Searching for fun things to do in Newmarket?
I grew up going to Upper Canada Mall every now and then, but I really never came to Newmarket for anything else.
Adam and I recently discovered how fun Newmarket actually is when we went to the farmers’ market this past summer, and now we love visiting!
Here are some of the best and most fun things to do in Newmarket, Ontario!
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More things to do in Newmarket
If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Newmarket, you might enjoy these posts:
- Feeling hungry? Stop by the best takeout spots in Newmarket.
- In the mood for a sweet treat? Visit Newmarket’s best dessert places.
- Exploring all of York Region? Visit these Instagram-worthy spots, hiking trails, or farmers’ markets in York Region.
Fun things to do in Newmarket
Stroll down Main Street Newmarket
I love walking down main streets of different towns in Ontario – they’re always so much fun to explore!
Main Street Newmarket has some great shops and restaurants worth visiting.
Good Vibes on Main sells clothing from a brand called Life is Good, as well as plenty of pet snacks and supplies!
We also really like Neon Flamingo Emporium & Café, which has a fun selection of new, vintage, and antique items that are perfect for gifting.
If you’re looking to grab a quick drink or bite, hit up Cardinal Press Espresso Bar, Nutmeg Bakeshop, or The Maid’s Cottage!
Just stroll along Main Street and stop into any stores that pique your interest 🙂
Walk around Fairy Lake Park
This urban oasis in the heart of downtown Newmarket offers up beautiful walking trails and pretty views all around.
You’ll even get to see this awesome mural by Indigenous artist, Donald Chrétien, of Nipissing First Nation!
Fun fact: Fairy Lake is actually a manmade lake – it was created by Newmarket’s earliest settlers, who built a mill here in the early 1800s!
LOCATION: 140 Main St S, Newmarket, ON
Do an escape room at Crypto Escape Rooms
If you love escape rooms, you absolutely need to pay a visit to Crypto Escape Rooms in Newmarket.
We’ve done “The Cursed Temple” escape room, which we loved for the different rooms and production value.
In this one, you have to escape Amon Kha’s plagued temple and break the curse, and it’s so much fun!
Rates are about $31 per person, and you get a $5 discount if you do multiple games back-to-back.
“The Cursed Temple” is the only one that has a minimum of 2 people, while the other rooms they offer have a minimum of 4 people.
They also have an actual photo booth, which is a nice touch and something I haven’t seen in other escape rooms!
LOCATION: 1220 Stellar Dr, Newmarket, ON
Do a VR escape room at VR Escapism
You might’ve tried an escape room before, but have you done a VR escape room?
VR Escapism recently opened a location in Newmarket, and they offer several different VR and real-life escape rooms alongside board games!
Adam and I did the Dragon Tower escape room (at their Markham location), and it was such a cool experience solving the puzzles ~in another world~.
The time limit for this room was 45 minutes, and we managed to complete it in 43 minutes!
How it works is that you get your own room, and each player gets their own headset and set of controllers.
Everything in the game is done through your controllers, including picking things up and doing stuff with those things!
The VR escape rooms start at $35 per person, and the real life escape rooms are $28 per person.
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat afterwards, hit up On the Rice in the same plaza for amazing Korean takeout!
LOCATION: 130 Davis Dr Unit B1, Newmarket, ON
Grab butter tarts from The Maid’s Cottage
The Maid’s Cottage serves up some of the best butter tarts in the GTA, and they even won the 2022 award for best butter tarts in Ontario!
We’ve tried a couple of their flavours and loved them all, but my fave is definitely the beer butter tart.
It’s made using craft beer from Old Flame Brewing Co., which is located right across the street from The Maid’s Cottage!
They even have gluten-free butter tarts for my friends with dietary restrictions.
This family-owned shop also has takeout breakfast and lunch options, as well as frozen prepared foods you can take home with you!
There isn’t any seating inside the shop, but they have a small front patio where you can enjoy your buttery treats.
They even put blankets out during the winter to keep ya warm and toasty!
LOCATION: 223 Main St S, Newmarket, ON
Sample a flight of craft beer from Old Flame Brewing Co.
Adam and I love hitting up craft breweries and sharing flights – it’s one of our favourite things to do when we travel!
Old Flame is originally from Port Perry, but they’ve got a second brewery location right in downtown Newmarket.
The building was built in 1952 as the local firehall, and they’ve repurposed left-behind furniture and collected antiques to pay homage to its past!
They also host a lot of events here, perfect if you’re looking for fun things to do in Newmarket!
LOCATION: 140 Main St S, Newmarket, ON
Dine at Market & Co. at Upper Canada Mall
Market & Co. is a really fun food concept at Upper Canada Mall.
It’s a combo of restaurants, bakeries, and specialty shops, all curated in one market!
Kibo Sushi House is one of my fave GTA sushi chains, and they have a market where you can shop takeout sushi, prepared foods, and Asian snacks!
You’ll also find some well-known Toronto restaurants and shops here, including Union Chicken and Village Juicery.
LOCATION: 17600 Yonge St, Newmarket, ON
Shop at the Newmarket Farmers’ Market
If you’re visiting Newmarket from spring through fall, you’ve definitely gotta check out the weekly farmers’ market at Riverwalk Commons!
You’ll find everything from handcrafted soaps and candles, to locally-made sauces and condiments, to delicious food.
They even have live musicians performing at the market, which makes it feel all the nicer.
There’s plenty of parking at Riverwalk Commons, but you can also park next door at Fairy Lake and walk over.
Check the market out every Saturday from the first weekend of May to the last weekend of October!
If you’re looking for more farm-fresh produce, you can visit Strawberry Creek Farm in Newmarket.
WHERE: 200 Doug Duncan Dr, Newmarket, ON
Ice skate at the Riverwalk Commons
If you’re visiting Newmarket during winter, you can go ice skating at the Riverwalk Commons!
This super nice recreational area in Newmarket is home to a splash pad during the summer and skating rink during the winter.
They also have a story pod where you can borrow free books, plenty of outdoor seating, and lovely views!
There are even public washrooms here, which is pretty great.
WHERE: 200 Doug Duncan Dr, Newmarket, ON
Fun things to do in Newmarket:
- Stroll down Main Street Newmarket
- Walk around Fairy Lake Park
- Do an escape room at Crypto Escape Rooms
- Do a VR escape room at VR Escapism
- Grab butter tarts from The Maid’s Cottage
- Sample a flight of craft beer from Old Flame Brewing Co.
- Dine at Market & Co. at Upper Canada Mall
- Shop at the Newmarket Farmers’ Market
- Ice skate at the Riverwalk Commons
These were some of the best and most fun things to do in Newmarket!
What are your favourite things to do in Newmarket? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram!
More things to do in Newmarket
If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Newmarket, you might enjoy these posts:
- Feeling hungry? Stop by the best takeout spots in Newmarket.
- In the mood for a sweet treat? Visit Newmarket’s best dessert places.
- Exploring all of York Region? Visit these Instagram-worthy spots, hiking trails, or farmers’ markets in York Region.
Be sure to keep up with me on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest if you aren’t already!
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