Weather forecast got you worried? Don’t be! There’s always something exciting to do in Toronto—even when it rains! Here are 21 fun activities that you can enjoy during a downpour.
1. Catch professional sports in Toronto
The Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs play indoors at Scotiabank Arena, while the Toronto Blue Jays face rivals at Rogers Centre, where the roof closes if it rains.
2. Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame
Home to the world’s best collection of hockey memorabilia, the Hockey Hall of Fame also offers interactive simulations, photo ops with the Stanley Cup and cool NHL merch.
3. Stay dry at a shopping mall
Chase the rainy-day blues with a dose of retail therapy. Leave the umbrella at the hotel because Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Toronto Eaton Centre are strictly indoors.
4. Navigate the PATH
PATH is an underground pedestrian network that connects 75 buildings, nine hotels, six subway stations and Union Station, so you can wander downtown with dry feet.
5. Hide out at the movies
The Toronto International Film Festival screens movies year-round at its TIFF Lightbox (minus the outdoor lines). Explore our film fest scene at theatres across town.
6. Seek adventure (indoors)
Challenge your travel buddies to a brain-teasing adventure at Toronto escape rooms and games with options for every age group.
7. Explore live theatre in Toronto
Toronto’s theatre scene offers vibrant productions for every taste. Experience laughter, tears, heartbreak and triumph—all from the comfort of your cozy seat.
8. Catch a show
Snag rush tickets and you can trade the storm-lashed outdoors for a spot-lit stage at a live music or dance performance in Toronto.
9. Get loud at a Toronto sports bar
Cheer along with passionate locals at Toronto’s best sports bars. Skip the pub crawl and park yourself with beer, burgers and the big game on a big screen.
10. Go on an indoor restaurant crawl
Don’t let bad weather stop you from grazing. Sample multiple restaurants and food stands at these buzzworthy Toronto food halls where the weather just isn’t a factor.
11. Eat plate after plate after plate
Reschedule your sightseeing and spend the evening savouring a multi-course tasting menu that highlights local flavours, seasonal ingredients and culinary exploration.
12. Hunker down with comfort food
Brave the elements just enough to get yourself to one of these African and Caribbean restaurants where you can warm up with spicy jerk or savoury doro wot.
13. Unleash the kids at the ROM
Okay, not literally—those dino bones are fragile!—but the Royal Ontario Museum does have hands-on exhibits and play-based spaces for kiddos to actively touch and explore.
14. Visit a specialty museum or gallery
Geek out for hours and hours at these very specific museums and galleries for very niche interests.
15. Admire Canadian and Indigenous art at the AGO
Spend hours strolling the Art Gallery of Ontario’s collections of Canadian and Indigenous artists from around the world. Refuel at the onsite AGO Bistro or espresso bar.
16. Take a self-guided tour of Union Station
This landmark National Historic Site boasts Instagram-friendly architecture, a curated selection of local shops, plus hunger-inducing restaurants and food stands.
17. Sweat it out at the spa
Don’t let thunder ruin your day. These Toronto spas offer last-minute slots in case you need a plan B that involves facials, body wraps, water circuits and other TLC.
18. Sit down for afternoon tea
Warm up to a fancy tea service, complete with finger sandwiches, scones and various sweet treats. Fact: there’s also no better setting to “spill the tea” with your squad.
19. Savour global coffee culture
Wait out the rain while sipping sweet Vietnamese ca phe, observing an Ethiopian coffee ceremony or sampling Mexican café de olla at these Toronto cafés with global flair.
20. Make your own Toronto souvenirs
Head indoors to create your own Toronto souvenirs at these hands-on craft studios and maker spaces, where you can flex your creativity while taking a pause during a storm.
21. Take in epic sea and sky views
See 20,000 marine animals at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada—no wetsuit required. The CN Tower is right next door, making for an easy two-in-one excursion.