Busy sports schedules, a limited budget and a shortage of vacation time can make planning a vacation seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. A growing number of Canadian families are discovering that planning a few fun day trips spread throughout the summer offers some great advantages to the traditional summer week away.
We challenged some staycation-savvy families to share their best tips for planning affordable AND awesome day trips, and they definitely delivered. Here are some of our favourite tips and tricks that you can use to plan some of your own Great Canadian Day Trips this summer.

Tip #1: Drive less, do more

The majority of your day should be spent at your destination, not driving to it. Long car trips aren’t fun for anyone, so set your sites on an end point that’s no more than two hours from home. Time your trip to avoid morning and evening rush hours, so it’s smooth sailing the minute you hit the road. Here are some suggested destinations from a variety of starting points:

Scarborough: Hamilton is hopping and is just 93 km away
Mississauga: Home to the Grand River, Brantford is just a 105-km trip from home, but an afternoon of floating in a canoe, kayak, or raft will make you feel like you’ve gone much further.
Toronto: At less than 60 km away, Burlington is a super quick trip to get to a family-friendly waterfront and acres of exploring at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Don’t miss this summer’s super cool Lego exhibit.
Kitchener Waterloo: Just 55 km down the 401 you’ll discover a rocky new world for outdoor adventure. Access the Niagara Escarpment at a variety of conservation areas around Milton.
London: The pretty town of Paris is just 87 km away, but you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world as you explore the historic cobblestone streets.

Tip #2: Make finding savings part of the fun

While there’s no doubt that travel with a limitless budget is a blast, it’s not something your wallet can always support. Make being thrifty a little more fun by setting a family challenge to see how much you can do in a day for a set number that reflects your budget. Only have $100 to spend? Pack a picnic lunch and time your trip to coincide with special savings offers.

When it comes time to select a souvenir to remember your day, there are creative ways to save here too. Trade a trip to the gift shop for a stop at a roadside farm stand. Buy some freshly picked fruit or home baking that everyone can snack on during the trip home.

Tip #3: Take advantage of one-stop festival fun

Summer festivals are a great way to pack in a wide range of activities without having to spend extra time in the car driving to multiple destinations. Some family-friendly options in Hamilton Halton Brant include:

Sound of Music Festival, Burlington

Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow

Supercrawl, Hamilton

Tip #4: Let the experts take the reigns

Not everyone loves assuming the role of ringleader. Fortunately, many museums, conservation areas and historical sites have top-notch teams of guides and interpreters who would be thrilled to share their knowledge with your group. Here are some suggestions for guided experiences that make for exciting (and educational) day trips.

Dundurn Castle offers guided garden tours and cooking workshops that will transport you to another time.
Game wardens at African Lion Safari take Wake Up the Wild participants behind the scenes for a VIP tour before the park opens.
Admission to Bronte Creek Provincial Park includes access to daily nature, cultural and outdoor recreation programs for families including guided walks, children’s programs, toddler time, evening programs and special events.
Mountsberg Conservation Area’s fascinating Bird of Prey Presentation will bring you nose to beak with some of Mountsberg’s resident Ontario Raptors.

Tip #5: Play to their passions

When you only have one day to get away, choosing an activity that you know everyone is already interested in can be a solid strategy for upping the fun factor. Determine what best reflect your family’s stages and interests and then get everyone involved in choosing what gets added to your itinerary.

 

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Now thru December 31

Explore Paris Like A Local – A Sweet Escape

Tasty Road Trips Food Tours

Paris, Ontario

Tour Details: This tour is a 4.5 hour all-inclusive self-guided tour with all food, sips,...

May 18 - October 13

On The Water with Six Nations Tourism

Six Nations Tourism

2498 Chiefswood Road, Ohsweken, ON, N0A 1M0

Season Dates: May 18th to Oct 13th Length: 3 hours. All tours must be booked...

April 6 - 14

Sap to Syrup: A Maple Syrup Making Experience

Terra Cotta Conservation Area

14452 Winston Churchill Boulevard, Halton Hills, ON, L0P 1N0

Dates: Apr 6th & 7th, 13th & 14th Two Sessions: 10:00am to 12:00pm & 2:00pm...

Now thru December 13

Art Crawl on James North

James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L2, Canada

Dates & Times: Second Friday of Every Month, 5:00pm till 8:00pm Free Event

Now thru December 31

Road to the Ridge: Taste of the Escarpment

Tasty Road Trips Food Tours

Paris, Ontario

Tour Details: This tour is a 4.5 hour all-inclusive self-guided tour with all food, sips,...

Now thru April 7

Maple Town at Mountsberg

Mountsberg Conservation Area and Discovery Centre

2259 Millborough Line, Campbellville, ON, L0P 1B0

Dates: Mar 2nd to Apr 7th Weekends, Holidays & March Break Event Price: Non-member: Adult...

April 21 - 28

Downtown Oakville: Wellness Week 2024 – Free Class: Hot Sculpt

178 Lakeshore Rd E Oakville, ON L6J 1H6

Dates & Times: From Apr 21st to Apr 28th Multiple time slots available Free Event...

April 8

Sound Bath on the New Moon in Aries

Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre

1086 Burnhamthorpe Rd E, Oakville, ON L6H 7B2

Date & Time: Apr 8th, 6:00pm - 7:00pm Price: $25.00

Now thru December 31

Music Bingo at Flux

Flux Brewing Company

185 Oakland Rd, Scotland, ON N0E 1R0

Date & Time: January 17th (1st bingo night of the year) $5 cover to join

Now thru June 1

Sung Tieu – Civic Floor

Oakville Galleries

Oakville Galleries, 120 Navy Street Oakville, ON L6J 2Z4

Dates & Times: Feb 3rd - Jun 1st, 10:00am to 5:00pm Closed on Sundays +...

Now thru May 20

Space to Spoon

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

9280 Airport Road, Mount Hope, ON, L0R 1W0

Date: Feb 8th to May 20th Opening Hours: Wed to Sun, 9:00am to 5:00pm Admission:...

Now thru May 17

Ranjni Perera – Futures

1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L6

Exhibition Period: Feb 13th - May 17th

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