Choose Your Own Adventure for Family Fun

Posted : July 4, 2018

Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.

Congratulations, your family is ready for a road trip to Canada’s Wonderland!

Canada's Wonderland Waterfall

And what a year to visit – the amusement park has unveiled two great new rides to enjoy. The thrilling Lumberjack has two swinging axes that launch guests up to the sky and the kid-friendly Flying Canoes allows passengers to steer their own magical canoe!

As well as the rides that make Canada’s Wonderland so beloved, the park also offers a yummy variety of food (including vegan, gluten-free, halal and kosher options) and fantastic events all summer long!

Chef Food Prep WonderlandWonderland Funnel Cakes

When you visit Canada’s Wonderland this summer, why not extend your stay and explore the family-friendly destinations in York Durham Headwaters?

Sure-fire family fun in York

If you want to stay in the York region, add these stops to your itinerary for sure-fire family fun:

Black Creek Pioneer Village

Take in the sights, sounds and…smells…of a working 1860s country village. You’ll meet farmyard friends, play outdoor games, try your hand at a historical trade and lots more. And guess what? Admission is free for kids under the age of 14 from Monday to Friday in July and August (limited to four kids per paying adult or senior)!!

Pioneer Villiage Family

LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre

Kids of all ages love to challenge the earthquake tables, take a factory tour, enjoy the rides and…yes, even go on a space mission! Be sure to check out their LEGO® Canadian flag – which recently earned the Guinness World Record for largest LEGO® brick flag!!

Legoland Discovery Centre Family

Reptilia – Vaughan

What does an alligator eat for breakfast? Find out at Canada’s largest indoor reptile zoo! There are over 250 animals living at the zoo – reptiles, of course, but also amphibians and arachnids, too! Pro tip: check the feeding schedule before you visit.

 

Reptilia Zoo family

The ROC

Come out and play! Go wild at the splash pad, bike park and the North Shore bike trails (for experienced riders). Or take a mindful walk through the labyrinth and stroll down the hiking and nature trails – there’s even a one-kilometer accessible trail to enjoy.

ROC Kid Climbing Wall

Treetop Trekking Stouffville

Bring the whole family to this zipline adventure park! Kids of all ages can take on the Treewalk Village obstacle course, and children over 5 can tackle the adventurous discovery courses. Exciting zip line and aerial game treks thrill kids aged 9 and up – and parents love it too!

Treetop Trekking Stouffville Park

Outdoor adventure in Headwaters

To sink your teeth into outdoor adventure, head west to Headwaters and add these stops to your itinerary:

Downey’s Farm Market & Winery

There’s a lot to explore at this family-friendly farm! The super-fun play area is chock full of activities for kids – think giant slides and wagon rides, a big ol’ sandbox, jumping pillows and lots, LOTS more. ​Treat yourself to a hearty homemade lunch at the bakery or fill up on pick-your-own berries or apples.

Girl Picking Apple at Downeys Farm

Rawhide Adventures Inc.

For an unforgettable adventure, visit this working cattle ranch and hit the trail! The ranch offers a variety of horseback riding adventures for beginners to experienced riders. Families can start with a 2-hour trail ride followed by a meal back at the ranch or try the longer picnic ride.

Rawhide Adventures Peace Valley Ranch Horseback Riding

Brampton Flight Centre

Calling all aspiring pilots– this is the place for you! Take a sight-seeing flight, explore the Great War Flying Museum and visit the largest Recreational Aircraft Association (RAA) chapter in Canada. A trip to the café and gift shop rounds out a jam-packed day of adventure.

Island Lake Conservation Area

Revel in the glory of summertime outdoors! There’s so much to see and do, including fishing, exploring the lake by kayak or canoe, walking and cycling the 8.2-kilometre lakeside trail. Be sure to bring a picnic – you’ll definitely work up an appetite.

Children at Picnic

Animals, heritage and thrills await in Durham

To see the big cats, climb, soar and explore, go east to Durham and add these stops to your itinerary:

Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park

Meet exotic animals from around this world at this zoo! You’ll spot 60 different species of animals – from big cats to primates, and all kinds of birds! Uplevel your adventure with a feeding tour or spend the night at the zoo’s ​unique bed and breakfast.

Treetop Eco-Adventure Park

Take to the trees in this self-guided aerial obstacle course and zipline park. Located in the beautiful ​Oak Ridges Moraine, this park has a new junior children’s course so kids as young as 3 can get in on the action! Pro tip: be sure to make reservations before you arrive.

Boy Ziplining

York Durham Heritage Railway

Attention, citizens of Sodor! Spend a “Day Out With Thomas” when the tank engine chuffs into the station on August 10 – 12 and August 17 – 19, 2018. Kids will love the 25-minute train ride and posing for a photo with the really useful engine, as well as live entertainment and activities.

 YorkDurham Heritage Railway

Canadian Automotive Museum

The museum’s car collection will delight kids of all ages! Take a guided tour of the exhibits to hear about high speed races and daring criminals. Pay a visit to Lightning McQueen in the main gallery, and browse the impressive collection of Canadian, American, European and British vehicles.

iFly

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…you?! Defy the laws of gravity at this indoor skydiving facility. Children ages 4 and older can savour the thrill of a free-fall in a safe,supervised environment. After safety training, you’ll gear up and enter the wind chamber for an unforgettable adrenaline-filled flight!

Ifly Brody

A summer trip to Canada’s Wonderland is a no-brainer! And whether you stay central, go east or head west, you’ll find family adventure galore in York Durham Headwaters!

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