Dad Destinations

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15 places recommended by m8ven

OurFaves Deal Seekers from Scarborough

Created on Jun 16 2009

He's fixed your bike and spoiled you with candy when Mom wasn't looking. He even smiled every year you gave him yet another new tie. But whether you're a tiny tyke or all grown up, the best gift you'll ever give at any age is some quality time with Dad. Show him how much he matters 364 other days of the year by frequenting these spots.

Milliken Park

Steeles Ave., between McCowan and Middlefield Rds., Toronto, ON

Rated this place:

posted Jun 22 2008

Note: I also hear that people have night-picnics with flashlights, which may appeal to Dads who have a bit of a mischievous side.

Markham/gta park for walks: It's got a beautiful pond and a winding pathway. Kids have a playground and a waterpark, as well as kite-flying Sundays. There's a romantic wooden bridge surrounded by blossoms, where I imagine many wedding photos have taken place. My bf and I had a picturesque picnic with some geese to keep us company.

Saving Grace

907 Dundas W, Toronto, ON, M6J1V9

Rated this place:

posted Aug 28 2008

Banana french toast: It melts in your mouth! Thanks for the heads up, I went to this intimate place to try out the brunch and I will definitely come back again. Sliced baguette with powdered sugar and maple syrup....delicious. Saving Grace is also packed, no doubt it's because of its word-of-mouth reputation.

Fire & Ice

25 Cochrane Dr, Markham, ON, L3R9S1

Rated this place:

posted Sep 17 2008

Healthy alternative restaurant: If you're new to this place, the idea is unconventional. You customize your dishes by selecting the protein (or meats/seafood), vegetables and sauces to accompany them. Make an order of your protein choices to your server from the menu, which ranges from any type of beef, chicken, and seafood. Grab your order slip and pile your veggie selections buffet-style onto a plate, picking out anything from bean sprouts to red peppers. Finally, choose the sauce for the stir-fry and voilĂ , you're done!

Sweet Fantasies

398 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1X4

Rated this place:

posted Sep 17 2008

Note: Ice cream = family time. Just remember that sugar highs are likely to follow.

Ice cream experience: Located in the Annex on busy Bloor, it's refreshing both for its fare and its nostalgic feel. Go back to the days when a smiling face hands out your fave ice cream flavours (cash only) from a windowsill while happy, bubbly music plays overhead. On the small patio at its front, plenty of patrons young and old alike chat on the wooden picnic benches. They recently added organic ice cream to their menu. How sweet it is!

Putting Edge

60 Interchange Way, Thornhill, ON

Rated this place:

posted Oct 17 2008

Note: Tiger Woods' dad probably took him mini-golfing all the time, and look how well he turned out.

Mini golf course: This place is a glow-in-the-dark mini-golf course. Very fun to take anyone at any age, but my little cousins LOVED it. Tip: Wear lots of white, and bring someone who bleached their teeth to see if it glows (let me know if it works).

Scarborough Family Golf Centre

1395 Tapscott Road, Scarborough, ON, M1X0A1

Rated this place:

posted Oct 17 2008

Driving range: This place is pretty convenient for me at Markham and Steeles, and it's also really great for stress relief. I gotta work on my form though ;) The prices for buckets are on average around $10. Swing away!

Toronto Sculpture Garden

115 King St. E., Toronto, ON, M5C1G6

Rated this place:

posted Oct 18 2008

Note: The latest exhibit shows a path that leads to a secret door. Neon-coloured and intriguing, check it out!

Public art: Unless your name is Alice, seeing a giant mushroom raises an eyebrow and perks my curiosity. I have no idea what it means, but according to Toronto Sculpture Garden's website, it's called "Mushroom Studio" and the artist's explanation can be found there (http://www.torontosculpturegarden.com/currentexhibit.htm). Take a peek before it's gone in April 2009.

St. Lawrence Market

92 Front St E, Toronto, ON, M5E1C4

Rated this place:

posted Oct 21 2008

Note: If your dad is old enough to hang out at a mall, he'll probably love St. Lawrence Market. Not to mention there are plenty of butchers for him to choose the perfect BBQ meat.

Saturday afternoon: Grab some food and sit on a picnic bench on the upper level. Even though the view is a parking lot and some condos, it's a very peaceful feeling to eat your lunch under the sun's warmth with the occasional cool breeze.

Playtime Bowl

33 Samor Rd, North York, ON, M6A1J2

Rated this place:

posted Oct 29 2008

Cosmic bowling: The location near Yorkdale Mall is so popular, you need to make sure you get there early, if you're there to play any day over the weekend and you're pressed for time. The best part about glow-in-the-dark bowling is that people won't notice if you're bad at it!

Casa Loma

1 Austin Terr, Toronto, ON, M5R1X8

Rated this place:

posted Oct 29 2008

Attraction to show out of town guests: It doesn't really matter how many times I've been here, each visit changes whenever I take someone to experience our urban castle for the first time. I love to show them the secret passageways and once in a while I'll discover a few new things for myself from the audio tours and by reading the informative plaques.

The Bay

176 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M5C 2L7

Rated this place:

posted Nov 28 2008

Holiday celebration: A Holiday tradition in Toronto. When I was younger, my sisters and I would look forward to the creative storefront windows and the way that some of the mannequins would be animated. Even now, it still gets me into the spirit of the season!

Woodbine Centre and Fantasy Fair

500 Rexdale Blvd, Etobicoke, ON, M9W6K5

Rated this place:

posted Nov 28 2008

Fantasy fair: This indoor attraction is the perfect place to take the kids on a rainy or snowy day. Remember to wear socks, no shoes are allowed if the kiddies want to explore the Play Village, a winding maze of slides and rope climbs. There's also a giant carousel, a ferris wheel, bumper boats, and more. My personal favourite that is no longer there -- the parachute drop. You will be missed.

Johnny Rockets

22 Dundas, Suite E, Toronto, ON, M5B 2L6

Rated this place:

posted Nov 28 2008

Burger joint: When I saw the retro-'50s decor and that the serving staff donned paperhats and white aprons, I was amused. When the young waitress repeated our orders back to us and reported the status of our food while waited, I was impressed. When she and another staffer began DANCING to Donna Summers' "Let's Dance" playing from the jukebox to entertain waiting patrons, I was blown away. Great old-fashioned burgers, great service!

C1 Art Space

44 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON, M6J2Y7

Rated this place:

posted Feb 3 2009

Note: The only place to get that Anti-tie gift for Dad.

DIY Fun With Friends: Customize a t-shirt, make some cool invitations, or create a work of art to display in your home. There are drop-ins and scheduled art classes. The way drop-ins work is you visit the studio with whatever images you had in mind to screenprint printed on acetate (clear overhead projector sheets) -- you can get this done at any copy centre. Contact them in advance and they'll prepare you for what you'll need. The classes are fun, a little messy, and a great way to flex your creative talents!

Craft Burger

573 King St. West, Toronto, ON, M5V1M1

Rated this place:

posted Oct 7 2008

Excellent burger joint: It was delicious and satisfying, not too filling. I was able to taste the difference in the meat (my first time trying an organic burger) and I don't know if I can go back! All the ingredients were fresh and the fries were handcut. Try their $10 lunch combo that has a regular burger, fries and a drink.