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Top 5 Best Ontario Weekend Getaways For Families

5 years ago
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Adult Classes, Kids & Teens, Perfect 4 Photos

Top 5 Best Ontario Weekend Getaways For Families

Home may be where the heart is but sometimes you need a break. Summer vacation is a ways off though so a weekend getaway may be all you can allot for. Ontario is the biggest province in Canada so you should be able to find plenty of things to do within it. Here is our list of five cities to visit if you’re looking for the perfect family friendly weekend getaway.

CN Tower

Photo by @josuepereira

Maid of the Mist Niagara Falls

Photo by @gautamkrishnan

Lang Pioneer Village

Photo by @alison.ness

Diefenbunker

Photo by @Dreamingtraveler.nl

5. Peterborough

Located in the heart of Kawarthas cottage country, Peterborough is a great city to go to learn and to observe. Whether you want to explore the locks by car or boat along the Trent Severn Waterway, Peterborough is a scenic destination with plenty to offer. This city of industry was the first city in Canada to use electric streetlights and continues to be home to several factories. That doesn’t stop it from featuring tons of wildlife throughout.

The Canadian Canoe Museum- The canoe museum works as a reminder to everyone who visits the importance of canoes to Canadian history. The museum showcases the history of water travel by displaying over 600 different canoes, kayaks, and other boat like devices of all shapes, sizes, and ages. The Canadian Canoe Museum has several displays specifically for the children to help communicate to them the importance of canoes and to demonstrate how life has changed since water travel was the primary mode of transportation.

Riverview Zoo- Located in the heart of Peterborough, Riverview Zoo is a completely free zoo that showcases animals from all over the world. The zoo features a train ride that goes around the 55 acre park and allows for everyone to see the animals from another angle. Riverview is also the perfect place to go in the summer as it has a splash pad and the biggest playground in the city.

Lang Pioneer Village- This village takes a page out of the 1800’s as it aims to replicate a Canadian village in the mid 1800s. With over 25 authentic historical buildings, Lang Pioneer Village allows for families to imagine what life as a Canadian pioneer was really like. It features a schoolhouse, general store, and working black smith shop as well as many more genuine buildings from Peterborough County.

Canadian Canoe Museum

Photo by @happydays_houseboats

Photo by @jbhobbins

4. Sudbury

As the largest city in Northern Ontario, Sudbury has been awarded several titles for its beautiful landscapes and is home to over 330 lakes. Perfect for cottaging and a weekend in nature, It also hosts several museums and other attractions that make a weekend up north worth while.

Dynamic Earth- Mining has been the backbone of Sudbury since its creation so it is only fitting to have a museum while focuses on the history and science behind mining. This museum looks at geology by providing a mineral wall and an activity which explores how diamonds are formed. Sudbury also features the world’s largest coin in the world, the Big Nickel. These are just some of the cool science exhibits happening at Dynamic Earth.

Bell Park- Sometimes you just need a walk in the park. Bell Park features an art gallery, a boardwalk, a playground, and an ampitheatre. This is a great place to go for a break duing your weekend getaway whether you have a picnic or just go for a stroll. The scenic views are definitely the highlight of Bell Park.

Northern Ontario Railroad Museum- Anytime you explore a new place, it’s important to understand its roots. This museum showcases the mining, lumber, and railroad industries within Sudbury through a collection of historical artifacts. The museum has an authentic steam train on display which is perfect for photos and exploring. Kids will be delighted to see such a piece of history up close.

Bell Park Sudbury

Photo by @nancyadamo6

Big Nickel

Photo by @alcreatives

3. Ottawa

Our nation’s capital offers plenty to do all year round. Even if Ottawa is your own backyard, there are tons of things for families to do all across the city. Whether you want to tour the House of Commons, go skating on the world’s largest outdoor skating rink, or try one of the lesser known Ottawa activities we have featured, this is a city that provides things to do.

The Diefenbunker- Created as a safe haven for the prime minister during the Cold War, the Diefenbunker has since become one of Ottawa’s coolest museums. The bunker has kept all of the equipment and furniture that was placed there in the sixties to deomonstrate what Cold War Canada was really like. The museum offers programming for kids during most holidays and school breaks while offering a unique historical perspective.

