1. Get lost in the intricacy of Little Canada

Experience Canada’s cities and landscapes in miniature at this famous attraction in the heart of Toronto. Get curious just walking around and taking everything in, or look for Maurice: the mini moose who changes location within the exhibits. Make sure to hop in the Littlization Station and get scanned by 128 cameras that will help create a ¾ inch version of you!

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2. Spend the day at Centreville Amusement Park or Canada’s Wonderland

Centreville, located on Toronto Islands, features rides and attractions surrounded by lush parklands just outside the city. Kids love taking the train, paddling Swan Boats, driving miniature fire engines, or hitting the splash pad on a nice day. There’s also mini golf, a small farm, and plenty of food and drink in the carnival style. 

Canada’s Wonderland suits the speed of older children and teens. Literally. This amusement park features some of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in Canada, such as Leviathan and Yukon Striker. It also hosts Halloween Haunt in the Fall, adding a layer of thrill to the park experience during Spooky Season. There are also plenty of rides for small children including Splash Works Water Park, which opens for the Summer months.

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3. Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame

Housed in a beautiful historic building in Old Toronto, the museum hosts artifacts and a trove of NHL information and paraphernalia. If you’ve even dreamed of gazing upon a Stanley Cup in person, this is the place to see it. Your junior hockey player will also love the replica dressing room and interactive rink inside. Life-size statues of players and an extensive gift shop with NHL merchandise await. Tickets for kids are just $15, while adults gain entrance for $25.

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4. Check out the Toronto Zoo or Ripley’s Aquarium

With over 300 animals in habitats grouped by geographic origin, the Toronto Zoo is as varied as it is massive. Guests can ride the Zoomobile for an easier tour of all the exhibits, plus visit a variety of other attractions with the cost of admission. These include a carousel, greenhouse, kids play area, the Wildlife Health and Science Centre, a ropes course and a kangaroo walkthrough experience on weekends!

Located right next to the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium is an unforgettable “journey through freshwater wilds, local fisheries, and kelp forests, meeting more than 80 aquatic species, like sturgeon and the giant Pacific octopus, along the way”! Dive In Theatre shows ocean-related movies and events inside the aquarium itself include Jazz Night, and Breakfast with a Mermaid.  

Interested in seeing both the Aquarium and the Zoo? Consider getting a CityPASS for sightseeing in Toronto, which will cover those two experiences, plus a visit to CN Tower. You can use the pass over the course of nine days, so no need to worry about burning out from too much excitement at one time!

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5. Attend a matinee show at Mirvish Theatre

Begun in 1963 by a Torontonian family, Mirvish Productions are Broadway-quality, with internationally acclaimed performers participating in plays and musicals across a main and off-season. Matinee shows are usually around 1:30 or 2:00 pm, giving you the chance to attend on Sunday without staying out too late on a school night. Check out what’s on and see show times by visiting the theatre’s calendar.

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1. The Ivy Bridge, 160 Main St. S

A contemporary pub, The Ivy Bridge hosts Trivia Nights on Sundays at 3:00 PM. Entrance in the competition is $4 per player, and teams will be formed at random. You can expect seven rounds of play with seven questions per round. There are chances to win wager-based bonuses, as well as other exciting aspects of gameplay. Here you can come alone or with a group, and have the chance to win a cash prize! The pub also has board games, pool, Euchre, and darts for those interested.

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Jack’s Brampton, 154 West Dr

Jack’s is a restaurant, bar and lounge that has everything from patio parties to DJ nights. Trivia here is on Tuesday nights, beginning at 7:30 PM. You can play solo or on teams, and everything is done digitally on screens and smartphones. Some of their nights are themed, such as music trivia, drag trivia or hockey trivia. With free entrance, players have the chance to win prizes in one of two rounds.

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Tracks Brew Pub and Grill, 60 Queen St. E

This long-time spot in Downtown has live music and karaoke in addition to their Wednesday Trivia Nights. Entrance is free, and the competition begins at 7:15 each week. Come with a team of four or get randomly sorted onto a team. The game lasts for three rounds, with 20 questions in each one. The prize is a free round of drinks for the winning team.

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West End Espresso Bar, 37 Queen St. W

This coffee bar stirs things up with trivia every other Thursday of the month (in the summertime). A true community hub, the cafe also hosts live music, paint and sips and other cultural events. Entry for trivia starting at 7PM is free, and the prize is leaderboard glory and potentially some store swag.

The post These Spots in Brampton Are a Must-Go for Trivia Lovers appeared first on Northly.

Summer ☀️

• Taste of Edmonton: An ode to the city’s food culture, this festival features over 170 dishes from 50+ locally owned restaurants and food trucks.
• Edmonton Heritage Festival:  A sharing of music, dancing, fashion, and cuisine between people of all nationalities living in Edmonton. Catch performances on stages in Borden Park!
• Edmonton Folk Music Festival: Bring a picnic blanket to Gallagher Hill and enjoy the soulful sounds of folk music as you overlook the city skyline.

