Toronto’s fun-filled February offers Valentine’s and Family Day activities

(News Release)

TORONTO (January 30, 2015) – The timing is perfect as Valentine’s Day and Family Day weekend collide this year from Friday, February 13 to Monday, February 16, 2015, giving visitors to Toronto the chance to enjoy double the fun for both lovers and the family.

Love birds can experience unique dates, romantic skating and live performances, while families can play and learn together at local attractions and art institutions. Book your Toronto getaway at seetorontonow.com, where you can browse through dozens of hotel offers. While in Toronto, check out the endless possibilities of things to do:

 

ATTRACTIONS

Love is always in the air at 360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower and Horizons Restaurant this Valentine’s Day. Toronto’s most romantic restaurants offer award-winning cuisine and ambiance which will set hearts spinning.  This Family Day Weekend, explore the CN Tower with a $99 Family Pass. Check out the world’s #1 elevator ride, Look Out and Glass Floor Observation levels, the ride, movie, three restaurants and more.   At a height of 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches), the CN Tower is Canada’s National Tower, an engineering Wonder and Toronto’s must see. cntower.ca   

Toronto Zoo brings you So You Think You Can Romance on February 13 or 14 from 6:15 pm – 9:00 pm. Enjoy a delicious evening of food and fun as you learn the art of romance as observed in the animal kingdom, and a glimpse of the future Reproductive Labs led by their Reproductive Specialist Team. For Family Day weekend, they bring you For The Love Of Family offering 50% off child admission where the family can visit with some of the Zoo’s very own family including polar bear Mom Aurora and her cub Humphrey, western lowland gorilla Dad Charles and his newest addition Nneka, Mstari and her mom Twiga in the new indoor giraffe viewing house and more! torontozoo.com

Enjoy a romantic dining experience at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada on Valentine’s Day. For $250, couples receive a three-course dinner with a bottle of wine in one of their featured galleries, lounge with live entertainment, complimentary souvenir photo and coat check. Families can get up close and personal with a Stingray at their experience their Stingray Experience which includes a Behind the Scenes Tour, in-water experience in Ray Bay, souvenir backpack and towel, and Photos of your experience for $150 per adult and $140 per child. ripleysaquariumofcanada.com  

Ontario Science Centre presents BRAIN: The Inside Story. Take an unprecedented journey through the essential bundle of neurons that is the human brain, the control centre for our thoughts, senses and feelings. Family Day weekend offers an abundance of activities from lots of science FUN, special programs, IMAX films and more! ontariosciencecentre.ca 

On Valentine’s Day, couples can enjoy a special dinner at Casa Loma. This will be a meal to remember, as they are served in the stately elegance of Toronto's famous castle. Cost is $120 per couple plus tax and gratuity. While in celebration of Family Day weekend, families can take part in the excitement of the Pan Am Games by participating in interactive sports and cultural activities with Team Canada athletes!! casaloma.org

The Art Gallery of Ontario presents the much-anticipated exhibit, Jean-Michel Basquiat: Now's the Time over the Family Day weekend.  This exhibition is the first thematic examination of the artist's work in Canada. Inspired as much by high art — Abstract Expressionism and Conceptualism — as by jazz, sports, comics, remix culture and graffiti, Basquiat translated the world around him into a provocative visual language. Families can enjoy an amazing fun-filled day of music and artmaking inspired by the Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibition in the Kids' Gallery of Ontario on February 16, from 10 am to 4 pm. ago.net

Experience the beauty and power of our natural world as the Royal Ontario Museum presents the Canadian premiere of Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Coming from the Natural History Museum in London, this internationally renowned photography competition celebrates nature and wildlife through 100 breathtaking photos, selected from tens of thousands of submissions by photographers of all ages around the world. rom.on.ca

The Bata Shoe Museum is hosting a special day just for families at Toronto's favourite shoebox on February 16 from 10 am to 4 pm. There will be shoe-themed arts and craft activities, try-on shoes and iSpy in the galleries - all included with regular admission. batashoemuseum.ca

The Harbourfront Centre is offering an abundance of family activities this Family Day weekend: Check out their Play Zone - an imagination playground that encourages learning, social development, movement and fun, or snow fort building, skating for all ages plus so much more! harbourfrontcentre.com

The Ryerson Image Centre plays with ideas of glamour and female representation in two exhibitions on view until April 5, 2015. Burn with Desire: Photography and Glamour offers a sweeping yet considered view of photography’s role in defining glamour since the 1920s. Approaching female identity from a different angle, Anti-Glamour: Portraits of Women seeks to challenge stereotypes, while claiming an alternative presence for women in the public sphere. ryerson.ca/ric

TIFF Bell LightBox presents The Next Wave: A Festival for Young Movie Lovers on Family Day Weekend. Programmed for youth ages 14–18, this festival brings the best in film from around the globe, along with an exciting slate of special guests, interactive workshops and a 24-Hour Film Challenge for young filmmakers. tiff.net

