The Best Holiday Events In Burlington
With temperatures dropping and the days getting shorter, the holidays seem to be right around the corner! Though the sun begins to set at 5pm, we love this time of year as there’s a magical feeling in the air. Everyone begins to anticipate the holiday season, and all the fun activities that come with it! We’re getting ready for long winter walks, hot chocolate by the fire, visiting Christmas markets, and admiring the holiday lights. We’ve rounded up 5 fun events happening in Burlington to get you excited for the winter season. The North Coal Christmas Market This year’s North Coal Christmas Market will take place on their patio on the 10th, 11th and 12th of December. Join them for a day of eating, drinking, and shopping local! Guests can also enjoy their firepits, the new Muskoka Lounge, and other holiday activities. Visit their website for a glimpse into their 2019 Christmas Market, and for more details about this year’s event. Burlington Festival of Lights Back for the 26th year in a row, Burlington’s Festival of Lights starts on November 26th and runs all the way to January 8th. Burlington residents will have the opportunity to explore Spencer Smith Park and view all the beautiful displays. Lights will be active from 4pm to midnight every day, and all day on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Orthodox Christmas, and New Year’s Eve! For those who wish to stay warm and toasty, take a drive along Lakeshore Road, beside the waterfront and view the attraction by car. Bring your family and friends to experience the magical light festival and get into the holiday spirit! Santa’s Holiday Magic Trail Santa will be driving an adorable antique firetruck throughout various Burlington neighbourhoods on December 4thand 5th, from 10am to 5pm. For all guests’ safety, this year Santa will not be accepting letters or posing for photos. Check their website for all updates and for a map of Santa’s route. Attendees can also use the hashtag #SpotSantaBurlON on social media to let others know of Santa’s location in the neighbourhood. Victorian Christmas Tour & Treats In a guided tour, travel back in time to the historic Ireland House! At this intimate event, you’ll begin with a toast at the Oakridge Interpretive Centre followed by shortbread, ginger cake, and figgy pudding samples. After the tour, enjoy the outdoor open fire, sip some wassail, and roast chestnuts to truly get into the Christmas spirit. You’ll also go home with a delicious box of treats! This special tour takes place on December 3rd and 4th, get your tickets here. Jingle Bell Race This event is just outside of the Burlington area, taking place at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club. Come out and celebrate the festive season with an in-person holiday race! Participants will receive a post-race breakfast, medal, and a gift. There is an option to complete the race virtually for those who do not wish to participate in person. The race takes place on November 28th, you can purchase your tickets here! How are you celebrating the holidays this year?
4 Activities To Do For Halloween
Spooky season has crept up on us and is finally here! With the weather getting chillier, the sun setting earlier, and Halloween at the end of the month, we can begin celebrating. It’s time to bring out all our favourite scary décor and experience our favourite fall activities! We’ve rounded up 4 ways to enjoy the Halloween season: Dress Up In Costumes One of the best things about Halloween is the costumes! It’s so exciting to plan out how you’re going to dress up, especially if you’re doing a group or couples’ costume. There are multiple options for family costumes as well, such as characters from The Adams Family, The Wizard Of Oz, or Toy Story. Get creative and try your hand at homemade costumes, use a white dress for an Angel costume or a black cape and funky scarf for a Harry Potter character! If you’d rather purchase a ready-made costume, try visiting Spirit Halloween Burlington, with hundreds of options. This way, you’ll be ready for any Halloween get together, whether you’re hosting family members or going to a small gathering with friends. Halloween Decor Next up, spooky décor! Get into the spirit by making decorating a group activity. Have each family member pick out their favourite Halloween pieces to place around the condo. Grab faux spiderweb material and drape it over the front door, kitchen cupboards, bathroom mirror and balcony railings. It can essentially be placed anywhere, and truly enhances the Halloween ambiance. Fake skulls also make great accents, add them to your bookshelves or nightstands to bring the holidays into your office or bedroom. A themed tablescape full of candles and smaller pumpkins will make every meal ‘spooky’. Fashion a wreath out of branches for your front door or hang witches’ hats from the ceiling to give the entire condo an earie vibe. For a