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Toronto Featured in U.S.A Today

Top five bargain destinations for spring 2010
USA Today
Vancouver may be basking in the spotlight right now, but come spring, Toronto will have plenty of reasons to shine. New air service will totally transform ..


See more Ontario Information

Visitors are also encouraged to check out travel bargains in resort destinations north of Toronto in Ontario's Cottage Country
See Spring Getaways North of Toronto

Last Minute Family Day North of Toronto

Family Day Last Minute Activities

Each year Family Day in Ontario Falls on the 3rd Monday in February and is an official holiday set out by the Province of Ontario.  Family Day activities in 2010 take place over the February 12-15 long weekend, and is a launch to Ontario Heritage week activities,  with many Winter Carnivals and coincides with Canada's Heritage Day on Monday 15, 2010. See Family Day News 2010 

Last Minute Activities and Ideas are listed by area and region below:

Barrie Area

Family Day Winter Fun
Enjoy the great outdoors at the Tiffin Centre on Monday, February 15th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include skating, snowshoeing, kicksledding, and geocaching. Cost is $5 per person and includes BBQ lunch and all equipment except for skates. Children under the age of 16 must wear a helmet while skating. The Tiffin Centre is located at 8195 8th Line, Essa Township. For more information visit www.nvca.on.ca or call 705-424-1479, ext. 244.
Family Day Fun at the Simcoe County Museum
Minesing/February 1, 2010 - Family Day, Monday, February 15th, will kick off Heritage Week celebrations with outdoor activities. At 10:30 a.m., test your sleuthing skills in an exercise combining snowshoeing and orienteering. The Really Big Shoe will get the families’ blood flowing in a contest to find various clues en route to the finish and prizes on the Museum’s picturesque 327 acres of winter paradise.These activities are all included with the cost of regular Museum Admission: Adult $6, Student/Senior $5.00, Child $4.00, Preschoolers - free. The Simcoe County Museum is located at 1151 Highway 26, minutes north of Barrie. For more information, please phone 705-728-3721. Visit our website at museum.simcoe.ca for further details.
Hardwood Ski and Bike Family Day Weekend
From February 12 to 15 we will be offering special Family Day weekend pricing for kids. One child 12 and under will ski free with an adult paying a trail fee. We will also be offering rental packages for kids 12 and under for $15.

Haliburton Area

Ski and Snowshoe The Frost Centre on Family Weekend
February 13-15th 2 for 1 Rentals

         

Ontario's Only Iditarod Team, Miss Canada & World Class Sprint Races, Together ...
Market Wire (press release)
The Haliburton Dogsled Derby is attracting all kinds of stars and athletes as Ontario's only entry in the Iditarod prepares for the race of their lifetime. ...

Midland Area

Wye Marsh
Any idea how you will spend your Family Day? Get started by putting away the board games… this February 15th make your Family Day a special one at the Wye Marsh! Give our snowshoe obstacle course a try or test your snowball tossing accuracy on our large bull’s eye target created in the snow! Roast marshmallows, go cross-country skiing, or learn about reptiles and birds of prey during our live animal shows! Plus, you will have the chance to win a one year membership!
Cost: General Admission - $30.00 per family members are free, Adults $11.00, Seniors $8.50, children $8.00 (+ gst.)

Ontario Wide

Family Fishing Weekend Safe Fishing Guide
With the upcoming Family Fishing Weekend (February13-15) winter fishing enthusiasts spread out across the province, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) and the Ontario Conservation Officers Association (OCOA) remind anglers to ensure that conditions are safe before venturing out.

The communities Alliston, Buckhorn, Gravenhurst, Newmarket, Ottawa, Peterborough, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Tweed are hosting special events, some with Free admission.

Overnight accommodation can be found Ontario Hotels, or by looking at Ontario Resort Family Getaways

Pristine Wilderness north in Canada & Alaska

Two of Canada's major newspapers featured excursions to Canada's Far Northwest, and Alaska. One by sea (Globe and Mail Travel Section) Aug. 15, 2009. the other overland by R.V.-On top of the World Toronto Star Wheels section.
It is hard to separate Alaska from British Columbia and the Yukon as they all offer unique cross-border travel experiences. I found this our a few years back when attending the annual April Swan Haven festival just outside Whitehorse. Needles to say it was a surprise to me, when we found out we could drive from Whitehorse to Skagway Alaska, via British Columbia. This was a perfect day trip allowing us to experience late spring high in the mountains and the shorelines of Alaska. Much to our amazement, after leaving the periodic blizzards and the deep snows of the mountains, we descended into a lush green ocean side community. Booth articles missed Skagway....a pity. Regardless the emphasis in both articles was purity, clear waters and the move towards a more eco friendly experience. The Globe travel article featured the new green ships cruising the west coast. Book Yukon Hotels-on-line. Book BC Hotels on-line

Going to Cottage Country Canadian Right of Summer

The Toronto Star today is leading their travel section with a description of Port Stanley, one of Ontario's original resort destinations where my father went for the Big Band Sounds when he was driving his Model T. The article positions the beach on Lake Erie as the prime attraction. See Cottage Country in Port Stanley--it is all about the beach.

