How to Enjoy the City when Campus is Quiet

One week, you’re waking up early, grabbing coffee, heading to class, spending hours in study spaces – and then summer hits, and everything goes quiet.

Campus can feel lonely during these months off, especially when friends move back home for the summer and there’s no classes or extracurriculars to keep you busy. It’s easy to get bored when you’re not rushing to meet assignment deadlines.

But whether you’re starting an internship, a full-time job, or just hanging out, Toronto is full of fun summer activities to enjoy while you’re around campus.

Here are some great ways to embrace Toronto summer.

Explore like a Tourist

If you’re like me, your September to April is usually restricted to the same few spots: campus, the library, maybe the Eaton Centre if I need a treat to get me through my studying, and then back home. But don’t forget, you’re in the biggest city in Canada – take some time to look around!

There’s lots of popular spots to check out Downtown: Riverdale Park, Kensington Market & Chinatown, St. Lawrence Market, Koreatown, the ROM & AGO, Queen St. W, and more!

Some people even finish their entire degree and forget to go up the CN Tower or take the GO Train for a Niagara Falls day trip – don’t let that be you!

Romanticize Your Daily Routine (or Enhance It!)

A supremely underrated benefit of increased free time: getting your personal routine back on track.

When you’re super busy and stressed during the school year, healthy habits can seem like they’re slipping away from you, especially those morning and evening routines filled with selfcare and your favourite activities.

But, with all this time on your hands, you can start fresh and create a new personalized daily routine.

Here are some ideas you can add to your routine:

• A 30-minute walk around the city with a good playlist
• More solo trips to cafés, parks, or cool stores you haven’t had time to visit
• Journaling consistently, even if it’s just a few sentences
• Try a new food spot
• Create a summer workout plan

Schedule some fun me-time activities over these coming weeks and get the best out of the warm weather!

Check Out Popular Toronto Summer Events

There’s always something going on in Toronto, and that’s especially true during the summer. There are almost too many activities to enjoy – so make sure you’re there for some of them!

Here’s some great activities and events to go to while your hanging out in the city:

1. Toronto Flower Market (@torontoflowermarket): Pick up some cute plants and flowers to decorate your space.
2. Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (@topictureshow): Great for film fans of any era, and super fun with a big group of friends or solo.
3. Blue Jays Games: Check out the city’s home team! You’ll have a great time no matter where you sit (plus, nosebleed tickets are usually only CA$20-$50… wink wink).
4. Concerts: A little pricier, but Toronto has some pretty cool artists performing this summer, including Bruno Mars, Imagine Dragons, 5SOS, Guns N’ Roses, Daniel Caesar, Don Toliver, RUSH, Kacey Musgraves, Iron Maiden… and that’s only scratching the surface!
5. Caribana: What better way to experience Toronto Summer than North America’s biggest Caribbean Carnival! Check out the parade, live music, day parties and some electric nightlife.

There’s also always a recent Instagram Reel or Tiktok with a new hidden gem or crazy event, so make sure to save some videos – they’re a great source for finding fun new things to try.

Reconnect with Nature

It’s easy to stay cooped up in you room or even on campus during busy semesters, but don’t forget to breathe some fresh air. After a cold and snowy winter, there’s no better feeling than a warm summer breeze.

Check out some of these spots for a nice day outdoors:

• Riverdale Park: Great spot to take headphones and a good book, or a picnic blanket and some friends.
• Riverdale Farm: See a bunch of cute farm animals and learn their history (and get some ice cream from Park Snacks on your way out!).
• Toronto Islands: There are guided tours and sightseeing, amusement parks, swimming and more – hop on a short ferry ride for less than CA$10 and take a look.
• Sugar Beach: Relax and soak up the sun, go swimming, play beach volleyball, or even build a sandcastle.
• Toronto Music Garden: A beautiful park whose design was inspired by Bach’s First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello – a must visit for fans of cool landscape design.

Remember to Enjoy Yourself

Toronto can feel like a completely different city depending on where you are and what you’re doing. There’s so much to experience and appreciate once you are relieved of your on-campus responsibilities. Don’t let summer pass you by – seize the opportunity to take in the city in a way you haven’t before. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re solo or with friends – campus may be quiet, but the city never is!