Kandice VincentWinter in Toronto runs from late November to mid-March and is cold with temperatures reaching -22 degrees Celsius at times. There are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities in the city for couples looking for a dating spot to warm themselves.
Who says the cold should stop you from going on dates? We’ve listed the best winter date activities in Toronto for you and your partner.
Take an Italian cooking class at Eataly Toronto
Website: https://www.eataly.ca
Address: Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M4W 1A6
Contact details: +1 437-374-0250
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday – 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday – 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Eataly Toronto is an Italian food market and restaurant complex located in the Manulife Centre that features a wide variety of Italian food and products including fresh produce, meats, cheeses, seafood, prepared foods, and packaged goods.
The market also has several restaurants, including a pizzeria, a pasta bar, a seafood restaurant, and a cafe. They offer a variety of educational programs and events, such as cooking classes, wine tastings, and chef demonstrations.
Take the opportunity to learn exciting culinary techniques with your partner. By the end of the lesson, you’ll be ready to prepare a tasty meal for them at home.
Pro tip:
Eataly is a great place to buy Italian cookbooks and other kitchenware.
Taste treats at St. Lawrence Market
Website: http://www.stlawrencemarket.com
Address: 92- 95 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E 1C3
Contact details: +1 416-392-7219
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday – 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Monday – Closed
St. Lawrence Market is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Toronto and has been in operation since 1803. It’s home to many restaurants, cafes, and bakeries and has an exceptional atmosphere during the holidays.
In addition to its food offerings, St. Lawrence Market also has several non-food vendors, including florists, clothing stores, and gift shops. Explore the market with your partner and taste various treats and drinks for a fun afternoon.
Pro tip:
Bring cash with you since some vendors only accept cash payments.
Play board games at Snakes & Lattes
Website: https://www.snakesandlattes.com
Address: 600 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G 1K4
Contact details: +1 647-342-9229
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 1:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Sunday – 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Snakes & Lattes is a board game cafe and restaurant chain founded in 2010 by Ben Castanie and Abdel Benakla. It’s a popular destination for board game enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.
They offer a wide variety of board games to choose from including classics, like Monopoly and Scrabble, as well as newer and more niche games. It’s a great spot to share laughs with your partner and learn more about their competitive side.
Pro tip:
You can only play for 3 hours every visit, but sometimes they let you stay longer if it’s almost closing time.
Create your own masterpiece at Paint Cabin
Website: https://www.paintcabin.com
Address: 723 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1Y5
Contact details: +1 647-361-6017
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday – 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday – 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Monday – 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Paint Cabin is a bar, coffee house, and art studio known for its paint and drink workshops as well as its other DIY activities, such as sign making and string art. They also offer private party rooms, perfect for celebrating special occasions.
Their workshops are led by experienced instructors who’ll teach you everything you need to know to create your own masterpiece. They provide all of the materials you need, so you can just show up and have fun.
Express your creativity and impress your partner with the artist in you. Maybe they’ll make something for you as well.
Pro tip:
Don’t worry if you’re a beginner. The staff is very attentive and will help you with everything you need.
Have a romantic staycation at The Drake Hotel
Website: https://www.thedrake.ca
Address: 1150 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1J3
Contact details: +1 416-531-5042
The Drake Hotel, a boutique hotel located in the Queen West neighbourhood of Toronto, is known for its eclectic design, vibrant atmosphere, and commitment to supporting local art and culture.
The hotel has 51 guest rooms. Each of which is individually decorated with a mix of vintage and modern furniture.
The hotel’s rooftop patio offers a stunning view of the neighbourhood and the city.
It’s a great spot for couples to relax and unwind on a cold winter night. Take the opportunity to share meaningful conversations and make new memories together.
Pro tip:
Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, you can still dine and drink on the rooftop patio.
Go ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square
Address: 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N1
Contact details: +1 416-392-2489
Operating hours: Open 24 hours daily
Nathan Phillips Square is a public square in Toronto named after Nathan Phillips, mayor of Toronto from 1955 to 1962. It opened in 1965 and is a popular venue for concerts, art displays, a weekly farmers’ market, the famous Cavalcade of Lights, and other events.
During the winter months, the reflective pool is converted into an ice rink. It’s a great spot for couples looking for a fun outdoor activity in the cold.
