City Living: Loving our city

There’s no place like home. When you live in a city like Toronto, it’s not always
necessary to venture north to sit in four hours of traffic. We have a decently clean lake (thanks, zebra mussels!), we
have patios that serve cold drinks and we have parks with grass. What else do you need? Forget leaving the city the second the clock hits 5 p.m. on Friday, and stick around here. Lots to do, plus at the end of the day, you get to
sleep in your own bed. Score.

Here are our suggestions to skip the “staycation” or “Occupy Summer” movements
and simply learn how to relax and enjoy our own surroundings. Many of these activities seem obvious, but how many of you actually take advantage of this stuff? Exactly.

For some excitement:

Release your inner child and head to Canada’s Wonderland. Don’t worry
about not being entertained. The large-and-in-charge Leviathan made its debut in May and promises three and half minutes of a stomach-dropping, silent
screaming, hair-raising good time. We dare you. Don’t forget about the
funnel cakes, but maybe save them for after the ride.

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Stay up to date with @WonderlandNews.

For a little R&R:

Get your beach on. Former parking lot-turned-urban oasis, Sugar Beach is one of Toronto’s prettiest man-made beaches. Located at the bottom of Lower Jarvis, this hotspot has sand, umbrellas, trees and the best view in the house of our city’s waterfront. Sugar Beach is a great way to spend a day; food, shops and shade are just steps
away should you need a break. Plus, bands will often make their way down here to play concerts. Nothing better than a little live music with your ray-catching.

The pink umbrellas are just part of the charm.
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For an afternoon
adventure:

Get moving – rent a Bixi or hop on your own wheels and take a tour of a part of Toronto you haven’t seen yet. We’re blessed with so many neighbourhoods with unique personalities. From the food to the people to the fashion, be surprised at your
city’s offerings and Bixi’s convenience. Grab a friend to discover Balwin’s
intimate selection of patios, people-watch up in Yorkville, discover the hidden charms of the Bridal Path and Forest Hill, or check out the changes in Regent Park. The possibilities are pretty much endless. Plus, you’ll get a li’l exercise to boot.

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Follow them @BixiToronto.

For a little patriotism:

Head to the Skydome (uhh – Roger’s Center), tap into your competitive side and cheer on our Jays. Toronto’s Major Leaguers have launched into this season full force and need all our
support. Even if you’re not a baseball fan, indulge in the overpriced food and
beer, and enjoy that we Torontonians may actually have a shot at playoffs; if
you’re a Leaf fan, you’ll understand.

We promise, this sport is one of the best to watch right now, since the Jays actually have a shot at winning.
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Show them a little online love: @BlueJays.

For a little arts
& culture:

After soaking up some stifling rays, recharge your
inner-genius with air conditioned trips to the ROM for some prehistoric adventure (they’ve got a groovy new dinosaur exhibit. EVERYONE loves dinos), the AGO
for the Picasso exhibit (hurry! It ends this August) and if you need
to compromise with the athlete (or tourist) in your life, the Hockey Hall of Fame is also a museum, of sorts. Have some fun playing goalie.

This beautiful building houses all things hockey.
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And that’s just a sampling of everything there is to do here at home. For any out-of-towners visiting Toronto this summer, hit us up @rockitpromo for even more recos.

City Living: Long Weekends in the City

May two-four, a.k.a. the official kick-off to summer, is finally here! If you’re part of the crowd fleeing the city for the cottage and good ol’ country partying – lucky you. However, if you’re stuck in the city, don’t despair. Here are a few urban escapes to make sure your weekend still rocks.

Plan a Private Picnic

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Toronto’s islands are just a short trip away by ferry, and if you walk over to one of the quieter areas, you can pretend you’re at your own lakeside retreat. Stop at St. Lawrence Market on your way and pick up fresh bread, cheese, antipasto and a bottle of your beverage of choice for an easy, impromptu picnic. 


Go for a Bike Ride

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Get on your bike and head to High Park for a leisurely ride. Or check out some suggestions for bike paths from BlogTO. Don’t have a bike? Bixi bikes, located all around Toronto, can be rented for just $5 for 24-hour access. 


Catch Some Sun

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A long weekend sunburn is definitely possible without leaving the city. Grab a few friends and head down to the Beaches. Sunbathe, play some beach volleyball, go for a stroll along the boardwalk… a few hours of sun exposure on your winter skin will have everyone asking you where you went on Tuesday, we promise.


Watch (or Light) Some Fireworks

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The popping noises will likely begin around dusk on Sunday and continue through Monday night if you’re in the city for Victoria Day. The best place for fireworks is Ashbridges Bay on Monday night, beginning around 9:30 p.m. Or you could always buy your own and find an open field somewhere, just sayin’.

Whatever you decide to do, we wish everyone a safe and happy Victoria Day!