Visit the City of Toronto’s website for a list of family offerings taking place Family Day weekend. From baking at Fort York’s historic kitchen to making your own Canadian flag to take home at the Historic Zion Schoolhouse. Celebrate Black History Month with a visit to Mackenzie House to see A Glimpse of Black Life in Victorian Toronto 1850 – 1860, an exhibit introduces members of the Black community in Victoria Toronto and their contributions to the City. toronto.ca

Don’t miss the Family Day Events at the Mississauga Family Day Extravaganza on February 16th at the Mississauga Convention Centre from 10am to 4pm for a busy day of family shows and activities. Visitors will see The SuperDogs - the most fun possible on four legs, as well as interactive reptile demonstration, bouncy castles, crafts, games, puppet shows, characters, face painting, and more. familydaymississauga.com

LIVE PERFORMANCES

Mirvish Productions has a number of hit performances over the Valentine’s and Family Day weekend. From The Heart of Robin Hood, a classic tale goes rogue with a new stage adventure that puts a bold new twist on the story of the world's most infamous outlaw; to Once, a romantic tale that follows a guy who gave up on his music, and his love, and the girl who inspired him to dream again; as well as Trey Parker's Cannibal The Musical – before South Park and The Book of Mormon, there was Parker’s fan-favourite film, Cannibal! The Musical. This production makes its world premiere as a re-vamped stage show with new jokes and new songs, bearing all the hallmarks of a Parker-Stone collaboration! mirvish.com

Join Young People’s Theatre on Family Day to see the delightful production of Snow Angel as well as free activities for a jam-packed day of family fun including: Scavenger Hunt, Backstage Tours, and Family Mask Workshop lead by YPT Resident Artist-Educator Amy Lee. youngpeoplestheatre.ca

Second City presents two shows for any comedy lover.  Second City’s Spring 2015 Mainstage Revue is a wild collection of hilarious sketches, songs, characters and improvisations created and performed by Toronto’s legendary comedy troupe. For the family there’s Big Bad Wolf (vs. Lord Underwearface von Schtinker) - a hilarious musical romp that takes a new look at a children’s classic. Featuring audience sing-alongs, goofy chases, and a true lesson in friendship, this interactive show will engage and delight children, while Second City's sly humour ensures parents will be laughing along as well. secondcity.com

FOOD & TOURS:

For Valentine’s Day, Le Dolci is partnering with Chef Dave Mottershall, PEI Chef of the year 2012, to host a five-course meal for chocolate lovers on February 14 at the Le Dolci studios. The unique and delicious menu features chocolate parsnip veloute, squash and cauliflower mole and roast duck breast with cocoa nibs and dark chocolate jus and more. $160 per couple includes the meal and wine. Le Dolci is offering Family Day Cupcake Decorating on February 16. At this beginner class you will work with tools that professional cake makers use to create your own cupcake works of art. You will also leave with a set of 12 fabulously decorated cupcakes that your friends and family will be suitably impressed by. ledolci.com   

Savour Toronto is offering a Valentine’s Day Food Tour at 11:30 am February 13, 14, and 15th. Treat your sweetie to a delicious and fun-filled excursion in Kensington Market. This special tour will feature select tastings in the neighbourhood with a romantic flair. Enjoy an assortment of artisanal breads and specialty cheeses, charcuterie, gourmet sandwiches, scrumptious pastries and lots more – the perfect way to spend an afternoon exploring the city. savourtoronto.com

Segway on Ontario in the historical Distillery District is partnering with Soma Chocolate on a Valentine’s Day treat: For $99 plus tax per couple, you can take a Segway 30 minute Spin tour for two; and a Soma Chocolate Gift basket which includes hot chocolate mixer, strawberry chocolate bar, reverse candy apple balls, and two truffles. segwayofontario.com

HOTELS:

Enjoy a fun-filled Family Day weekend at the Eaton Chelsea.  Take advantage of their babysitting program or Camp Chelsea (for half and full day programs) in their Kid’s Centre in the Family Fun Zone. They also offer an “Eat for Free” program from a special kid’s menu for children six and under, while children seven to 12 eat for half price from the regular menu. New this year, the Chelsea Hotel welcomes treasure hunting Pirates. To celebrate their newest partnership with Pirate Life: Adventure Theatre Cruise, they are offering a breakfast, “Pirate Passage” on February 15 in the hotel’s Market Garden restaurant. Enjoy the entertainment of dance, music, costumes and be a part of the fun and learn what it takes to be a real pirate, plus much more. chelseatoronto.com

Experience the Westin Harbour Castle’s Family Getaway with Breakfast + More this Family Day Weekend.

Rediscover the true nature of family fun in downtown Toronto with overnight accommodations for a family of four sharing a room (two double beds), breakfast for two adults and two kids under 12 years, valet parking and Westin Kids Club amenity included. This package is valid for arrivals Thursday – Saturday, and using LAFAMW to save.

Visit www.SeeTorontoNow.com or call 1-800-499-2514 for complete event listings, hotel and attraction packages, and more.

About Tourism Toronto
Tourism Toronto, Toronto’s Convention and Visitors Association, is an industry association of more than 1,100 members established to sell and market the greater Toronto region as a remarkable destination for tourists, convention delegates and business travellers around the globe. Tourism Toronto operates in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Greater Toronto Hotel Association. For more information please visit www.seetorontonow.com.