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20 great Canadian summer getaways
We scoured our resources ― and you, our readers! ― for some of the best places to go on a summer getaway in Canada.
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Treat your family to one of these great Canadian destinations!
Looking for the perfect place to get away with your family this summer? Here are 20 kid-friendly Canadian possibilities — as recommended by our staff, readers and online friends. Bon voyage!
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Quebec City, Quebec
Sure, the tiny cobbled streets, steep hills and stairs make pushing a stroller a bit of a challenge. But Quebec City's French Canadian culture, welcoming people and beautiful sights make it all worth it. Some standouts for blogger/journalist Corinne McDermott and her family include exploring the Plains of Abraham, playing dress up at the Musée de la Civilisation de Québec and, bien sûr, poutine at Chez Ashton!
For more information visit quebecregion.com
Photo by Corinne McDermott, HaveBabyWillTravel.com -
Whistler, British Columbia
Ensconced in the Coast Mountains, just 120 kilometers from one of Canada's biggest cities, Whistler offers a genuine Canadian west-coast mountain experience — yes, even in the summer! Enjoy the adventure, activities and entertainment: beautiful gondola rides, mountaintop dining, hiking, bear tours, glacier walks, mountain biking, mini golf and more. "A-plus, having an early-rising toddler," says Today's Parent Executive Editor, Sandra E. Martin, "is that even though shops and attractions weren't open until later in the morning, Mother Nature was always ready to go when Isobel was!"
For more information visit whistler.com
Photo by Sandra E. Martin -
Camping in Newfoundland & Labrador
Mom of two, Theresa Nichol, and her family love camping in Newfoundland and Labrador. "You get a variety of different scenic landscapes depending on where you are camping," says Nichol. "You can go from the mountains of Gros Morne, to the forest areas of central Newfoundland, and to the scenic coastline." The people are friendly, and the trip is always adventurous — with plenty of outdoor activities like hiking, boating and swimming in the region's fresh ponds and rivers.
For more information visit newfoundlandandlabrador.com
Photo by Theresa Nichol -
Algonquin Park, Ontario
A Canadian National Historic Site, Algonquin Provincial Park is considered "the" border between Northern and Southern Ontario. The park (which is 1.5 times the size of Prince Edward Island!) makes a perfect destination for camping, fishing, mountain biking, canoeing and relaxing, and is quite close to Toronto and Ottawa, making it one of the most popular parks in the province.
For more information visit algonquinpark.on.ca
Photo and source: CottageCountry.com -
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Blogger and journalist Heather Greenwood Davis and her family love Winnipeg, Manitoba — particularly The Forks for the "great open air space, which often is home to Native dance performances and cultural celebrations." They also enjoy the cute shops, the great local restaurants and biking together. Bee2gether Bikes (pictured above) offers tandem rentals, so your little ones can bike along with you.
For more information visit tourismwinnipeg.com
Photo by Heather Greenwood Davis, GlobetrottingMama.com -
Grand Bend, Ontario
Enjoy the famous beaches, warm waters, the vibrant nightlife and Main Street shops in Grand Bend, Ontario. There are various types of accommodation, as well. Try one of the area's wonderful resorts, rent a cottage or trailer, or pitch a tent in one of the area's great campsites.
For more information visit grandbendtourism.com
Photo by Daynna Smith -
Fern Resort, Orillia, Ontario
After 110 years, Fern Resort knows what it's doing! And it's our Editor-in-Chief Karine Ewart's favourite place to go with her family. "It reminds us of the resort in the movie Dirty Dancing," she says. "There are family-friendly activities offered all day long (like archery, bingo or jewelry making), a fabulous children's program that allows you to drop off your kids, and you get the same table and server at every meal — the buffet is perfect for hungry kids." The Ewart family has been enjoying Fern resort for the past five summers.
For more information visit fernresort.com
Photo by Karine Ewart, Editor-in-Chief, Today's Parent Magazine -
Pemberton, British Columbia
There is so much to do in beautiful Pemberton, BC. Take the kids hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, and enjoy the great restaurants. For all it's magnificent sights, adventures and things to do, it's blogger Katja Wulfers and her family's "fave place"!
For more information visit pemberton.ca
Photo by Katja Wulfers, jackstrawlane.com -
Muskoka Lakes, Ontario
There are lots of things to do with your kids on beautiful Muskoka Lakes! Rent a boat at one of the area's marinas, check out Santa's Village in nearby Bracebridge, take a canoe ride and stroll and shop around the town of Bala. Today's Parent reader Gabriella Galluccio and her family enjoy The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa. There are also lots of great cottage rentals in the area, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and more.
For more information visit discovermuskoka.ca
Photo by Gabriella Galluccio -
Port Medway, Nova Scotia
Enjoy Port Medway in Southwest Nova Scotia! Take the kids canoeing or kayaking along the Medway River, one of Nova Scotia's best whitewater rivers. Have a picnic in the Port Medway Lighthouse Park. Take in the history of the lighthouses, the architectural marvel of the Old Meeting House, shipbuilding and the stunning Medway Head Lighthouse in the cliffs.
