12 Star-Rated Family Vacations That Will Keep Everyone Happy

(You can also plan your trip using these CAA travel tools.)

The spot: Haliburton and Ontario’s other cottage countryThe main attraction: Most people think of the Muskokas when they think of cottage country in Ontario, but the Kawarthas north of Peterborough are catching up (Princess Margaret Lottery for the first time is featuring their grand prize cottage not in the Muskokas or north of Toronto but on Stoney Lake north of Peterborough.)The adult side-trip: Kick back in a Muskoka Chair (perhaps they’ll rename them Kawartha Chairs) and enjoy a leisurely view of the lake at the beautiful and reasonably priced cabins of the Haliburton Forest.The kids side-trip: Summer activities range from mountain biking, to guided Ewok-style walks high above the forest floor in the tree canopy, to stargazing in a private domed observatory. Until recently, the forest and reserve even had its own freshwater submarine you could ride in.Average distance between attractions: 1 kmPriciness: **½Overall value: ****½http://www.haliburtonforest.com

The spot: National CapitalThe main attraction: Few vacations bring a tear to your eye as fast as seeing the maple leaf flying 300 feet above the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill. Even if not everybody wants to go, they’ll be glad they went.The adult side-trip: A shopper’s and stroller’s paradise awaits at several locales near Parliament Hill, from Byward Market to the Rideau Canal, to authentic local eats such as D’Arcy McGees historic pub, just metres from the hill.The kids side-trip: Five years in the making, the newly-renovated and relaunched Museum of Nature includes a full-sized skeleton of a blue whale, the largest animal ever to live. Brontosaurus has nothing on this guy.Average distance between attractions: 2 kmPriciness: ***Overall value: ***½http://nature.ca/en/grand-reopening

The spot: Calypso Park (Canada’s largest water park) grand opening June 7The main attraction: Despite the theme-park-sized prices, this attraction gets top rating for two important reasons: It’s new, so there’s zero chance you’ve already been-there, done-that. And the sheer impressiveness of a dozen massive slide & pool attractions with dozens of smaller goodies on the side.The adult side-trip: Take a break from the insanity at one of the full-service restaurants or belly-up (in moderation) to the Hawaiian Beach Bar.The kids side-trip: You had me at: Canada’s largest wave pool, turbo lab where you zoom into fizzing coloured experiments, an interactive pirate game land, rafting canyon, and the Zoomerang, which launches you straight up to the sky for a moment of “antigravity”Average distance between attractions: 200 mPriciness: ***½Overall value: *****http://www.calypsopark.com/

The spot: Niagara FallsThe main attraction: Viewing the Falls and getting a closer look from the tunnels behind the Canadian side, or a cruise on Maid of the Mist. For those who haven’t been or haven’t been in a while, be sure to take a ride on the breathtaking 200-foot-high Skywheel.The adult side-trip: Casino Niagara and a slate of international acts plus an evening at the rides, clubs, and funhouses of Clifton Hill.The kids side-trip: Take in an Orca or Beluga show at Marineland (be sure to bring a raincoat – front-row seats are WAY wetter than Maid of the Mist…and you know how much water that ride’s packin’)Average distance between attractions: 4 kmPriciness: **** (still cheaper than a vacation in Dubai)Overall value: ****http://www.niagarafallstourism.com/

The spot: The Toronto museum circuitThe main attraction: Newly-renovated Royal Ontario Museum and Art Gallery of Ontario, Harry Potter Exhibit at Ontario Science CentreThe adult side-trip: Though all will enjoy the new ROM (worth a visit for the new dinosaur displays alone, including a giant sauropod one researcher ’discovered’ while combing through the archives), adults in your group will appreciate world-renowned Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry’s revamp of the Art Gallery of Ontario.The kids side-trip: There’s still hope if you don’t plan to ship your kids down to Florida for the opening of the Harry Potter theme park in Orlando: The Ontario Science Centre is exhibiting sets, costumes, props, and other magical trinkets from the Harry Potter films until August 22. Book well in advance – tickets regularly sell-out the week before.Average distance between attractions: 12 kmPriciness: ***½Overall value: ****http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/harrypotter/home.aspx

