Compiled by Evelyn Wiseman Akerman, Community Manager for Yelp Toronto, @yelptoronto
Skiing. Skating. Sledding. These activities sure are fun in theory, but have you actually felt the temperatures outside this winter? Want to feel like you're accomplishing things when it's as cold as Mars? Expand your mind! Here are some cultural places to keep warm in the big smoke before it finally thaws...
Aga Khan Museum, North Toronto
Explore the beautiful artifacts of Muslim civilizations from Spain to Southeast Asia dating back as far as the 8th century. After you've taken in the art, no need to brave the cold again just yet, they serve dinner in Diwan, their restaurant inspired by the Far East.
Angell Gallery, Ossington Strip
This intimate gallery might be small, but it's worth warming up in for the long haul. They've been showcasing Canadian contemporary art since 1996, and dabble in it all! Coming up this winter, you can see Dan Hudson's breathtaking Fragments of a Year.
Ontario Science Centre, Don Mills
Learn about the brain while expanding yours! The Ontario Science Centre is for kids of all ages, from 9 months to 90, so shed those mittens and get your hands dirty with the best of 'em. It sure beats shovelling...
Bata Shoe Museum, The Annex
Just ask any lady in your life, shoes are art, damn it! That's right, if you haven't already heard there is a massive monument to shoes in downtown Toronto. Go in and walk through the ages shoe by shoe, and be sure to check out their current exhibition: Fashion Victims... shoes in the 19th century were serious stuff....
Art Gallery of Ontario, Chinatown
Alright, you probably didn't forget the AGO, but did you remember to check out the Basquiat exhibit? It's on until May thrilling tourists and locals alike. Basque in the glory of being cozy after the exhibit in chique Frank. You deserve a glass of wine.
Gardiner Museum, Yorkville
Fight the freeze in 3D with the stunning sculptures at the Gardiner Museum. Once you're there and feeling inspired, consider signing up for one of their Clay Classes and become an artiste yourself.
MOCCA, Queen W
Beyond that iron fence, and the snow covered parking lot on Queen W is the wonderful Toronto Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art. The "facility is modest in scale, impressive in design, and functions effectively as a nucleus of energies for cultural production and exchange." We couldn't find better words than theirs to express them, and we can't think of a place we'd rather warm up, either...
ALSO ON HUFFPOST:
