Longer nights summon brighter city lights. Shake off the winter blahs with an exciting long weekend getaway to Toronto!
Toronto doesn’t hibernate. After all, there’s so much to do here in January, February and March. Whether it’s a solo escape, a couple’s getaway or a family escapade, here are 10 reasons why Toronto is the place to embrace your wilder winter side.
1. It’s not cold… it’s brisk!
Winter temperatures are chilly but walkable during the winter months of January (–1°C high, –7°C low), February (–1°C high, –8°C low) and March (5°C high, –2°C low).
The secret to enjoying a Toronto winter is layering. Top your cozy sweater and parka with a toque, mitts and scarf, and you’ll be ready to wander our wonderland in comfort.
Waterproof boots will keep you warm if you explore off-the-beaten-path parks and trails.
2. Shoulder season perks
The post-holiday lull is a great time to explore Toronto minus the crowds. You’ll find shorter lines at top attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, the CN Tower, Toronto Zoo and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.
Pro tip: expect things to pick up around Family Day (February 17, 2025) and March Break (March 11–15, 2025 in Ontario).
3. Incredible winter landscapes
Sparkling city lights, steamy café windows, snowy parks and a windswept lake make for dramatic winter landscapes across the 6ix.
Whether you’re shooting urban street scenes or unique Canadian wildlife, you’ll fill your grid with unforgettable winter photos.
Or put the phone away and live in the moment amongst bare, sculptural trees while forest bathing, or watch your kids joyfully race across Woodbine Beach during the Winter Stations outdoor art exhibit (opening February 17, 2025).
4. Raptors and Leafs action
Pro sports action is a big draw during the winter months. The NBA’s Toronto Raptors and NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs both play out of Scotiabank Arena.
If you score tickets, head down early or stay late, as there are a multitude of fab restaurants in the area.
Superfans: consider a Leafs weekend or Raptors getaway to eat, sleep, sports, repeat.
5. Must-see theatre
Take a break from chillin’ outdoors to immerse yourself in Toronto’s sizzling theatre scene.
From the Canadian premiere of Fat Ham, a tragicomic twist on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, to the punk rock-queer-Indigenous “cul-de-sac gothic” story There is Violence and There is Righteous Violence and There is Death or, The Born-Again Crow, there’s a lot to unpack this winter.
6. An eye-opening spa and wellness scene
It’s a new year, so hit refresh with a wellness getaway in Toronto!
Work up a sweat outdoors, including running, wheeling or walking the Toronto waterfront. Discover wellness activities like breathwork and cold plunges at a social bathhouse or chill out in a solo float chamber.
Nourish your palate with wholesome plant-based cuisine. Bliss out during a restorative spa treatment. It’s all here, so come fill your cup!
7. A mouthwatering restaurant scene
With the December rush now past, midwinter is a less competitive time to snag a primo table at one of Toronto’s 17 MICHELIN Star-awarded restaurants, 23 MICHELIN Bib Gourmand and 61 MICHELIN-Recommended restaurants.
That said, you may want to get a jump on booking during Winterlicious (January 31–February 13, 2025), when 200+ Toronto restaurants offer three-course, prix-fixe menus. Some popular restaurants book up fast!
Don’t forget to sample authentic dim sum in Chinatown (or east-meets-west Chinese-Canadian cuisine) during Lunar New Year (January 29, 2025) and beyond.
8. One-of-a-kind March Break experiences
Not many places can offer a two-in-one March Break vacay that combines top-tier family fun with quality couples’ time… but Toronto can!
Book the kiddos in for unforgettable March Break camps at the Royal Ontario Museum (perfect for history buffs), Evergreen Brick Works (outdoor adventure for active explorers) or the University of Toronto (action-packed multi-sports for busy bodies), just to name a few.
Then make good use of your child-free time for an adults-only spa session, craft brewery tour, shopping spree or fancy afternoon tea before meeting the kids for more sightseeing and family dinner.
9. Can’t-miss exhibits at the ROM and AGO
Canada’s cultural capital doesn’t disappoint when it comes to thought-provoking and soul-stirring exhibits.
It’s the final call for Earth: An Immersive Journey at ROM (closing January 5, 2025), but you’ll find plenty to discover throughout the museum’s galleries of world cultures and natural history.
Don’t miss Gordo, one of only three complete, authentic Barosaurus skeletons on display in the world.
Contemporary culture is in the spotlight at the Art Gallery of Ontario with a retrospective of Philippine-born mixed media artist Pacita Abad (closing January 19, 2025), The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century (through April 6, 2025), plus the sprawling Moments in Modernism, which continues into late summer.
Arts lovers will also find plenty to feast their eyes on at these Indigenous art hotspots, nighttime cultural events and local fave art galleries.
10. Brain-teasing, interest-piquing activities
Toronto is a great place to let your nerd flag fly! You’ll find a wide array of arcane, esoteric, geeky and immersive attractions and events where you can indulge your curiosity.
Team up for escape room adventures, or go on a series of solo VR escapades. Expand your interests at a niche museum or art gallery. Go on a manga or #BookTok-inspired shopping spree. Find your dream cosplay outfit and show it off at Toronto Comicon (March 14–16, 2025).