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Fall 🍂

• Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expo: A pop culture convention celebrating comics, sci-fi, fantasy and more. This event draws tens of thousands to the Edmonton Expo Centre.
• Edmonton Comedy Festival: A tradition 15 years in the making, with comedic acts take over different venues in Edmonton for four days.
• Rodeo Week: Music, breakfasts and tailgates, and people dressed in Western wear preclude the Canadian Finals Rodeo at Rogers Place arena.

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Winter ⛄

• Deep Freeze: A Byzantine festival celebrating The Olde New Year by highlighting the cultures of the Alberta Avenue District. These include Ukrainian, French Canadian, Franco African, Indigenous, Latin American, and Asian traditions.
• Winterupption YEG: A music and arts festival in the dead of winter, setting ablaze multiple downtown venues with new and upcoming talent.
• All is Bright: Experience music, holiday lights, crafts including ice-carving and cookie decorating, and roaming performances all along 124 St. between 107 and 109 Ave. 

Exploreedmonton

Spring 🌷

• International Children’s Festival: A carnival on the banks of the Sturgeon River where kids and their families can interact with performers, artists, storytellers, and creators.
• Western Canada Fashion Week: Since 2005, this nine night festival has combined runways with design competitions and performances.
• Thousand Faces Festival: An arts festival where storytellers and creatives of diverse cultures engage in theatre, dance, poetry, improvisation and visual arts inspired by mythology.

The post Annual Festivals Celebrate Edmonton’s People and Culture appeared first on Northly.

1. TURF

A one-of-a-kind spot in the heart of Kitsilano, TURF is a place to workout, eat, and just hang. Their classes focus on cardio, strength, and mobility, with unlimited courses for members. TURF’s philosophy incorporates various kinds of movement into your week, plus intentional rest days. There are showers and change rooms to use after workouts, so you’re comfortable sticking around to eat, chat with friends, or co-work in the studio space. TURF’s food menu involves breakfast, bowls, toasts, coffee and smoothies– and is primarily pescatarian. You can also buy apparel, personal care products and accessories from their store.

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2. Rumble Boxing

Welcoming all levels of experience to their Mount Pleasant, Yaletown, and Richmond locations, Rumble Boxing offers high-intensity classes that incorporate 50 minutes of heavy bag boxing, body weight strength, and HIIT. Participation is subscription-based, but at the Yaletown location you can attend your first class for free. Staff will teach you how to wrap your hands and instructors go over all the basic moves. Rumble makes all their workouts fun by playing fast-paced new music in a dim studio. Meanwhile, you and your fellow classmates all punch along to the beat. “Think fight club meets night club!”

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3. Hustle

Located in Mount Pleasant, Hustle offers a variety of creatively-designed classes for different fitness needs. Their programs specifically cater to newbies and those rehabilitating an injury or starting to work out again post-partum. Every class is detailed on their website, with a handy chart showing the level of cardio, intensity, and impact each involves. Hustle instructors teach clients how to do things like build mind-muscle awareness, utilize their pelvic floor during lifts and develop stamina.

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4. DibFit Cycle

Founder Daniela and her team provide high-intensity spin workouts where participants pedal, push, climb and sprint to loud music in a group environment. With an emphasis on motivational speaking, DibFit combines inner and outer work and encourages the class to adopt a communal and teamwork-based mentality. These classes are 45 or 60 minutes, and individually bookable online. They do fill up quickly, so you’ll want to make sure you’re signed up a few days in advance.

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5. Foundation Reformer Pilates

With many Pilates spaces to choose from in Vancouver, Foundation Reformer in West Vancouver stands out for their personalized training (whether individual or in small groups) and their comprehensive education in use of reformer machines. “Pilates is recognized worldwide today as both an incredible workout and a strong rehabilitation tool”. Foundation Reformer’s cardio, coordination, balance, flexibility and strength-based training sessions help people improve their performance in sports while preventing injury. Their large staff is made up of athletes and former athletes who believe in the Pilates method and understand the specific needs of their clients.

We hope you enjoyed this list, and that you find your way to a fitness community in Vancouver!

The post These Top Vancouver Fitness Spaces are Beloved for a Reason appeared first on Northly.

1. Olympic Footrace-1997 

Two Olympic Gold Medalists, Canadian Donovan Bailey and American Michael Johnson, feuded in the late 90s over who was the official fastest man in the world. Bailey had won the 100m sprint, and Johnson took home gold for the 200m. When Canadian and American media outlets caught wind of the conflict, each pronounced their country’s athlete the faster man.

As the buzz grew, an event to test the athlete’s claims was conceived. A 150 meter race was held in the Toronto SkyDome (now Rogers Arena), drawing 30,000 live spectators and 2.584 million Canadians watching on live television. The race began with Jonson trailing behind Bailey. Halfway through, Johnson injured his quadricep, leading him to lose. Despite the injury, officials concluded the title of World’s Fastest Man indeed belonged to Donovan Bailey, who walked away from the race  with a million dollar prize. 

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2. José Bautista Bat Flip- 2015

Toronto Blue Jays fans were ecstatic in 2015 when, for the first time since 1993, their team made the MLB postseason. The East Division Champs were fighting for a spot in the American League Championship Series against the West Division Champion Texas Rangers. The best-of-five series started with two Rangers wins in Toronto, followed by two Blue Jays wins in Arlington. The final game at Rogers Centre was all or nothing.

