Top 10 Ideas for Long Weekend Fun

Posted by Alexandra C. | Friday May 18, 2012

I love long weekends. Who doesn't, right? I super, duper love them though because all of my out of town friends come back home for the weekend and I get to spend some quality BFF time with them. We like to have little 'staycations' on long weekends. We spend the weekend doing tons of fun stuff that we might not normally have the time to do during the weeks and of course, we get to do it together! (cue the 'Awwww')

In honour of my friends and this glorious long weekend, I wanted to share with you some of my own favourite things to do on a long weekend. Hopefully, you'll be able to get together with your besties this weekend and have your own fabulous time!

Idea #1: Park Picnic (left) + Idea #2: Explore Your City (right)

(left) Here in Toronto, there are a couple of great parks that perfect for a picnic date. I like going to Bellevue Square Park in Kensington Market or Trinity Bellwoods. Bring your own food for an inexpensive day. That means you get to carry a picnic basket, which, if you haven't heard, are actually the cutest purses ever. Lay out a blanket, bring some magazines and girl talk. This picture was actually taken in Kensington with a friend of mine. We picked up some coffee on our way over and afterwards, walked around the area.

(right) Have you ever noticed that the longer you live in the city, the less you see? I know about two people who have actually step foot inside the CN Tower. Take the time you have now to explore the great city you live in. Try taking a random bus to a place you've never been before. Or, it can be as easy as choosing a new restaurant to lunch at. As Mandy and I prove, new things can be found anywhere, even in a parking lot.

Idea #3: Boardgames and Mimosas

This tradition was started by myself and a friend of mine when we came across a leftover bottle of Spumante in my fridge and a game of Scrabble in my closet. It's just a really fun and laid back way to spend an evening or an afternoon with a couple of friends or just one special one!

Idea #4: See a Show

One staycation, a friend and I decided to have what we called a 'fancy, cultural evening for grown up people'. This consisted of getting cheap, rush tickets to a play down in Toronto's Distillery District. They cost us $5.00 (bargain!) and we spent a lovely evening pretending we were a fancy, elderly couple who go to the opera. I also suggest trying to find cheap lawn seats to concerts (that's how I saw The Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato... don't judge me). This picture was taken at a Katy Perry concert, it rained and I was not pleased with having my picture taken here. However, the concert and the night were both incredible!

Idea #5: Road Trip

This photo was taken in Ottawa. I took a weekend road trip there with a friend to visit our mutual friend. It was one of the best weekends I have ever had. From start to finish. Even the road up, with one of my best friends, watching movies and stopping for fast food was great. Sometimes, you need to just get out of your environment and see something new. It doesn't need to be somewhere too far either. I've found that just taking a weekend trip an hour away from Toronto leaves me feeling relaxed and refreshed.

Idea #6: Thrifting

Here in Toronto, we have a few excellent areas that provide a whole slew of second hand shopping experiences. There's Ossington, Kensington and a ton of other hidden gems across the city. I love second hand shopping because you aren't cooped up in a mall. You can walk from store to store, get a cold coffee on the way and you can score some sweet deals.

Idea #7: Coffee Date

Independent coffee shop hopping is the perfect way to spend a few hours in the city. Bring a girlfriend with you and go from cafe to cafe, taste testing lattees and cappucinos. While I count myself amoung the Starbucks devotees, I think it's important to support the small guys and get out of my comfort zone at the same time.

Idea #8: Get Crafty

You know by now how much I love to get my hands dirty. Whether it's crafting, DIY'ing or baking, I love to get hands on and create something amazing. This picture was taking around the holidays. I had all of my oldest friends over and we baked a massive amount of ginger bread men and then decorated them. As you can see from this photo, I was very excited to try them out. Having a big crafting party is such a fun way to catch up and if you're lucky to have friends like mine, they'll stay late and help you clean up afterwards.

Idea #9: Beach Day

This picture was taken last summer. Myself and two of my lovely girls decided to spend the day in the sun at Toronto's beach. First we like to walk around the beaches area and usually we pick up some food on the way over. Once we get there, we have music, Diet Coke, fruits and snacks and we just chill. F.Y.I. Shortly after this photo was taken, we proceeded to spend 20 minutes horsemaning.

Idea #10: Dance

Dance. It doesn't matter where or who you are with but be sure to take some time out this weekend to dance. Once in a while, I love going out dancing with my friends and just having a good time, forgetting about the stress of the week. Or, occasionally, my friend and I will break out the Just Dance for Wii and make fools of ourselves. And, sometimes, I blast some feel good tunes and I just have a 5 minute dance party all to myself!

So, what will you be doing this long weekend? What are your favourite summer weekend activities?

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13 Comments

	on May 23, 2012 KatelynRose1984 20,704 said: Good idea with the Mimosa's! Yum. They're one of my favourite drinks! Great for breakfast, haha.
	on May 22, 2012 Vlicious 3,821 said: Had a great little stay-cation in the city! The weather was awesome! Took advantage of the Beaches! Great little shops down there, and of course, the beach!
	on May 22, 2012 Aliza 14,011 said: Such cute pics Alex!! I had a wedding to go to this weekend. I was a bridesmaid! So much fun!!
	on May 22, 2012 MizzRobin 13,788 said: One of the best may 2-4 long weekends ever! The weather in Toronto was in the upper 20s and I hung out with my girls in the sun, great way to spend a long weekend! I hope everyone had a great one!
	on May 22, 2012 sirenstarlight 7,239 said: I took a road trip AND went camping! :) Unfortunately it was very cold but so much fun at the same time! :) Next weekend is camping again, but this time with board games! :)
	on May 20, 2012 shanaz 5,961 said: A road trip is what I really need right now!
	on May 19, 2012 beachbabe 4,164 said: These are awesome ideas! I love everyone. But I'm with Becky, I have to study :( Plus the weather here sucks!
	on May 18, 2012 GoneBatty 3,196 said: As a stay at home mom of toddlers, long weekends don't really mean anything to me, every day just blends into the next. Hope everyone enjoys the there days off though!
	on May 18, 2012 farouknabela 3,469 said: I loveee coffee dates! Thanks for these cool ideas!
	on May 18, 2012 Bren 26,031 said: I'm going to be cooking and baking tonight, company is coming into town this weekend. I'm also checking out a garden fair and some garage sales first thing tommorow morning.Then its relaxing with family from out of town....Have a nice long weekend everyone :)