My Little Secrets
  • DIY
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Inspiration
  • Fashion
    • Outfits
    • Guides
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty
    • Home & Decor
    • Food & Drink
    • Wedding
  • Mom Life
    • Pregnancy
    • Motherhood
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Press and Features
  • DIY
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Inspiration
  • Fashion
    • Outfits
    • Guides
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty
    • Home & Decor
    • Food & Drink
    • Wedding
  • Mom Life
    • Pregnancy
    • Motherhood
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Press and Features

My Little Secrets

A DIY and Lifestyle Blog

EventsFood & DrinkLifestyleTravel

Lifestyle :: Eventful Weekends in the City

written by Natalie Ho 2014.05.23

This past winter was brutally cold. We spent most of our weekends snuggling up indoors but now that the warmer weather is upon us, we’re back in full swing when it comes to planning eventful, yet affordable weekends in the city.

We moved into the Beaches area just as summer was ending last year and didn’t get a chance to see what the neighborhood had to offer. I’ve heard from many nearby dwellers that the Beaches transforms as the months start to get warmer. I’m so excited to plan my upcoming weekends in this family-friendly, dog-friendly, and just good ol’ friendly community.

Today, I share my best, yet affordable, tips for planning a great weekend, right in your own city.

Eventful Weekends in the City

1. Hop on a Bike

When it comes to exploring in the city, in my case the Beaches neighborhood, nothing beats using our bicycles as the main form of transportation. I must confess, we live in such a convenient area, yet we find ourselves using our cars quite often. However, the traffic and parking situation can get fairly stressful.

Hopping on a bike gives plenty of options when it comes to making frequent stops and not having to worry about finding a parking spot. It also gives you a chance to do something active while getting you from one spot to the next. Now, if riding your bike to your destination is not an option, pack your bike along with you in your car, or consider using any major city’s bike rental service.

2. Followed by Brunch

weekend brunch toronto

I LOVE Brunch. I’m not sure how the awfully simple act of eating eggs and sipping on coffee at a reasonably late hour became THE favourite thing to do on the weekends. There are so many great brunch spots in Toronto and I love discovering new restaurants nearby.

Some people may think $15-$20 for a plate of eggs is fairly pricey. However, the advantage of grabbing a decadent brunch meal at a later hour is that you often end up snacking in the afternoon and sailing right onto dinner. Which in my opinion is quite an affordable “pass-time,” no?

There are a few special places close by that I highly recommend. A Leslieville hot spot is definitely the quaint (but not necessarily quiet) French bistro, Bonjour Brioche. I drool over their spicy bacon baguette and always leave with a bottle of house-made vinaigrette. I’d also recommend their classic eggs benny!
If you’re in the mood for something a little fancier and with a gorgeous view of the Beach, be sure to check out Trinity Taverna, which also serves up a brunch menu. The décor and ambience is to die for. It’s like a Greek island nestled inside a restaurant overlooking the beaches.

3. Explore with the Locals

After a satisfying meal, acquaint yourself with the community locals to find out what the nearby hot spots are. Find that local vintage store, when and where the festivals take place, and which park to take a stroll through.

The Beaches run several music/jazz festivals during the summer, and the food scene has become quite popular. Most of these festivals and events have free admission too.

4. Stop by a Market

As the afternoon draws to an end, I make an effort to stop by a local Farmers’ Market to pick up some fresh and locally-grown produce. Be sure to check out you area’s local weekend farmers’ market’s hours as many open and close quite early.

I’m also obsessed with floral markets. My corner store sells 3 bunches of fresh cut tulips for $10! You definitely can’t beat that price but I enjoy visiting specialty floral markets and handpicking an assortment of unique flowers for the house. Though it’s not quite in my neighborhood, I’m thrilled to visit the Toronto Flower Market in the west end of Toronto. The Toronto Flower Market takes place once a month on the second Saturday from May through to October.

5. Plan a Picnic

To end the weekend adventure, ride your bikes to a local park, in our case that’s the Beach, and plan a simple picnic with your newly acquired food items and tasty treats. Enjoy the sunset and warm breeze. What a perfect way to end the day!

My tips for planning a wonderful yet affordable weekend in the city are no trade secrets! I hope you’ll find the time to plan a few great eventful days with your family and friends this coming weekend!

What are some of your beloved ways to spend the day on a dime?

Ford Mustang

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited.

Connect with Me!
Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest   Instagram   Bloglovin‘

 

0 comment
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Natalie Ho

Hi, I'm Natalie! Thanks for stopping by my DIY and Lifestyle blog. I hope you find many inspirations and ideas to elevate your daily life!

previous post
Travel :: 4 Days in Paris {part deux}
next post
DIY Inspiration :: Chalkboard/Blackboard Art

You may also like

Holiday Gift Guide :: Lint and Honey

2014.12.05

Food & Drink :: Homemade Chocolate Chip Coffee...

2016.07.19

Beauty :: Murad Canada Beauty Picks

2015.08.07

Beauty :: Newly Added Spring Favourites

2016.05.04

Home & Decor :: How to Integrate Smart...

2018.03.14

Pregnancy :: Treatments I Did During Pregnancy and...

2019.09.27

Home Decor :: Creative Office

2013.11.08

Beauty :: Erase Aging without the Use of...

2018.02.10

Holiday Gift Guide :: Jule’s Baskets

2014.11.27

Food & Drink :: Best Ways to Enjoy...

2017.06.21

Food & Drink :: Coconut Whip Marshmallow Coffee...

2018.12.01

Food & Drink :: #NespressoMorning

2016.05.30

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search

Connect

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Email

About Me

About Me

Hi, I'm Natalie!

Thanks for stopping by my DIY and Lifestyle blog. I hope you find many inspirations and ideas to elevate your daily life!

Subscribe

On Pinterest

@mlsecrets

Recent Posts

  • Home & Decor :: Before & After – A Living Room Transformation with Urban Barn

    2021.04.01
  • Motherhood: Must-Haves to Combat Toddler Cold and Flu Season

    2021.01.28
  • Home & Decor :: Tips on Preparing a Move During a Pandemic and The Holidays

    2020.11.30
  • Motherhood :: Recommended Toys if your Baby/Toddler Loves Cars

    2020.11.19
  • Motherhood :: The Best Stroller for City Living and Day Trips On-the-Go

    2020.10.23
Close

PSST, Hey There!

Subscribe and receive all of my little secrets in your inbox.

Latest posts on Instagram

mylittlesecrets_ca

 3004    24671


  • P L A N T S : Place your bets! How many will live and for how many day?! I am the worst plant mama, pretty much have killed every single plant I owned. But I am NOT giving up. If I
  • C H A I R : Spent most of my extra day off today here and not even mad about it! This was meant to be Kyle
  • E A S T E R : Happy Easter my friends! A mini backyard egg hunt is planned for this afternoon. Hope you all enjoy the sunshine outside today! (Also, E clearly loves the camera ) . . . . : @lauraclarkephotos #easter #easterbunny #eastereggs #easterdecor #happyeaster #easter2021 #easterbasket #easteregg #eastergifts #eastersunday #easterdecoration #easterweekend #eastertreats #easteregghunt #bunny #eastercookies #minieggs #easterdecorations #eastercake #easterchocolate #egghunt #eastergift #spring #easterbaking #toddlerlife #familyphoto #theeverydaymom
  • C E L E B R A T E : Are you team Brunch or team Dinner for Easter? As for me, I prefer, DESSERT + WINE! I always bake carrot cake for Easter but decided to do up regular and mini sized cupcakes this year instead. The minis are perfect for Toddlers! And I saved these @pellerwine for a special occasion. Wishing you guys a delicious meal even if you
  • B A S K E T : Says the mom who wasn
  • L I V I N G : I
  • W I P E S : {A D} How are you keeping your surfaces rid of bacteria and viruses at home or on-the-go these days? I
  • R A I N : Rainy day vibes. Magazines and organizing today. And friends, set your timers, full living room reveal and all the product links coming April 1! #mylittleurbancottage #rightathome#house #hometour : @lauraclarkephotos #homedecor #sofa #rugstyle #loungewear #hmxme #homesweethome #homestyle #homegoals #homedetails #homeinterior #homeideas #livingroomdecor #thisishome #interiorlovers #cornerofmyhome #washablerugs
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Email
Footer Logo

Copyright © my little secrets


Back To Top