Has this been the greyest, dampest, most depressing winter in a long time or is it just us?
To keep their families sane, ClimateCare retailers across the province get out of the house and explore the activities around them.
We’ve accumulated a nice list of activities to do with your kids, spouse, friends and extended family.
Looking for something to break your family out of that funk this weekend? Maybe we can help.
Southern Ontario activities
If you live within an hour or so of Toronto and haven’t visited Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, book your tickets for this weekend!
The aquarium is huge, and you and the kids will probably never be as close to sharks and rays as you are here. Plus, you tend to forget the weather outside as you work through the tropical waters, which is a good thing. Just make sure to book your tickets online and show up early, the line gets pretty long as the day stretches out.
If the aquarium isn’t for you, your nearest butterfly conservatory might be. Southern Ontario is home to two excellent butterfly conservatories:
Both are tropical havens during the winter months. The sound of the rivers, fountains, birds and laughter will make you forget the rainy winter outside, and the butterflies will inject some much needed colour into your life.
The Royal Ontario Museum continues to host the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition and competition through the month. It’s been a local favourite for 4 years, and the photos are breathtaking.
Central Ontario
A little more snow has accumulated in central Ontario and the weather is a little colder, winterlike.
Driving an hour north of Toronto brings you to the best ski hills in Ontario, where conditions are surprisingly good.
- Blue Mountain in Collingwood has great skiing, shopping and one of Ontario’s most unique spas in Scandinave Spa.
- Snow Valley, just outside Barrie, is an affordable ski hill with 9 lifts. It’s a local treasure, worth a day trip for the family. Horseshoe Valley is a little further outside Barrie and a little bigger than Snow Valley. It also includes extensive Nordic skiing trails and a luxurious spa.
If you’re more of a snowshoeing or hiking family, an extensive set of forest trails run behind the Simcoe Country District School Board building. Park in the back (northwest) corner of the parking lot and look for the many trailheads.
Eastern Ontario
Most people living within a few hours of it have donned the skates and glided down the frozen Rideau Canal. If you haven’t done it yet, get the old skates sharpened and bundle up. The long, straight skate is a totally unique experience.
If your kids are a little older, take the whole family on a Haunted Walk. Tours run year round and contain some interesting history (and maybe a few jumps and scares).
If you’re closer to Kingston, the Southpaw Cat Café is a great place to hang out, eat and enjoy good company. And they make a mean grilled cheese.
Western Ontario
In the London, Ontario area, The Junction Climbing Centre can provide a full day of physical activity and fun for the whole family. If you haven’t tried climbing, no matter your age, you’re going to love it.
Stratford has no shortage of spas, but our favourite is by far Orchard Valley Spa. The old house has the perfect atmosphere for a massage and unwinding afternoon without the kids.
In Brantford, Ontario, on the edge between central and western Ontario, you’ll find the Kidtastic Jungle. Kids 10 years and younger will burn through a lot of energy and have a great time. Memberships are available if your kids want to come back on the regular.
Northern Ontario
The cold that isn’t present in southern Ontario is still alive and well in the Sudbury area. So getting away from that frigid weather can be the best thing for your family.
Sudbury Escape Rooms is one of the most unique and addictive group activities you’ve never done. Basically, you’re locked in a room for an hour and have to decipher a series of clues to escape. Give it a try!
Or, if your family enjoys the cold, it might be time to take your enjoyment of the outdoors to the next level with some winter camping.
Lure of the North organizes guided winter camping treks north of Sudbury. The team also hosts traditional crafts workshops and other outdoor events.
Everywhere in Ontario
Maybe you just want to hide away from the bad weather. No matter where you live in Ontario, you can turn your home into a sanctuary to get that daily reprieve from the oppressive weather.
A new gas fireplace is the first step in getting your home to the comfort level you and your family deserve. Call your local ClimateCare retailer today!
