Springtime Spots in Toronto + Overrated?

High park cherry blossoms 

A cherished tradition in Toronto’s spring season, High park in the west end is known for its cherry blossoms. Each Spring, crowds gather to witness the bloom and get a photo of these beautiful trees. From late April to early May, the flowers are in full blossom and offer the perfect opportunity to get a photo. It does get packed, so be prepared to wait for a close look. 

Riverdale park sunset 

Head over to the east end gem which is Riverdale Park to watch the sunset and enjoy the warm weather. Overlooking the Toronto skyline, this is undoubtedly one of the best views of the city. It also makes for a great picnic spot, so grab food nearby and head over to enjoy the sun going down over the CN tower. 

Patios 

Enjoy the warmth of Toronto’s sunny days by indulging in the vibrant patio scene. When the sun is out, Torontoians will pick a patio to unwind and grab some drinks. Some of my personal favorite patios include Bellwoods Brewery, Pennies, and Gusto 501’s rooftop. Toronto patios are the perfect place to catch up with some friends and welcome the long awaited sunshine. 

Blue Jays game

Celebrate the return of baseball season in the city at the Rogers Centre. This is the perfect spot for all casual baseball fans (like myself) to grab a drink and soak up the sun. Whether you’re visiting the city or you live here, this is a bucket list visit in the Spring and Summertime. They also have loonie hot dog day every Tuesday home game of the season. The home opener this year falls on Monday April 8th, so grab your friends and have a great night out cheering on the Toronto Blue Jays. 

St. Lawrence Market 

One of the city’s most iconic landmarks and oldest buildings is St. Lawrence Market. The bustling atmosphere with hundreds of vendors and food options is the perfect place to be on a warm day. They have farmers markets every Saturday with fresh produce, meats, cheeses and more. Some of the stand out food options are St. Urbain Bagels for fresh Montreal style bagels, Buster’s sea cove for any seafood cravings and Stonemill Bakehouse for pastries and bread. This is a great spot to grab food and walk around the heart of the city afterwards. 

Overrated 

Trinity bellwoods 

Unpopular opinion, but this park is one of the more overrated spots in Toronto. The park offers green space for picnics and games, but it can become overcrowded on warm days, taking away from its desirability as a leisure spot. Consider it for a brief stroll, but explore other parks through the city for a more enjoyable day.

Distillery District 

Known for its winter Christmas market, Distillery District is one of the more popular tourist destinations in the city. But during the warmer months, there is not a lot to see or do here. A  few independent shops and food spots is what it holds. While history lovers may appreciate the heritage, there’s little to charm visitors in the springtime. 

Queen West

Despite its reputation as one of Toronto’s beloved streets in the warm weather, Queen West has seen many good small shopping stores be replaced by chain stores, losing its uniqueness. There are still some great food spots to visit on this street, personal favorites include Cafe 23 (the back patio), Sud Forno, and Matty’s Patty’s. The street’s overall vibes have gone down, and Dundas West is a great alternative for a better experience in my opinion. 

Living in Toronto is amazing in the warmer months, and this Spring I’m looking forward to visiting and discovering more hidden gems around the city. 

Written by Amanda Banks