A Perfect Winter Day in Burlington
Published: Nov 28, 2024
Updated: Jan 20, 2025
Burlington has all the activity options for a relaxing day out. Shopping, spa time, yummy food, unique beverage options and live entertainment! Not only can you get there breezily with GO Transit, but we also have the perfect guide to spending the day there.
Travelling to Burlington is easy with GO Transit
Gather your friends and family and hop onto GO Transit and prepare for a delightful winter day in Burlington—where cozy vibes meet urban adventures. Whether you're planning a catch-up day with friends or a stress-free outing with the family, Burlington offers the perfect backdrop for a memorable day out.
Take advantage of special fares like the One-Day Weekend Pass for $10 or the Weekday Group Pass starting at $30, plus kids 12 and under ride free. With free GO Wi-Fi Plus, you can stay connected to loved ones or listen to a free audiobook. Before you know it, you will arrive in Burlington. Now you can focus on making the most of a winter day with your crew.
Your Day Trip Guide to Burlington
Village Square
Morning
Start your day with a scenic train ride. Begin your adventure by taking the Lakeshore West Line to Burlington. With trips every 30 minutes, you can leave in the late morning and get to the city in an hour from Union Station. On the ride, you can relax and enjoy the lovely views along the way. Once at the station, transfer to local Burlington Transit for free when you use your PRESTO Card on GO Transit and then head over to the downtown area of Burlington. After a quick snack, if you feel up for it, take a short walk down to Spencer Smith Park and enjoy a peaceful skate right by the water before moving on to the next activity.
Afternoon
After lunch, it’s spa time! Make your way to The Pearle Spa, where relaxation and rejuvenation are the order of the day. Enjoy a range of treatments designed to pamper and refresh you. Once you’re blissed out, take a stroll through the quaint Village Square to explore the charming shops nestled in the area.
For families, Royal Botanical Gardens has an exciting new event called Alice in Bloomland. Escape to a magical and whimsical place filled with wonder and imagination. It’s the perfect way to spend time indoors and brighten up your day by looking at amazing floral designs.
Skating at Spencer Smith Park
Evening
Cap off your day with a satisfying dinner at one of the many notable restaurants in the area. We’ve listed them below so you can choose which one appeals to your palate. Once you've dined, it’s time to laugh the night away at Yuk Yuks in Burlington.
For family groups looking for unique creative fun, check out the Art Gallery of Burlington which features thought-provoking exhibitions throughout the year and special studio events where families can create crafts together.
David R. Harper, MIDNIGHT, Art Gallery of Burlington, 2024, Photo Credit: Roya DelSol.
Dining Spots to Fuel Your Hunger
Pearles Café offers delicious snack options for anyone looking for a quick bite and is close to the waterfront, so you can get to your favourite activities sooner.
For a fancier meal, check out Paradiso Restaurant known for its exquisite ambiance and delectable menu, the perfect setting for dinner and drinks.
For the families, a must try is The North Coal which brings an “Up North” Canadiana feeling to downtown Burlington and a menu that offers familiar options with some unique twists.
Looking for a sweet ending? Try Lola Choco Bar and Sweet House for their treats that will surely hit the spot and perfectly conclude the exciting day you just had.
Paradiso
Check out these exciting events in Burlington
The Alice in Bloomland event at Royal Botanical Gardens kicks off February 1 and runs till March 30. This is a wondrous botanical experience at Royal Botanical Gardens where reality bends and blossoms into a world of curiosity. Inspired by the pages of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, this floral showcase weaves together the magic of horticulture, the whimsy of floral design, and the marvel of visual arts to create an experience straight out of a dream.
The Art Gallery of Burlington offers inclusive arts programming for all ages to enable learners to foster creative growth and understand how art can impact real issues. Interested in crafting? On Sunday’s Open Studio features a different theme and materials for families to use to create together – from fabric, to boxes, to using pen and ink, and more! Admission is FREE so check out the events page to plan your next visit!
Alice in Bloomland at Royal Botanical Gardens
Laid back fun for everyone!
With affordable fare options like One-Day Weekend Pass and Weekday Group Pass, and kids 12 and under travelling for free, trip planning is easy and convenient.
Pack your layers and prepare for an unforgettable winter day in Burlington with your favourite people. Whether you are exploring the charming streets or unwinding at the spa, Burlington has everything you need for a wonderful day out.
Land Acknowledgement
Metrolinx acknowledges that we connect communities by building and operating transit within the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat peoples, for whom these lands continue to have great importance.
Treaties between First Nations and governments cover these lands, and the promises contained in these Treaties remain relevant to this day.
Metrolinx and its employees are committed to understanding the history of these lands and the continued impacts of colonization and take responsibility for actions to advance reconciliation.
Metrolinx will continue to seek the knowledge, expertise and experience of Indigenous partners and commits to doing business in a manner that is built on a foundation of trust, respect, and collaboration.