outdoor activities in the Six this week to keep Torontonians entertained.
GRAB YOUR SKATES & HIT THE RINK
Toronto has no shortage of outdoor skating rinks, and the artificial ice rinks use technology that allow rinks to remain open during more mild temperatures. Make sure to check the city’s website for more information, including hours, addresses, and amenities like bathrooms and skate rentals.
TAKE A WALK THROUGH THE CAVALCADE OF LIGHTS
Toronto’s Cavalcade of Lights continues its takeover of Nathan Phillips Square until Jan. 7. So, it’s not too late to grab your friends, family, or someone special for a wander around the beautiful display. It’s also the perfect place to snap some Instaworthy photos!
GET OUT OF THE CITY AND GO FOR A HIKE
The GTA is filled with scenic greenspaces that are perfect for hiking and camping in the warmer months, but mild winter days allow for the perfect hiking conditions. On Dec. 30, Let’s Hike T.O. is hosting an 11 km hike along the beautiful Highland Creek in Scarborough. Registration is $5, and organizers say the hike is suitable for new hikers, with a pace of 4 km/hour and a drop-off point at the 6 km mark.
OUTDOOR ESCAPE GAME
This city exploration game lets you become the main character in your own adventure right here in the Six. By purchasing tickets and downloading the Questo app, participants will be able to learn more about Toronto, take part in challenges, and solve puzzles, riddles and codes while learning about modern and historical ghost stories. Organizers say that players can expect to visit both popular and hidden locations through the game, so make sure you’re wearing comfy shoes and are ready for an adventure!
GO ON A (HAUNTED) TOUR
If you love history but are not a fan of games, you may be interested in embarking on a haunted walk around the city. Starting at 10 Front Street West, participants will enjoy a 75-minute guided tour in Toronto while learning about the city’s spooky history. This includes graveyards, haunted theatres, historic buildings and more. Tours are running on Dec. 28, 29, and 30, with adult tickets on sale for $25.99, and youth tickets on sale for $19.99
SCAVENGER HUNT IN THE SIX
Those looking for an interactive experience should check out the 3Quest Challenge. Once they have purchased tickets, players will be instructed to download a special app that will lead them from checkpoint to checkpoint in Toronto in order to collect clues and solve puzzles. Once you have completed the third and final quest, the app will redirect you to your starting point to solve the fourth and final puzzle. The entire experience lasts about two hours, and tickets cost $15.71.
BECOME A SLEUTH & SOLVE A MYSTERY
Described as a combination of Pokemon Go and Clue, YouSleuth allows mystery lovers to embark on their own Nancy Drew-esque adventure and solve a mystery right in their own neighbourhood. This self-guided game requires players to use their cellphones to interact with virtual characters in the game while following a real-world map to the locations of victims and suspects in their virtual investigation. Once the team has solved the mystery they can accuse who they think is the crook and get feedback on how well they did. Tickets cost $21.99 and are priced per group, with any number of people able to play at the same time.
For a list of events, check out our events calendar, powered by Now Playing Toronto.
