Finding Things to Do in Burlington (And Any Suburb)
When I was growing up in Kanata Ontario, a suburban town attached to Ottawa, I felt like it was difficult to find interesting things to do in our free time. My friends and I shared this opinion all the way throughout middle school and high school, and we ended up just riding our bikes around and hanging out at the local strip malls or at each other’s homes. Eventually, as I got older I got a car and was able to drive downtown or pick up hobbies at certain places I couldn’t reach before conveniently - one time I did ride my bike for over an hour one way to the closest entertainment/retail hub called Centrum, but didn’t do that ever again due to safety reasons.
Now living in Burlington, I’m sure over here there are kids and teens that can still relate to this feeling if their parents aren’t driving them around every other day for extra curriculars - and even adults who moved to a new place or want to make new friends can relate too.
Below are some of my recommendations for places and things to do in Burlington and at home that I hope are helpful.
Starting a New Hobby
This is an obvious one, but starting a new hobby is something anyone can do. Some hobbies cost more money or time to do than others, so it may require budgeting or a conversation on provisions for said hobby. That said, there are simple hobbies out there that anyone can do in their home.
Hobbies can be a great way to learn new skills such as crocheting or baking, or they can be a great way to make friends and develop interpersonal skills like playing on a sports team or joining a club. Take some time to think about a potential hobby and go with what interests you or play to your strengths the most. If you have an analytical mind maybe chess is for you, or if you like doing something with your hands then consider woodworking. Below are some clubs, sports teams, and other great spots available in Burlington or the surrounding area that might be of interest to you:
Arts and Crafts: Art Gallery of Burlington, Burlington Public Library
Chess: Burlington Chess Club, Waterloo Chess Academy (offers classes in Burlington)
Baking and Cooking: Gastro Market, Il Covento, Longo’s (Burloak), Paradiso Restaurant
Sports: List of Burlington Sports Clubs
Hobby Shops
For certain hobbies there are shops in the area that might be of interest to you. Whether you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all your hobbyist needs or a place meet like-minded people, these places are worth checking out:
Recreation Centers
Recreation centers are great places to get active and join sports leagues or other activities. Because of the fact that these are either public institutions or not-for-profit organizations, the pricing for using them are quite reasonable and accessible.
City of Burlington (several community centers are located throughout the city)
Board Game Cafes
Of course I have to mention board game cafes as an option! Whether you’re looking for something to do on a weekday night, catch up with some friends, spending quality time with family or looking to meet new people, board game cafes are a great place to do so.
Here at Nostalgia Games Cafe, we regularly have events of all kinds, from arts and crafts to tournaments, we have something for everyone. Check out our page for events for more details!
