Idea's for short getaway in SW Ontario

[Sugar Jones]

I'm looking for something fun to do this summe with the kids 10, 8 & 5. We live in SW Ontario (between London & Sarnia)

We did a Jays game & Canada's Wonderland last summer so no Toronto this year. We love going to Ottawa for the Busker festival in August, but financially I don't think we can swing that this year.

Just looking for an overnight trip that the kids would like.


Any suggestions?

 

[RCMommy]

We live in London and head to Sandusky Ohio often. For us it is a four to five hour drive depending on the bridge traffic, but for you it would be closer.

In Sandusky, there is a Great Wolf Lodge that is less per night than the GWL in Niagara. There is also The Kalahari Resort which is enormous and tons of fun. Of course, close by is also Cedar Point Amusement Park. A few of the hotels right by Cedar Point are right on the beach which is great.

Have you ever been to the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan? It could be done as a day trip but it would be better if you stayed overnight and did the village as well.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Some thoughts off the top of my head.....

African Lion Safari

Niagara Falls (one of my fave's for Ontario family fun) .....

- Great Wolf Lodge has a deal on if you book by April 9th (25% off 2 nights or more...which reduces rates to $159.99 in some cases, including summer dates).....you can always bring food to cut your costs as there's an in-room fridge and microwave

- 2-night packages at the Skyline (walking distance to the Falls) with 4 daily passes to the Fallsview waterpark are $299 at the end of June

Wild Water Kingdom in Brampton

I know you said "no Toronto", but there are lots of other choices here besides Wonderland and Jays games.....the zoo, CN Tower, Hippo Bus, Casa Loma, etc.

Bowmanville Zoo

Jungle Cat World (Orono)

Cedar Park (Clarington)

Are you willing to cross the border? If so, there's Splash Lagoon in Erie, PA.

How about a trip to Vaughan? Spend part of the day at the Nascar Speedpark, take in some mini golf at Putting Edge, dinner at Vinny Zucchini's, and overnight at one of the hotels with a waterslide? (there's the Doubletree by the airport then a property right in Vaughan...a Hilton Garden Inn, if I remember correctly)

What about Kingston? Take a 1000 Islands Cruise, visit Fort Henry, and stay overnight at the Ambassador Hotel (indoor waterslides, and a kids splash area)

What is your budget? That would help in narrowing down some of the options!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

For a trip to the Peterborough area.....

- Riverview Park & Zoo (free with the exception of the train ride, which I think is only $1 per person.....and there's an onsite splash park )

- Wild Water & Wheels

- Indian River Reptile Zoo

- Canadian Canoe Museum (never been, but its the #1 rated attraction for Peterborough on TripAdvisor, and its only $22 for a family of 4)

- Visit the lift locks

- If you like nature, there's Warsaw Caves and Petroglyphs Provincial Park

 

[Sugar Jones]

What is the Nascar park you speak of??? I will look into that.

The kids would love Afrian Lion Safari again. Avery was only 1 when we were there last. I never even thought of it. And I can get tickets with my airmiles!

I'd prefer to keep in under a 2hr drive from me. Toronto is 3hrs from me.

As for budget - I'm guessing around $500.00 food/lodgings & tickets included. (not gas)


We are camping for a week so that's taking up a big chunk of my summer vacation money.

And thank you so much for your suggestions!

 

[sjsjbrook]

Waterloo has a busker festival in August. It is near African Lion safari.

There is also many cool things to do in the area. Bingeman park is in Kitchener, There is Doon Heritage Crossroads a pioneer beginning of the century village. There is Drayton Theatre branch in St Jacobs, and then there is St Jacobs itself. Castle Kilbride in baden Ontario (20 minutes from Waterloo).

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

What is the Nascar park you speak of??? I will look into that.

I just tried looking up a website link for you, and it appears that maybe the Vaughan Mills location has closed .

Hopefully some of the Toronto Disers will be able to confirm that for us.

But honest....it was open the last time we were there!

 

[Disney Addicted]

I second Africian Lion Safari! And their splash area is so much better than the Toronto Zoo splash pad.

Does anyone know if that Ripley's Aquariaum (being built by the base of the CN Tower) is opening this year or next year?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I second Africian Lion Safari! And their splash area is so much better than the Toronto Zoo splash pad.

Does anyone know if that Ripley's Aquariaum (being built by the base of the CN Tower) is opening this year or next year?

Summer 2013, according to this article:

http://www.thestar.com/news/article...construction-of-the-concrete-shark-tank-floor