10 distanced things to do in Toronto this week: January 25 to 31

Please Note: As of January 14, a Stay at Home order is in effect for all of Ontario. This means you must stay at home and only go out for necessities including getting food, going to work, and getting exercise. Learn more about Ontario’s Stay at Home order here. If you go out, maintain the six-feet physical distancing guidelines and wear a mask.

Feeling that cabin fever? Staying indoors, doing the same thing every day definitely doesn’t help but, thankfully, there are a few things you can do in Toronto that are safe and fun.

It’s important to remember that with Ontario’s Stay at Home order, you must only head outdoors for the essentials such as getting food, heading to work, and getting exercise.

Here’s a list of ideas that might help ease your mind as you head into the last week of January:

Get your hands on Toronto’s best smash burgers

You can NEVER go wrong with a deliciously mouthwatering, eye-grabbing, oh-so-cheesy smash burger, and lucky for you, Toronto has the best around. Whatever your take is on these heavenly burgers, there’s no doubt that an extra bit of caramelization and browning on the patty gives a more intense flavour. If done right, a smash burger is as juicy as a delicious burger can get. Stay in, and order it right to your door.

When: Whenever hunger calls
Where: Several locations across the city

Watch live shark cams with Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

If you don’t have an aquarium of your own to enjoy at home, Ripley’s has set up four live-cams of their shark, jellyfish, rainbow reef, and ray bay for those interested, to watch at home. Though a trip to see them in person isn’t in the picture, these live cams definitely do the trick.

When: When you’re looking for something fun to do.
Where: On their website.

Try Camp Smokehouse, the newest BBQ pop-up in Toronto

Camp Smokehouse, the newest pop-up restaurant for everything BBQ, opened on January 24, serving up a full menu of classic fireside meals. Both “The Sleeping Giant” and the “The Mess Hall” are made with 1/3 pound of brisket on a brioche bun, one with house-made pickles and mustard sauce and the other with creamy coleslaw and apple barbecue sauce.

Where: 300 College Street
When: Every Sunday from 1:30 pm until they are sold out

Take a virtual rollercoaster ride at Canada’s Wonderland

Though amusement parks have been out of the picture for months now, you can still enjoy a rollercoaster right from home – virtually that is. Canada’s Wonderland has a variety of rollercoaster POVs on their YouTube channel.

When: Whenever you’re looking for an adventure.
Where: On their YouTube channel.

Festival of Cool and Northern Ontario Diaries

From January 15 to February 7, guests will be able to immerse themselves through the Festival of Cool, with a Northern Ontario experience with the help of audio, light and technology, created by Rob Jensen, Warren Trezevant and Creos. What is set to stand out is the Sonic Runway, a corridor of lights more than 100 metres long that brings sound waves to life. The other piece, the Iceberg, turns “a monumental sculpture into a living instrument,” which signifies a journey from glacial calving to open water migration to eventual melting.

When: January 15 to February 7, 2021
Where: Toronto’s Waterfront – 370 Queens Quay West

Have a household dance party every Saturday night

Missing those nights out where you can let loose and dance all night? Though that might not be in the picture for a while, you can still enjoy a dance party with Oye Latino’s Fiezta Online Party. You can join Itz Nico P at 8 pm every Saturday night and dance away to Latin beats as he DJ’s into the late hours of the night.

When: Saturday nights at 8 pm
Where: Twitch stream online

Jamaica in January: Virtual food event

You can enjoy a virtual getaway this month from the comfort of your own home while trying some delicious Jamaican cuisine. Jamaica in January is a free hour-long event where you can embrace Jamaican culture through stories, poems, songs, riddles, and giveaways too!

When: January 31 from 5 pm to 6 pm
Where: Online

Tickets available here.

Stretch your legs and go out for a skate at some of Toronto’s outdoor skating rinks

Skating season is upon us. There are so many great outdoor spots to go for a skate in Toronto, but if you find public skating rinks too crowded, you might want to consider other spots for your outdoor activities this winter. Be sure to sign up in advance. Masks are now mandatory.

When: Location hours vary depending on the rink.
Where: Across Toronto.

Take art lessons with the AGO

If you’ve always wanted to dive into your artistic side, now is the perfect time to indulge. The AGO offers creative art lessons that you can watch right at home. Whether it’s painting, drawing, or beautiful creative pieces, their art lessons are in full swing and you can watch all their videos online.

When: Whenever you have the chance!
Where: On their website.

Try the best of the BEST fried chicken sandwiches

If you’re looking for the best of the best when it comes to Toronto’s fried chicken sandwiches, look no further, here’s where you can treat yourself. Extra fresh, and extra juicy are the qualities necessary to be chosen as one of the city’s BEST fried chicken sandwich joints.

When: Whenever you’re in the mood
Where: Across the city