more minimal approach, use black and dark orange accents throughout your condo. Swap out neutral couch pillows, tea towels and throw blankets to set the mood for Halloween. Pumpkin Carving Contest Who doesn’t love carving pumpkins during Halloween? Stop by Centro Garden and pick up a few pumpkins for a carving contest. Gather the whole family and turn the dining table into your workshop and start carving! Create a character from your favourite movie, a painting you love, or go scary and choose your favourite villain as inspiration! After you’ve all carved out your pumpkins, display them on the balcony or by the front door, using fake tealight candles to light them up. Visit A Farm October is one of the most exciting times to visit a farm, with the beautiful weather and all the fall activities available! You can go apple picking at Drummond Farms or pick out your pumpkins at Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm! Enjoy picking out freshly baked goods, playing with the animals and exploring the farm! There are also fun Halloween activities for kids, such as a Pumpkinfest at Downey’s Farm, wagon rides at Springridge Farm and Andrew’s Scenic Acres for adorable group photo ops. How are you celebrating Halloween this year?
5 Ways to Prep Your Condo for Back-To-School Season
The Summer flew by, and just like that, another back-to-school season is in full swing! Whether you have kids in middle school or teens in high school, this time of the year can be chaotic and unorganized. Getting everyone back into a routine and out the door in an organized fashion during the first few weeks of September can be a challenge. Luckily, we’ve got 5 ways to help you and your family prep your condo for the back-to-school season! Organized Entryway First things first, the condo entryway is the initial area you walk into, so it needs to be as tidy as possible. This space may take a little more effort to keep clean, since it can easily become a dumping ground for clutter. Create designated spaces for shoes, coats, backpacks, keys, and mail. After you’ve organized your entryway, show your kids how you’d like it to operate, and where all their belonging should be placed when they arrive home. Since everything is arranged, and has a proper space, they will never again be scrambling to find their umbrella or favorite sneakers. Keeping this area clean with an organizational system will help keep school drop-offs and pick-ups running smoothly. Create Workspaces Whether your kids are back to school in-person or doing classes virtually, they will need a workspace where they can concentrate and get their homework done. Use the den or kitchen dining table, either one can work in this case. Ensure all your children’s school supplies are easily accessible. There’s nothing worse than being excited to start a fun school project, but they can’t find the art supplies. Use bins and baskets to organize and separate everything your kids will need, from graph paper to laptops and their corresponding chargers. If you have multiple children, it would be best to separate by grade, so each person knows where their necessary supplies are located. With the dining table being a multifunctional space, it’s important all supplies are portable to easily transform the ‘homework table’ back to the dinner table. Arrange Closets + Wardrobes After you’ve done your back-to-school shopping with your kids, it’s time to clean out their closets and get them set up for success. Declutter their wardrobes and donate anything that no longer fits your children. Keep neutral, multifunctional pieces that can go with everything. Get your kids excited about planning school outfits the night before to make things easier when they are getting ready in the morning Plan Out Meals Like planning outfits and organizing school supplies, it’s important to ensure you have a meal plan for when everyone heads back to school. There seems to be less time to shop for groceries and cook, so creating a few easy go-to dinners will help everyone stay on track! Get the kids involved by letting them pick out a few fun meals they want to try out during the week. Clean out the fridge, have specific zones for breakfast foods, and keep everyone’s snacks in a designated area for easy access. This will alleviate stress in the morning when packing lunches, and when your kids are reaching for their after-school snacks. Create A Routine One of the most important things you can do to stay organized in the month of September is to get everyone on a routine. Have a specific time for the kids to wake up, eat breakfast, and when to leave for school drop-offs. The quicker everyone becomes familiar with the routine, the easier it will be to transition from the laid-back summer months. After a few weeks, this routine will become second nature for the entire family, making going back to school even easier! How are you getting your condo ready for the back-to-school season?