In the bottom of the seventh inning (which lasted 53 minutes), José Bautista stepped up to the plate. The score was tied, and the Jays had runners on first and third. Hitting the ball out of the park for a three-run homer, Bautista flipped his bat in the air– a celebration before his run. While some Rangers players and fans considered the gesture unsportsmanlike or “too showy”, Blue Jays fans remember it as an iconic moment for their team. A viral internet sensation, the bat flip has been printed on shirts, carved into pumpkins and even tattooed!

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3. Kawhi Leonard Buzzer Beater- 2019

In the seventh game of the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2019, the Toronto Raptors won against the Philadelphia 76ers by what would come to be known as “The Shot”. Following a very close four quarters, the score was tied and the Raptors had 4.2 seconds to inbound the ball and score. Who better to pass to than Kawhi Leonard, who— after recovering from an injury for much of his first season with the team– had been shining and carrying them through the post-season.

After catching the ball, Kawhi drove it down court behind the three point line and shot a Hail Mary over his defender from the corner. The buzzer blared and was followed by a second of silence; the ball bounced on the rim four times before dropping in. The stands erupted in disbelief, as the Raptors had just made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

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4. Toronto FC Wins MLS Cup- 2017

In the 22nd season of MLS history, Toronto FC fought in a final matchup against the rival Seattle Sounders FC. The two teams both made the championship the year before, when Seattle won it in a penalty shootout. Determined to secure the title, the Toronto team played a great 2017 season, winning 20 out of 34 games.

After defeating the New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew SC, Toronto faced Seattle again at BMO Field. Nearly 2.5 million people tuned into the game between Canadian and US networks. After a scoreless first half, the 67th minute saw a pivotal goal by Jozy Altidore. Another goal during stoppage time was scored by Víctor Vásquez, solidifying the Toronto win. The game was history, as Toronto FC became the first Canadian team to win the MLS Championship.

The post Remember These Iconic Moments in Toronto Sports? appeared first on Northly.

Who’s setting those fires? 🔥

The supposed subject of an Owen Pallet song and billboard famous by the slogan “This Lamb Sells Condos”, Brad Lamb is a real-estate developer with a mysterious track record. Throughout his career, Brad has bought numerous historical and heritage buildings, of which a surprising number allegedly burned down shortly afterward. In 2020, Brad’s project called Wellington House, which converted two heritage homes into condominiums, caught fire shortly after the build finished. Police suspected in their reports that at least one small explosion took place in the building. Licked and consumed by even hotter flames, the building caught fire for a second time just a few days later.

“Brad Lamb arson squad” is the nickname people have given the culprits, who they suspect to be part of an elaborate project to foil the developer, if not Lamb himself. The question is, why would Brad Lamb seek to burn down buildings he had just acquired? Have mercy on the lamb, for he has made a number of mistakes in his career, clashing with the City of Toronto over zoning rules and cancelling multiple large projects. 

There’s nothing better suited to a good urban legend than historical ruins, mixed with light Biblical references. I’m sure we’ll hear more about these burned up sites in the coming years. Ask your local fourteen-year-old Toronto kid what they’ve heard.

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Troubled bridge or troubled waters? 🎂👻

Stories abound of the bridge on Old Finch Road in Scarborough, which Redditors agree is haunted by the ghost of a young girl. A scenic spot surrounded by trees with a quiet river running beneath, the bridge appears just old and secluded enough to inspire a bit of spooky-talk. 

Some people say a little girl died there on her birthday by falling into the water and drowning. They claim that if you begin singing “Happy Birthday” at night, she’ll rise from the river expecting to eat cake– or the next best thing. Another story claims a girl hung herself from the bridge, causing the image of her hanging to appear in the rearview mirrors of late-night drivers. If you see her figure and choose to ignore it, legend has it she may end up in your back seat. Whichever version of the story you believe, it might be best to avoid this place altogether when it gets dark.

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Can Robarts Library be saved? 📚

The University of Toronto’s main research library, John P. Robarts, is said to be sinking… due to a greater number of books than anticipated. Many people think the library is actively on the way down, standing to get totally overtaken by the ground below. That’s an unusual way for a building to go. Apparently, engineers of this library did not design the foundation strong enough to support the weight of all books its floor space allows for. Over time, these book began punching down the floor.

Many students and even some faculty believe in this story. The library has even cut down the number of physical books it houses over the years to delay this sinking. There’s no way to know for sure until the outside doors are half-sunken and unable to open!

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Are you guys okay?

Wherever you find yourself in the dark and creepy land of the rental market, we hope that you can at least prove the bug-free part of this legend to true. Yeesh.

If you’re from Toronto yourself, have you heard of these urban legends before? If you have friends from the city, make sure to mention Brad Lamb somewhere in your next conversation. Make it organic, of course. As for the Toronto locals, we’ve also heard whispers that there’s a secret tunnel between Fort York and the Sheaf. Make of that what you will….

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