Summer vacation rituals are great, but occasionally it’s fun to shake things up with a few days away that are completely unexpected. This summer, Hamilton Halton Brant’s huge crop of family-friendly fun makes it the perfect destination for a vacation switch-up. The following three itineraries will help you narrow down your options by having your family choose between activities based on the themes of water, land, or air.


Family Fun Theme: Water

Start your day off with breakfast on the beach. Some of our favourite morning sand and snack pairings include:

For the afternoon, shake off all the sand by spending a few hours enjoying Wild Waterworks’ huge heated wave pool, six crazy waterslides and relaxing Eazy River. Smaller children will have a blast in the wading pool with slides, mists, spray and fountains. Consider renting a Cabana for the ultimate experience. FunSplash Hamilton at Binbrook Conservation Area is another fantastic outdoor waterpark option. The family will have a blast competing on 25 different inflatable obstacles set on the Lake Niapenco reservoir.

A hotel with a pool is a prerequisite for any family holiday that’s all about water-based play and there are lots to choose from in Hamilton Halton Brant.

For your second day, enjoy some time out on the water instead of in it! Want to hit the Grand River for a few hours of care-free floating? The Five Oaks to Brant Park is Grand River Rafting’s shortest Turbo Tubing trip at about two hours of paddling. This easy adventure is perfect for families with young children and people wishing to see what tubing is like before doing a longer float.

Other options for spending day two afloat include climbing aboard the Hamiltonian for a sightseeing tour of one of North America’s most noteworthy harbours or loading everyone into a canoe to explore Kelso Reservoir, but there are dozens of more ways to explore the region’s shorelines.


Family Fun Theme: Land

If your family prefers finding fun that allows everyone to stay dry, this itinerary is for you. Begin your land-based adventure with a stroll that will allow everyone to stretch their legs after your drive. Excellent family-friendly options include:

  • Triple C Farms’ Animal Walks invite guests to lead an alpaca, mini-horse or donkey around the farm.
  • The Six Nations Nature Trail is home to Canada’s largest stand of Carolinian forest.
  • Dundas Valley Conservation Area’s Heritage Trail showcases beautiful forests and the Niagara Escarpment.
  • Exploring Crawford Lake Conservation Area’s Longhouse Village is a fun way to learn about what daily life was like over 600 years ago for Indigenous peoples who lived in the area.
  • Oakville’s Bronte Village has a collection of 100 At Home In Bronte hand-painted Muskoka Chairs, each with a hidden lighthouse icon waiting for eager eyes to spot.

After a few hours of outdoor exploring, spend your afternoon stepping back in time. Fun ways to play within a different time period include:

For your second day, do some land-based cruising by bike:

  • The Hamilton section of The Waterfront Trail splits into two sections: The Hamilton Waterfront Trail and the Hamilton Recreation Beach Trail. Both trails are mainly off-road, 6m wide, paved asphalt, and offer a smooth, wide surface that’s perfect for newer bikers and rollerbladers. If you don’t feel like bringing your own bikes, tap into the network of rental bikes from Hamilton Bike Share.
  • If your family prefers terrain that’s a little more rugged, mountain biking trails at Hilton Falls, Kelso and Mountsberg Conservation areas won’t disappoint. Take advantage of the on-site mountain biking school at Kelso Conservation Area to help boost new riders’ confidence.
  • Brantford’s Rotary Bike Park is a must-try biking experience for riders who like to try a few tricks.


Family Fun Theme: Air

Look up, way up, and set your sights on the sky for this two-day adventure.

On your first morning, trade the busy amusement park scene for some more nature-based ways to play that will get your adrenaline pumping just as effectively as any roller coaster! Ideas for fresh-air fun families will love include:

For the afternoon, give your crew a taste of the excitement of skydiving with an Airborne Experience at iFly Toronto’s convenient Oakville location. The vertical wind tunnels offer a safe, seamless skydiving experience that gives you the feeling of freefall as you float on a smooth cushion of air.

For your second day, celebrate the magic of flight. Airplane enthusiasts will adore exploring the incredible collection at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, which has almost 50 different aircraft on site. Or change your perspective on a scenic flight over the Brantford area offered by Branford Flight Centre. Other locations include Long Point and Lake Erie, Niagara Falls or downtown Toronto! Aircraft rentals are also available for licenced pilots.

For families who would prefer to send things sailing through the air, take a few hours to introduce your crew to the fun of disc golf. A disc golf course is very similar to a traditional golf course, but the goal is to land flying discs into baskets located throughout the fields and forests instead of hitting a golf ball into a hole. Consider giving these courses a try:

Wrap up the final day of your air adventure by stepping into one of these four very cool open-air art experiences offered in Hamilton Halton Brant or having a nose-to-beak experience with the winged wonders living at the Mountsberg Conservation Area’s Raptor Centre.


