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Things To Do In Markham, Ontario
Markham is a culturally diverse, vibrant, and one of the most popular cities to visit in Ontario. It is located only 19 miles from downtown Toronto and has so many cool places to visit. Markham is also a perfect Hotspot for tourists as it provides various options for day trips around the city. The famous town of Unionville is a 5-minute drive that will take you back in time to a 19th-century setting. There are also so many other things to do in and around Markham and this post is going to help you plan your next trip to Toronto.
If you are planning to visit Markham, make sure you check out our post-Cool Things To Do In Toronto and do visit the place which is only a 30-minute drive from Markham.
Now let’s jump straight into the list of the best things that you should do in Markham.
1. Milne Dam Conservation Park
Milne Dam Conservation Area is a recreational park and a famous picnic spot for all tourists and the local residents. It is located on the Milne Reservoir and is a 5-minute drive from the central city.
If you are looking to spend a relaxing day with your friends and loved ones, then we totally recommend you to check this park. This 305-acre, lush green park offers fishing, playgrounds, and some beautiful long trails. It is a perfect place for outings with so many fun activities to do.
Don’t forget to try out the great hiking trails and beach areas for a perfect time.
Timings: open all day. 6:30 am to 11 pm.
Things to do: go hiking and enjoy the beautiful views of the city, enjoy the fireworks show on Canada Day on July 1st, go for picnics and spend the day on the beach.
2. Markham Museum
Markham Museum is a unique family attraction in Markham that offers seasonal exhibitions and various events throughout the year. The most popular activity among the tourists is snowshoeing in the winter, which is available free of cost to the visitors of the museum. In the summers, the 25-acre premise is open for Geocaching and offers other fun events too.
Make sure to check out their website for more information about their latest events and exhibitions. You can also book your tickets online well in advance to plan your trip accordingly.
Timings: Wednesday to Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.
Things to do: take a guided tour of the place, visit the latest exhibition, and experience Canadian art and history.
3. Varley Art Gallery of Markham
If you are looking for a place to explore the art and society of Canada along with the diverse cultural history, then this is just the right place for you. Located right on the main street of Unionville, this art museum is a cultural hub and a place of rich educational programs. It showcases the work of the Great Canadian artist F.H. Varley, and several other local and international artists.
The major attraction of this museum is the original works of Frederick Varley and other contemporary artists whose work shifts occasionally.
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday 12 noon to 4 pm. Mondays are closed.
Things to do: take a guided tour of the museum, attend an event or the latest program organized by the museum.
Make sure to visit their website for reservations of the same.
4. Toogood Pond Park
This lovely park is located in the middle of the city and is the perfect getaway to spend time outdoors. This quiet and beautiful park is a must-visit as it will surprise you with so many fun activities to do. Apart from the Pond, which is the major attraction of the park, there are picnic spots and restaurants in the park. You can spend your day relaxing and trying out various fun things like bird spotting, boating, paddling, and fishing.
The walkway circle around the pond is the most sought-after experience enjoyed by the tourists for pleasant walks.
Timings: open all day. There is no entry or parking fee.
Things to do: enjoy leisurely walks, go for a picnic, go fishing, boating, and birdwatching.
5. Rouge National Urban Park
The National Urban Park is known for its rich natural landscapes and amazing biodiversity. It is also one of the most visited parks in the city featuring a sandy beach and a 1.5 kilometers long trail. Tourists visit this place for all sorts of activities such as swimming, picnicking, hiking, trekking, and other adventure sports.
Apart from its unique adventures, this place also has a rich historical significance. It is considered Canada’s oldest indigenous site and its history goes back to almost 10,000 years.
Make sure you plan your visit well in advance and don’t miss out on the amazing hiking programs.
Timings: open 24 hours.
Things to do: the place is famous mostly for hiking and trekking expeditions, you can visit the place in the summer months and enjoy the beaches.
6. Yonge Street
The Street is a 56 kilometers long street connecting the major towns of Ontario like Toronto, Richmond Hill, and Markham. It is considered the longest and the most popular street in Canada. Whether you are in the mood for shopping, want to drive around the city, or check out the major attractions, you can always find something to do or see here.
This is the best place to find out about the local culture and cuisines of the city and immerse yourself in an overall fulfilling experience. The number of things you can do in Yonge Street is endless. You should definitely check out the Toronto Eaton Centre which attracts almost 50 million tourists every year. Here you can shop and also have a nice lunch with your friends at one of the restaurants from the food courts.
The best part about this place is that there is always more. There are also a number of theatres and movie complexes that can give you the perfect dose of entertainment you need on your trip. The most famous theatre includes the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre, which is a world-renowned place for top productions.
