Family road trip to theme parks, attractions and summer fun in the Toronto area

Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan

Approximate distance and travel time:

• from Sarnia, 180 miles (290 kilometres), 2 hours and 45 minutes
• from Windsor, 230 miles (370 kilometres), 3 hours and 45 minutes

Vibrant, family-friendly and a stone’s throw from Toronto, Vaughan is a bustling, diverse city that’s home to Canada’s Wonderland, the entertaining first stop for your road trip.

Where to stay in Vaughan

Hilton Garden Inn Toronto/Vaughan

An ideal hotel for those looking to be close to all the action, this property features an indoor pool and free parking.
Location: 3201 Highway 7, Vaughan

SpringHill Suites Toronto Vaughan

This all-suite hotel that features free onsite parking and complimentary breakfast just four miles (six kilometres) from Canada’s Wonderland.
Location: 612 Applewood Crescent, Vaughan

Things to do in Vaughan

Amusement park thrills

Canada’s Wonderland

Canada’s Wonderland is a 330-acre (134-hectare) amusement park with over 200 attractions for every member of the family including soaring roller coasters and lazy river tubing.

With over a dozen thrilling roller coasters and gravity-defying drops, including the Leviathan and the Tundra Twister, older kids are guaranteed to be entertained all day long. Splashworks, Canada’s Wonderland water park, boasts 20 acres (eight hectares) of wave pools, water slides, cliff jumping and kiddie slides.

For families with younger kids, KidZville features multiple attractions for kids like Taxi Jam, Splash Station, Character Carousel and Jumpin’ Jet.

Fuel up with food at sit-down dining spots like the Treetop café or the Chicken Shack. Head to the Grab & Go Market or one of the many stalls across the park for something quick. Gluten-free, Halal, vegan and vegetarian options are available.

Find information on tickets and passes. Purchase tickets online before your visit to save on the price of admission.
Location: 1 Canada's Wonderland Drive, Vaughan

More family-friendly attractions

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

Located inside the Vaughan Mills shopping centre, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre exhibits are made up of over two million LEGO bricks. This must-see attraction features rides, a 4D cinema, a large play area and a store.
Location: 1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan

McMichael Canadian Art Collection

The permanent collection at Canada’s largest publicly funded art gallery includes over 7,000 artworks by Canadian, Indigenous and contemporary artists.
Location: 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg

Kortright Centre for Conservation

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy this suburban conservation area with a 9.94 mile (16 kilometre) trail network for hiking and biking. The centre offers excellent programs for adults and children on biodiversity, sustainability and environmental conservation, and sells maple syrup products.
Location: 9550 Pine Valley Drive, Woodbridge

Where to eat in Vaughan

Kotsy’s Restaurant

A Vaughan institution that serves all-day breakfast and classic dinner, Kotsy’s Restaurant is a retro 1950s-style diner that is family-owned and operated.
Location: 2104 Highway 7, Concord

Belsito Trattoria

Popular for its seasonal patio, Belsito Trattoria serves traditional Italian fare that combines authentic Mediterranean ingredients with premium local and imported products.
Location: 10429 Islington Avenue, Vaughan

Ciao Roma

This local favourite serves Roman-style pizzas, house-made arancini and build-your-own salads made fresh to order.
Location: 28 Roytec Road #12a, Woodbridge

Old Firehall Confectionery

Satisfy your sweet tooth with the finest chocolates and cookies made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. 
Location: 10449 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg

Toronto

Approximate distance and travel time from Vaughan to Toronto: 25 miles (40 kilometres), 45 minutes

Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the most multicultural city in North America. Start your visit at the “Toronto” sign in Nathan Phillips Square (the city’s ultimate selfie spot), then take in all the sights, attractions and food options this metropolis offers.

Note:

• Due to construction in spring/summer 2024, the area around the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto and the downtown will be very busy. Book extra time to get to your destination and consider alternative routes or public transit.
• Find parking around Toronto at pay & display meters. Most paid parking spots are valid for three hours and bookable using their mobile app. Check the signage and the rate card carefully before parking.

Where to stay in Toronto

The Sutton Place Hotel Toronto

Located on Blue Jays Way in Toronto’s entertainment district, The Sutton Place Hotel is within walking distance of numerous sites and attractions. The hotel offers on-site parking, a fitness centre and an indoor pool.
Location: 355 King Street West, Toronto

Sheraton Centre Hotel

Located close to the Eaton Centre and CN Tower, this hotel features a swimming pool with a lifeguard on duty. The hotel is directly accessible via the underground PATH network with shops, services and restaurants. Paid valet parking is offered.
Location: 123 Queen Street West, Toronto

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto

This property offers family-friendly stays near Dundas Square, the CN Tower and the Eaton Centre. The hotel features a 24-hour gym. Paid parking is available.
Location: 475 Yonge Street, Toronto

Chelsea Hotel

Chelsea caters to families with a fun zone complete with a teen lounge, kids’ centre, heated pool and Toronto's only indoor waterslide, the “Corkscrew”. Underground paid parking is available.
Location: 33 Gerrard Street West, Toronto

Things to do in Toronto

Attractions

CN Tower

No visit to Toronto is complete without a ride to the top of the 144-storey, 180-foot tall (55-metres) CN Tower. Get lunch at the revolving 360 Restaurant, or join an EdgeWalk, an open-air, hands-free walk around the exterior of the tower.
Location: 290 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Explore the aquatic world with multiple viewing galleries and artificial reefs, a discovery centre and live diving shows.
Location: 288 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto

