Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
Narcity Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with Narcity Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.
For Pro members only Pro
Summary

8 Free Outdoor Activities Near Toronto To Enjoy With Your Favourite Person This Winter

No need to blow your budget!

Lead Writer, Travel

Put on your mittens, because there are so many outdoor things to do near Toronto that won't cost you a dime this season.

You can glide around skating rinks, hike to snowy views, and explore dazzling light festivals without going broke.

The Ice Rink In The Gardens

Price: Free

When: Open through the winter

Address: 48 John St. W., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Why You Need To Go: The Pillar and Post has a twinkling new ice rink located in its enchanting gardens, and you can glide around beneath the stars for free.

Website

Lights on Stratford

Price: Free

When: Until January 28, 2022

Address: Stratford, ON

Why You Need To Go: You can wander past glowing installations at this light festival, which has transformed areas of Stratford into surreal wonderlands. The luminous artworks include interactive displays and a giant castle that will be set up soon.

Website

Albion Falls

Price: Free

Address: 885 Mountain Brow Blvd., Hamilton, ON

Why You Need To Go: You'll feel like you're in Narnia as you gaze over this frozen waterfall. There are two platforms onsite where you can take in all the views.

Website

The Bentway Skate Trail

Price: Free

Address: 250 Fort York Blvd., Toronto ON

Why You Need To Go: This year, the figure-eight skating loop will take you through an art exhibit, so sharpen those skates.

Website

Winter Festival of Lights

Price: Free

When: Until February 21, 2022

Address: Niagara Falls, ON

Why You Need To Go: Wander through more than 3 million dazzling lights and luminous displays at this free festival, which can be enjoyed from your car as well.

Website

Winter Stations

Price: Free

When: Opening February 21, 2022

Address: Woodbine Beach, Toronto, ON

Why You Need To Go: You can see the frozen shores of Woodbine Beach transformed with massive sculptures as part of an annual design competition.

Website

Rouge National Urban Park

Price: Free

Address: Zoo Road, Toronto, ON

Why You Need To Go: This spacious park boasts snowy lookouts and forest trails that will surround you with gorgeous winter scenes.

Website

Netflix In Your Neighbourhood

Price: Free

Address: Across Ontario

Why You Need To Go: Using the Netflix In Your Neighbourhood map, you can discover nearby filming locations for popular Netflix shows and visit them in real life.

Website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Lead Writer

    Madeline Forsyth is a Toronto-based Lead Writer for Narcity Media. After earning her B.A. (Hons) at Queen's University, she spent a year travelling much of the world as a flight attendant. Now, she uses her experience in the travel industry and passion for writing to share stories about buzzworthy events and adventures across Canada and the globe. Madeline has been published in PopSugar and has interviewed sports and entertainment personalities for Narcity. She has covered and photographed restaurant openings as well as event launches such as the world premiere of the Dr. Seuss Experience. Some of her favourite things to write about include charming small towns and anything to do with Harry Potter.

8 fun things to do in Toronto this summer for $35 or less

You don't have to break the bank to have fun!

This enchanting small town set on a BC island was named among North America's 'most peaceful'

Sandy beaches, ancient forests and a cozy town — anyone?. 🌲

Canada's housing market is set to get cheaper and 5 cities are dropping more than Toronto

A buyer's market is finally taking shape across much of Canada. 🏡

New data reveals the 'most peaceful' places to live and Canadian towns demolished US ones

Five Canadian towns were named the most serene on the continent. 🍁

This Ontario gem with waterfront towns and beaches is one of Canada's 'best' spots to live

It has "large" homes "priced much lower" than major Canadian cities.