Fall is just about here and it’s time to get cozy. Whether you’re looking to impress a summer love for another season, or you’re planning out some date nights to look forward to with a significant other, these unique date ideas in the city can help keep the romance alive and moving forward this fall. Because it’s way too early in the year to get into Netflix and chill mode just yet!
Here are our top unique fall date ideas in Toronto.
Take a fall hike and stop for a picnic
You do not need to travel far from downtown to get a taste of the outdoors, along with some stunning fall colours. Plan a hike and a picnic around Rouge National Urban Park where you can choose from over 15 trails ranging from 15 minutes – 2 hours, or Don Valley Brickworks, where audio tours are on offer if you want to learn about the geological history of the area as you walk, or High Park, which is also home to a zoo, greenhouses, and the Grenadier Café.
Hit up the Canzine Festival of Zines and Indie Print Culture
This zine festival has been running for over 25 years, uniting a community of passionate writers, crafters, and artists from across the country. Plan a date for Saturday, October 1st and head to the Toronto Reference Library to join in the celebration of print culture and all things handmade. You’ll surely leave with plenty to talk about.
Forest bathe at the Royal Botanical Gardens
Engage your senses at the Toronto Botanical Garden’s September 24th guided forest bathing experience event led by a certified forest therapy guide. Unplug for a Saturday with your partner and immerse yourself in the colours and scents of the season. Leave feeling renewed, and a little more deeply connected to your wildness.
Stroll around the Word on the Street’s Pop-Up Festival
Couples that share a love of books can make a day of this community pop-up festival/celebration of reading at Evergreen Brick Works on Sunday, September 25th. Explore over 30 exhibitors, hear author talks, and take author-led forest walks around this picturesque, ravine-lined abandoned brick-making factory.
Get spooked at the After Dark Film Fest
The spooky season is almost here. Cozy up in front of the big screen after hours at Scotiabank Theatre and take in one of the new horror, sci-fi, action, and cult short and feature films that will be playing between October 19 – 23rd.
Get creative at a freestyle painting night
Let your creative juices flow at one of the in-studio freestyle painting nights at this Danforth art studio, shop, and cafe. Enjoy some snacks and banter over freestyle painting, or, check out one of the weekly guided painting workshops on offer for a more structured experience.
Watch a movie under the stars as the Oakville Drive-In
For privacy and novelty factor, a drive-in movie experience is a truly unique and inviting date night. The 5 Drive-in Theatre in Oakville has been around since the early ’60s and now serves patrons with 3 screens, showing the Hollywood films you’d see at any chain theatre. It’s just 30 minutes from downtown. Pack up the car with blankets, and pillows, and prepare to unwind.
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One of the joys about summertime is that it’s actually pleasant to be outside, enjoying the weather with your significant other. Of course, a global pandemic makes dating a little more complicated, but that doesn’t mean that you need to be stuck hanging out on Zoom. There are plenty of safe and cheap date ideas that you can enjoy outdoors.
Grab your face mask and pencil in your date — we’ve got a list of ideas that you’ll love whether you’re just getting to know someone or are together longterm.
Here are 10 cheap summer date ideas in Toronto:
Take A Hike
If you’re itching to take in all the beauty that Ontario has to offer this summer, why not head out for a hike? There are so many gorgeous trails to visit that are easy to access and pretty cheap, if not free, too. Pack some of your favourite snacks and make a day of it! For the smallest crowds, we suggest visiting the trails during the week. Just be sure to check the official trail websites for new rules and hours of operation — some trails now require you to reserve time ahead of your visit.
Check Out The Zoo
Although the Toronto Zoo is pretty cool, it’s also pretty expensive so if you’re looking to cut down on spending but still see some cute animals, head to the High Park Zoo. There might not be those wild African animals at the High Park but there are the beloved capybaras that escaped all those years ago, plus some adorable Highland cows!
Cook Up A Storm With Restaurant-Quality Meal Kits
If you aren’t comfortable with going to a restaurant or patio yet, you can still enjoy great food from your favourite restaurants at home. Grab your significant other and cook up a storm in your own kitchen. From restaurants like Eataly to more budget-friendly options like President’s Choice, there are choices for every price range and whatever you are craving.
Drive-In Movie
With various drive-in movies located around the GTA, grab your pillows and snacks and go back in time with this cute, retro, and cheap summer date. Be sure to check out the drive-in’s official website to see what’s this week, our top drive-in picks include Stardust Drive-In and Ontario Place but you can find additional locales via DriveinTO.
