Welcome to summer 2016 in the city and what a doozy it’s been so far! So many events, festivals and, yes, so much heat! In the spirit of this weekend, we came up with 4 of the best places to cool off in Toronto! Grab your friends and find some refreshing sanctuaries in the heart of the city:
1. Pools: If you are new to Toronto, you might not know that there are a bunch of community pools scattered around the city. The best part about these cool dipping spots is they are free! Find out where the closest one is to you on the city’s website. During heat waves, some of the pools also extend their hours until midnight!
2. Patios: Alright, we know that you should keep hydrated when it’s over 30 degrees outside, but grabbing a refreshing beverage from one of the city's many patios could be exactly what you need. Mint mojitos anyone?
3. Toronto Island: It’s no surprise that the Toronto Island feels a lot cooler than the mainland urban centre. The breeze rushing up from Lake Ontario is one of the nicest feelings when you are pouring sweat. Grab a beach blanket and head to Hanlan’s Point or Ward’s Island Beach to chill, island styles.
4. Cooling centres: The city opens some of its air-conditioned doors during heat waves and this year is no different! If you are like the many people or families who haven’t been able to grab an a/c unit, there are cooling stations and drop-in centres that will give your body a bit of a break!
If you aren't going to leave your house and are melting to your couch or bed, there are some great tips out there on how to cool down from the comforts of your own home.
Keep chillin’, Toronto! And remember to embrace the heat before it goes!