COVID-19 has turned 2020 upside down and many of us are wondering what the coming year of 2021 will look like. Many of our favourite Toronto attractions, tourist destinations, parks, festivals, and other activities were closed and/or limited this year making it difficult for families and friends to get together to do the things they love.

We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 best things to do in Toronto in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. All of these activities are COVID-safe and perfect for couples, families, and friends!

1. Drive an Exotic Car, Supercar, or Hypercar at GTA Exotics

A completely COVID-safe experience – GTA Exotics welcomes visitors to drive up to seven (7) Exotic Cars & Supercars in one day on their World Famous Exotic Car Tours.

With over fourteen (14) Exotic Cars, Supercars, & Hypercars to choose from, GTA Exotics is Canada’s leader in Luxury Car Experiences & Rentals and the perfect thing to do during the pandemic in 2021. GTA Exotics has three (3) exciting experiences where visitors get to drive these amazing cars: 30 Minute Test Drives, 3 Hour & 6 Hour Exotic Car Tours, & their popular Track Day Experience.

Best of all – GTA Exotics’ experiences are all COVID-safe! Each experience is private for you and your friends/family – there are no large groups, no contact with the public, and every single vehicle is professionally cleaned/sanitized prior to each experience.

Visit the GTA Exotics website for more information on all of their experiences and to purchase a gift certificate for yourself, friends, and/or family. It’s the perfect gift for that special someone to get outside and do something thrilling & exciting when not many options are available during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

2. Explore the Toronto Islands

Explore the beautiful Toronto skyline from the breath-taking Toronto Islands – the perfect place to take photos and go for an afternoon walk.

If you’re looking for a little adventure while stuck in the city, jump on a ferry and head over to the Toronto Islands. While there are over 10 islands spread across 820 acres of land – the three main islands, Centre, Algonquin, and Ward’s are all easily accessible and offer a variety of fun outdoor adventures that are safe during the COVID-19 pandemic..

The most popular island, Centre Island, offers the largest selection of activities – visitors can find a massive park filled with picnic areas, beaches, sporting rentals, and the popular Centreville Amusement Park which is a theme park featuring over 30 rides and a petting zoo.

The other two main islands feature cute early 1900’s cottage to explore and beautiful gardens scattered throughout. These are perfect spots for a peaceful walk, a lunchtime picnic, or a bike ride with a friend.

While visiting the island is absolutely free, a small fee of approximately $7.00 is required for the ferry and can be accessed at Queen’s Quay found in the Toronto Harbourfront neighborhood.

3. Visit the Distillery District

Enjoy the rustic industrial-style Victorian buildings and cobblestone walkways while getting a true glimpse of Toronto’s past.

Once home to Canada’s largest distilling company in the early 1800’s, the famous Distillery District is now a pedestrian-only neighbourhood featuring an assortment of art galleries, cafes, boutique shops, restaurants, and of course – breweries.

Being one of Toronto’s most beloved spots to spend time with friends, family, or a loved one – the best part of the Distillery District is truly its atmosphere. From the calm and romantic summer nights to the exciting annual Christmas Market, the Distillery District is always a perfect place to enjoy outdoor festivals and exhibits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Distillery District is located close to the downtown core and is a short walk from local public transit stations making it an easy-to-access activity all year long.

4. Take a Day Trip to Niagara Falls

Explore one of the world’s most famous and largest waterfalls while discovering tons of fun & exciting outdoor tourist attractions just minutes from the Falls.

About 1 hour from Toronto, the Niagara Falls are one of the world’s most famous and recognizable waterfalls on the planet. The Falls never fail to impress with all kinds of fun and exciting activities – take a boat trip below the falls on the Hornblower, enjoy fantastic panoramic views from the various observation decks, or explore the Clifton Hill entertainment district for all sorts of tourist attractions.

While many indoor activities & tourist attractions have been limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Niagara Falls boasts an assortment of outdoor adventures to explore. Take a scenic drive with some friends down the Niagara Parkway or spend hours walking the Niagara boardwalk watching the marvellous falls below you.

Already explored the Falls? There are hundreds of local parks, trails, and gardens that are easily accessible for biking, hiking, and walking.

5. Walk Around Kensington Market

Kensington Market boasts a variety of unique, hipster, and trendy art installations to explore like the famous psychedelic car.

One of most popular spots to get a taste of the city’s culture is Kensington Market – now a National Historic Site and once a Jewish market, today it boasts an exciting array of indie shops, trendy hipster bars, international cafes & restaurants, as well as a unique community of artists, galleries, tattoo shops, and rare book stores.

While access to some of the popular spots may be limited during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Kensington Market offers a variety of outdoor sights to explore. Discover notable landmarks like the Number 8 Fire Station, Tom’s Place, and Bellevue Square Park – or try and find the various eclectic art installations throughout the market like the psychedelic car.

So grab a friend or a loved one and go explore one of Toronto’s most unique, colourful, and exciting streets in the entire city.