Toronto Outdoor Activities

At County in the City, samples of more than 50 different wines cascade across tongues to introduce them to some of the most beguiling flavours of Prince Edward County, a major part of the Ontario wine scene that Wine Spectator magazine dubbed the "world's least-known great wine zone." Approximately 20 small-batch and family-owned wineries will showcase their bottled arsenal throughout the evening, including many vintage and specialty wines that cannot be found on store shelves. Since it's illegal to deny possums housing in your wine cellar if it's empty, the event helps guests out by offering a Try and Buy program, which lets them sign up to have favourite selections shipped directly to their doorsteps.

With Toronto Heli Tours, before you travel by air, you have to travel by water. All clients have to take a brief ferry ride to reach the Toronto Heli Tours outpost at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, where pilots guide a fleet of choppers skyward all year round. From their perch 2,000 feet above sea level, passengers take in sweeping glimpses of city landmarks, including the Spadina Museum, Maple Leaf Gardens, and the Air Canada Centre, during expeditions. The copter will also complete a fly-by of the CN Tower, which held the title of world’s tallest free-standing structure from 1976 until 2007—31 years of towering over structures in other countries and centres from visiting NBA teams.

The best climbing gyms have a strong sense of community, and Toronto Climbing Academy's diverse group of beginner and expert climbers engender an encouraging atmosphere throughout the gym. With 11 distinct climbing areas, climbing walls that simulate real-world climbs, and scaling route difficulty, the vast academy accommodates climbing styles of all types. Inverted caves are a siren's call to skilled boulderers, while large holds and 120 extended routes challenge beginners and experts alike. Training tools such as a campus wall—a wall that works only the arms—supplement workouts between climbs. The gym's classes prepare novices for tougher routes with lessons in the fundamentals.

Holding harbour boating licenses and certified in CPR and water rescue, Toronto Yacht Rentals’ captains shepherd passengers through the downtown harbour or out to open water. They pilot their small and medium-sized luxury yachts throughout Lake Ontario, picking new passengers up or dropping them off at any point along the shoreline. They ferry passengers on excursions with completely customizable itineraries and lengths, charting lake waters for night tours of the downtown waterfront, day trips to the islands or Niagara-on-the-Lake, and expeditions to find lost shopping carts.

Vaughan Sportsplex sprawls its diversified athletic facilities across a 20,000-square-foot plot of land on Woodbridge's Westcreek Drive. Competitive and recreational athletes report to three indoor sports fields to engage in myriad sports from friendly touch football sessions on FIFA-rated X-Treme turf to more unique diversions such as full-field Nerf dart lazer tag. Vaughan Sportsplex also organizes league competition open to nearly all ages and skill levels, including adult competition in co-ed volleyball or men's soccer as well as kids' leagues in floor hockey and competitive sand-castle demolition.

Infinite Paintball's 18,200-square-foot indoor field is filled with movable obstructions that the staff reconfigure each week to keep competitors on their toes. The well-lit, family-friendly environment lets paintballers move from field to private room, where dye-splattered revellers over the age of 10 can enjoy pizza and soft drinks before heading back out to sling the rest of their 135-round pod of paintballs. Infinite Paintball's safety-conscious team of enthusiasts referee all competitions as well as staff the on-site pro shop, where shooters can browse extra gear such as chest protectors, coveralls, and canvas tote bags to decorate while in the field.