The spot: Sub-Muskoka cottage country (Barrie/Orillia)The main attraction: Why drive all the way to cottage country in the heat of summer when you can vacation part-of-the-way out of town and have an easy drive back (assuming you depart outside of the weekend rush.)The adult side-trip: McMichael Collection of Canadian Art. One of the great art galleries of Canada, containing the great works of the Group of Seven, is nestled inconspicuously in the north-of-the-GTA town of Kleinburg.The kids side-trip: It’s been said over and over of Canada’s Wonderland: “We’ve never had a bad time there”. The Great White North’s answer to Disneyworld reliably delivers a solid theme park experience for all. Just be sure to get pre-approved at your financial institution before standing in line for funnel cake.Average distance between attractions: 35 km (from Kleinburg to Canada’s Wonderland)Priciness: ****Overall value: ****http://www.mcmichael.com/

The spot: 1000 IslandsThe main attraction: Lake cruises, Boldt CastleThe adult side-trip: There are actually closer to 2,000 islands in this region unique in North America. Most of the good stuff is on the American side, including the jaw-dropping Boldt Castle, which looks like it could fall into the water any minute.The kids side-trip: If age permits, the younger members of your group may enjoy some of the white-water experiences to be had in the region.Average distance between attractions: 20 kmPriciness: ***Overall value: ***http://www.boldtcastle.com/

The spot: Ride on Thomas the Tank EngineThe main attraction: July 16, 18, 23, and 25 in St. Thomas, OntarioThe adult side-trip: For those with younger kids, this isn’t so much about adults having fun as it is about having the satisfaction that you were the hero for snagging tickets (about $25 each person) for this once-in-a-lifetime event.The kids side-trip: Not only do kids get to see this life-size *ahem* replica of Thomas the Tank Engine, they actually get to ride on him for a 25 minute circuit. Having said that, it’s not like he actually talks to you or anything…Massive fun for those who are into it.Average distance between attractions: 0 kmPriciness: ***½Overall value: **½http://www.traintraveling.com/events/thomas/canada.shtml

The spot: Agawa Canyon train tourThe main attraction: Everyone loves a train. CN’s memorable day trip (including lunch in most cases) takes riders through some of mid-Northern Ontario’s most breathtaking scenery.The adult side-trip: Without actually going from the Maritimes to the Rockies to the Pacific, this is as-good-as-it-gets for those looking to get a taste of what VIA’s cross-country experience on The Canadian is like (the commitment here is far-less in both time and money.)The kids side-trip: The duration allows kids to experience the thrill of cross-country train travel without the multi-day wait to actually cross the country.Average distance between attractions: 0 km (not counting the train’s stops to let paddlers and backpackers on and off)Priciness: ***Overall value: ****www.agawacanyontourtrain.com/

The spot: Stratford/LondonThe main attraction: Dinosaurs, hands-on experiments, and one of North America’s most renowned theatre festivals.The adult side-trip: The Stratford Theatre Festival and local Stratford restaurants offer a summer theatre-lover’s dream-come-true.The kids side-trip: London Children’s Museum is a haven for kids into science and drama as well as Tigers and Dragons, an engaging new temporary exhibit on daily life in Asia.Average distance between attractions: 60 kmPriciness: ** (London) / **** (Stratford)Overall value: ***http://www.londonchildrensmuseum.ca/http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/

The spot: Sudbury areaThe main attraction: Science North and Dynamic EarthThe adult side-trip: Paddling some of the most beautiful reclaimed landscapes in Canada.The kids side-trip: Swim with polar bears at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, take-in Science North’s new digital 3D planetarium, the largest, most advanced one of its kind between Montreal and Calgary.Average distance between attractions: 5 km (within Sudbury) / 390 km north of Sudbury for the polar bear swim experiencePriciness: ***Overall value: *****http://sciencenorth.cahttp://polarbearhabitat.ca/bn2/index.php?id=swimmingbear

The spot: Algonquin Provincial ParkThe main attraction: Day/overnight paddling trips from Canoe Lake or Opeongo Lake.The adult side-trip: Taking in the park gallery, logging museum, and lunch or brunch at local fine dining establishments in the park, such as Taboo in Gravenhurst or the Arowhon Pines right in Algonquin Park.The kids side-trip: If you haven’t been, Santa’s Village in nearby Bracebridge is well-worth it just for the one-time experience. Celebrate Christmas in July the only sensible way there is: on a reindeer-themed rollercoaster.Average distance between attractions: 90 km from Bracebridge to attractions along highway 60, running through the Algonquin Park.Priciness: *** for most park attractions (***** for the restaurants mentioned above)Overall value: ***

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