It might be known for its hip, techy culture but Markham has more to offer visitors than just laptops and lattes. Victorian buildings and gorgeous green spaces beckon.
With cutting-edge tech companies including IBM, Toshiba and Huawei having offices here, Markham is often considered the tech industry’s Canadian home. But you don’t need to have a meeting or conference scheduled to appreciate Markham. Photograph the beautiful architecture and scenic parks. Beyond that, you can have a totally analog experience here if you want and still have a fabulous time.
Between Markham and its next-door neighbor, the chocolate-box-pretty village of Unionville, you’ll find lots of things to do. Markham is justifiably proud of its wonderful Victorian-era architecture. Spend time photographing the most impressive buildings, learn about the city’s German roots in the Markham Museum or hop over to Unionville to take in a bit of culture at the Varley Art Gallery’s many rotating exhibitions and classes.
There is plenty of outdoor fun to be had as well in this scenic corner of Canada. Living up to its name, Unionville’s Toogood Park really is almost too good to be true. Run or walk the perimeter of the pretty pond. On your way, stop to say hello to the flock of cute Canada geese who live here. If it's possible for a bird to have pinchable cheeks, these chubby fowl certainly do. Look around for beavers or evidence of their tree-felling activities too.
Nearby, the Milne Dam Conservation Park, with its scenic biking and hiking routes, offers another alternative for quenching your thirst for the outdoors. Golfers can tee off down a range of glorious fairways spread between Unionville and Markham.