Timings: make sure to plan your visit according to your interests and check out the timings beforehand.
Things to do: you can go shopping, dining, and sightseeing.
7. Milliken District Park
By now you must have realized that Markham is famous for its natural beauty and wonderful open spaces. We bring to you another such amazing park, the Milliken District Park. This park is located in the Scarborough area of Toronto and is a very well-maintained place to relax.
If you want to have a barbecue night or go picnic with your friends in the open night sky, then we highly recommend that you select this place. There is something for everyone in this park. There are a few picnic spots and playgrounds specially made for children, so if you are planning this trip with your family then you should check out this place.
Timings: Open 24 hours.
Things to do: this park is a perfect spot for picnics, you can also play several games and enjoy a wonderful time with your family.
Make sure to check out their website for more details about the timings and other services.
8. Forest Therapy Trail
Forest therapy is a Japanese practice of guided outdoor trekking in the forest which is known to reduce stress and boost immunity. This popular concept is very accurately designed in Toronto’s first and only Forest Therapy Trail. It is professionally managed and has been a very famous tourist site in the past few years.
This 2.1 kilometers long trail is well paved and lightly trafficked. It provides a great experience in every season and is also suitable if you want to take your pet along with you. This unique trail is best explored with a guided tour and you can book yours from their website here.
Timings: open 24 hours.
Things to do: this trail is best suited for a short and beautiful walk. You can enjoy the picturesque views of the city and enjoy the unique experience of Forest Therapy.
9. Thornhill Village Library
Thornhill Village Library is a public library in Markham which was converted from a simple house to this wonderful structure in the 1970s. This Library is a perfect location for anyone who wants to explore the local heritage and experience the company of books. You can visit this place for the sheer architectural brilliance that this place is. The building is also a major attraction for many tourists along with the Library itself.
It is a perfect getaway place if you are on a solo trip and want to spend some time in the company of good books and food.
Make sure you check out this place and discover some rare gems to add to your collection.
Timings: Tuesday and Thursday 12 noon to 8 pm. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays 9 am to 8 pm.
Mondays and Sundays and closed.
You can also find out about the latest events and activities on their official website here.
10. Reesor’s Farm Market
Just like every city in Ontario has a famous farm market, same way Markham has its very own Farm Market known as the Reesor Farm Market which is extremely popular for homegrown and organic products. This market is located between Markham and Scarborough and is open from June to October. The best time to visit this market is during the fall season when the farm is filled with hundreds of pumpkins to choose from for Halloween. Other than that the market is also open all year round and sells other products such as bread, muffins, and made-from-scratch cookies.
All these products and more are made available at a very economic price and the best part is that all of it is organic. If you want to take some flavor of Canada back home from your trip we totally recommend you to buy something from here.
You can also visit their farms and pick your own fruits and berries. Make sure to check out this place on your trip for a fantastic experience. You can not only shop from their market and buy amazing products but there is also so much to explore on their farms. You can find many delightful activities to do on your visit.
Timings: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6:30 pm.
Sundays are closed.
Things to do: visit the market and bakery, shop for souvenirs and buy some products, enjoy their beautiful farm, and indulge in other activities.
Find out more about the shop and its products here.
11. Pride of Canada Carousel
This unique amusement park, located in the heart of the city is the most beautiful place that you can visit on your trip to Markham. This is an iconic landmark that is built out of junk and assembled together by the artist Patrick Amiot.
This wonderful place is not only an amusement park with lots of rides and fun stuff to do, but also the rides are designed in such a way that it is a spectacle to watch.
Pride of Canada pays tribute to the country’s famous leaders and iconic wonders. It is a must-visit park to witness the art and culture along with having fun.
Timings: Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 6 pm
Things to do: take a ride on the Carousel, explore the park and the surrounding areas, go skating, take a walk around the park.
12. Flato Markham Theatre
Last but not the least, we bring to you an excellent Theatre to quench your thirst for dance and drama on your visit to Markham. This theatre is known for its performances and events that are famous around the country. It also offers so many interactive events all around the year.
Make sure you visit the place and check out their latest show along with your friends and family.
Timings: for any information about the shows and latest events happening in the theater, make sure to check out their website here.
Check out our other post Best Things To Do In Canada, and find out more about this wonderful destination.
If you are planning to visit Markham, we recommend you to check out other nearby places for a richer experience. Our top two picks are the city of Brampton and Milton.
Brampton is a vibrant, multicultural city located just 49 kilometers west of Markham and offers so much to its visitors. Check out our post Best Things To Do In Brampton and find out more.
We also recommend you to check out Top Things to do in Milton.