4 Ways To Bring The Outdoors Into Your Condo
This time of the year always tends to be faster paced, with school quickly approaching and our weekends filling up with plans to see friends and family. Scheduling outdoor picnics, going on long bike rides, and trips to the cottage are some of our favourite summer pastimes. While we have many activities to do in Burlington, there are also other ways to keep the season going by turning our living space into a summer paradise. Here are a few ways we’re bringing the outdoors into our condos this season: Greenery and Fresh Flowers One of the easiest ways to spruce up your condo is with fresh flowers! When choosing florals, stick with Dahlias, Sunflowers and Peonies, which are all reminiscent of the summer. Set up your arrangements in the high traffic areas of your condo, such as the entryway and on the kitchen island, so you always have a small reminder of this beautiful season. Treat yourself to a little luxury and change out your flowers every few weeks! In additional to florals, you can also add extra plants to your home. Greenery has a way of making us feel like we’re on a tropical vacation. Invest in a few nice pots and planters, and head over to Terra Greenhouses garden in Burlington for all your gardening needs. Fill your space with Boston ferns and Monstera plants to create an indoor oasis in your condo. Summer Décor Summer is all about lightening your space. Arrange anybohemian pieces you may have, such as a jute rug or woven baskets or bring out any cane or wicker accessories and put them up on display! Boho accessories in any room instantly remind us of summertime. Another summer staple is citrus fruit, so why not use it as part of your décor? Use a bowl or large vase, fill it with lemons, limes and oranges to create a functional, aesthetically pleasing piece in your kitchen. Spend Time on The Balcony With the balcony as an extension of your condo, it’s time to make use out of it for the summer months! Try keeping the screen door open when you’re cooking or eating dinner inside and enjoy the warm summer breeze. Another option is to do some of your regular indoor activities outside. Take your favourite book outside, do a workout, or jump on a call all from the comfort of your balcony. Finally, order in from your favourite Burlington restaurant and experience dinner al fresco. Summer Food + Drinks We all have our favourite foods we love to eat in the summer! Try adding fruit to your salads to give it a sweeter flavour. For the main course, enjoy sliders with a side of corn on the cobb, and a summer essential such as watermelon is the perfect lightweight dessert. Finally, nothing quite says ‘summertime’ like a pitcher of white sangria to enjoy with the whole meal. How are you bringing summer into your condo this season?
5 Activities to Do In Burlington This Summer
With Summer in full swing, we’re ready to get outside and enjoy the warmer months. The season tends to fly by, so let’s make the most of it and relish every minute of being by the lake, eating lunch on the patio and hiking through picture-perfect trails. Here are some of our favourite activities to do in Burlington this summer: Explore Downtown Burlington Take a stroll in the heart of downtown Burlington, and discover all the unique shops, delicious restaurants, and local attractions. With the lake close by, make it a family outing with ice cream and a gorgeous stroll along the water. If you’re looking for new date night options, Burlington has plenty of great spots to experience patio dining. There’s Boon Burger Café specializing in vegan burgers, Pintoh Cuisine for authentic Thai food or La Crème de la Crème Creamery for delicious treats! For more local restaurant recommendations, check out this blog post! Boat Ride One activity Burlington residents look forward to every year is finally getting out on the water. Take your boat out for the day and experience the breathtaking views of the Burlington skyline. Head over to LaSalle Marina, in Hamilton Harbour and spend time under the sun, enjoying the lake. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen, snacks and a few cold drinks! Picnic One of the best things about a suburb such as Burlington is the number of parks and green space the city has to offer! One of the best summer activities is having a picnic at the park. From Spencer Smith Park to Laselle Park and Loweville, there are so many options to choose from, all with lush greenery and beautiful surroundings. Round up the family and make a whole day of it! Prep your picnic basket with your choice of fruit, sandwiches and sparkling water and enjoy the day at the park. Hike Summer months mean more hiking! While this activity can be done in all seasons, there is something special about hiking during the summer, with a slight breeze, surrounded by all the beautiful greenery. One of our beloved trails to hike is the Mount Nemo Conservation Area, with stunning views of the escarpment and five kilometres of trails to discover. If you’ve already hiked Mount Nemo, there are so many other trails to explore, including Crawford Lake, Hilton Falls, Kelso Summit and Rattlesnake Point! These parks require a small fee and reservations, which you can make here. Golfing Nothing says Summer quite like a round of golf! Try the Burlington Golf and Country Club, overlooking the Burlington Bay. This top-rated golf course has incredible views, a beautiful clubhouse and 18 holes designed by Stanley Thompson. To make it a family-friendly activity, take the kids for a round of mini-golf! What are you looking forward to doing this summer?
