Visit the Scarborough Bluffs
Open year-round, the Scarborough Bluffs are an escarpment of parks definitely worth seeing. The Bluffs stand right beside Lake Ontario, offering excellent views and some fun outside activities. There are 11 different parks spanning the bluffs, many with hiking trails, picnic areas, and lookouts. A few of the parks also offer a lakeshore trail, and Bluffer’s Park includes a sandy beach intended for swimming.
Distance from UTSC: 20 minutes by car
Cost: Free
See a play by Theatre Scarborough
Theatre Scarborough is made up of three distinct theatre companies, all operating from one location. Scarborough Theatre Guild, Scarborough Music Theatre, and Scarborough Players are offering shows this season from September to July.
Distance from UTSC: 15 minutes by car
Cost: $19–$25 for regular student tickets,
$10 for student rush tickets
Hang out at the Scarborough Town Centre
With over 250 different stores and a Cineplex movie theatre, the Scarborough Town Centre is one of the province’s largest malls. Inside the mall is the Scarborough Walk of Fame, where notable Scarborough residents of past and present have commemorative stars on the ground. The mall is also right across from the Scarborough Centre subway stop and bus terminal, making your travelling all the less woeful.
Distance from UTSC: 10 minutes by car
Cost: Free — unless you shop
Eat out at multicultural restaurants
Scarborough is renowned for its multiculturalism, making for a variety of great restaurants to enjoy. Some local favourites are Federick Restaurant at 1920 Ellesmere Road, The Roti Hut at 351 Pitfield Road, and Fratelli Village Pizzeria at 384 Old Kingston Road.
Distance from UTSC: Varied
Cost: Usually $10–$30 per person
Take a trip to the Toronto Zoo
There’s no better way to get rid of the stress of finals than a trip to see some fluffy pandas. The Toronto Zoo is open all year and is home to over 5,000 animals from around the world.
Distance from UTSC: 10 minutes by car
Cost: $29 in the summer, $23 in the winter
Dare to explore the haunted Old Finch Bridge
Legend has it a young girl was murdered on her birthday on the Old Finch Bridge. Passersby have previously reported hearing screams coming from the nearby cemetery. Then again, these noises could be explained by the nearby peacock pens of the Toronto Zoo.
Distance from UTSC: 10 minutes by car
Cost: Your livelihood