Spring hasn’t exactly been a reprieve from our long and cold winter. Nonetheless, in the coming weeks, the weather will become more consistent, the trees will start to bud and the grass will get a little greener. Spring and summer are such beautiful seasons in the city and a great chance to get out of your home stay or apartment and explore some of the beautiful sights Toronto has to offer. Here are some of my suggestions:
The Toronto Zoo – we have been anticipating for the arrival of two pandas named Er Shun and Da Mao to the Toronto Zoo. The wait is over. They arrived earlier this month and they are currently in quarantine, getting settled. They will be unveiled to the public on May 18. If you’re not interested in seeing Pandas, the zoo is filled with hundreds of different animals from all over the world. There’s something for everyone. The Toronto Zoo is quite big, so make sure you take a full day and get there early in the morning. That’s when the animals are the most active.
High Park – one of my favourite spring activities is visiting High Park to see the Cherry Blossoms. In early May, these beautiful Japanese trees will be in full bloom. They are mostly situated around Hillside Gardens (see map http://www.highparktoronto.com/images/cherry-trees-here.jpg) and are definitely a popular destination for visitors.
Walking paths – if you are new to Toronto, there is no better way to learn about the city than to go on a discovery walk. Discovery Walks is a program of self guided walks that connect the city ravines, parks, gardens, beaches and neighbourhoods. There are 12 different paths for you to explore and each one offers a variety of beautiful and interesting things to see. Visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/trails/discover.htm for more information.
Vaughan Mills – Vaughan Mills has become a popular choice for students because it has a variety of outlet stores that allow you to purchase clothing at a much cheaper price. The only problem with this mall is the location. It’s situated outside of Toronto and requires you to take two buses and at least an hour to get there. But beginning May 1st, the free shuttle bus to Vaughan Mills is back. There are two pick up times from Union Station. The morning pickup leaves at 10am and the afternoon pickup leaves at 3pm. Check out their website for a full list of stores http://www.vaughanmills.com/
Toronto Islands – when the weather starts getting warmer, visiting Toronto Islands is a must. It’s a great place to have a picnic, hang out with friends and get away from the busy city. One of my favourite activities is Frisbee golf, which is located on Wards Island. This game combines the rules of golf and Frisbee and is free to play. All you need to bring is your own Frisbee. For directions to the course please visit http://www.deltatangobravo.com/images/wards-island-disc-golf-course.pdf
Erin Casper