Little Canada

Enjoy detailed, miniature exhibits representing some of the most iconic landmarks in Canada. You can also create a mini replica of yourself to take home or add to the exhibit.
Location: 10 Dundas Street East Basement 2, Toronto

Toronto Botanical Garden

Tour the garden and learn about the local ecology, ecosystems, botany and horticulture. Kids will enjoy the interactive, hands-on activities at the Teaching Garden.
Location: 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto

Black Creek Village

Step back into the 1800s with historically accurate buildings, costumed interpreters and live demonstrations of traditional crafts.
Location: 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto

Toronto Islands

From the 30 exciting rides at the Centreville Amusement Park, the petting zoo at Far Enough Farm, bike rentals, beaches and splash pads, there are many activities for the whole family to enjoy at Centre Island. Catch the ferry to Toronto Islands at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
Location: 9 Queens Quay West, Toronto

Museums and culture

Toronto Railway Museum

Discover Canada’s rail history. Located steps from the CN Tower, the museum offers tours of a historic roundhouse and a chance to walk through historic rail cars.
Location: 255 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto

The Royal Ontario Museum

Canada’s largest and most comprehensive museum offers everything from a bat cave and hands-on biodiversity gallery to dinosaur exhibits and Egyptian mummies.
Location: 100 Queens Park, Toronto

Bata Shoe Museum

Explore over 4,500 years of history as told through the world of footwear. This unique museum houses an impressive permanent collection, inside a shoebox-inspired building.
Location: 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto

Art Gallery of Ontario

One of Canada’s premier art galleries, the AGO offers the chance to view world-class exhibits and participate in kid-friendly activities. Check the schedule for family-oriented events. The museum is free for all visitors 25 and under.
Location: 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto

Museum of Illusions

Experience mind-bending optical illusions! You’re encouraged to interact with the exhibits at this engaging and educational attraction.
Location: 132 Front Street East, Toronto

ECHO by Cirque du Soleil

Don’t miss ECHO by Cirque du Soleil, Canada’s largest contemporary circus extravaganza with entertaining storytelling through live music, dance, acrobatics and theatrics in Toronto from May 8 to July 21, 2024.
Location: 2150 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Etobicoke

iArtS Museum

Toronto’s first 3D illusion art exhibit invites visitors to immerse themselves in 3D art installations and discover new perspectives.
Location: 580 King Street West, 2nd Floor, Toronto

Shopping

Toronto Eaton Centre

With over 230 shops and restaurants, the Toronto Eaton Centre offers endless shopping entertainment. Located in the heart of the city on Yonge Street, across from Yonge-Dundas Square.
Location: 220 Yonge Street, Toronto

The Distillery District

A national historic site in Toronto’s east end charms with its cobblestone streets and painstakingly restored Victorian industrial architecture. Dating to 1832, the district is an arts-and-culture hub, home to galleries, boutiques, restaurants and cafés. For a unique adventure, take an exciting segway tour through the best photo ops in the Distillery District.
Location: The Distillery District, Toronto

Sports

Hockey Hall of Fame

A must for every devoted and casual hockey fan, the Hockey Hall of Fame is a 65,000-square-foot shrine to Canada’s favourite sport, filled with history and collections from around the world.

Location: 30 Yonge Street, Toronto

Major League Sports

Depending on the time of year you plan to visit, Toronto offers numerous opportunities to watch live professional sports. If the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs or NBA’s Toronto Raptors make the playoffs, cheer them on at the Scotiabank Arena. Catch an MLB Blue Jays game in the Rogers Centre, aka the Skydome. Toronto also offers an opportunity for football fans to catch the local CFL team, the Toronto Argonauts, at BMO Field or Toronto’s Major League Soccer team, the Toronto FC.
Locations:
Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay Street, Toronto
Rogers Centre, One Blue Jays Way, Toronto
BMO Field, 170 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto

Where to eat in Toronto

Cora

For breakfast or lunch in a family-friendly atmosphere, head to the heart of the Entertainment District for a variety of hearty brunch options ranging from French toast and pancakes to skillets and sandwiches.
Location: 106 Front Street East #102, Toronto

Patrician Grill

Find classic diner-style breakfasts and lunches at this downtown Toronto landmark. Built in the 1950s, the diner features cozy booths and 50s-style counter service.
Location: 219 King Street East, Toronto 

The Rec Room

Enjoy dining and gaming at The Rec Room. This unique food and entertainment spot offers over 40,000 square feet of family-friendly games and Canadian-inspired cuisine.
Location: 255 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto

Sportsnet Grill

Located inside the Marriott City Centre Hotel, the Sportsnet Grill serves everything from burgers to bowls and kids-size meals.
Location: 1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto

Medieval Times

Dine on food fit for royalty! You’ll enjoy a four-course meal that includes garlic bread, roasted chicken, sweet, buttered corn and herb-basted potatoes and dessert while being entertained by an exciting tournament of jousting and horsemanship.
Location: 10 Dufferin Street, Toronto

Amsterdam Brewhouse

Choose from burgers, schnitzel, smoked brisket or fish, along with a view of the harbour. The restaurant also features a large patio, weather permitting.
Location: 245 Queens Quay West, Toronto

The Old Spaghetti Factory

A Toronto classic serving pasta dishes and more in a lively, family-friendly space. Located minutes from the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Location: 54 The Esplanade, Toronto