The area north of Toronto is also a favoured cottage destination, and is most often considered the main "cottage country" destination. See Cottages and Cabins north of Toronto. Fresh water beaches are hard to match the further one goes north into cottage country. For a listing of Ontario fresh water beaches see Beaches North of Toronto.

Free golf week for Kids, Family Fishing Weekend

Kids Golf & Fish Free During designated FREE Fishing Weekend and Golf Week in Ontario.

Ontario, Canada…...July 2009. A summer vacation in Ontario offers up special advantages for kids and parents who want to share a new sport. Kids get the opportunity to learn to fish for free during Ontario’s Free Fishing Weekend July 10-12, and or learn to golf for free in Canada’s National Golf Course Owners Association “Kids Golf Free” program from July 6-12.

Free Fishing Weekend

As part of Canada’s National Fishing Week July 4-12, Ontario’s Free Fishing weekend encourages parents to take time out to teach your kids how to fish, just enjoy a free fishing time with your kids (no license required July 10-12, license required at other times during fishing week).
The Free Fishing Weekend Website http://www.familyfishingweekend.com/Links.cfm offers up tips for parents, fishing tips, a list of derbies and tournaments, a colors contest, a lending program, and information about licenses, rules and regulations. Parents wanting to combine a weekend of fishing with a getaway should consider a fishing getaway weekend north of Toronto, or a family vacation at one of the many family resorts, inns and hotels in the resort destinations north of Toronto. http://www.400eleven.com/getaways-fishing.html

Kids Golf Free Week

The National Golf Course Owners Association has organized “Take a kid to the Course Week” in Central Ontario http://www.kidsgolffree.ca/index.aspx?c=3 to more than 100 participating courses. Kids golf free from July 6 through to July 12. Parents wanting to mix golf with a summer vacation in one of Ontario’s resort destinations can organize a golf package getaway with one of more than 40 accommodation facilities(many with golf courses on site or an affiliation with a nearby Course), or consider an Ontario family getaway north of Toronto http://www.400eleven.com/getaways-family.html

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Last Minute Canada Day ideas getawaways celebrations

Canada Day 2009

Canada celebrates July 1 with the 142 year of confederation and the beginning of the holiday vacation months of July and August. Canada Day is the culmination of eleven days of celebrations throughout Canada including National Aboriginal Day, and Multiculturism Day. Canada Day activities, events, festivals and celebrations take place right across Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia (east to west), and south from the Great lakes, to the Arctic Circle. Major events and festivals for 2009 can be found in the following provinces and territories at http://janroncommunications.com/CanadaDay.html:

Alberta, Canada

Calgary Canada Day Celebrations Book Calgary Hotels On-Line
Strathcona Canada Day Book Alberta Hotels-on-line

British Columbia, Canada

City of Victoria - Canada Day 2009 - July 1st
Canada Day at Canada Place

Manitoba, Canada

Enjoy Picnic in the Park in Winnipeg's, Assiniboine Park. Family fun day free admission. See previous Canada Day comments Book Manitoba Hotels-on-line

Newfoundland

St. John's Newfoundland Canada Day on Confedertion Hill. Book Newfoundland Hotels on line

New Brunswick

Saint John Canada Day Celbrations. Book Saint John Hotel Rooms

Nova Scotia, Canada

Canada Day Nova Scotia: More than 40 events to choose from. Book Nova Scotia Hotels-on-line

Pier 21 in Halifax is celebrating Canada Day and its 10th Anniversary, with an official citizenship ceremony at 10 a.m.; followed by its annual Multicultural Village Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Events include live entertainment, crafts, activities and prizes!

Ontario, Canada

Canada Day North of Toronto: 100's of Canada Day Events to chose from. Book Canada Day Getaway Packages

City of Toronto Canada Day: Lots to choose from. Book Toronto Hotels-on-line.

Ottawa Canada Day: Canada's Capital celebrates throughout the day and night. Book Ottawa Hotels On-line

Quebec, Canada

Canada Day Célafête
A panoply of activities, including gatherings, shows featuring celebrity performers, and fireworks in several cities.
Region: Montréal, Québec City and Area, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Eastern Townships and other regions
Category: Festival / special event
Reserve Hotels in Province of Quebec
Book Montreal Hotels On Line

Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown Canada Week Celebrations (Festival of Lights), book Prince Edward Island Hotels on line

Saskatchewan

Regina Canada Day Celebrations. Book Saskatchewan hotels on-line

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