MY MEDALLION
We love exploring our local neighbourhood and taking advantage of all the great attractions and amenities that are available close to home. In that spirit, we’ve put together a list of some of our favourite activities and adventures right here in Durham Region. While this is just a sampling, our list showcases a range of fun and interesting activities you can try nearby this winter. Share these amazing spots with family and friends, and feel like a tourist in your own town.
Recharge At Thermëa Spa Village
Thermëa Spa Village has been making waves as the newest spa destination to arrive in the region. Located in Whitby, this impressive winter wellness wonderland is dedicated to promoting wellbeing for both the body and mind. There are multiple saunas, baths, treatments, massages, and body care rituals to choose from, as well as a restaurant, biergarten, and lounge. The popular “thermal experience” is a cycle where you work your way through a series of facilities that all focus on hydrotherapy. This 2,000-year-old Nordic tradition alternates between hot and cold, followed by brief periods of rest. Expect to enjoy better sleep, improved physical and mental health, and accelerated recovery and healing after completing this thermal experience.
Visit An Art Gallery
Take your pick and visit one of Durham Region’s many art galleries, where you can view traditional, contemporary, and public art. Whitby’s Station Gallery is a public art gallery and a registered charity with four main gallery spaces that host exhibitions of emerging, mid-career, and established artists. Oshawa’s Robert McLaughlin Gallery houses a significant collection of contemporary and modern Canadian art. With a theme of “loose parts,” their winter exhibit is running until February 12th, and focuses on change and personal growth, “freeing ideas from tight grips.” The gallery has a mission to build relationships with diverse artists and communities. Other great spots to visit include the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington or Scugog Arts and META4 Gallery in Port Perry. Many of these galleries also offer talks and lectures, programs, classes, workshops, performances, and special events, so no matter what your specific interests are, there is something for you.
Catch A Live Theatre Performance
Fans of live theatre don’t have to travel far to be able to take in a live show. The Herongate Barn Theatre in Pickering (a converted dairy farm!) specializes in throwback dinner theatre, where you can enjoy a meal onsite before the performance. At Herongate, this will be either a mystery or stage comedy. The Regent Theatre in Oshawa is home to performances by the Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra, lively musicals, and screenings of classic movies. Other popular spots include the St. Francis Centre in Ajax and Theatre on the Ridge in Port Perry. For even more ideas, check out this list of local venues from Durham Tourism.
Check Out A Makers’ Market
Buying handmade or artisanal goods isn’t limited to the holidays, thanks to ongoing makers’ markets and one-of-a-kind shops. These make shopping for unique gift items, home decor, and art a breeze, as they offer boutique quality at more affordable price points. Whitby’s The Maker’s Hub is a collective run by women, whose tagline is “shop local, live happy”; they’ve made it so convenient that you can shop in-person, online, or even via text. Also worth a look is the Durham Region Online Marketplace. Check out this list of possible destinations courtesy of Shop in Durham.
Go On A Winter Sleigh Or Trail Ride
There are a few more months of winter yet so why not make the most of the season and embark on an adventure? Book an authentic horse-drawn sleigh ride at Willo-wind Farm in Uxbridge. It includes a private sleigh ride with your friends or family through the snowy countryside; you’ll hear the crunch of the horses’ hooves on the snow and feel the crisp winter air. Afterwards, you can enjoy a hot drink and warm up by the fire. At Pleasure Valley they offer horseback trail rides on weekends throughout the winter, in a setting that is both peaceful and magical.
These are just a few of the memorable experiences you can have right here in Durham Region. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow the Medallion blog for more tips on local attractions, adventures, and activities.
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