Children’s Museum- As a museum inside of a museum, the concept can be misleading but the Children’s Museum is a must visit with the family. Set up as a chance to travel the world, kids can jump from country to country and collect stamps on their museum passport as they explore all kinds of cultures. They can dress up, interact with different cultural objects, and check out modes of transportation from all over the world.

Canadian Mint- Have you or your children ever wondered where our money comes from? If you happen to be in Ottawa, this is a great place to check out and put that wonder to rest. Though the Ottawa facility is only responsible for creating commemorative coins, you can still tour the factory and see the coin making process in action. You can also see medals that were made for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the million dollar coin which is also the world’s largest coin.

Canadian Mint

Photo by @shelbmaclean

Canadian Museum of History Childrens Museum

Photo by @abcatzmoto

2. Niagara Falls

This natural phenomenon has become an international tourist destination. With 3 distinct waterfalls spanning across two countries, Niagara Falls is an attraction that everyone should see at least once. The Falls offers more than just a waterfall though with several attractions surrounding it and the opportunity to learn more about this natural wonder.

Maid of the Mist- This boat cruise allows for passengers to go right into the heart of the falls. Views from the boat let passengers see the falls from below. The Maid of the Mist is the closest you will ever get to Niagara Falls. This uncommon opportunity provides beautiful shots of the falls and creates an immersive and wet experience for everyone involved.

Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory- This conservatory has over 2000 butterfly species amongst a lush jungle of plants and greenery. While walking through the building, you can catch butterflies resting on flowers and may even have one or two land on you. This is also the perfect place to practice your macro and high speed photography as well as capturing those precious family moments.

Clifton Hills– Traditionally, every child’s favourite part of the Niagara Falls experience is the Clifton Hills Street of Fun. Featuring popular attractions such as the Ripley’s Believe or Not Museum and the Great Canadian Midway, this is the ideal place to spend some time and have some fun. The Street of Fun is also home to the Niagara Skywheel, a giant ferris wheel which overlooks the Falls and everything surrounding it. If you need a fun place to go to kill some time, look no further than Clifton Hills.

Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory

Photo by @lauralilacs

Great Canadian Midway Niagara Falls

Photo by @dutt561

1. Toronto

Though Toronto is in most people’s backyard, there are so many things to do within the city. Many people have lived in Toronto for years but have never given it the full tourist treatment. Take the opportunity to explore Toronto with fresh eyes. Try out an obscure museum you’ve never visited before like the Bata Shoe Museum or the Aga Khan Museum. To brush up on Toronto history, explore Casa Loma or Black Creek Pioneer Village. Or check out our top three recommendations.

CN Tower- Yes, it is one of the first things people think of when they think about Toronto but going inside the CN Tower is different than seeing it from different parts of the city. The inside of the tower also hosts the world’s tallest metal staircase so that can be a great family challenge. The views from the CN Tower are also unlike any other in the city so be sure to bring your family here at least once to check out this iconic Toronto landmark.

Riverdale Farm- If you want to experience farm life but you can’t leave the city, this may be the best venue for you to explore. Riverdale is a functioning farm but also has ruins from the former Riverdale zoo. They have pigs, ducks, and other birds on site in their pig and poultry barns as well as cows and goats. As a fully functioning farm, Riverdale allows for families to see how a farm functions right in Toronto.

Art Gallery of Ontario- The AGO aims to inspire a love of art in all their guests, no matter their age. They offer family programming every Sunday as well as the art cart and other hands on activities that can inspire kids to create. This is a great way to spend an afternoon and to learn more about art from all over the world.