For more information visit destinationsouthwestnova.com
Photo by Gabrielle Domingues -
Sherkston Shores, Ontario
Choose from four varieties of affordable trailers to rent for a week or weekend at Sherkston Shores, which is located in the Niagara Peninsula. "We like that we can share the cost of the trailer with a set of grandparents to have a fun-filled family vacation for all," says Caroline Rowe, "and most of the amenties are included (beach, swimming pool, entertainment)." You can also cut costs by bringing your own food. In addition to its wonderful amenities, Sherkston Shores offers entertainment for the kids, an arcade and a brand new splash pad.
For more information visit sherkston.com
Photo by Caroline Rowe -
Corner Brook, Newfoundland
Corner Brook, Newfoundland, is a great historical destination on the Bay of Islands, which is home to Marble Mountain, Eastern Canada's largest ski hill. Enjoy fun hiking and mountain biking adventures in the summer months.
For more information visit cornerbrook.com
Photo and source: CottageCountry.com
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Murray Corner, New Brunswick
Murray Corner, New Brunswick is an idyllic destination on the Acadian Coast. Spend the day sea kayaking, visiting farmers markets, and exploring historical lighthouses. And end the day taking in panoramic sunsets over ocean waters.
For more information visit tourismnewbrunswick.ca
Photo and source: CottageCountry.com -
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls is an ideal summer getaway for families — with the wonders of the Falls, the SkyWheel, the Butterfly Conservatory, the fun-packed Great Wolf Lodge, Cliffton Hill's haunted houses (for older kids) and museums, Brick City, fun restaurants, homemade fudge and so much more.
For more information visit todaysparent.com/niagarafalls and niagarafallstourism.com
Photo by Jennifer Harris -
Namarata, BC
Your kids will love the beach at Manitou Park, the farmer's market and Kettle Valley Trail (the old railway route) in peaceful Namarata, BC. For a little variety, spend a beach day in nearby Penticton. Today's Parent reader Lisa Noonan-Neufeld's family enjoys sitting at the beach and watching what her family calls "the pickers" — "French Canadian travellers who come there every year to pick the fruit in the orchards. They juggle, tight rope walk, dance, you name it!" There are many excellent bed and breakfasts and house rentals in the area. Lisa's family is lucky enough to stay with her parents!
For more information visit naramata.travel.bc.ca
Photo by Lisa Noonan-Neufeld -
Mont Tremblant, Quebec
Mont Tremblant, Quebec is a world class hiking, cycling and golfing destination located in the Laurentian Mountains. It is equidistant from Montreal and Ottawa, making it a premier summer destination for residents of each urban centre.
For more information visit tourismemonttremblant.com
Photo and source: CottageCountry.com -
Sundridge, Ontario
Hollie Barnes' family has been renting a cottage at Shady Nook Cottages, in Sundridge, Ontario, since 1988. Having spent over 20 summers on the beach of Lake Bernard, the area is filled with memories for her and her family.
For more information visit tripadvisor.ca
Photo by Hollie Barnes -
Prince Edward Island
Want a genuine Canadian island experience? Check out Prince Edward Island. PEI has been attracting travellers of all ages for years. From its famous sandy beaches, to its rich history and culture (Irish dancing), fine cuisine, great theatre, festivals, sites like Green Gables (which inspired Anne of Green Gables), its well-known warm hospitality and more, PEI is the ultimate family getaway.
For more information visit tourismpei.com
Photo by Deanna Miller -
Belair, Manitoba
Belair is a favorite beach retreat for Manitobans. Just one hour drive north of Winnipeg, it is Manitoba's "little paradise on the prairie," boasting white silica sand and a bustling boardwalk.
For more information visit tripadvisor.ca
Photo by CottageCountry.com -
Georgian Bay, Ontario
Often called the sixth Great Lake, picturesque Georgian Bay's got more than 30,000 islands to explore and thousands of kilometres of shoreline. Enjoy canoeing, hiking, biking, RVing and all kinds of summer activities. Get your cameras and take in the stunning beauty of the area — its cliffs, pine trees, beaches, lighthouses and clear water. Today's Parent reader Sarah Philbrik-Djerfi and her family enjoy a cottage in Penetanguishine (above).
For more information visit visitgeorgianbay.com
Photo by Sarah Philbrick-Djerfi -
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Moonieya (not verified) says ....
Its too bad there wasn't a single Alberta location out of 22 options!
Jen (not verified) says ....
Fun article. Don't mean to be the typo police but... Naramata is spelled wrong a few times.
Haley Overland says ....
Thanks, Anon! Innocent and unfortunate typo. Anne of Green Gables is one of my all-time faves (and she makes an emphasis on the "e" and everything)! We fixed it almost immediately, so you caught the early draft, alas. Glad you enjoyed it!
Anonymous says ....
enjoyed flipping through the sight BUT Anne, on the PEI write up was spelled with no "e"!! huge faux pas