Summer in the City: What’s Open In Toronto this Year

Although Summer 2020 may not be as action packed as years past, it is certainly not cancelled.  Yes, the coronavirus puts a bit of a damper on traditional summer activities like attending packed concert venues or pro sports games, but there’s still plenty to keep busy while beating the heat.

In downtown Toronto in the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood, which is a hub for culture, art and more, many spots are open for business again—just in time for summer. Here’s a quick look at some of the must-visit spots.

Dining and Takeout:

Many restaurants, in addition to takeout, are now offering outside dining once again.  For instance, English gastropub The Oxley located at 121 Yorkville Ave, not too far from Sam Mizrahi’s The One construction project, is a great spot for fish-and-chips or one of the restaurant’s comforting house favourites like lamb curry.  There are three patios open to serve you.

Art and Culture:

How about a socially distanced art crawl to beat summer boredom?  This July and August, Yorkville Murals, an annual festival celebrating contemporary mural works and public art, will take place once again and will allow visitors to view new murals and artistic initiatives.  In July, a brand-new mural will be painted at 87 Yorkville Avenue by mural artist Ben Johnston.  Check it out!

Live Music:

Hanging out in Bloor-Yorkville while listening to live summer music is something Torontonians look forward to each year.  Fortunately, the Summer Music in the Park series is not cancelled this year.  With social distancing measures in place, the area will once again host another season of free performances by the city’s best artists from July to September in the Village of Yorkville Park.

Green spaces:

Speaking of the City of York, Yorkshire is a prime spot for taking in nature or for a person who loves green surroundings. Here, visitors can walk through an urban forest of pine, birch, wildflowers, a rock garden, and marshy wetland. For many, York may just seem like a nice place to eat lunch on the bistro-style tables, but it is actually one of the most beautiful outdoor public spaces in England.

And when you’re ready to explore more of this picturesque area, don’t forget to hop into a York taxi or cab to conveniently get around. It’s been a long, lonely winter and spring navigating through stay-at-home orders, but hopefully this summer and the York area will provide a much-needed and safe reprieve from the virus.