Toronto is in for a rainy and gloomy week — here’s how to make the most of it

This morning’s thunderstorm was a rude awakening for many across Toronto – especially me. This week’s forecast calls for rain, rain, and more rain, but on the bright side, that means temperatures will rise. With a long weekend on the horizon during a slightly gloomy week, it’s the perfect time to lean into homey plans, whether that means staying indoors, having a girls’ night, game night or visiting that spot you’ve been saving for a rainy day.

If the clouds have got you down and the last thing on your mind is planning, we’ve put together a list of rainy day activities you can do this week to keep the blues away.

This week’s forecast in Toronto

What a rainy start for the month of April – but I guess that beats the freezing temps we’ve endured for so long. For the most part, temperatures across Toronto will be in the positives, with Wednesday seeing a high of 7°C and a low of 1°C. Thursday’s temperatures will remain moderate with 4°C before jumping up to 19°C on Friday.

We had an early taste of spring-like weather not too long ago, but unfortunately, it didn’t last.

Will this weather stick around? Unlikely. According to The Weather Network (TWN), snow is still in the forecast. “Peeks of sun with snow in the morning changing to light rain in the afternoon,” shares TWN for April 7. Sorry, Toronto.

But let’s not worry about that, for now.

We need plans to keep us busy this week, and luckily for you, we have a few ideas up our sleeves.

Rainy day activities in Toronto

Activate

One of my favourite activities with my friends is running around at Activate, playing adult-friendly games. “Activate offers a range of games that test your physical and mental abilities. Whether you’re climbing walls, solving puzzles, or dodging lasers, there’s something for everyone,” shares the Activate team.

There are a few locations across Toronto, so wherever you are, we’re sure it’s a short drive away.

When: Monday to Sunday
Time: Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: 24 Lebovic Ave., 30 Weston Rd., and 5980 McLaughlin Rd.
Cost: $30+

New coffee shop

This week is the perfect time to check out that coffee shop you’ve been wanting to go to. Don’t have one in mind? May we suggest stopping by Blu Shaak? It’s a new Korean coffee shop that recently opened on Yonge Street. Its lattes and other beverages look incredible and totally worth the trip.

When: Monday to Sunday
Time: 7:30 a.m to 10 p.m.
Where: 684 Yonge St.
Cost: Varies

Ripley’s Aquarium

Everyone’s favourite aquarium is the perfect rainy day spot. This is your chance to immerse yourself among thousands of aquatic animals and “get closer than ever before with interactive, hands-on experiences, unique animal encounters, and exciting events,” according to its official site.

When: Seven days a week
Time: Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: 288 Bremner Blvd.
Cost: $46 (Save $5 if you attend after 5 p.m., for Sharks After Dark)

Pursuit OCR

Tell me, what’s better than a day spent jumping inside the city’s largest indoor playground for adults? Pursuit OCR offers the best obstacle course and games for all fitness levels.

When: Seven days a week
Time: Monday to Thursday from 2 to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 1:30 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: 75 Westmore Dr.
Cost: $24.10

Snakes & Lattes

One of Toronto’s favourite board game cafes! Snakes & Lattes is the place to be when you want a cozy night with your friends, somewhere else besides home. Board games and warm drinks? It’s the perfect combination.

When: Seven days a week
Time: Monday to Wednesday from 1 to 11 p.m., Thursday from 1 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: 600 Bloor St. W. and 489 College St.
Cost: $20+

FreePlay Toronto

Video games, anyone? FreePlay Toronto offers a wide variety of old-school arcade games. We’re talking classics to old favourites. It’s the perfect spot for any occasion, especially on a rainy day.

When: Seven days a week
Time: Monday to Wednesday from 3 p.m to late, Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday from noon to 2 a.m.
Where: 300 College St.
Cost: $5 from Sunday to Thursday and $10 from Friday to Saturday

And there’s plenty more in Toronto that we’ll leave you to discover. Have a great week, Toronto!

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Karen Doradea

Senior Staff Writer, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.

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