A visit to Markham in southern Ontario can make for an overwhelming experience. As Canada’s 16th largest city, the panoramic view from Highway 7 is wonderful. The municipality and local residents have maintained the city amazingly and always try to keep the city green, as much as possible. Here, we have provided a list of the best things to do in Markham, where you’ll be guaranteed to find fun and entertainment.
1. Don’t miss ice-skating at Toogood Pond Park
Located in Markham, Toogood Pond Park is a 33-hectare (81.5-acre) park that is not only highly popular for its pond and marsh, but a well-known destination for ice skating on the frozen pond, during the winter. A walkway circling the pond makes for an invigorating stroll and the natural beauty of this area will be sure to make you feel detached from your hectic life.
The pond is home to a diverse amount of life, such as Canada geese, fish, ducks and other wildlife. A perfect place for a picnic, there are also park benches where you can spend some extra time.
Toogood Pond Park
Address: 216 Main Street, Unionville, ON L3R 2H1, Canada
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Contact: +1 905-415-7535
2. Watch the migratory birds at Milne Dam Conservation Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Milne Dam Conservation Park is Markham’s largest park, spreading across an area of 123 hectares (303.9 acres). Located on the Milne Reservoir, this conservation park is bound by thick forest on the eastern and southern edges and the Rouge River flowing through it, giving it a beautiful landscape view. Here, you’ll get to see a diverse species of birds (even migratory birds as it is a stop off point for them). Early morning and evening are the best time to watch the migratory birds here.
The 2.3 kilometer (1.4 mile) long trail at the Milne Dam Conservation Park gives a good opportunity to relax your mind with a walk in nature. Jogging and cycling are also possible here and the park also offers a modern picnic shelter that can accommodate 100 people. Altogether, there are 12 picnic areas spread throughout the park but a permit is required for picnics, issued by the park’s permit coordinator. Fishing in the Rouge River is another popular pastime here as well and, in simple words, the Milne Dam Conservation Park is one of the best-kept treasures of Markham.
Milne Dam Conservation Park
Address: 8251 McCowan Rd, Markham, ON L3P, Canada
Opening Hours: 9 am to 9 pm
Contact: +1 905-477-5530
3. Markham Museum connects you to Markham’s history
Previously known as the Markham District Historical Museum, today’s Markham Museum is dedicated to connecting the city’s history to the modern world by preserving its old buildings and artefacts. The museum is spread over an area of 25 acres (10.1 hectares) and the site offers nearly 30 buildings – including a train station, a church, a cider mill, houses, a sawmill, a school, a blacksmith, barns, a harness shop, sheds, a general store and lot more. It was established in 1971.
Markham Museum
Opening Hours: 9350 Markham Rd, Markham, ON L3P 3J3, Canada
Website: 10 am to 5 pm (Monday to Friday), 12 pm to 5 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Contact: +1 905-305-5970
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4. Purchase a diverse array of foods at the Reesor Farm Market
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Reesor Farm Market is a highly popular place in Markham. For those who are fond of buying sweet corn, fresh fruits and vegetables, cookies and fresh baked goods, this is an ideal place. You can also get a wide collection of take-home frozen entrees (including gluten-free) and frozen meats.
The farm market opens in June, soon after the strawberries are ready and ends at the end of October, with the pumpkin season. Even foods like beef, chicken pies, soups and lasagna are available here. This is one of the best destinations in Markham to satiate your gastrointestinal urges.
Reesor Farm Market
Address: 10825 Ninth Line, Markham, ON L6B 1A8, Canada
Opening Hours: 9 am to 6:30 pm (Monday to Saturday)
Contact: +1 905-640-4568
5. Pacific Mall – A perfect destination for shopping
This famous mall in Markham is located at the major intersection of Kennedy Road and Steeles Avenue. It is widely known as a traditional Pacific-style market and this Asian shopping center is famous for its diverse array of tenants, with over 500 stores. The mall has a total of 270,000 square feet (25,083.8 meters) of retail space. Visiting during holidays is an added bonus. The mall opened in 1997.
Pacific Mall
Address: 4300 Steeles Ave E, Markham, ON L3R 0Y5, Canada.
Opening Hours: 11 am to 8 pm
Contact: +1 905-470-8785
6. Joyride 150 Indoor Bike Park – A perfect place for bike riders
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Created 9 years ago by enthusiastic bike riders, Joyride 150 Indoor Bike Park aims to provide riding opportunities for bike lovers, all year round. They help introduce new people to the great lifestyle of riding bikes and work with riders of all skill levels and a diverse category of bike disciplines, like BMX, dirt jump, cross-country, trials and flat-land. If you are fond of biking, Joyride 150 Indoor Bike Park is a beautiful option for you in Markham.
Joyride 150 Indoor Bike Park
Address: 150 Bullock Dr, Markham, ON L3P 1W2, Canada
Opening Hours: 3 pm to 10 pm (Monday to Thursday), 10 am to 10 pm (Friday), 12 pm to 8 pm (Saturday to Sunday)
Contact: +1 905-294-1313
7. Markham GO Station - Canadian railway style
Even if you don’t visit the city by train, you should visit the Markham GO Station for its unique beauty. It is a real railway station on the GO Transit Stouffville line, located on Markham Main Street North. Its design is actually based on classic Canadian railway style, hence it is worth seeing. Vernacular-Carpenter Gothic architecture is added in the design of the building and it was built in 1871. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada designated this unique structure as a heritage railway station, in 1992.
Markham GO Station
Address: 214 Main St N, Markham, ON L3P 1Y5, Canada
Platforms in use: 1
8. Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery houses artwork of famous artists
The Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery is named after a member of the Canadian Group of Seven artists, named Frederick Horsman Varley. Located on Main Street in Unionville, a suburban of Markham, the gallery sprawls across an area of 149,995 square feet (13,935 square meters). Here, you will see a vast collection of artwork done by local, national and international artists. Apart from this, the gallery also offers school programs, group tours, studio courses, lectures, workshops and family activities.
Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery
Address: 216 Main St Unionville, Unionville, ON L3R 2H1, Canada
Opening Hours: 11 am to 4 pm
Contact: +1 905-477-7000 ext. 3261
How to get to Markham, Ontario
You can easily reach Markham by the major highways that pass through the city, including Highway 404 and 407. The city is connected to Toronto, Vaughan, Burlington and Brampton. The GO Transit Stouffville line provides passenger rail service and the line stretches from Lincolnville to downtown Toronto. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your luggage and start out for a beautiful visit to Markham, Ontario, in Canada!
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