I grew up in Toronto’s GTA in a suburban area. I have always wanted to experience the “downtown” lifestyle. Indeed, it’s a whole new lifestyle. You’re surrounded by everything that makes Toronto great. The best restaurants, the Eaton Centre, Nathan Phillips Square, CN tower, the ROM… I can go on for days listing all these Toronto icons. It is absolutely beautiful. Especially during the winter break. Back when I lived in Vaughan, I used to make many trips during the holiday break to the city. It was a ritual!
Although it is a bit nippy outside and your toes and fingers are numb from the chilly weather, the beautiful sights in downtown are absolutely worth the trips. Although the sun takes a break, the city never sleeps. There are always things to do—some of which are absolutely cost-free. Definitely something everyone deserves to experience!
Skating in Nathan Phillips Square is a tradition we have every year. We go as soon as the break starts for the Christmas holidays. I wouldn’t exactly say I’m a great skater, but I do my best! The rink is all lit up with Christmas decorations and is filled with families, friends, and cute couples! The enjoyment of skating makes you completely forget the cold and frost that surrounds the city. It is a time filled with nothing but love and happiness!
Downtown, too, is filled with decorations. Christmas lights line all the store windows. You can see Christmas trees in some restaurants. The displays showing gifts and decorations are always beautiful. Even if the decorations are up early, you can’t help but marvel at them!
The kids are always the most excited to go tobogganing. The adrenaline they get from going down the hills keeps them going, even in the minus 30 degree weather. Downtown, there’s Christie Pits and Trinity Bellwoods that have the best hills for the kids. There are the beginner and advanced level hills to suit how adventurous the kids are! (Well, it’s really more about how scared the parents are of their kids going down those hills….) Oh, and Riverdale Park is a nice one too!
It is frigidly cold outside, but just walking around and seeing all the beautiful buildings makes it worthwhile. When I was a student in university, I always wanted to work in the financial district. I love the feeling of everyone dressed in their most sophisticated business attire and rushing around to get wherever they need to go! It seems like an exhilaratingly busy lifestyle! I loved it. Easily, the most beautiful building in the financial district was the Scotia building! I always go down to the concourse level and walk through the PATH with all the little shops. My first stop is always at The Second Cup for my Mocacchino! And, I just walk around to see all these neat little businesses. And I love the gift giving part of the holidays, of course! And the other day, Nutcracker Sweet, the gift basket company, was giving the most delicious chocolates out. I can never deny a good chocolate!
A visit downtown is always a good day!