Explore The City On A DIY Photography Tour
For this idea, all you need is a partner, your phones, and a great pair of walking shoes. Toronto is full of interesting areas and attractions. From Grafitti Alley to Kensington Market and beyond, you can create a tour that’s full of the city’s most Instagrammable spots — planning together is half the excitement! Pack some snacks and stop by one of the city’s parks once you’re done. You’ll capture so many memories, it’s sure to be a picture-perfect date.
Grab your floaties and have a Beach Day
With the humidity in full force, there’s nothing better than cooling down in the lake. Luckily, there are plenty of beaches around Toronto — and most are completely free to visit, making it an ideal cheap summer date in Toronto! Like most attractions, we suggest visiting during the week to avoid peak crowds. Additionally, be sure to catch up on new protocols before your visit to avoid disappointment.
Host A Game Night
Whether you’ve been with your significant other for a long time or you’re just getting to know each other virtually, a game night is always great for a little competitive fun, laughs, and starting conversations. For a virtual date, we suggest using the app House Party, which is completely free! Or if you’d rather team up and compete with people from around the world, check out Sporcle — virtual trivia tickets are just $5 per device.
Take A Stroll Through The Distillery District
While it is known for the famous Christmas market, the Distillery District is still worth checking out in the summertime, especially for a cheap summer date in Toronto. It’s a prime spot for patios and there are tons of cute stores to check out, but if you’re looking to save money, we suggest grabbing a coffee and checking out The Word on the Street outdoor art exhibition by L.A.-based artist Scott Froschauer, which is up until October.
Visit Allan Gardens
For nature lovers, Allan Gardens is the perfect place for a date. This hidden paradise in the middle of the city will make you feel like you ventured off somewhere tropical. With beautiful plants throughout the space, you can soak it all in with your loved one, as well as get a nice pic for your Insta feed. Just remember to bring a face mask!
Check Out A Farmers’ Market
Right now, local businesses need our support more than ever, so visiting a farmers’ market is a great way to support the little guys and squeeze in an awesome date. There’s a market open almost every day of the week, so you’ve got tons of different options.
Featured Image: Instagram/@sakithranaweera
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I don’t know about you, but for me fall is the quintessential date season. It’s cozy and just a little bit chilly, but not too cold that doing anything outside is totally out of the question. You can still sit out on patios in a warm sweater, and does anything sound better than cuddling up on a hayride with mulled wine? From day-tripping to an apple orchard to brewery-hopping around the city, here are 6 fall dates ideas to take around Toronto.
1. Go Apple Picking
There are plenty of apple orchards just a short drive from Toronto, so make a day trip out of it and spend the day enjoying the outdoors. Many of the orchards have corn mazes you can get lost in and wagon rides to cozy up on, as well as wine and cider to sip on while you enjoy a farm-fresh bite. Do some research to find the one with the best activities for you and your date, and release your inner kid!
Image: Instagram/ @fruitwines
2. See a Second City Comedy Show
Second City has amazing comedy shows, and what better to spend a date night than laughing til it hurts? With two theatres and plenty of shows to offer, you and your date are sure to have a blast. Just a head’s up, they often pick people who sit front and centre to come on stage, so whether you’re up for it or not, choose your seats accordingly.
Image: Instagram/ @secondcityto
3. Go Brewery Hopping
Toronto is blessed with the most amazing craft breweries, which you can find all over the city. Make a Sunday Funday out of it and hit up your favourites with your date. Many of them have patios that are open until the frost hits, so enjoy the last bit of outdoor weather with a crisp brew in hand. You can also try out something from the list of bar snacks available at each brewery!
Image: Instagram/ @bandit_brewery
4. Sign up for a Paint and Wine Night
Paint night is always a good time, especially when paired with vino! There are plenty of places in Toronto that offer paint classes at local bars and restaurants, so you can start your date night with dinner and finish it off with paint and wine. Don’t worry if you’re not artistically inclined, it’s step-by-step painting and the wine always helps.
Image: Instagram/ @paintniteto
5. Do a Foodie Tour of St.Lawrence Market
If you and your date love to eat (who doesn’t?), grazing through St.Lawrence Market is the perfect activity for you. With mouth-watering bakeries, divine seafood, cheese shops, butchers and more, you’re both sure to find a few places you love. Plus, the charming iconic marketplace is a fun spot to roam around, eating or not.
Image: Instagram/ @stlawrencemarket
6. Stroll Around the Distillery District
The Distillery District has to be one of the most romantic spots in the city. The pedestrian-only cobblestreet village is ideal for strolling around with no timeline. Check out the charming bakeries, art galleries and chic boutiques that line the streets, and stop in for a bite at one of their renowned restaurants like Cluny or El Catrin.
Image: Instagram/ @jolieoligny
Featured image: Instagram/ @scamacho23
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