The sun’s out, the temperature is rising, and the overall mood has flipped—that’s how you know life feels great!Â
Seasonal depression is finally slipping away, and everything appears great from the outside. After a long school year, I can’t wait to put my bag and books away and finally do the summer activities I’ve been awaiting since August.Â
In Canada, we barely get a couple of months of great weather before it’s taken away, so I plan not to let this slip so soon. University students end the spring semester in April, leaving us with four months to do anything.Â
Now, as a third-year who’s experienced it twice already, four months sounds great. If you don’t have any plans, it tends to get boring really quickly. That’s why I’m making a list of everything I want to do in the summer to ensure my summer doesn’t go to waste.
There are many fun things to do in the city, whether in Toronto or in the GTA, that can also be low-cost or free!
The first thing on my list is going out of the city, like Niagara Falls. My family and I make it a point to go to Niagara Falls every single year; whether we stay there for the weekend or just a day trip, it’s a tradition that never gets old. We also love going to the beaches. Toronto has some beach options, but the really great ones are outside of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
For example, Cobourg is a really popular one that I recommend. Beautiful beaches like this one tend to get crowded, but I love how you get transported into another place. It felt like I wasn’t even in Canada.Â
Some of my other favourite places include local parks in Barrie, Wasaga, and Muskoka. I suggest finding what you like, researching, and exploring.Â
But the most important thing is to respect and value the outdoors. Ontario parks also have resources online. My family and I love to do barbecues every summer with our relatives and just spend the whole day doing fun outdoor activities. Whether you want to go for the day to swim and grill or stay overnight to camp, they are all definitely worth checking out.Â
Another goal is to go to concerts! I recently went to The Neighbourhood concert a few weeks ago, one I’ve been anticipating for so long as they are my top artist. I’m hyped up for the two other concerts that I have lined up for the summer! I’m going to see Bruno Mars and Tame Impala, and hopefully check out more.Â
If you don’t have any plans this summer and don’t want to go far to the beach, attending a concert with a loved one is the perfect way to enjoy some live entertainment and have fun. Attending your first concert this summer? I have written a few articles related to concerts, if you have one at Rogers Stadium, I highly suggest reading it, even if it’s not there, I’ve included some tips and tricks to navigate your first concert.
For some local and upcoming events, you can check out a Toronto Blue Jays game and support our city’s baseball team. They have many games throughout the next few months, one of which I’m going to in the next few weeks, marking my first Jays game.Â
Additionally, with the warm weather, cherry blossom season is rapidly approaching, with trees predicted to bloom in early May! I finally got to experience this last year, but unfortunately, it was right at the end of the season, so most of the flowers were on the ground. I’m hoping to go earlier.Â
If you’re interested, there are many places to see them, including High Park and Trinity Bellwoods, which are the most popular spots. As it’s only in bloom for around a week, this is something you don’t want to miss!
While I love the local parks, I also want to head to Canada’s Wonderland as a Vaughan local it’s a must, and with it opening in the next few weeks, I’m excited to go back, a tip is to go to wonderland before June, because as soon as school’s are out the park gets busy and line wait times are long. I also can’t wait to visit the CNE later in August for some classic fair food and the rides, too. These local staples are great, but the main thing I want to do this summer is go on vacation. It can be outside the province or the country, but I’d love to go away for a bit and explore. I do have a vacation planned for next month, so I’m excited.
Lastly, I just want to do fun things with my friends and family. Whether it’s late-night drives, chatting over food in a parking lot, or a movie marathon, I want to prioritize having fun with the people I value most. This year is especially special because it marks the fifth anniversary of our annual friends’ picnic, where my friends and I go to a hill in our neighbourhood in Vaughan, and bring a bunch of different snacks and drinks, a tradition I look forward to every summer, which started when we were in grade 11, and I hope to keep repeating.
The ultimate goal is to step outside your routine and make the most of every sunny moment. I’ll be doing whatever I can to stay busy and relaxed, so by the time September comes around, I’m all recharged.