On the Blog
Family Fun in the Sun
We all know the expression, “One day is not enough!” But what if a whole weekend wasn’t enough either? The truth is, there are some places in Southern Ontario that can only be experienced over the course of a long weekend – and we’re happy to say that Vaughan is one of those places! With so many fun and adventurous summer attractions to explore, only a three-day weekend can get the job done right. Whether it’s the upcoming Canada Day, Civic Day or the Labour Day long weekends, there is so much in Vaughan waiting for you to experience. Here are a few attractions just waiting to be your added to your long weekend must-visit list.
Canada’s Wonderland is the country’s premier amusement park. Featuring 18 roller-coasters including the world-record breaking dive coaster, Yukon Striker and the all-new AlpenFury, you’ll certainly elevate your personal high-octane level to 11 on any of these thrill rides! But if you’re not into roller-coasters, you’ll also find an almost unlimited supply of other rides, cool experiences and once-in-a-lifetime attractions – more than 200 of them that are sure to keep your long weekend pulsing with energy and fun! And don’t forget to end your long weekend at Canada’s Wonderland in the most exciting way…with their custom-designed fireworks display set to an original soundtrack. Long weekend fireworks happen on June 30, Aug. 3 and Aug. 31, starting at 10 p.m.
Located within Canada’s Wonderland, plan to use part of your long weekend, or maybe the whole thing, by beating the heat at Splash Works, a premier water park. Picture three days of splish, splash and laughs on 17 different water slides and water attractions for all ages. Experience the exhilaration of cliff jumping from a variety of heights at Mountain Bay Cliffs! Step into the drop-launch chamber of Muskoka Plunge where you’ll free-fall from 60 feet (18 meters) high and reach top speeds of nearly 40 km/h. At Lakeside Lagoon, little water lovers will enjoy cooling off in the wading pool or on one of two different family slides. To maximise comfort, make a reservation for a VIP Cabana for your personal base of operations all weekend long.
On especially hot long weekends, all you can think about is how to stay cool. The City of Vaughan has many splashpads available for use. Located at our community parks, the size of each splashpad varies. Parks with 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. Check out this list to find your nearest splashpad! .
The Great Walks of Vaughan are scattered all over the city. Explore and discover local neighbourhoods, nature walks and trail sites while getting active. Walking, riding or rolling is a great way to explore Vaughan and improve your health, fitness and happiness levels. Just a few of the walks are Rainbow Creek Neighbourhood Walk, William Granger Greenway Nature Walk, Sugarbush Nature Walk and North Maple Regional Park Nature Walk. For more info on these walks – and many more – including their locations, lengths and degrees of difficulty, please check out Great Walks of Vaughan.
You’ll need a whole long weekend to experience all the family nature fun Kortright Centre for Conservation has to offer. Located only 10 minutes north of Toronto, on 325 hectares of pristine woodlands, Kortright Centre offers a natural oasis with some of the most leading-edge sustainable education programs in Canada. But what exactly will you do there all weekend? You can explore nature trails, mature forests, wetlands and fields. You can participate in various nature activities and events such as Family Nature Experiences or Adult Workshops including Introduction to Beekeeping, Butterflies of Ontario, Birds of Prey – and many others! And you’ll experience demonstrations of new and up-and-coming sustainable technologies. Over 135,000 annual visitors enjoy Kortright, so why not make it a destination for one of your upcoming long weekends?
Whether you have your eye on a quick round or a full day on the green, Vaughan is your hole-in-one destination for a long weekend focused on hitting the golf course. With multiple courses to: drive, wedge and putt yourself into pure bliss, swing over to any of these stunning golf courses to fill the next opening on your calendar. Here are just a few:
Uplands Golf was designed by Stanley Thompson in 1922 and boasts one of the top 500 golf holes in the world. This 9-hole emerald in the heart of the GTA is ideal for events and tournaments, lunch-and-learn seminars, or quick rounds when time is limited.
Eagles Nest Golf Club is an award-winning public golf course that offers the perfect blend of rugged sand dunes, sod wall bunkers and fescue grasses. Challenging holes for even the most seasoned golfers, dramatic elevations and beautiful views of the city make Eagles Nest one of a kind.
Copper Creek Golf Club is conveniently located in the town of Kleinburg. It is one of the top public golf courses in Canada and offers spectacular play for all skill levels. Overlooking their stunning 18 holes, their world-class dining room is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a refreshing meal after a day on the links.
Vaughan is a great destination for your summer long weekends. Make the most of your three days of walking, hiking, playing, learning, and golfing by planning an overnight stay at one of our many luxury accommodations, incredible hotels and inns. Check out our accommodations directory for a wide range of amazing places to stay and make the most of your long weekend 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!