Top 8 Reasons to Live and Play in Newmarket

At about 50km outside Toronto proper, you might not have Newmarket very high on your list if you’re thinking about a new home purchase in the GTA. But at Justo, we all agree: The more houses we sell and help our clients purchase in Newmarket, the more we’re convinced this small city with a European vibe should be on your list.

There are some great reasons to live in Newmarket, and the gorgeous exclusive neighbourhoods, entry-level homes, and (relatively) good prices in the housing market are only the beginning.

With plenty of parks, spas, outdoor hiking trails, clubs, museums, sports complexes, and other fun things, there’s plenty to discover about Newmarket.

Here are our 10 favourite top attractions in and around Newmarket. Whether you live in the city or not, we encourage you to visit and see all that Newmarket has to offer!

8 Best Things to Do in Newmarket Today

1. Get Out Into Nature

If you want to get some fresh air or sunshine, you can explore the 8.5km Tom Taylor Trail, a hiking and biking trail that runs from Newmarket all the way to Aurora with plenty of stops along the way. The trail runs right through town, along the Holland River and Fairy Lake, and gives you access to plenty of gorgeous views and places to pull over for a picnic.

A highlight of the city, Newmarket’s Riverwalk Commons is a thriving square in the city that features a winter skating rink, an outdoor stage for year-round concerts and events, city festivals, and even community movie nights. This bustling local hangout is great for visiting all year long since there’s always something to see and do.

2. Shopping in Newmarket

Newmarket is home to Upper Canada Mall, a 100,000 square foot shopping complex that houses over 210 of the country’s best shops like Zara, Aerie, Apple, SportChek, and so much more. Upper Canada Mall is also home to Market & Co, a first-of-its-kind dining hall with a fresh market vibe. Upper Canada Mall has everything you need to keep you from needing to run into bigger city centres.

If you’re more into a local shopping experience, you’ll fall in love with Main Street Newmarket. Old European-style streets and buildings will make you feel like you travelled back in time. Locally owned businesses sell everything from croissants to comic books and you’ll find plenty of handmade treats, too.

Whether you need a whole new winter wardrobe or if you’re just searching for that perfect gift for a friend, you’ll find it in Newmarket.

3. Get Involved in Community Recreation

Newmarket.ca reports there are over 6,500 recreation programs for kids and adults within the city. That’s impressive! Newmarket’s focus on positive recreation experiences begins early, with classes offered for babies and small children and continues into adulthood. Some of the classes offered through Newmarket Recreation & Culture:

• Swimming
• Dance
• Art
• Dramatic Arts
• Music
• Cooking
• Creative Writing
• Sportball
• Karate
• And so much more!

So, if being involved in your community is important to you and you would like to live in a place where many people are participating in community events, classes, and gatherings, Newmarket is likely a great place for you to live and play.

4. Head Out For a Night on the Town

Want to plan a fun or relaxing night out in Newmarket? Whether you’re heading our for a date night, a bachelorette party, or a fun night with a group of friends, there’s a great option in the city. 

Here are our top picks:

For a date night – The Sociable. The Sociable gives off more of a pub-vibe than you might think would be good on a date night, but what it lacks in fanciness it well makes up for in fun. Some of the best food in Newmarket is complemented by excellent service and even live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

For a bachelorette party – Operation City Quest. It’s not exactly a night club, but we think you should check our Bachelorette Scavenger Hunts with Operation City Quest. Some of the most fun you’ll ever have with your girlfriends, Operation City Quest will have you exploring your city together in ways you have never imagined.

For a night out with friends – OVFH. The Olde Village Free House will have everyone in your party relaxed and happy even before the appetizers come. With a delicious menu and staff that will wow you with their friendly and accommodating service, plus live music on the weekends, you’ll be coming back to OVFH again and again.

5. Visit a Spa

Need a little ‘me time?’ Want to escape for a day of R&R with your partner or a friend? Newmarket’s Sanctuary Day Spa is the place to be for some of the best spa services in the area. Sanctuary has day spa packages that offer massages, facials, mani-pedis, and body treatments, but they also offer laser waxing and laser hair removal.

Sanctuary has a beautiful yard, open to guests weather-permitting, and a covered rooftop patio where guests can relax and enjoy the sunshine after their treatments. This is truly a luxurious way to spend a day in Newmarket.

6. Escape Into the Country

One of the best things about living in Newmarket is the city/country life balance. Newmarket is close enough to commute south into more heavily popular GTA cities, but far enough north to take a big chunk out of the drive to cottage country.

Drive time to popular cottage destinations:

Newmarket to Collingwood – 1 hour 30 minutes

Newmarket to Gravenhurst – 1 hour 40 minutes

Newmarket to Huntsville – 1 hour 55 minutes

Newmarket to Algonquin Provincial Park – 2 hours 40 minutes

Newmarket to North Bay – 3 hours

Newmarket gives those who need to be in close proximity to the city an excellent opportunity to escape into cottage country every weekend if they wanted to!

7. Visit a Winery With Friends

There are plenty of great wineries and breweries in the Newmarket area, but one of the most popular is Holland Marsh Wineries. Holland Marsh offers super affordable and educational tastings and tours of their cellars, plus, when the weather cooperates, you can tour the grounds and vineyards, and learn about the process of winemaking.

Holland Marsh has a full wine shop complete with wine made onsite, fine foods, charcuterie board accoutrements, and gift items.

8. Spend a Day at Canada’s Wonderland

If you’re a roller coaster enthusiast, a season pass to Canada’s Wonderland might be in your future. Newmarket residents are a quick 30-minute drive to Vaughan, home of Canada’s largest theme park. Canada’s Wonderland is home to dozens of the country’s best thrill rides, and has plenty to keep the little ones busy as well in Planet Snoopy, a kid-centric zone. Splashworks is a 20 acre water park with 17 waterslides, wading pools, and plenty of ways to cool off in the hot humid Ontario summers.

In the off-season, Canada’s Wonderland transforms into WinterFest, a holiday event that features ice skating on SnowFlake Lake, millions of holiday lights, market shopping, and even a visit from Santa himself.

In Conclusion

Newmarket is a small city with plenty of opportunities for families to play, live, and grow, and for those who crave a mix of city and country life to experience the best of both worlds. We’d love to show you all Newmarket has to offer you! Would you like to find out more? If you’re looking for a house in Newmarket, Aurora, or the surrounding area, our realtors would be happy to show you around and talk to you about current housing trends. Contact us today to learn more.