A day of fun in the sun in Vaughan is yours for the taking. Pack up the sunscreen, sunglasses, a baseball cap, some water – and don’t forget the kids – because it’s time to go! Summer is a glorious time to enjoy the outdoors, get some physical activity and create family memories that will last forever. For kids of all ages, whether you’re looking for a single-day trip or a weekend of fun times in the sunshine, Vaughan offers a huge variety of activities and attractions for families of all sizes.

Families that are looking to experience a day in the great outdoors without the long drive, Kortright Centre for Conservation (9550 Pine Valley Dr.) is the perfect place to go. Spanning 325 hectares, expect forests, meadows, marshes and plenty of fresh air. Don’t forget your binoculars – the Kortright Centre for Conservation is one of the best birdwatching spots in the Greater Toronto Area. With 16 kilometres of year-round hiking trails and tons of family-friendly programming, the kids will sleep well after a day spent exploring.

The Village at Black Creek (1000 Murray Ross Pkwy) provides a peek into the past by allowing visitors to experience a rural Ontario community in the mid-19th century. Interact with interpreters and tradespeople as you make your way through the village, stopping in to look inside the open buildings. Check out their events and programs before you go! They offer crafting workshops and immersive puzzle games on a regular basis.

Canada’s Wonderland (1 Canada’s Wonderland Dr.) is the place to be if you love incredible rollercoasters, rides, performances and theme park food! Home to Canada’s largest, tallest and fastest launch coaster as well as Splash Works – a 20-acre water park where you’ll find plenty of ways to cool off when temperatures soar. Go cliff jumping at Mountain Bay Cliffs, try the drop-launch chamber of Muskoka Plunge, where you will free fall from 60 feet and reach speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour. Then there’s Lakeside Lagoon – a wading pool for the little ones.

And if you’re looking to stay close to home, Vaughan has splashpads and water play areas located inside community parks throughout the city. The size of each splashpad varies. Larger and more complex water play areas are found in district parks. Splashpads are open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., subject to weather and surface conditions.

This summer’s lineup of Vaughan Celebrates Concerts in the Park is absolutely rocking! On select Wednesdays from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., catch free live performances of some of your favourite songs. Grab your picnic blankets or camping chairs and head out for an evening of toe-tapping tunes.

• Bruno Mars Experience: Tribute to Bruno Mars on June 17 at Transit Square, Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (100 New Park Place)
• Beach Boys Party: Tribute to the Beach Boys on June 24 at Dufferin District Park (1441 Clark Ave. W.)
• Taylor’s Story: Tribute to Taylor Swift on July 8 at Chancellor District Park (430 Chancellor Dr.)
• Gold Dust Woman: Tribute to Stevie Nicks on July 22 at Carrville District Park (266 Valley Vista Dr.)
• Still Rock’n Roll: Tribute to Billy Joel on July 29 at Sonoma Heights Community Park (100 Sunset Ridge)
• Who Are You: Tribute to The Who on August 5 at Mackenzie Glen District Park (220 Cranston Park Ave.)

Vaughan always has a jam-packed calendar of fun, family-friendly events. We’ve rounded up the details for a few of the festivals you can enjoy while visiting Vaughan this summer, but check out our events calendar to see what’s happening when you’re planning to be in the city!

• Lucky Lion Festival from Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14 (Assembly Park, 80 Interchange Way)
• Asado Festival from Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28 (Assembly Park, 80 Interchange Way)
• Brew and BBQ on weekends in June (Canada’s Wonderland, 1 Canada’s Wonderland Dr.)
• Vaughan Latin Festival on Saturday, July 11 (Mackenzie Glen Park, 220 Cranston Park Ave.)

Vaughan is a great one-day trip, but it’s an even better weekend getaway! With so much fun in the sun ready to be had, 24 hours simply isn’t enough. Make the most of your visit by planning an overnight stay at one of our many incredible hotels and inns with amenities like electric car charging, indoor pools and free hot breakfast. Check out our accommodations directory for a wide range of amazing places to stay to recharge and make the most of your time in Vaughan!

As you explore all that Vaughan has to offer, don’t forget to tag us at #VisitVaughan and follow us on Instagram at @visitvaughan!