You can spend the day ice skating in the afternoon and finish it off with a concert at night.
Pro tip:
Every tourist wants to have a picture with the iconic TORONTO sign, so it might take some time before you find the perfect opportunity.
Overcome obstacles at Pursuit OCR
Website: https://pursuitocr.com
Address: 75 Westmore Dr Unit A, Etobicoke, ON M9V 3Y6
Contact details: +1 416-249-7833
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Pursuit OCR is the largest indoor obstacle course in Canada and features a variety of challenging obstacles including rope swings, cargo nets, and ball pits. It’s open to people of all ages and fitness levels.
It’s a great spot for couples to challenge their physical capabilities and chemistry in working together to complete exciting obstacle courses. You can also utilize their other facilities including a gym, a sauna, and a shower room.
Pro tip:
Book a reservation in advance. The place gets really busy, especially in the afternoon, so expect a long line if you don’t have a reservation.
Catch live productions at the Ed Mirvish Theatre
Website: https://www.mirvish.com
Address: 244 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 1V8
Contact details: +1 800-461-3333
The Ed Mirvish Theatre, formerly known as the Royal Alexandra Theatre, is a historic performing arts theatre in Toronto. It’s one of the largest theatres in the city, with a seating capacity of over 2,200.
It’s a great place to see a Broadway musical, a play, or a concert with your partner for an intimate cultural experience. The theatre is also a beautiful and historic building that’s worth a visit even if you don’t have any show to catch.
Pro tip:
There’s only one washroom for ladies, often causing a long line during intermission.
Explore greenhouses at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
Website: https://www.friendsofallangardens.ca
Address: 160 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M5A 2E5
Contact details: +1 416-392-7288
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Allan Gardens Conservatory is a public greenhouse home to a variety of tropical plants and flowers as well as several cacti and succulents. The conservatory is made up of six greenhouses; each of which houses a different type of plant.
Take a walk through the conservatory with your date and enjoy the beauty of nature. Apart from being a great place to learn about plants, it’s also a popular venue for weddings and other special events.
Pro tip:
Exploring the greenhouses is completely free and open to all ages.
Pamper yourselves at Body Blitz Spa
Website: https://national.ballet.ca
Address: 471 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1T1
Contact details: +1 416-364-0400
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Friday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Monday – Closed
Body Blitz Spa is the spot for girl couples looking for a place to relax and spend quality time together. It’s a women-only therapeutic waters spa that preserves the centuries-old European tradition of ‘Taking the Waters.’
They’re known for their Therapeutic Waters Circuit, a 90-minute experience including a warm Dead Sea salt pool, a hot Epsom salt pool, a cold plunge pool, a eucalyptus steam room, and an infrared sauna.
They also offer other body treatments and massages.
Pro tip:
They provide robes, towels, and slippers to every guest, so you don’t need to bring your own.
Sip cocktails at Ace Hotel’s Evangeline
Website: https://acehotel.com
Address: 51 Camden St, Toronto, ON M5V 1V2
Contact details: +1 416-637-1200
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday – 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Monday & Tuesday – Closed
The Ace Hotel is a trendy hotel located in the Queen West neighbourhood of Toronto. Evangeline is the hotel’s bar, and it offers a wide selection of craft beers, cocktails, and wines.
The bar is a spot ideal for sharing conversations over good drinks and tasty snacks. The hotel is also close to many of Toronto’s popular tourist attractions such as the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Pro tip:
The rooftop bar has a stunning view of the city, and you can rent the space for private events.
See a movie at Fox Theatre
Website: https://www.foxtheatre.ca
Address: 2236 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4E 1G2
Contact details: +1 416-691-7335
The Fox Theatre is a single-screen cinema located in the Beaches neighbourhood at the intersection of Queen Street East and Beech Avenue. It has operated since 1914, making it the oldest continuously operating cinema in Toronto.
The theatre shows a mixture of new releases, independent and foreign films, and classic Hollywood cinema. The theatre also hosts special events throughout the year such as film festivals and themed screenings.
Learn about your partner’s taste in films and explore unfamiliar titles together. See the genres they like, and tell them about your all-time favourites!
Pro tip:
Their popcorn is delicious! Make sure you try them out on your movie date.
