Between the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit, our incredible deals on accommodations with local hotel partners, and other summer offers, it’s never been more affordable to turn your family day trip into an overnight stay trip. This summer, instead of cramming your family’s adventure into one long, exhausting day, slow down and stretch out the fun by incorporating an affordable overnight stay into your schedule. Here are four fun ways to do it!
Day Trip To Stay Trip An Amazing African Lion Safari Adventure
You’ve heard the early bird gets the worm, but at African Lion Safari, the early bird gets the wild! African Lion Safari’s Wake Up The Wild experience offers guests unrivalled access to the park before it opens to the public on a privately guided tour led by a Game Warden. Witness a pride of lions at their most active time of the day as they devour their morning meal. Explore the park in an open-air truck and come within a metre of rhino, zebra, and ostriches. Hand-feed Canada’s largest giraffe herd!

This adventure starts at 8:45 am, and your ticket includes access to the park for the remainder of the day when the experience concludes. Booking a nearby hotel the night before will allow you a little bit more of a sleep-in, make your morning far less rushed, and leave the kids with more fuel in the tank to play all day. Great nearby options with summer Staytripping deals that include a $50 or $100 VISA gift card with your booking include:
- The Break-Away Staycation Getaway Package at Staybridge Suites Hamilton, which includes a hot breakfast and free wifi.
- The One-Night Staycation Package at C Hotel by Carmen’s, which also includes a $75 credit for Baci Ristorante and breakfast!
- The Family Stay at Holiday Inn Burlington, which includes a cookie and milk delivery to your room!
Day Trip To Stay Trip A Sensational Sports Adventure
Big game excitement doesn’t have to come with big-ticket prices. Head to Hamilton to cheer on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats CFL team or Hamilton Honey Badgers basketball team. Rather than having to rush to the car to drive home after the game, hit a downtown patio for a fun family dinner and then settle in for some shuteye at a nearby hotel. In the morning, surprise the kids with breakfast on the beach in Burlington, roller-skating, or a zipline through the treetops before you head home.

Browse our Summer Staycation Hotel Offers to find a great deal.
Day Trip To Stay Trip A Wonderful Day On The Water
Nothing kills a fun family vibe faster after an amazing day out on the water than having to load everyone in the car and head right home. This summer, pair a family-friendly Grand River paddling adventure, like Turbo Tubing For Beginners or Paddle The Beast, with a Staytripping deal at a nearby hotel, like:
- The One-Night Staycation Family Package at Days Inn Brantford, which includes breakfast.
- The One-Night or Two-Night Stay Package at Towneplace Suites Brantford, which includes breakfast, wifi and a welcome package.
- The One-Night or Two-Night Getaway Package at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brantford, which has an indoor pool and includes a snack kit, breakfast for two and free wifi.

Day Trip To Stay Trip Family Festival Fun
Festival season is back in a big way for summer 2022, but all that fresh air, food and fun can make for a long drive back at the end of the day. Instead of heading home that night, book a hotel room or vacation rental (they’re also eligible for the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit) that you can quickly escape to at the end of the evening. Fun family-friendly summer festivals taking place in Hamilton Halton Brant this summer include:
- July 20 – 31: Hamilton Fringe Festival
- July 23 – 24: Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow
- July 29 – 31: Festival of Friends
- August 19 – 21: Dundas Cactus Festival
- August 20th: Burlington Veg Fest
- August 26 – 28: Winona Peach Festival
- September 9 – 11: Hamilton Supercrawl

Looking for even more family adventures you can supersize this summer? Visit our Pick Pack Go page to build your awesome family getaway.