Get Off the Couch: 7 Things to Do in Toronto in 2017

Team Introvert and Team Extrovert don’t tend to agree on what constitutes as “fun.” However, both sides concede that New Year’s is the perfect time to get out of routine. Toronto is the largest city in the country, and there are dozens of great events, museums, and activities to try now that the new year is here. Instead of staying at home to avoid the chill of January, here are the top things to do in Toronto in 2017.

1. New Flavours for Your Tongue

While we won’t fault you for returning to your favourite hot dog stand time and time again, we think your taste buds are ready for new flavours. Get out your Toronto events calendar and pencil in Winterlicious 2017, happening January 27 to February 12. Over 200 restaurants throughout the city offer prix-fixe menus, allowing you to try appetizers, entrees, and desserts at places you’ve been meaning to get to.

2. Bigger Than You Might Expect

Whether you’re travelling to Toronto or live in Toronto, the Bata Shoe Museum has likely crossed your radar. This museum was founded by Sonja Bata, whose collection of shoes grew so great, she needed a museum-size closet to hold them all. Today, the centre holds about 12,500 pairs of wacky, historic, and beautiful shoes. In early 2017, the museum is hosting their second moccasin-making workshop, where visitors can make a pair from scratch and learn about this footwear’s place in Indigenous culture.

3. Spanx for Days

You see pictures of people in face paint and superhero costumes every year for Toronto Comic Con. Make 2017 the year you join in, and add this zany festival to your list of things to do in Toronto. The annual event takes place March 17-19, giving you plenty of time to pick your outfit and shimmy into some sidekick tights.

4. Read a Book—Yes, One of Those Things

Is “read more” on your New Year’s resolutions list? Good. Head down to Monkey’s Paw, a hidden gem in the city. This eclectic, antique bookshop specializes in out-of-print tomes. Plus, it has the Biblio-Mat, a book vending machine that spits out random antique books.

5. Dance Like No One is Snapchatting You

Maybe you were cool in high school, but if you spent your Friday nights doing calculus homework and playing M.A.S.H. by yourself, Canadian Music Week is your chance to claim “in the know” status. This five-day event (happening April 18-22), showcases the best up-and-coming music acts in the country. Go ahead and cheer too loudly, dance too openly, and have the best time of your life.

6. Not Quite Dracula’s Castle

Maybe you’ve driven past it a few times, or maybe it’s been on your bucket list for years. Whatever the case, make 2017 the year that you finally visit Casa Loma. It was built in the early 1900s by an eccentric millionaire who went bankrupt after constructing the 98-room chateau. These days, the manor is owned by the city is open to guests willing to see a different side of life.

7. Give Your Noodle a Workout

Stretch your brain with new facts and pick up extra bits of trivia to bust out at parties when you attend the Hot Docs festival, happening April 27 to May 7. This top Toronto 2017 event is the largest documentary festival in the country, and brings nearly 200,000 attendees together. It’s the time to learn a little, cry a little, and open your mind to current events in the world.

Toronto 2017 events and attractions are waiting for you to give them a chance. Get out of your comfort zone, and make this the year you went from observer to explorer.

Take a Peek at Our Other 2017 Travel Guides
17 Cities to Visit in 2017
Vancouver, British Columbia
Kingston, Ontario
Calgary, Alberta