It’s every tourist’s worst nightmare: Wake up with a full itinerary, head down to the lobby, and meet with ominous thunderclouds drenching the city streets. In some places, this may spell doom for your vacation, but the world-class city of Toronto is rife with rainy day activities to keep you busy until the sun returns. Check below for the best ways to enjoy your limited time in Toronto, all while staying completely dry.
Embark on a Brewery Crawl Across The City
The craft beer boom has fully set in throughout Canada, resulting in a wide range of innovative breweries scattered across the city. Begin your day at Northern Maverick Brewing Co, home to a 10-hectolitre brewhouse, extensive brunch menu, and top-quality Austrian and German-inspired brews. For your next stop, head east to the neighborhood of Leslieville, home to Avling Brewery. This innovative operation is fully committed to serving only the freshest products, utilizing a rooftop garden and on-site butcher to craft their food menu. Sample their flagship pilsner, IPA, and saison before heading back to downtown Toronto, where Steam Whistle Brewing awaits. Perched beneath CN Tower, this massive brewery prides itself on following the Bavarian Purity Act of 1516 – Their crisp, refreshing pilsners contain spring water, malted barley, hops, yeast, and not an ingredient more.
Explore Eataly, Toronto’s Go-To Destination For Italian Cuisine
With 50,000 square feet of space to explore, Canada’s first Eataly is the ideal destination for both dining and shopping, with three full-service restaurants, a cooking school, and a massive array of Italy’s finest meats, cheeses, pasta, and other products. Enjoy fresh gelato as you peruse the expansive chocolate section, or head down to the ground level to experience Birroteca, the property’s in-house brewery and tasting room featuring refreshing beers only available at Eataly. After a couple of pints, grab a table at La Piazza, a casual restaurant featuring a balanced spread of Italy’s favorite regional dishes – the funghi pizza and supplì alla gricia are sure to win over even the pickiest eaters.
Bask In the Biodiversity of Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Just a short walk from Union Station, Toronto’s public aquarium is home to over 20,000 aquatic animals, with nine distinct sections exhibiting both salt and freshwater biomes. Visitors are welcome to voyage across the country in the Canadian Waters exhibit, spanning from the kelp forests of the west coast to the rich biodiversity of the Great Lakes, then head to Ray Bay for a personal encounter with up to four different stingray species. Of course, no visit is complete without visiting the Dangerous Lagoon. Set foot on North America’s longest moving sidewalk and watch in amazement as sharks, green sea turtles, and vast schools of fish circle above you.
Uncover the Past at the Royal Ontario Museum
With over six million items housed across 40 galleries, there’s a wealth of information to be discovered at the ROM, Canada’s largest museum. Offering a diverse array of exhibits, guests are free to explore sections featuring fine art, fashion, paleontology, natural history, early human civilization, and more. Especially impressive is the museum’s collection of fossils, with over 400 species on display, ranging from early mammals to Triassic-era dinosaurs. Be sure to check out Gordo, the museum’s 90 foot (27m) long Barosaurus skeleton, as well as the Tomb of General Zu Dashou, a 17th-century Chinese warrior who won great esteem for his war efforts against the invading Manchu army.
Take Full Advantage Of Your Hotel’s Amenities
Toronto’s finest hotels feature a wealth of amenities to pass the time, eliminating the need to face any uncooperative weather. The Chelsea Hotel, Canada’s largest hotel property, is a haven for solo adult travelers and families alike. Older guests can pass the time in the adult-only indoor pool, located on the 27th floor, before heading to the sauna to unwind. Kids will delight in the family pool, home to Toronto’s only indoor water slide, along with the Kid Centre, where children are welcome to play dress up, try their hand at arts and crafts, and get to know the hotel’s resident rabbit family.