Our Favorite Restaurants In Burlington
Calling all foodies! Burlington is home to multiple amazing restaurants, many of which are located in the heart of downtown. Head over to your favourite bistro and pick up some takeout for dinner or make a reservation to have lunch on the patio. From Italian food to Thai options to healthy juice, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Here are our favourite places to eat in Burlington: PinToh Cuisine Located in downtown Burlington, PinToh Cuisine creates unique dishes by combining authentic Thai ingredients with current food trends. They have a stunning, contemporary atmosphere for everyone to enjoy their delicious meals. Pizzaiolo Gourmet Pizza With multiple locations and a wide variety of pizzas, Pizzaiolo is the perfect choice for a family outing! Pack up the car with a blanket, grab a couple of pizzas for the family and head to the park for a picnic. Pizzaiolo offers gourmet meat, veggie, vegan and gluten free pizzas, with the option to design your own. Check out the Burlington location today! Boon Burger Café If you’re looking for some vegan options, Boon Burger Café is the place to be! With phenomenal food quality, consistency and taste, they specialize in vegan burgers. Their food is not only healthy, but also great for the environment! Bodhi Bar In the mood for a healthy treat? Head to Bodhi Bar for cold-pressed juice, smoothies, juice cleanses and health shots! All their fruits and vegetables are organic and juiced in a cold-press juicer. Bodhi Bar juices are also available to purchase online. Lettuce Love Café Here’s another plant-based option! Lettuce Love Café offers delicious vegan, gluten free meals, smoothies and treats. All their ingredients are sustainably sourced, fair trade, and non-GMO. Every meal is prepared fresh, so grab your favorite bowl for family game night! The North Coal This restaurant is a hybrid lifestyle brand, half restaurant and half general store, they want to inspire you to live life to the fullest. A full kitchen and bar, The North Coal offers great food, drink and apparel, so you can continue ‘Canadian Living’. Grab a seat on their patio starting on June 15th! The Block Co. Looking for an easy date night? Order a beautiful charcuterie board from The Block Co. with unique meats and cheeses. They work with your budget and food preferences to create a custom charcuterie board for you to enjoy at home and are available for pickup. Kelly’s Bake Shoppe Everyone has heard of this adorable bake shop! Everything at Kelly’s Bake Shoppe is made from scratch daily, with high quality plant-based, gluten-free and peanut free ingredients. Take a weekend stroll to their delightful storefront and indulge in their tasty desserts. La Crème de la Crème Creamery With everything from handcrafted artisan chocolate to ice cream to fondue, La Crème de la Crème Creamery is perfect for an after-dinner treat! Pop by their store and indulge in their delicious desserts, and then head to the water and enjoy. Sunshine Doughnuts This iconic spot is a Burlington staple! Visit Sunshine Doughtnuts and treat yourself to some of their delicious, handcrafted doughnuts and tasty coffee. What’s your go-to restaurant in Burlington?
