Family winter getaways in Ontario

Southwestern Ontario

Stargazing at Point Pelee National Park

Take a winter family vacation to the southernmost point of mainland Canada for a unique camping and stargazing experience at Point Pelee National Park. 

Designated as a Dark Sky Preserve in 2006, this park is one of the top locations in Canada to view the night sky. Evening stargazing events called Dark Sky Nights are hosted on select dates throughout the winter season. Bring your binoculars or a telescope, pick up a seasonal star chart from the front gate and rediscover the stars.

Book a site in Camp Henry and stay in an oTENTik, which is a cross between an A-frame cabin and a prospector tent. These accommodations are heated, sleep up to six people and are walk-in only with a nearby parking lot available for one vehicle. There are four accessible and two pet-friendly tents available. Make reservations online well in advance.  

Alternatively, Best Western Plus Leamington Hotel & Conference Centre in Leamington is a great accommodation option close to several restaurants.

Niagara Region

Waterpark escape in Niagara Falls

Look no further than Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls for the ultimate indoor winter family trip.

This indoor water park resort offers endless fun and excitement with awesome waterpark attractions that’ll send you splashing down water slides, leisurely floating along the lazy river and braving the towering wave pool.

Book a vacation package and save on the resort’s top attractions. Choose between a variety of spacious suites and cottages and satisfy everyone’s cravings with on-site dining options. Water park passes and kids events are included with an overnight stay.

Hamilton, Halton and Brant

Explore the Royal Botanical Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton is renowned for lush greenery and blooming flowers in the warmer months, but the winter season transforms this natural oasis into a serene wonderland.

Explore snow-covered trails, peaceful gardens and scenic landscapes. Visit the Rock Garden and enjoy self-guided activities that allow you to explore and learn as a family. Find conifers and witch hazel outside in the Arboretum or head inside to the RBG Centre to visit the Mediterranean Garden, Cacti and Succulent Collection and Orchid Display.

Purchase tickets online for more family-friendly activities and events. The gardens host special events in the winter, like the RBG Express train in Hendrie Park. Warm up with homemade soup, a ready-made sandwich, or a salad at the on-site Greenhouse Café. 

Stay in downtown Hamilton at the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel and enjoy a delicious pizza or pasta dinner at Caro on James. Discover more family activities in Hamilton.

Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington

Snow tubing at Chicopee Tube Park in Waterloo 

Chicopee Tube Park is one of the area’s most popular family vacation destinations in winter for good reason. 

The park boasts six different tubing chutes, reaching heights of up to 76 metres (250 feet) and lengths of 274 metres (900 feet). It’s not unusual for this park to hit capacity on weekends. Buy tickets online in advance to guarantee your spot.

Nearby, you’ll find great hotel options and plenty of places to eat after a long day of snow tubing. Moose Winooski’s in Kitchener has a kids’ menu and a great family environment. Visit THEMUSEUM in downtown Kitchener for fun and engaging exhibitions that will entertain the whole family.

Greater Toronto Area

Experience Toronto in winter

Explore downtown Toronto as the city is transformed into a winter wonderland. 

Enjoy downtown views while ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square. Skates are available to rent on-site. The Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario offer rotating exhibitions for indoor entertainment. Both venues feature a diverse collection of historical works, plus educational programs and workshops for families.

Go shopping for gifts, souvenirs or a new wardrobe at the Eaton Centre and trendy boutiques in the Queen Street West neighbourhood. 

For families with younger kids, KidSpark is a learn-through-experience interactive space for children under 10 at the Harbourfront Centre.

There are plenty of places to stay in Toronto. Located downtown, the Chelsea Hotel is a great option for families. It features a Family Fun Zone with a pool, indoor waterslide, a teen lounge and educational activities at the kid centre. You can also show your room key to receive a discount at some of the city’s best attractions. 

Alternatively, the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre is a budget-friendly, contemporary hotel with the added bonus of perks for families with kids.

York, Durham and Headwaters

Horseback riding in Caledon

Embark on a guided horseback trail ride this winter at Rusty Jade Ranch. 

For more outdoor fun, head to Albion Hills Conservation Park for cross-country skiing. Rentals are available. Stay nearby at a historic country inn or B&B and find an assortment of family-friendly local restaurants.

Bruce, Grey and Simcoe

Ice skating in MacGregor Point Provincial Park 

Located on the shores of Lake Huron near Port Elgin, MacGregor Point Provincial Park is a great destination for family vacations and weekend getaways. 

The park operates a 400-metre ice-skating loop hidden in the heart of the forest. Each day after dark, the trail lights up, allowing you to skate under the stars.

Elevate your magical winter experience by staying in one of six yurts available year-round in the park. Each yurt is heated and sleeps up to six people, with a fire pit and propane barbecue outside. Book online through the Ontario Parks Reservations system.

Winter thrills at Snow Valley near Barrie

Head to Snow Valley, just a 17-minute drive west of Barrie, for an exhilarating day filled with skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing or snowshoeing. The slopes welcome both beginners and seasoned pros.

Tack on an extra day to go ice fishing on Lake Simcoe. Celebrated as the ice fishing capital of North America, the is dotted with heated log cabins available for rent, along with live bait, tackle, rods and padded benches for fishing.

Enhance your winter experience in Barrie by timing your visit with the Barrie Winterfest. This vibrant event is great for fun family vacations and features fun winter activities like ice skating, ice sculpting, horse-drawn wagon rides and roasting marshmallows.

Find delicious dining options and a diverse range of accommodations in Barrie.

Kawarthas and Northumberland

Bird watching in Ken Reid Conservation Area

Spot Ontario’s winter wildlife on a family bird-watching excursion in Ken Reid Conservation Area, just north of Lindsay in the Kawarthas Lakes region. 

