10 things to do indoors in Toronto this winter

By José Gonzalez

Whether it's the snow or a cold wind, there are plenty of reasons to avoid the outdoors for extended periods of time, but that doesn’t mean you need to hibernate for months. Some attractions in Toronto are making it worth leaving the house, even during the coldest months. These things to do are all indoors, combining fun with an escape from the elements. Get out there and brave the cold for just a little bit; you will be safe indoors and having fun in no time! [Photo credit: Courtesy of Beach Blast]

It may not be summer yet, but you can remind yourself of warmer days at the indoor beach volleyball facility Beach Blast. For a little while you can remind yourself of what it feels like to have the sand between your toes as you square off against some pals in a friendly competition, or sign up for one of the leagues or tournaments. There are seven indoor courts spread over 50,000 square feet to choose from.

If you've always wanted to have moves like Beyonce, Arianna Grande or the Spice Girls, dance studio Beyography has you covered with special classes featuring those and several other musical artists. Classes are typically held Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but check the schedule for specific times and dates. You can also book special private dance sessions if you'd like keep your dance moves a secret until you’re ready for your premiere.

Craft beer has become a staple of the Toronto bar scene, so why not go straight to the source. Breweries around the city have tours and samples, so you can taste a beer a fresh as it gets.

Amsterdam Brewery tasting and tours:
Free, but limited to 16 people Monday and Tuesday at 4 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. Register online

Steam Whistle tours:
These can be scheduled 12 hours ahead Monday to Thursday, and are first-come-first-served Friday to Sunday. The cost of the tour ranges from $10 to $30, depending on how much Steam Whistle brew you'd like to take home at the end of it. Click here for tour information

Mill Street Brewery tours:
At 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Click here for tour information

Izumi Sake tour:
For $15 you can tour this sake brewery on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

I know, you're already the funniest person you know, but could you possibly, just maybe, be in need of a few lessons to perfect your craft? Bad Dog Theatre Company offers a number of fun workshops to hone your comedic skills, or if you're feeling less interactive, you can take in one of their shows, like improvised musical Songbuster or Cloud Comedy

Regular tag is best played outdoors, but archery tag is at its best when you don't have to worry about losing the soft-tipped arrow to a nasty gust of wind. At Archery District you can try the game out with all-day rates on Sundays, join their league on Wednesdays, or book an hour time slot during the rest of the week. Rates are $21 per hour Monday to Thursday, $25 per hour Friday to Sunday, and $30 for all-day Sunday. You can also take a spot at the target range for $8.85.

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More things to do in Toronto on YP

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Toronto has some wonderful theatre companies, and since we in the midst of the theatre season, why not take in a show? Soulpepper is running favourites Kim's Convenience and Of Human Bondage, and you can catch The Audience at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Those with children might enjoy the Young People's Theatre version of Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach.

• Soulpepper shows and tickets
• Mirvish shows and tickets
• Young People’s Theatre shows and tickets

If your itch to hit the links is acting up, save the plane ticket and check out an indoor golf course instead. The Metro Golf Dome has a large indoor space, with grass to complete the realistic feeling of open-air golf. Also included are simulators that recreate famous courses from around the world, and lessons from pros who might help you shed a few strokes off your game. More info

Getting around the city might be easier if you could hop a wall or two, and since it's a bit too cold to start trying out moves just anywhere, The Monkey Vault is a great choice to develop your parkour skills. The urban athletic pursuit of using anything in your environment as an obstacle course can be tricky to learn, but thankfully The Monkey Vault offers classes for adults, teens  and kids. If you're feeling confident, you can try booking an open gym to try some moves out for yourself.

If you've dreamed of working in ceramics, glass, sewing, or many other creative disciplines, there are plenty of studios around Toronto that offer classes and work spaces to satisfy that creative drive. Nanopod: Hybrid Studio offers glass and metal classes and workspaces, while The Purple Purl lets you knit your next masterpiece while enjoying a drink in the cafe. More broadly, The Shop offers classes in everything from pottery to script lettering to making your own kombucha.

While waiting for your big stage debut, you can give your pipes a workout at some of the many karaoke locations around the city. Bar + Karaoke Lounge is conveniently located downtown and has an up-to-date catalogue in five languages (English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese and Thai), and Freezone Karaoke is one of the many popular karaoke places in the Koreatown neighbourhood. There are also a bunch of special karaoke nights at pubs across the city, usually accompanied by a drink special to help you channel your inner Adele a bit more easily.