While COVID-19 continues to restrict travel, many people are cancelling vacation time altogether. But in times of stress, we need time to rest and rejuvenate more than ever. Plus, Neuroscience research confirms that people feel happier when they experience variety in their daily routines.
After so many weeks of being forced into what feels like “groundhog day,” we encourage you to add some spice to your days and take a Staycation.
What is a Staycation?
A staycation is a holiday where your base is your home. You can plan fun things to do in and around your house or visit local attractions, taking advantage of the richness of experience in places within a couple of hours drive.
To help you plan an optimal Staycation, we’ve gathered ideas and links for things to do in the Toronto / Hamilton / Niagara area while you take time away from work.
Explore
Get creative, explore your town or city and the region around you, and best of all, you never have to pack a suitcase! Here are some tips, from places to explore to apps to help!
Tour your city
GPSMyCity offers a variety of walking tours for cities such as Toronto, Niagara Falls, Hamilton or Markham. Tours can include architecture, historical places of interest or churches. Download the app and select the city and tour and take a self-guided walk around the city to learn about local points of interest.
City Scavenger Hunt
There’s an app for that, too! Check out “Let’s Roam” for scavenger hunts in Ontario cities like Hamilton, Kingston, London, and of course, Toronto. You’ll get to solve riddles and complete fun photo challenges as you explore your city.
Local Ruins
If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to consider exploring some local ruins sites. Many are open to exploration. Do some research on the story before visiting to search out some interesting features don’t forget to bring your camera! These ruins are often found in some picturesque settings you’ll want to capture.
Animal Lover? Go Wild!
Drive through the Zoo!
The Toronto Zoo is offering a Scenic Safari drive-thru experience to see the animals up close.
African Lion Safari
head out to the outskirts of Cambridge to the African Lion Safari for their drive-thru tours.
For Reptile Lovers
If reptiles hold a special allure for you, Little Ray’s hosts private tours, private Zoom calls and daily Facebook Lives for reptile lovers.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Hike the Bruce Trail
If you love hiking, the Bruce Trail is often high on the list of favourite places to hike. With 900km of trail between Niagara and Tobermory, the Bruce Trail offers views, levels of difficulty and locations for everyone. The downloadable app will help you find the perfect spot to get your start!
Waterfall Wandering
Head to Hamilton, sometimes called the Waterfall Capital of the World, to see the amazing wonders the city has to offer. From a lakeside waterfront park and trail to dozens of waterfalls off the beaten track, there’s a lot of nature to enjoy!
Go Fishing!
Here are some great locations in Toronto and the Hamilton area. Whether you’re taking the fish home for a pan-fried meal or catching and releasing, fishing is a great chance to quietly take in the scenery. Don’t forget, if you’re between 18 and 65 to get your fishing license before you cast!
Get Inspired with Arts and Culture
Visit Art Virtually
Many museums remain closed, but with technology on your side, there’s no need to limit yourself! Canadian museums are offering virtual tours or check out these world wide virtual tours of places such as British Museum, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art or the Uffizi Gallery.
Immerse Yourself in Art
However, art can be found all around us! For example, Toronto is home to almost 400 public works of art that can be enjoyed by all if you know where to look! Or check out the Immersive Van Gough art installation – a 600,000 cubic foot installation of some of the painter’s masterpieces. You can walk in or drive-thru the space.
Watch Live Virtual Theatre
With live performances being cancelled due to crowd size limits, you can still take in theatre performances, virtually. Most performances are free but be sure to check out when the performances are offered. Much like the live versions, some are only open for a short run.
Indulge in Niagara Wines and Food
Picnic in the Vineyard
Many of Niagara’s vineyards are offering bistro service, wine tasting and the ability to bring a blanket or chairs and picnic in the vineyard.
Food Tour To Go
Every week, Niagara Culinary Tours releases food boxes with local treats from around Niagara. Check out what’s on the menu this week!
Explore the Niagara Region
There’s a lot to see and do in Niagara – while you’re in the region, check out:
Explore your Inner Foodie
Visit a Farmer’s Market
No matter where in Ontario you find yourself, either your home base or visiting, you can find a Farmer’s Market to pick up picnic items or ingredients for that night’s dinner. Not only are the ingredients fresh, but you can talk to the locals to find out what grows the best, what to see and maybe even a new recipe or two.
Pick your own
Our local area is lush with delicious fruit to pick. Make a day out of trip to Niagara (or even around the Toronto area) and pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, sour cherries or apples, depending on the time of year.
Get Cooking!
One way to travel without leaving home is by cooking. Choose recipes from where you were planning to vacation or choose a different exotic locale for each course. International dishes can expand your skills in the kitchen and your palate.
Get Crafty at Home
It’s the perfect time to try a new craft, from knitting, to acrylic pour painting, to diamond art, pottery and more!
Paint and Spread Mandala Rocks
Have you seen painted rocks popping up on your walks? They spread colour and joy. Paint your own, add an inspiring message to the bottom, and spread joy around your neighbourhood.
Learn to Knit
Get started making a shawl or scarf that you can gift a friend for a birthday or Christmas. Find a local knitting circle or learn from youtube!
Paint with Diamonds or Acrylics!
There are so many painting options – try acrylic pouring, order a paint-by-numbers or even a diamond painting kit!
Even More Staycation Ideas:
- preparing a new recipe or trying an ingredient you’ve never used before
- pack a picnic to take to a local park or even just out in your yard
- plan a hike of a local trail, if you have kids, make it into a scavenger hunt
- pull out your board games and set up some friendly competition among family members
- crafting can be incredibly relaxing and now is a great time to try something new or finish a craft that you started and never got around to
- start your own mini-science camp with the kids and try some of these cool experiments
- go camping in your backyard! Pretend you’re at a campground and bbq dinner and make gooey s’mores
- learn a new skill such as refinishing a piece of furniture, photography or gardening
- connect with someone you haven’t talked to in awhile each day. Pick someone to reconnect with
- take advantage of your libraries online lending and borrow an e-book you’ve been wanting to read but haven’t found the time
- deep clean your closets or those boxes in the basement
Want more?
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