Avoid the stress of expensive getaways and dull cottage weekends! Get in on some staycation action this holiday weekend.
The sagging US economy and increasing gas prices and air fuel surcharges have set up the trendiest trend in for the summer of 2008: the staycation.
Canadians have jumped on board. Think about it. Aside from the costs of getting out of town, do you really want to spend hours on the Friday before your long weekend sitting in the car on the 407 listening to crappy radio watching the thunder clouds loom on the horizon as you attempt a weekend getaway at some overcrowded polluted Ontario water hole?
It has long been known to those who haven’t had the luxury to slip out of the city at the drop of a hat, that the Ontario long weekend can be quite pleasant in the city. Most of the annoying people have gone up north or to Buffalo. The streets are quiet and safe to bike through, even midday. The pathways and patios have lots of available seating. There is a quiet respect that those who have opted to stay in the city give to each other – everyone allowing the other for a mental holiday from the usual busy din of city living.
Here are some ideas for how you can spend your staycation in Toronto this weekend:
GO TO TORONTO ISLAND
Best experienced by bike, while there are tons of people lined up to go over to Center Island amusement park, there aren’t as many headed over to Hanlan’s Point or Ward’s Island. With lots to see and explore – you can sit on the beach, go for a swim, bike along the boardwalk, check out some of the Sound Travels installations or have a BBQ. There is something about taking the ferry away from the city that brings out the best in people; everyone seems so much more relaxed when they are on the Island.
GO TO THE GARDINER MUSEUM
One of the nicer and less celebrated architectural projects of the last while, the renovated Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art is a beautiful and peaceful place to spend a stinking hot summer day. This summer, check out the Object Factory exhibition where contemporary artists and designers have re-thought the possibilities of ceramics in the 21st century.
EXPLORE SOME OF THE LESS POPULAR MALLS IN THE GTA
Everyone goes to the Eaton Centre and Yorkdale, but what about The Cloverdale Mall in Etobicoke? I thought not. There is a family diner in the flagship Zellers and a Winners with the best shoe collection in the city. The place is populated with stores geared for its elderly clientele. If you like a quieter shopping mall experience, this is the place for you!
CHECK OUT SOME LIVE MUSIC
You’re always saying you don’t get out enough. Here is your opportunity. There are oodles of live music events happening throughout the city all the time. You can look here, or here, or here for listings.
You can also check out some live theatre – the popular Dream In High Park, or Evil Dead the Musical are a couple of many options.
The list is endless. Grab a copy of your local entertainment listings and pick some events to attend. Find a nice patio on a quiet street on Friday and sleep in on Saturday before heading out on your adventures. Pick up some good food at the many markets around town and have a BBQ, invite some friends over and catch up on your reading, rent some movies and go out to hear a band on Sunday night. Take it easy on Monday and you will be glad you decided to stay home.