By Jenn Reid
The city is starting to thaw - for real this time - and spring is almost here! Time to kick off our heavy winter boots and venture out into the city once again, without fear of frostbite. Celebrate the warm weather (minus a few rainy days) with these 10 things to do in Toronto this spring. [Photo credit: Larry Koester, courtesy of Casa Loma]
April showers bring May flowers, and there are plenty of those at the Toronto Botanical Gardens. For May 11 and 12, the annual Spring Plant Sale is on at the gardens. Pick up seeds, potted plants and tips for your own garden from the experts. Of course, the grounds are open year round so you can check out the seasonal blooms. Daffodils, orchids, tulips and peonies will all be blooming this spring! Note: admission is free to view the gardens!
Casa Loma is one of the most picturesque locations in the city, and it gets even prettier this time of year. The gardens officially re-open for the season in May, and so does the outdoor terrace restaurant (weather permitting). Stop in for a sunny lunch on the patio after exploring the seasonal blooms, including the woodland wildflowers. Access to the gardens is included in Casa Loma admission, which is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors/youth and $15 for kids.
Riverdale Farm is great spot in the city (especially for families) that can often fly under the radar when compared to the massive Toronto Zoo, but it’s a great spot to get up close with the animals. Riverdale Park houses a real, working farm with lots of animals to visit. The historical farm has cows, pigs, goats, chickens and more, with different activities for kids to take part in. You can also chat with the farmer and go along through daily farm tasks like feeding the animals and collecting eggs from the chicken coop. Hopefully there will be some new arrivals (baby animals!) at the farm this spring! Riverdale Farm is open daily with free admission.
After quite a few low-key years, the Toronto Blue Jays are back on everyone’s to-do list. The season kicks off this spring, with the home opener at the Rogers Centre April 11 against the Milwaukee Brewers. For the home opener, there are rally towels and Jays magnets for the first 45,000 guests. In May, Thursday games will be special Thursday Night in the 6ix events with live music during the pre-game and free t-shirts to the first 15,000 guests. Ticket prices will vary.
Nothing says spring like … documentary films? Well, that’s how it goes in Toronto with the annual Hot Docs Film Festival taking place in April. It’s the biggest documentary festival in North America, with more than 200 films to choose from. The fest runs April 27 to May 7 at (where else?) Hot Docs Cinema and other theatres in the city. Many of this year’s movies have yet to be released, but a few films have already been announced. You can watch movies about Hulk Hogan’s case against Gawker, the migrant workers working for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and childhood hero Bill Nye the Science Guy. Individual tickets for films are between $17 and $24, and passes are available.
Kensington Market closes down the streets to cars and opens up for everyone else on Pedestrian Sundays. Taking place on the last Sunday of every month from May through October, Pedestrian Sundays is a chance to shop, listen to music, eat new food and explore the neighbourhood. Local businesses are open, plus extra vendors with crafts, clothes and food are on site. There are also street performers, musicians and art displays. It’s a way to enjoy the weather and the neighbourhood at the same time, and best of all, it’s free to attend.
Every spring, Toronto gets Cherry Blossom fever. There are Sakura Cherry Blossom trees located in High Park, gifted to the city from Japan years ago. There are trees throughout the park, but the biggest cluster is near the Hillside Gardens. Expect the blooms near late April/early May, depending on weather conditions. The peak bloom usually coincides with Mother’s Day weekend. Last year, the temperatures led to a lacklustre bloom, disappointing many cherry blossom fans, but hopefully this year will be better! If the crowds at High Park are too intense (people REALLY love the cherry blossoms), there are Sakura trees located at U of T near Robarts Library.
May 5, aka Cinco de Mayo, is a day for Torontonians to eat tacos, drink tequila and gobble guacamole. The Mexican-inspired holiday usually sees parties pop up across the city. Any Mexican restaurant or bar is likely to have a good deal, but King West’s El Caballito is always a safe bet. The underground bar and resto has tasty tacos, a strong tequila menu and a backyard patio with great drink deals (pitchers of boozy slushies!).
The Gladstone Hotel’s annual Grow-Op installation is all about nature and our relationship to it, especially the unique relationship us city folk have with our precious green spaces. The annual spring exhibition pops up every year around Earth Day, with this year’s event running April 19 to 23. Different artists are given the opportunity to remake different rooms, hallways and foyers in the hotel that fit the theme. Admission to the exhibit is $10, with students getting in for $5 on Friday only.
You can have an outdoorsy experience right in the heart of the city! Paddle the Don takes place every year - participants can hop into a kayak and take to the river. You can either register as an individual and provide your own boat, or assemble a team and paddle together. Registration starts at $100, and the proceeds from the event go to the Toronto Region Conservation Society to help protect the environment. The event takes place May 7, and starts at Ernest Thompson Seton Park.
