By admin Monday, June 29, 2015

Are you looking for ideas for a family holiday?  We’ve done some research and come up with some short & sweet family getaways in Ontario. From exploring the cities to enjoying nature, there’s always lots to see & do in Ontario.

Spend a weekend in Ottawa

A trip to Ottawa is a great getaway.  In only a few days, you can visit incredible museums, learn all about our government & enjoy the outdoors.  On a beautiful day, a trip down the Rideau Canal, a National Historic Site of Canada & a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a must! Rideau King Tours will take you on a tour down this most scenic waterway.  The museums in Ottawa are world famous – here are just a few of them:  The Canadian Museum of History takes you on an amazing & interactive journey through Canadian history & civilization. The Canadian Museum of Nature explores our natural world & the National Gallery of Canada explores the world of Canadian & international art.  Of course – while in Ottawa, don’t miss a tour of the Parliament Buildings.

Fishing holiday in Northern Ontario

For a truly Ontario experience, why not try a fishing excursion in Northern Ontario?  The pristine lakes almost guarantee you’ll catch something and even smaller kids can throw out a line! Lake Herridge Lodge – set in the beautiful & tranquil Temagami Forest – is a perfect place for a fishing expedition. The French River Resorts Association is another great resource for planning a fishing holiday along Ontario’s northern waterways.  Algonquin Park is magnificent– perfect for a canoe trip & for catching some fish.  Algonquin Outfitters are experts in the area & can either take you on a guided trip or help you plan your own.

Spend a Weekend in the Mountains

While Ontario’s mountains don’t rival those in the Rockies, they still offer plenty of vertical for your next summer excursion.  Blue Mountain has developed into a year-round getaway with as much to do in summer as winter.  Adventures await at 3 different levels of the mountain. At base camp, try the climbing wall, the Plunge! Aquatic Center, Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster & more.  Mid-mountain has a woodlot low ropes course while the mountain’s summit has the Timber Challenge High Ropes course & Segway tours. Scenic Caves Nature Adventures is another fantastic summer destination for all ages, with caves & caverns, a zipline, a suspension bridge & a treetop walking tour.  Take a break from all the activity with a visit to Scandinave Spa Blue. And don’t forget to check the event calendar for loads of great festivals, year round, including the world famous Collingwood Elvis Festival!

A Weekend in Toronto

There’s so much to see & do in Toronto – you can have dozens of vacations there with a huge range of experiences.  You can take in the major attractions, like Ripley’s Aquarium, the CN Tower, the Hockey Hall of Fame or the Ontario Science Center.  Toronto also has world-class museums like the ROM, the AGO the Bata Shoe Museum among others.  If you’re looking for something a little different, there’s the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament where you can get a glimpse into life in the 11th century or laugh the night away at Second City. And don’t forget about Toronto’s world class theatre, with Mirvish and others putting on quality productions, sometimes in historic theatre settings

Niagara

When those of us from Toronto want to get away, we often go to Niagara to have a rich indoor and outdoor experience.  Of course, there’s the Falls themselves where you can tour behind the Falls or take the Hornblower Niagara Cruise to experience the falls up close & personal – right from the water!  Or, get your thrills (and get wet) on a Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour.  There are plenty of attractions to keep you busy, too, from mirror mazes and haunted houses to animal safaris. Outside of Niagara Falls, explore the Niagara region & visit the St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre or take in a play at the Shaw Festival at Niagara on the Lake.  If your family is old enough, check out the wineries while you’re there – most have tastings and many have wonderful restaurants

White Water Rafting Family Adventure

Eastern Ontario is the place to go for a white water rafting adventure!  Join Madawaska River Family Rafting for a family-friendly rafting adventure on the Madawaska River. RiverRun Rafting can take you on high excitement or gentle rafting excursions on the Ottawa River.  Wilderness Tours Raft & Kayak Resort will take you on 1-5 day rafting excursions to suit your skill level & taste for excitement.  The resort also has accommodations for various group sizes & tons of day & nighttime activities.  All have experienced guides, provide the necessary equipment and will teach you everything you need to know for a great time!

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation, a time to reflect with nature or some thrills & real excitement, there are endless choices in Ontario.  Why not explore a region that you’ve never been to before or try a sport that’s been on your bucket list?  Whatever you do – have FUN!