Our Favourite Spots In Burlington For Outdoor Exercise
The weather has finally warmed up and we’re excited to go outside and get some exercise. The city of Burlington is a wonderful, family friendly city and has so many beautiful outdoor areas to discover. Here are some of our favourite spots in Burlington to go for an open-air sweat session: Royal Botanical Gardens This beautiful garden is a Burlington staple, with five cultivated garden areas, 27km of nature trails and 2,400 acres of nature sanctuaries. It’s Canada’s largest botanical garden, with multiple parks and trails which are gorgeous to explore! Round up the family and take them on a day trip for a socially distanced walk around the trails at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Or visit the Arboretum for an English landscape experience. There are a variety of beautiful trees and plants, and this garden is the perfect location for a long walk with your partner. Spencer Smith Park Just a short walk from our Illumina construction site, visit this family friendly park for the ideal outdoor workout. During spring months, the beautiful Japanese cherry blossoms have bloomed, creating an exquisite feature in the area. With a park for the kids to run around, and a stunning promenade to explore, you’re sure to have a great time at Spencer Smith Park! Go for a leisurely stroll by the water and take in the gorgeous view of the lake, or bring out the bikes and enjoy a quick ride in the park. Brant Street Pier Right by Spencer Smith Park is the Brant Street Pier, located at the waterfront in downtown Burlington. The pier extends over Lake Ontario and provides picturesque views of the water and shoreline. Wake up early and go for a morning run along the pier to catch the beautiful sunrise or bring the whole family down for an evening walk to unwind and destress. The Burlington Greenway The Burlington Greenway (Bike Path) is a great spot to visit for a walk or bike ride during all seasons, but especially in spring. With eight miles of paved path, there’s room for cyclists, runners and walkers to enjoy this Burlington gem, so everyone can get their exercise for the day! The Burlington Greenway connects to multiple major parks, residential neighbourhoods and beaches, with stunning views of both the city and shoreline. Grab your cycling buddy and enjoy a long, scenic bike ride together in this beautiful spring weather. Mount Nemo Conservation Area Want an outdoor workout away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Take a long, peaceful hike in Mount Nemo, a small park with five kilometers of trails to explore. There’s also the rock clicking routes for the more adventurous type, and a look out point with beautiful views of the escarpment. You can book your reservation over the phone or by visiting the Conservation Halton website. What are your favourite outdoor places to exercise in Burlington?
5 Virtual Events To Do For Spring Break
Technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected, from video chats with family members to virtual events we can attend with friends. The Burlington community in particular has multiple virtual events happening over the next few weeks. If you’re looking for a way to entertain your family over spring break, look no further! We’re got five activities for you to take your family on a virtual adventure from the comfort of your own home. Comedy Show Do you have kids interested in comedy? Then you’re in luck! Comedian Paul Bennett is hosting a family friendly virtual show, ‘Guess What’ where different comedians perform live stand up. The show is hosted with Paul’s daughter and in-between comics, kids have a chance to tell their own jokes. Performances are happening once a month, with the next one on April 17th. Workout Bored of your regular home workouts and looking to try something new? Exhale Pilates offers multiple virtual options so you can get in a fun sweat session without leaving your condo! With their ‘Exhale At Home’ memberships, you get access to their classes, workshops, recipes and more. If you prefer a less regimented schedule, there are drop-in yoga, circuit, weight, and pilates classes. Lasty, Explore Pilates offers 45-60 minute wellness workshops, an activity the whole family can do! All virtual classes and workshops are on their Exhale Pilates app which is available for download on iPhone and Android. Library Programs During spring break, the Burlington Public Library is holding virtual programs for kids of all ages. From coding to dance class to teen trivia, there’s something for everyone. Register for their virtual programs on the Burlington Public Library website, and get ready for a week of fun! Concert It’s probably been a while since your last in-person concert, however, many artists and venues are holding virtual concerts for people to enjoy from their livings rooms. Originally from Burlington, Juno Award winning indie pop band Walk Off The Earth is doing a virtual performance of their own! On April 23rd, join them for a live virtual concert broadcasting from the Danforth Music Hall. With high quality audio, multiple cameras and sharp visuals, this concert will be a treat for the whole family! Museum Experience As Burlington’s community museum, Joseph Brant highlights the culture and development of the city. There are three permanent galleries, open space for travelling exhibitions, and multiple education programs for students. Additionally, this museum offers virtual field trips and homeschool programs for children to learn about Burlington’s history. Take your kids on a virtual field trip and discover ‘Growth and Change in Plants’ or learn about the city’s heritage with ‘Early Burlington’ and enjoy as a whole family! What virtual events are you planning for this spring break?
