Posted : July 22, 2020
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.
Summer is here, and your Ultimate Road Trip in York Durham Headwaters awaits. Our local attractions have spent the last several months preparing to open their doors with proper health measures in place to ensure everyone stays safe. Now that COVID-19 restrictions are being eased back and people are beginning to explore their communities once again, when you and your family are ready to visit us, we are ready to have you. To get yourself Road Trip Ready in YDH, here are some things you need to know before you come visit.
Why Road Trip in YDH?
Just a short drive from Toronto, York Durham Headwaters is your ultimate road trip destination. Whether you are an adventure seeker, an art lover, a foodie fanatic, a passionate putter or you’re looking for great family fun, YDH has something for everyone. It is no secret that we’ve missed our visitors while we’ve been doing our part to keep each other safe and healthy.
Whatever your adventure is, keep it local. The farther we travel, the more opportunity there is to contribute to the spread of COVID-19. Because of this, the provincial government of Ontario strongly discourages non-essential trips, though it has not outlined formal restrictions or guidelines. With this being the case, what better time is there to “explore your own backyard?” Look for activities and destinations here in YDH which are close enough that you can return home after your day of adventure. The closer to home you are, the more of your day you can spend making memories and having fun.
Road Tripping YDH-Style: How to Prepare
With businesses beginning to open up again, families eager for adventure have the opportunity to explore their communities, preparing for your summer road trip in York Durham Headwaters is an essential part of keeping yourself, your loved ones and your community members healthy and safe. Here are a few tips from all of us at YDH on how to prepare yourself and your vehicle for your summer road trip.
Plan ahead
Before you venture out anywhere, the best advice we can offer is: do your homework. Where are you going, and what are their rules and requirements for COVID safety? Thankfully, this is a fairly easy bit of prep work, since most destinations and businesses list their requirements on their website. Want more information? A friendly telephone call is always welcome, so you can get those in-person answers to make your road trip a success.
Here is an example. In our recent post Trail Etiquette for COVID-19 – What You Need to Know, we suggested, “If you are generally unfamiliar with a particular trail, reach out to someone in-the-know. This may be an expert in your area, but can also be trail supports, or the administration or management office for the space or municipality. If you cannot find adequate information on the trail you wish to use, consider venturing out on another one that has more reliable information to ensure that you remain safe.”
Though we were talking about trails here, this is a good rule of thumb for anywhere you visit in YDH. For instance, Vaughan Mills, our premium shopping destination in the city of Vaughan, has an entire web page with information on its COVID-19 policies and procedures so you know what to expect when you visit. These guidelines cover everything from mask wearing to food court seating, and hand sanitizer usage.
Knowing what to expect from your day of fun, whatever it is, and how to prepare for it is how we keep each other safe.
Be wise… sanitize!
By now, hand sanitizer has become a part of everyday life for all of us across the country. We have embraced the community health spirit here in YDH—many of our craft breweries, wineries and distilleries are even making their own sanitizer. Talk about getting into the spirits of things! The chances are good that wherever you go in YDH, there will be hand sanitizer available. This, however, is not a guarantee. Hand sanitizer may run out in some locations, and others may simply require their visitors to use their own. There is no set rule, so your set rule should be to bring some just in case. Better safe than sorry, right?
Also, wiping down surfaces in your vehicle is another good idea for keeping each other safe. Think about it: when you get into your car after visiting a location and before sanitizing your hands, what do you touch? Frequently handled surfaces like door handles, volume dials, steering wheels and gear sticks can benefit from a quick wipe-down if you are in and out of your vehicle. So bring along a small bottle of all-purpose household cleaner and some cloths or paper towels. It is a small thing to do, but a helpful one.
Stock up on road trip supplies
The best thing to assume, before you head out on your summer road trip, is that nothing will be available for purchase… even though it likely will be. Take some time in your planning to identify what supplies you will need in the event that you cannot buy something. As we mentioned above, having extra hand sanitizer on hand is always a good idea. But there are other things you will need for your road trip as well.
For example, most (if not all) of our municipalities in YDH now require masks to be worn in indoor spaces. Bringing along your own means you don’t have to rely on your attraction or destination to provide one for you. Not only do you ensure you won’t be turned away for not having one, you also relieve some of the burden on your destination to provide these supplies to you. Other supplies you can bring include disposable gloves and cleaners to wipe down your own shopping carts—after all, sanitizers come in travel size.
And finally, as much as possible, pack enough fluids and snacks. The less you have to get out of your vehicle, the better able you are to limit your exposure to high-traffic areas like grocery and convenience stores.
Are you road trip ready? We can’t wait to welcome you. For Ultimate Summer Road Trip ideas, visit www.yorkdurhamheadwaters.ca to get planning. Adventure awaits in YDH!
Story by Katherine Ryalen
– Katherine is a Durham-based author and lifestyle blogger. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