Riverdale Farm Goat

Photo by @summerspictures

Art Gallery of Ontario

Photo by @mehrnooshrahimian

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GTA Photography Classes
GTA Photography Classes
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Katherine Seatree
Katherine Seatree
23:10 24 Feb 20
I recently did the Photo 101 class with Lauren and it exceeded my expectations! Lauren was a great teacher - very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about photography which definitely helped boost my own enthusiasm. The class also benefited from being small, think it was just 6 of us and the content felt appropriate for a beginner. I now have a good understanding of things like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, composition etc. What I really loved was that there were practical exercises and steps explained that made it so much easier to understand and master what we learnt. My photos have already massively improved, and I can now say I feel confident shooting in manual mode! I would definitely recommend this course.
Samantha Peck
Samantha Peck
18:23 10 Feb 20
I took Photo 101, knowing very little about manual photography and left knowing the basics- and more! I'm feeling much more confident in my skills and interested in pursuing more classes. The small class size, knowledgeable instructor and hands-on learning all helped me get more familiar with my camera. I highly recommend taking classes at GTA Photography!
Fazeela Jahangir
Fazeela Jahangir
08:50 28 Jan 20
I was very keen to end up at the right place to brush up my photography because I wanted to learn from the best. GTA Photography exceeded my expectations at that. The location is conveniently located one stop from Kings Station with lots of places to eat and practice photography around. The best part I would say are undoubtedly the instructors who are some of the top in their various fields of photography. They were very patient with students asking questions as and when they wanted, which meant by the time we got to the end of the class and QnA session all queries had already been dealt with and everyone was happy with the instruction. We got lots of opportunities to practice as well. I am so happy I found this place to connect with other photographers- I have taken 3 courses already and am planning to take 3 more. I think that speaks for itself!
Melany Tiago
Melany Tiago
04:54 20 Jan 20
I spent my time at GTA photography Classes as a Co-op Student and really enjoyed my time here! Great kind hearted Staff & 5 star classes!
Anna Medvedev
Anna Medvedev
19:24 10 Jan 20
If you want to learn photography, this is the school you should go to. Knowledgeable instructors, interactive classes and very practical instruction.
Yve Benz
Yve Benz
17:42 10 Jan 20
Best photography school in the GTA and beyond. Amazing management, nice and professional staff, great camps and adult classes. Can highly recommend it!!!
Mark Buck
Mark Buck
15:09 14 Dec 19
As a photography and digital arts teacher with both the TDSB and YRDSB I highly recommend GTA Photography (Toronto). They teach us (students and adults) how to capture the special memorial moments of our lives.Dorothy Lange once remarked:"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still."-
Josh Kim
Josh Kim
19:07 12 Dec 19
I spent time as both a counsellor at GTA over the summer as well as a co-op student during the school year. Super friendly staff that love teaching and helping people. Sitting in on different workshops and camp sessions, their instructors are always available to help and seeing how they teach, I'm not surprised when I see the other glowing reviews here. Would highly recommend both their camps and adult classes for anyone with an interest in photography!
Pam Robertson
Pam Robertson
00:58 10 Dec 19
The kid camps are amazing! They had very informative instructors, interactive teaching, and a so many fun field trips in a great location! The staff were very friendly and you could tell that they loved what they do and were so great with the kids!
shepherd Huang
shepherd Huang
17:05 09 Dec 19
Very knowledgeable instructors, interactive teaching and fun field trips. Lauren is so patient and I have a great time.
Candice Pollack
Candice Pollack
15:56 15 Oct 19
Our organization rented this space for a two day meeting. The team at GTA Photography was incredibly helpful and the space was clean, well-kept, and made for a great workshop space.
stephanie grace
stephanie grace
16:15 16 Sep 19
Great location and clean and light filled rooms for smaller groups. We came here for a management meeting and it was perfect for our needs.
Senthuran Kopalakrishnan
Senthuran Kopalakrishnan
15:14 09 Sep 19
Learned so much in a short period of time. Knowledgeable friendly instructor. Highly recommended for anyone interested in photography.
Sandra Nagy
Sandra Nagy
02:21 25 Aug 19
My 9 year old son had an unbelievable week of camp at GTA photography. He went on amazing field trips, had amazingly passionate counsellors and raves about every day. He also learned a ton and gained tremendous skills and confidence. There were tons of older kids as well, up to 15-16 year olds and they all seemed to love it as much as him. A unique and fun experience. I highly recommend it.
