Yes, we talk a lot about downtown kid things, but the parents of downtown Toronto kids need some tasty beverages — namely: craft beer. Now that Ontario’s alcohol laws have changed, your ability to buy take out craft beer in downtown Toronto has very much changed. Sure, the LCBO stocks a decent selection of Ontario craft beers (and The Beer Store – and some grocery stores – will have some as well), but there are many breweries (in Ontario and beyond) that simply don’t have the ability (or the desire) to get listed in the LCBO. To find such beers, you can usually get them from the breweries themselves (walk-in or have them delivered) but many of such breweries aren’t downtown for easy take-out. So, where can you buy craft beer downtown aside from the LCBO?
Frederick
Bright Street Playground in Corktown
There’s a little playground very much off the beaten path in Toronto’s Corktown neighbourhood: Bright Street Playground. Yes, it’s on Bright Street. You may ask, ‘Where is Bright Street?’ It’s short north-south street that runs between King Street East and Queen Street East (just west of Sumach Street) that is full of cute houses that sit right up to the edge of the street. Almost where Bright Street meets Queen Street East, sits the fairly quiet Bright Street Playground.
Sherbourne Common splash pad
The Sherbourne Common splash pad (officially named the Paul Quarrington Ice Rink and Splash Pad) is highly recommended by this writer. Located along Queen’s Quay East – at the foot of Lower Sherbourne, this splash pad is not super fancy, but still checks many boxes. Especially for those in East Bayfront and nearby neighbourhoods (St. Lawrence, Harbourfront/South Core, Distillery District, Corktown), this is one to check out.
Québec City playgrounds
You’re visiting Québec City with your children and the kids need their usual playground time. More than likely you’re staying in or near Old Québec. So, are there playgrounds that you can walk to when visiting Old Québec?
Yes.
St. James Park playground
Yes, there’s a playground at St. James Park in downtown Toronto. This park was never really a destination for kids. Sure you could see the birds, splash your hands in the small fountain, or listen to some live music in the summer months, but there was never a playground for kids. This all changed in the spring of 2019 when the City of Toronto opened up a brand new playground. Not just any playground — it’s really quite a great playground.
Downtown Toronto trick or treating: Condo style
Last night little one experienced trick or treating for the first time. How do condo kids in downtown Toronto go trick or treating? There are some small patches of houses not too far from here, but the following is a more interesting idea.