Spring Cleaning: 5 Areas to Tackle In Your Condo
In just a few short days, spring will be here! With the warmer weather right around the corner, it’s time to do a big condo clean out. There’s nothing like decluttering your space to get ready for a new season. Here are 5 areas to tackle in your condo to begin your spring cleaning: Kitchen Since many people clean their kitchen every few days, we’re going to focus on the areas that tend to be overlooked. Start with the sink and do a deep clean using lemon rinds to eliminate any unwelcome odours. Next, remove all your dinnerware and appliances from the cupboards and drawers. Wipe down the insides to give the shelves and drawers a good clean before putting everything back. Finally, it’s time to clean out the fridge. Take out all the groceries and wipe down the entire interior of the fridge. To get rid of any bacteria or stains in your fridge, pop out the bins and shelves and wash them with soap and water. Remember to wipe down the exteriors of large appliances when you’re finished cleaning to remove any fingerprints or grease buildup. Bathroom It’s time to focus on the bathroom! Beginning with the shower, unclog the drain and wipe down the tub. Additionally, scrub the tiles and clean the shower head. Next, turn your attention to the toilet. Scrub down the entire toilet with your favorite cleaner, ensuring you get every nook and cranny. Lastly, pull out all toiletries, grooming tools and makeup, and wipe down both the bathroom cabinet and vanity. Purge and organize all items as you put them back in place and enjoy your spotless bathroom. Closets Closet cleanouts can seem daunting, however, tackling one closet at a time is the key to eliminate stress. Start with the smaller closet in your entryway and work your way up to the master bedroom closet. Pull out all your clothes, shoes and any miscellaneous items. Dust and vacuum the closet, and sort through everything. Once you’ve decided what items will be kept and what will be donated, start organizing the closet. Try cleaning out one closet per weekend to avoid being overwhelmed. Den Since we’re all spending more time at the home office, it’s important to keep your workspace clean and organized. Clear off your desk and empty the drawers, getting rid of any unnecessary documents and clutter. Clean out your technology drawer to ensure you only have items you use, and donate unneeded items, such as old phone or computer chargers. Keeping your home office tidy will help you stay focused and productive during the workday. Junk Drawer The dreaded junk drawer, we’ve all got one! While we never intend to create a junk drawer, they usually form because we’re looking for a quick way to clear off a surface or get rid of clutter. Eliminating your junk drawer starts with preventing clutter from happening in the first place. Remove everything from the drawer, creating a ‘toss’ pile and a ‘relocate’ pile. After you’ve tossed all the junk, set up an organization system for small items such as keys, mail, important documents and anything else you that you need to keep. If everything that lives in your junk drawer has a dedicated area in your condo, then you’ll avoid clutter. Monthly cleanouts can also help prevent drawers from becoming disorganized and overwhelming. What area of your condo are you cleaning out first?
Building a Better Burlington: Tour of Success
Introducing our new series: Building a Better Burlington!⠀ ⠀ In episode 1, ‘Tour of Success’, President Vince Molinaro and Vice President Rob Molinaro reminisce on their past projects in Burlington: Spencer’s Landing, Bunton’s Wharf and The Baxter.⠀ ⠀ Take a look at these beautiful homes in the sky, that people love to live in!
