Long weekend travel ideas (Toronto edition)
May 8, 2017 9:52 PM Subscribe
Victoria Day weekend is coming up and I don't know where to go. Recommendations for somewhere up to a 3 hour drive from Toronto that is suitable for our 3 and 5 year-old children.
Our family has taken a small trip during the last few Victoria Day weekends and they've been pretty good so far. Looking for a place to go and time is running out. The last Victoria Day weekend trips we took were to Niagara Falls and Haliburton. I wouldn't be against going back to either place this year but my preference would be for somewhere new.
Our family has taken a small trip during the last few Victoria Day weekends and they've been pretty good so far. Looking for a place to go and time is running out. The last Victoria Day weekend trips we took were to Niagara Falls and Haliburton. I wouldn't be against going back to either place this year but my preference would be for somewhere new.
We love Prince Edward County, specifically the lakeside playground in Wellington, Sandbanks Provincial Park, eating at the County Cider Co, biking along the Millennium Trail.
posted by warriorqueen at 3:29 AM on May 9, 2017
posted by warriorqueen at 3:29 AM on May 9, 2017
Santa's Village in Bracebridge?
posted by sevenyearlurk at 3:43 AM on May 9, 2017
posted by sevenyearlurk at 3:43 AM on May 9, 2017
Rondeau? There is a provincial park, and the Greenview Aviaries.
About 3 hours west of Toronto, just south of the 401.
posted by csmithrim at 8:29 AM on May 9, 2017
About 3 hours west of Toronto, just south of the 401.
posted by csmithrim at 8:29 AM on May 9, 2017
If you're willing to stretch your drive a little, Pittsburgh is ~5 hours away and Kennywood is open! We've also got a great zoo, two inclines, a Children's Museum, and it looks like the Pirates are playing at home that weekend!
posted by DingoMutt at 9:01 AM on May 9, 2017
posted by DingoMutt at 9:01 AM on May 9, 2017
Its 2.5 hours to Kingston. You can take the kids to Fort Henry, go to the downtown Farmers Market and run around Lake Ontario park. Lots of nice shops downtown.
Also, I agree that Sandbanks is a great vacation if you can get something there.
posted by SyraCarol at 9:53 AM on May 9, 2017
Also, I agree that Sandbanks is a great vacation if you can get something there.
posted by SyraCarol at 9:53 AM on May 9, 2017
Best answer: There's a lot of fun stuff to do in the collingwood area, including the Elmvale Jungle Zoo, which would be a big hit with the kids.
The Elmvale zoo is great with little ones. It's a far smaller zoo that the Toronto Zoo (obviously) but when the kids were smaller we preferred it. Less walking/carrying for everyone and less exhaustion. Plus the giraffes eat right out of your hands!
The Elmvale zoo is actually only part way to Collingwood (which is a good destination), but if you keep heading 30 min North instead, you'll get to the neighboring towns of Midland and Penetanguishene. Both have small "Main streets" that can be of interest, each with harbours. But nearby you have:
Little Lake Park (Midland): Very large park with playgrounds and a calm lake with beach for swimming.
Discovery Harbour ( Penetanguishene): Tallships and historic 19th-c. buildings, with people in historic garb (think Pioneer Village).
Wye Marsh (Midland): Nature watching. Trails to walk or bike, with a 490 foot long floating boardwalk.
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons (Midland): Very cool reconstruction of a whole French Jesuit village along with traditional longhouses of the Huron Wendat village.
Balm Beach is nearby: Like a very tiny mini Wasaga Beach, but without the Bros. There are cottage rentals in that area if that's what you're looking for.
Boat Cruises: Out of either Midland or Penetanguishene harbours.
Ukelele Festival (Midland): if that's your thing.
posted by Kabanos at 1:42 PM on May 9, 2017
The Elmvale zoo is great with little ones. It's a far smaller zoo that the Toronto Zoo (obviously) but when the kids were smaller we preferred it. Less walking/carrying for everyone and less exhaustion. Plus the giraffes eat right out of your hands!
The Elmvale zoo is actually only part way to Collingwood (which is a good destination), but if you keep heading 30 min North instead, you'll get to the neighboring towns of Midland and Penetanguishene. Both have small "Main streets" that can be of interest, each with harbours. But nearby you have:
Little Lake Park (Midland): Very large park with playgrounds and a calm lake with beach for swimming.
Discovery Harbour ( Penetanguishene): Tallships and historic 19th-c. buildings, with people in historic garb (think Pioneer Village).
Wye Marsh (Midland): Nature watching. Trails to walk or bike, with a 490 foot long floating boardwalk.
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons (Midland): Very cool reconstruction of a whole French Jesuit village along with traditional longhouses of the Huron Wendat village.
Balm Beach is nearby: Like a very tiny mini Wasaga Beach, but without the Bros. There are cottage rentals in that area if that's what you're looking for.
Boat Cruises: Out of either Midland or Penetanguishene harbours.
Ukelele Festival (Midland): if that's your thing.
posted by Kabanos at 1:42 PM on May 9, 2017
Response by poster: We've booked a hotel in Midland and will see how things go.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:01 PM on May 16, 2017
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:01 PM on May 16, 2017
Response by poster: It would have been a great weekend except for the fact that it rained our one full day there (Sunday). Kids were happy because our hotel had an indoor pool so they swam every day and we were able to see a movie at the drive-in theatre. We visited Elmvale Jungle Zoo on the way back and that was really good. We will likely go back when the weather is nicer.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:07 PM on June 7, 2017
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:07 PM on June 7, 2017
If you go back when the weather is hot, wasaga beach is fantastic during the week. Weekends it's kinda crowded and nuts, but during the week there's hardly anyone there and it's awesome
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 4:22 AM on June 9, 2017
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 4:22 AM on June 9, 2017
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posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 11:12 PM on May 8, 2017 [1 favorite]