Agnes Roter
Agnes Roter
19:10 06 Jul 19
My daughter absolutely loved this camp. It was her first intro to photography and she quoted techniques and instructions from day one. She also quite enjoyed exploring downtown Toronto with the crew. That was a great part of the program. Highly recommend GTA Photography camp.
Anson Wong
Anson Wong
05:20 27 May 19
I received a nice camera for Christmas but did not know how to use it properly while on vacation. Decided to take an introductory course and it provides me with the tools to understand my camera. Alex is a great instructor. Not only is she very knowledgeable but her class was very well structured. She provided me with the confidence to use my camera and highly recommend this to anyone who finds cameras intimidating.
Culham Anderson-Brodie
Culham Anderson-Brodie
15:41 12 Mar 19
I took the photo 101 course through gta photography and i must say my experience was amazing. My instructor Donovan was extremely knowledgeable and I left with all the skills necessary to properly operate my camera in manual mode. Since taking this course my photography skills have continued to improve and I will MOST DEFINITELY be back for more classes!
Greg Leung
Greg Leung
19:56 11 Feb 19
Very professional, patient instructors. Perfect balance between fun & informative. I've taken Photo 101 & 201 and will definitely be enrolling in future courses! GTA Photography has ignited my passion for photography.
Tricia Anderson
Tricia Anderson
16:37 11 Feb 19
I took a couple of weekend sessions (Photography 101 and 201) to get me going with my new Digital SLR camera. They provided a great foundation to help me progress with my photography. The small class size and enthusiastic instructor made for a great learning environment. Tricia A.
A Woods
A Woods
22:07 17 Dec 18
Took the Portraiture 101 class. The Instructor was very informative and had some really great tips for making my photos better. She clearly is very experienced and has a great eye. It was part function and part art course and I loved that! The school was well designed and felt very warm and inviting. I loved that they took us outdoors to practice in real life conditions. I would definitely recommend this course and am looking forward to taking another!
troy bacchus
troy bacchus
16:00 26 Nov 18
UPDATE: Took the Photo301 lighting class this past weekend with Shayne and it was fantastic. Shayne was an excellent instructor and gave us a good grounding in lighting techniques and tips and tricks that really save a lot of time. I highly recommend this class to anyone looking to advance their skills working with natural, and artificial light.Just finished the photo201 class this past weekend and it was great. The instructor Neil made the class enjoyable while conveying all the necessary information. Material is good, they may want to consider having it printed for note taking. Overall a great class and I have already registered for photo301.
Danial Mirzakhani
Danial Mirzakhani
21:42 17 Jul 17
I haven't ever gon ther..but I think it's so good
Kristen Valente
Kristen Valente
19:00 14 Jun 17
Yesterday I took the Travel Photography workshop and it was awesome! It was such a small class that we really got to fire off questions whenever needed. Neil was a very extremely knowledgeable, engaging and patient teacher. He is clearly passionate about his craft and he did an excellent job of preparing us for future travel endeavours.
Jason Hopkins
Jason Hopkins
19:30 24 May 17
I took the Lightroom class which is a 4 week class every Thursday for 2 hours. The class was taught methodically and left me feeling confident using Lightroom. The teacher was very friendly and kept the learning environment fun and relaxing. I highly recommend gta photography, I've been around the owners and other people who work there. They all really care about their job and the students who come to learn.
Tess Vardy
Tess Vardy
13:10 20 May 17
I took classes last year in the fall and winter, and I learned so much!!!! I really feel like I have gained a lot of skill and confidence with a camera that I will carry with my for the rest of my life. I definitely missed having the classes once they were done because they were just SO much fun and the instructors really know what they're doing. I would recommend to anyone!!!
Jennifer Qu
Jennifer Qu
20:25 19 May 17
GTA Photography Classes is a really amazing camp for kids of all ages. I was 15 when I took teen camp 1 and teen camp 2 in the fall and winter. The instructors are amazing and I learned so much. The classes were really informative plus the instructors did a really good job making everything as clear as possible. I had Laura and Kylie as my instructors. They were amazing and really knew what they were talking about. Each class was accompanied by a field trip every other week. Because the camps location is in the centre of Downtown Toronto, the field trips were pretty cool if I do say so myself. We went to Kensington Market, ROM, Nathan Philip Square, etc. I highly suggest GTA Photography Classes if you're a beginner and even if you have experience and you want to get a little more creative with your work, it's definitely worth the money.
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