Explore over 10 kilometres of trails, including a floating boardwalk, and use this free bird checklist information guide to help with identification. Bring binoculars and some hot cocoa on your adventure.

Find a selection of hotels, motels and inns and tasty restaurants in nearby Lindsay or head to Bobcaygeon for more accommodations and dining options.

Southeastern Ontario

Cross-country skiing in Sandbanks Provincial Park

With idyllic scenery, culinary delights and a wide variety of places to stay, Prince Edward County offers the perfect blend of outdoor exploration and cozy relaxation. 

Visit Sandbanks Provincial Park for a winter escape like no other. With 10 kilometres of groomed trails, hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski along the snowy shores of Lake Ontario.

At kid-friendly Parsons Brewing, enjoy delicious fare, hot chocolate and even ice skating on the outdoor skating rink. 

From charming cottages to cozy country inns, there’s no shortage of accommodations and family-friendly dining options that will suit your family’s needs.

Ottawa Region

Ice skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway

Skate along the frozen waterways of Ottawa’s iconic Rideau Canal. The Rideau Canal Skateway is the world’s longest skating rink at just under eight kilometres. Skate rentals are available under the Mackenzie King Bridge. 

Note that the Rideau Canal skating rink is weather-dependent; check in advance to see if it is open. If the canal hasn’t frozen yet, there are several other great skating rinks in Ottawa to enjoy. Afterwards, treat yourselves to a BeaverTail and hot chocolate in the ByWard Market.

Plan your visit to Ottawa during Winterlude, a free festival during the first three weekends of February each year. Admire stunning ice sculptures made by artists from around the world and check out Snowflake Kingdom, a huge winter playground. Additional indoor and outdoor activities and events during Winterlude highlight Indigenous culture and Canadian diversity.

Choose from various accommodations and satisfy everyone’s cravings with Ottawa’s restaurant options.

Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley

Enjoy winter sports at Calabogie Peaks Resort

Located in Ottawa Valley, Calabogie Peaks Resort is the tallest ski and snowboard resort in Ontario. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, Calabogie Peaks Resort offers a range of winter activities for all ages and skill levels. Explore snowshoeing and cross-country trails or experience pond skating on the picturesque Calabogie Lake.

Warm up by the evening campfire and enjoy comfortable resort accommodations. Complete your winter retreat with excellent dining options at the resort.

Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound

Skate and snowshoe at Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery

Famous for its cranberry marsh, Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery is also a wonderful winter destination. 

In addition to a hockey rink, outdoor fire pits and an on-site winery with hot mulled wine, the main attraction is a 1.2-kilometre skating loop with the aptly named Cranboni smoothing the trail. The trail is open daily between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with tiki torchlight skating on Saturday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Skate rentals are available on-site. 

Warm up with mulled wine or hot cran-apple cider by the fireside patio. Other activities include guided farm tours, wine tastings and snowshoeing.

Book a getaway at a nearby resort, lodge or cottage or go further and explore Muskoka’s winter wonderland.

Northeastern Ontario

Snow adventures at Nature’s Harmony Ecolodge 

Situated on 196 hectares overlooking the Laurentian Mountains in Mattawa just outside North Bay, Nature’s Harmony Ecolodge boasts extensive cross-country skiing, tobogganing, snowshoeing and skating trails.

 It’s also one of the few places in Ontario where you can try kicksledding, a Scandinavian sport likened to using a scooter on snow.  

Accommodations at Nature’s Harmony range from winterized glamping tents and a Mongolian yurt to log cabins with fireplaces. If you’re visiting for the day, purchase day passes to access the trails and groomed sliding hill. Tubes and sleds are included in the rate, while kicksled rentals cost extra.

Add downhill skiing and snowboarding to the agenda at Antoine Mountain.

Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma

Winter fun in Sault Ste. Marie

With outdoor adventure, fun festivals and unique attractions, Sault Ste. Marie is a winter destination your whole family will enjoy. 

Skate along the waterfront at Clergue Park’s skating trail, a kilometre-long circuit that takes skaters past the Art Gallery of Algoma and the Elsie Savoie Sculpture Park. The trail is open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends and noon to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays.

For a fat biking adventure, head to Hiawatha Highlands, just a short drive from downtown, and set tracks down on the world-class mountain bike trail system. Fat bike day passes and rentals are available on-site and a daily pass must be purchased to ride the trails.

Immersive and interactive activities and displays put kids in the pilot’s seat at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.

Time your visit to Sault Ste. Marie to coincide with Bon Soo, the city’s beloved annual winter carnival. Enjoy live music, entertainment and activities like snow tubing, a polar bear dip and an outdoor obstacle course. 

Find a tasty spot to eat and drink in downtown Sault Ste. Marie and book your stay at a comfortable hotel or cozy bed and breakfast.

Northwest Ontario

Learn new winter skills in Thunder Bay

At Fort William Historical Park, the state-of-the-art David Thompson Astronomical Observatory is home to one of the largest telescopes in Central Canada, capable of spotting galaxies, planets and nebulae. In Thunder Bay, you’re far enough north that you may get a glimpse of the aurora borealis.

Learn how to build a solid snow shelter using the surrounding natural environment with Outdoor Skills And Thrills. This fun workshop will teach your family how to build a “quinzee” or shelter in the snow. Available for groups of up to six, the Snow Shelter Adventure can be booked online for quarter-day, half-day or full-day sessions.

Additionally, every Sunday from early January until March, Thunder Bay hosts the family-friendly Winter FunDays at Prince Arthur’s Landing Marina Park with free activities, including snow sculpting. 

Book accommodations for your weekend getaway in Thunder Bay and explore the local foodie scene.