Markham mixes the old and the new
Don't be too taken in by the epithet Markham's garnered with its blue-chip tech firms and booming electronics industries. The place might be hailed as “Canada's High-Tech Capital: but there's far more to this bustling enclave of the Greater Toronto Area than office blocks and microchip labs. Take the immersive Main Street Unionville, where quaint Victorian churches still tower over timber-clad wood mills. Then look to Old Markham Village, which has country-style farmers' markets and charming turn-of-the-century buildings. What's more, Markham vacation rentals also come with speedy transit connections to downtown Toronto – CN Tower trips anyone?
Venture into Toronto for big name attractions
While Markham certainly has its own share of worthy attractions, from the protected Unionville Main Street to the charming Victorian homes of Old Markham Village, there's no denying the pull of the awesome spots that pepper the heart of Toronto proper. Just a short ride away on the local transit system and you'll soon find yourself coming face-to-face with formidable sharks in Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, or gawping at the panoramas atop the glass floors of the CN Tower. Also within reach are Toronto Zoo and the Toronto Aerospace Museum, which tout great pandas and purring skyrockets.
Enjoy street walks and excursions in Markham
Markham is a great base from which to launch excursions to the banks of Lake Ontario, downtown Toronto’s buzzing Harbourfront Centre, or even across to the far-flung cataracts of the Niagara Falls – just in case you wanted to start checking off the bucket list. That said, it's also a prime spot to while away whole days walking between historic buildings and attending weekly farmers' markets, not to mention cracking open beers with local folk in the quaint bars and homey eateries that abound down Main Street.
Make for Markham when the sun shines
Just like the rest of the Greater Toronto Area, Markham gets buffeted by icy winds during the whole winter. While snow on the ground is a rare sight, it's certainly better to wait for things to warm up before you head out on those walking tours of historic Unionville or excursions to Niagara. That means it's better to book those Markham vacation rentals for the spring and summer months, sometime between June and August. Then, you can expect mild days and plenty of al fresco dining.
Markham is a cut-out of the city
Markham is surrounded on all sides by the sprawl of urban Toronto. However, you still don’t have to go far to get a taste of the Ontarian wilds. Just 30 minutes in the car will take you to the rolling waves and rocky shorelines of Lake Ontario, with the flower meadows and bandstands of South Marine Park spilling down to the water's edge. Meanwhile, the same duration to the north will open the sandy beaches of Lake Simcoe – said to be cleaner than those in the metropolis. There's also fishing spots, boating opportunities, and even a smattering of humble ski fields there in the winter months.
How to get to and around Markham
The nearest airport is in Toronto Pearson Intl. Airport (YYZ), located 18.2 mi (29.4 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you could book a flight to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), which is 15.8 mi (25.4 km) away.
If you prefer to travel by train, Unionville Station, Centennial Station and Markham Station are the main stations that serve the city.
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