Looking for a transformative weekend? Manifest change, kickstart a new chapter or plant the seeds for something new with these 5 best weekend getaway ideas.
Sometimes you need distance from the daily grind to reconnect, reset goals, find clarity or simply chase your bliss. But it’s amazing what a couple of days away can do! Get growing with these potentially life-changing weekend getaways in Toronto.
Close out singlehood on a bachelor(ette) weekend
Hit the city with your besties as you kick off the next chapter of life. Pack the weekend with nightlife, great food and drinks—and maybe a bucket-list experience or two.
Stay at Hotel X Toronto for its bi-level, two- or three-bedroom penthouse suites. Book a private yoga or Topgolf Swing Suite sesh at the onsite 10XTO gym, then lounge by the heated rooftop pool, which boasts epic Lake Ontario views.
Eat in bustling King West—home to buzzy restaurants like Lavelle, a glam lounge with poolside cabanas and a contempo Latin-Japanese menu—before exploring the Entertainment District’s nightlife.
Or book a private dining room on the trendy Ossington Strip, before bar hopping in boho Parkdale. Toronto is one of the best nightlife cities, and it’s all a short cab or streetcar ride from your hotel. For the morning or afternoon after, walk to Liberty Village for its stellar brunch options.
Don’t miss bucket-list bonding experiences like chartering a yacht, going on a heli tour or climbing into a Lamborghini Gallardo for a high-octane spin around Toronto Motorsports Park.
Finally, harness up for EdgeWalk, the world’s highest full-circle hands-free walk, which takes place on the roof of the CN Tower’s main observation deck, 116 storeys above street level. (After that, marriage will be a cakewalk!)
Get family-ready on a babymoon
Going from two to three (or more) is a major leap! Schedule a luxuriously romantic weekend getaway before your little one arrives.
Stay at the Entertainment District’s Bisha Hotel Toronto, where you’ll find soulfully sultry rooms and suites replete with dark marble, rich wood and burnished metal. Frette bed linens and heated bathroom floors will enhance your comfort.
Eat onsite—there’s no need to stray far from your love nest when the Bisha is home to two of Toronto’s most coveted restaurants.
Dark and sexy Akira Back is renowned for its MICHELIN-Star earning, Korean-inflected Japanese cuisine. Feast on grilled Alaskan king crab and binchotan-grilled ribeye and toast the future with creative mocktails from a generous zero-alcohol list. Book brunch at KŌST, on the hotel’s 44th floor, for sweeping views and bright California-inspired cuisine.
Don’t miss the spa, shops and showtime. Downtown Yonge’s Elmwood Spa offers pre-natal packages and side-by-side massages in couples’ treatment rooms. Yorkville’s designer boutiques, the Toronto Eaton Centre’s popular chain stores, and live theatre at the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre are all within walking distance.
Hit “reset” on a wellness weekend
Need some time alone to recharge your battery? Plan a wellness weekend where you can take a class, set intentions, chart a new course or simply sit with your thoughts.
Stay at the Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto. Nestled on the waterfront, the hotel offers soothing lake views, wellness perks like a newly renovated yoga/meditation studio and scenic 5K runs with the hotel’s own Run Concierge. (Spend a day here, and you’ll feel your serotonin levels normalizing!)
Eat to fuel your mind and body at Impact Kitchen, a local chain known for its paleo and vegan-friendly menu. Start the day with a Superfood Benny or Warrior Bowl, or nosh on a Paleo Power Cookie while journaling mid-day. You’ll have plenty of dinner options near Scotiabank Arena, whether you feel like seafood, tacos, Italian or sushi.
Don’t miss out on water therapy after a tough physical or mental workout. The Distillery District’s H2O Float Studio offers beyond-basic floats. Try the Salts of the World float (which blends Dead Sea, Himalayan and Mediterranean Sea salts), the Rainforest Float (in a green-hued float cabin surrounded by nature sounds), or the Starry Night float (twinkling stars and a wilderness soundscape).
Reach a new PB (personal best) on a race-cation
Chase a new goal in Toronto, where dozens of road races await, including the marquee TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon (October 15, 2023).
Stay at the five-star Shangri-La Toronto, mere steps from the marathon/half marathon start line next to the Financial District. Jump into the lap pool or take a weekend yoga class to limber up for your race.
Eat your pre-race carbs at Sansotei Ramen (where tonkotsu rules), Planta Queen (for vegan fusion sushi and fried rice) or Za Café Pizzeria + Bar (Neapolitan-style pizza and indulgent pastas). Post-race, celebrate with a big, juicy steak or head to Rosalinda for beefed-up vegan Mexican dishes like meaty mushroom birria tacos and jackfruit carnitas.
Don’t miss a healing post-race visit to Othership, a social bathhouse where guided breathwork, sauna and ice-bath sessions promote human connection and interaction. It’s a unique departure from the typical “Shh, spa voices only” experience.
Reconnect on a Toronto fam jam
Keep those bonds strong by celebrating family milestones, from birthdays to graduations (hey, even STEM camp counts!). A family weekend trip is the perfect op to reconnect.
Stay at one of the city’s most family-friendly hotels. The Chelsea Hotel Toronto will delight kids with its 39.6 m (130 foot) corkscrew waterslide (which actually loops outside the hotel!), plus a dedicated kids’ zone with costumes and crafts, and a teen lounge with old-school arcade games, foosball and pool tables.
Eat at retro diners Lakeview (Ossington Village) and Fran’s, both family faves for their accessible menus and quirky ambiance. (The latter is right around the corner from your hotel.) Visit Old Town’s Old Spaghetti Factory for pasta, pasta and more pasta, and try these pubs for craft beer and a fam-friendly vibe.
Don’t miss VIP experiences your family will never forget! Book a sleepover in the Dangerous Lagoon shark tunnel at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Or pull on a wetsuit for an in-water meet-and-greet with spotted eagle rays, plus cownose, southern and rough-tail stingrays, in Ripley’s Ray Bay habitat. Or head to the Toronto Zoo for a VIP tour which includes a private guide, ride, and two animal encounters. Wild!
