Ontario Summer Fun Newsletter – Things to do in Ontario

Things to do & Places to stay in Ontario

MARCH 21, 2019

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What are YOU going to do this weekend?

12 Places to sleep that are NOT a hotel

Hotels and resorts are awesome – they mean we are somewhere new and have a wonderful place to return to at the end of a day of exploring and enjoying. However, sometimes the place you stay IS the experience and that’s what we’re focused on below.

Spend the night in a zoo or animal park

Several places including the Toronto Zoo, Jungle Cat World and African Lion Safari have overnight sleepovers on the grounds. It is a great opportunity to see the animals up close and personal after the crowds leave. It is also so interesting to see how the nighttime behavior is different from the daytime activity and to watch animals that are nocturnal come out to play. Some places do nighttime animal feeding, so make sure to ask.

Canoe Trip

If you’ve never been on a canoe trip and roasted marshmallows over a fire, please put it on your to-do list. The air is fresher, the stars are brighter and the experience is one that Ontarians have unique access to, with our stunning parks and lakes. If you’re new to camping, check out Learn to Camp, a program of Ontario Parks that offers guided overnight camping experiences. if you’ve got some experience, but no equipment or need a guide, reach out to companies like-Algonquin Outfitters - Outdoor Adventure Store, LivOutside. Gear + Adventures, or Portage Store for their expertise.

Tipi/Yurt/Glamping

Looking for a camping type experience but don’t want to rough it? Yurts and Glamping resorts are perfect for you. yurts are tent-like structures, often heated and mounted on a wooden floor, which can be used year-round and you can usually drive, instead of canoeing, and glamping is exactly what it sounds like – glamorous camping, with beautiful tents with comfy beds, nice towels, access to amenities, etc. Check out a few here: Long Point Eco-Adventures, Tipi Adventure, Elements Luxury Tented Camp, Moonlight Glamping.

Eco-tourism

Eco-tourism is tourism that is all about natural, relatively undisturbed environments – it supports conservation and often involves smaller scale types of experiences, rather than mass tourism. Gordon’s Park Eco Resort, in Manatoulin Island has astronomy, tipi tenting and aurora borealis weekends in their dark sky preserve. Cree Village Eco Lodge is the First Indigenous-owned Eco Lodge in the N Hemisphere. National Geographic called it one of the top 25 eco-lodges in the world! It has trails, an island, James Bay with whales nearby, and historical buildings and fur trade sites too.

Featured Events

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival

April 6, 2019 7am-4pm
Elmira, Ontario (SW Ontario)

If you’ve never gone to a Maple Syrup festival, now is definitely the time! It’s not just for kids (although kids LOVE them!); it’s fun and interesting for everyone. Taste delicious, fresh maple syrup and watch how it’s made. Pour some hot syrup on the snow to create sweet taffy. Learn how maple syrup goes from from the tree to the table. You can even enjoy a delicious, reasonably-priced pancake breakfast.

Doors Open Ontario – Discover the Story Behind Every Door!

April to October
Across Ontario

Discover the history and beauty of Ontario as Doors Open unlocks the treasures in your own backyard. These events enable you to explore more than 1,000 fascinating sites as they open their doors free of charge and invite you inside. Take a tour, join the family activities and take advantage of unique experiences. Choose your region & site online.

Norfolk Eat & Drink Show

Fri April 7-9, 2019
Norfolk County Fairgrounds, Simcoe (SW Ontario)

This fabulous culinary adventure show has become ‘the place to go’ in Norfolk County for foodies of all types. Even non-foodies enjoy the fun atmosphere, delicious food, wide range of drinks, live entertainment and more. With close to forty different food producers, restaurants, wineries, and breweries, there’s something for everyone! Must be 19 years or older to attend.

Featured casino: Casino ajax

Durham’s home for Gaming & Entertainment has 800 of the hottest slot machines and electronic table games to choose from. It’s an awesome place to visit for excitement and fun and since it is open 24/7, you are sure to find a good time to visit. Come with friends or bring a date. Great dining onsite with Prime Rib and other Dinner specials too!

ONLY IN ONTARIO

Parc Omega – Sleep with the Wolves
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sleep surrounded by bears & wolves? Probably not – but now that it’s an option, maybe you will! You are perfectly safe inside your cabin with floor to ceiling windows from which you can take in the beautiful surroundings and spectacular wildlife. The cabin includes a bathroom with shower and heated floors. You’ll also have access to an observation lookout & bridge so you can watch the animals from above. Your adventure awaits.

Print Edition

We've started working on the 2019 edition of Summer Fun Guide but if you are looking for a 2018 edition, email info@summerfunguide.ca to have one mailed to you. View a digital version of the print edition online here: https://www.summerfunguide.ca/print-edition.html.

NEXT ISSUE, COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

CHECK OUT the next issue

Ontario Festivals To Experience This Summer

Questions or comments?

Contact Natalie at news@summerfunguide.ca

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The best suggestions come from others who have been there and done that!

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