Places to escape the winter blues in Toronto

Toronto winters can be long, cold and unforgiving. So how do you avoid the inevitable gloom that sets in during this frigid and dark time of year? Here are some unique spots that’ll help you escape the miserable weather outside — temporarily at least.

Places to escape the winter blues in Toronto
Jessica Emma Napier By

Body Blitz Spa Inc

1
471 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1T1

Melt away those winter blues and treat yourself to a day of pampering at this women’s only spa with locations in both the east and west ends. The restorative water therapies see visitors cycle through various warm pools, an infrared sauna and a eucalyptus steam room — we guarantee this circuit will warm up your internal body temperate and improve your mood. The full-service spa also offers a full menu of indulgent body treatments, exfoliating scrubs and mud masks designed to moisturize and refresh dry and damaged winter skin.

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The Caledonian

2
856 College St, Toronto, ON M6H 1A2

If the weather outside is frightful then seek out a delight fireside seat in the cozy Burns Room at this College Street pub and whisky bar. The authentic home cooked menu features classic Scottish comfort foods like Scotch eggs, haggis fritters, and steak and root vegetable pie. And if the roaring fireplace doesn’t warm you up, a glass of whisky ought to do the trick; the bar stocks more than 200 award-winning malts and blends from around the world.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Ripleys Aquarium of Canada

3
288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9

Go on an under the sea adventure without leaving the 416 at one of Toronto’s favourite tourist destinations. The world-class aquarium is home to 16,000 species of aquatic animals from Canada and abroad. Menacing sharks surround visitors on all sides in the underwater viewing tunnel while the Planet Jellies habitat reveals a colourful array of otherworldly jellyfish. Don a wetsuit and pretend you’re down south during a private Stingray Experience in Ray Bay.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

TIFF Lightbox

4
350 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3X5

Hibernate indoors and enjoy an on-screen escape at this five-story cultural complex on King West. The architecturally unique building features five public cinemas, two galleries and a number of restaurants dedicated to all things cinematic. In lieu of mainstream blockbusters, the screens here showcase a range of indie flicks, offbeat documentaries, smart shorts and provocative international films that are sure to make you think. After the movie, enjoy a hearty meal at the O&B Canteen on the main level.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
More from Jessica Emma Napier Jessica Emma Napier
Jessica is a writer, editor and self-professed foodie. She loves exploring the city on two wheels, spends almost all of her disposable income at restaurants and never apologizes for Instagramming her food. After living in Toronto for almost a decade, she traded YYZ for YVR and is now the Vancouver City Editor for YP.
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