This summer, Travel True in Hamilton Halton Brant and discover the pure pleasure of creating new memories with your favourite people. From incredible natural landscapes for outdoor adventures, like the Niagara EscarpmentGrand River and scenic Lake Ontario shorelines, to fascinating sites that celebrate our country’s past, fun summer festivals and events, and immersive experiences and tours that put you in the heart of all the action, discover the perfect backdrop for unforgettable summer fun.

Want more ideas for summer day trips and stay trips like this delivered straight to your inbox? Be sure to subscribe

Featured Partners

Travel Deals View All >>

Experiences & Tours View All >>

Now thru September 28

Wake Up the Wild

African Lion Safari

1386 Cooper Road, Hamilton, ON, N1R 5S2

Available on select dates from Jun to Sept, 2025. Tour subject to availability. Advanced reservations...

Now thru December 31

Music Bingo at Flux

Flux Brewing Company

185 Oakland Rd, Scotland, ON N0E 1R0

Date & Time: January 15th and every 2nd Wednesday of the week, 6:00pm to 8:00pm...

Now thru December 31

Hamilton Civic Museums Virtual Tours

28 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A1

September 25

RBG After Dark: So Long Summer

Royal Botanical Gardens

680 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON, L7T 4H4

Date & Time: September 25, 2025 from 6:30pm - 10:30pm Tickets: $25 (+hst) per person...

Now thru December 14

Beeswax Candle Making

Backed By Bees

6214 Appleby Line, Burlington, Ontario L7M 0P7

Dates: Various dates each month Time: 1:00 to 3:00pm Cost: $64.99

Now thru August 31

Wonders of Raptors Behind the Scenes Tour

Date & Time: July 5 - Aug 31, 2025 from 4:00 - 4:30pm Admission: $99...

Now thru September 13

The Bee Encounter Experience

Backed By Bees

6214 Appleby Line, Burlington, Ontario L7M 0P7

Dates: Various Dates from Jun 21st to Sept 13th Times: 10:00am, 11:30am or 1:00pm Price:...

Now thru December 31

Introductory Flight Lesson

Brantford Flight Centre

110 Aviation Ave. Brantford, ON N3T 5L7, Canada

Dates: All year round Cost: $152.55 including HST

August 21

RBG After Dark: Hot Summer Sizzle

Royal Botanical Gardens

680 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON, L7T 4H4

Date & Time: August 21, 2025 from 6:30pm - 10:30pm Tickets: $25 (+hst) per person...

Now thru September 1

Hamiltonian Tour Boat

Hamilton Waterfront – Pier 8

47 Discovery Drive, Hamilton, ON L8L 8K4

Open Weekends Only until June 29th. Daily from June 29th to September 2nd. Price (includes...

Now thru December 31

Private Date Night Painting for 2

studio k2

The Cotton Factory, DyeWorks Building, 9 Landsdowne Avenue, Hamilton

Whenever Date Night is! Event Price: $165.00 + hst per couple.

Now thru July 20

Yoga and the Bees

Backed By Bees

6214 Appleby Line, Burlington, Ontario L7M 0P7

Dates: June 22nd, July 20th from 11:00am - 12:00pm

Similar Stories View All >>

Hiking for Everybody

We’ve got a hike for that.

Read More

Travel with Purpose: Three Days Discovering Halton’s Hidden Gems

Travel with Purpose: Three Days Discovering Hamilton and Brant’s Hidden Gems

Ride, Your Way: Back Road, Off Road & Velodrome

Ride, your way in Hamilton Halton Brant.

Read More

Escape To The Country

6 Rural Retreats To Replenish Your Spirit

Read More

This Art is Outside: Get an Outdoor Art Fix

Find creative ways to blend an art experience with some fresh air and sunshine.

Read More

8 Signs You Are A True Canadian Summer Weekend Warrior

Add some spark to your long weekend this summer.

Read More

Summer Day Trips for Toddlers

A well-planned day trip is the key to travelling with your young ones.

Read More

6 Unique Date Ideas to Break Away from Dinner and Movies

Creative summer date ideas!

Read More

Five Top Spots to Pitch Your Tent in Hamilton Halton Brant

Conservation areas and private campgrounds offer a wide range of site choices and recreational activities for both tent and RV campers.

Read More

4 Fun-Filled Field Trips in Hamilton Halton Brant

Surprise your “class” with an end of the year field trip!

Read More

Summer Day Trips for Teens

Easy ways to spend some quality time with the teens in your life.

Read More

Get Travel OffersEvent Details and
Planning Ideas for Your Next Trip

Sign up to receive the latest Hamilton Halton Brant travel news delivered right to your inbox.