While I firmly believe that Toronto is the best city in the world, I’m not going to lie to you and tell you that Toronto is the most interesting city in the entire world. Especially once you leave the downtown core, the tourist attractions get fewer and farther between. It’s true that nothing at all happens in Vaughan. But if you look, you’ll quickly find that there are some pretty great things to do north of Bloor.  

For the history buff: Mount Pleasant Cemetery 

Opened in 1876, this was the first cemetery in Toronto to serve people who were not Anglican or Roman Catholic, meaning that you can find the first Jewish and Chinese Torontonians buried in its massive complex, along with former prime ministers and famous musicians. The cemetery is full of fountains and monuments, rare trees, and beautiful gardens. Their paths for jogging and walking are excellently maintained and very safe. Every time I’ve wandered through there, I’ve found something different. Even better — you’re right by midtown Yonge St, which always has a freshly-opened restaurant to try. 

For your inner child: Ontario Science Centre 

Does going to a museum sound like the most boring thing to do with your Saturday afternoon? Then you’ve never been to this museum. The Science Centre is fully interactive, and you won’t be able to resist the urge to play like a little kid while you’re there. Stare at the Rube Goldberg machine, activate a black hole simulator, climb a rock wall, see an elephant’s heart, stand beside a tornado, make your hair stand on end, and walk through a miniature rainforest. Check out their IMAX screen if you have a little bit of extra money — their documentaries on space and the ocean are unforgettable.  

For the broke student: Linus Park 

This park is unofficially called Crestview, for its view of the Toronto skyline, which is one of the best in the entire city. More entertaining, though, is the massive hill at the middle school right next to it, steep and treeless and my favourite place for sledding. Forget Blue Mountain or any other fancy skiing hills — all you need is an old cardboard box and you’ll have an amazing time tobogganing. Afterwards, check out the nearby Peanut Plaza for an excellent affordable Asian grocery store, to stock up on all the snacks you’ve missed. 

For the nature lover: the ravine system 

The largest ravine system in any city in the world, Toronto’s best kept secret is the 110 square kilometres of largely undeveloped urban wilderness that weave through it, if you know where to look. Full of forests, streams, wetlands, and the occasional beach, you can explore this for years and not see all of it. Follow the hydro corridor down the city or check out the many bike and walking paths that weave in and out. You’ll find your favourite ravine on your own, but get started at the one just behind Maxome Park. Just watch out for deer — and the occasional fox. 

For the creative: North York Central Library 

If you always talk about how you should read more but can never get around to it, the freshly-renovated North York Central Library has 6 floors full of all the books you could want. The library boasts a teen section full of the latest YA, sheet music, cabinets of DVDs, nonfiction on crafts and cooking, comics, and an excellent foreign-language collection. Their best attraction, though, is their Fabrication Studio, where you can access sewing machines, 3D printers, a button maker, and a vinyl cutter, for no more than the cost of the materials you use. Or you can just borrow their video game consoles and play Super Smash Bros. Check out Mel Lastman Square next door, for excellent community programming, including live music in the summer and a skating rink. 

For your cottagecore fantasies: Black Creek Pioneer Village 

Pioneer Village is a historical re-enactment of an 1860s town in Southern Ontario, complete with old houses and historical artifacts, people in period dress, and a petting zoo full of rare and heritage breed animals. If they still have maple candy at the gift shop, buy some — I had it when I was seven and still think about it every day. Since you’re in the neighbourhood, visit the Black Creek Community Farm, and then take the subway south to Downsview Park, where you can see Indigenous art, as well as tanks and fighter planes from World War II.