Day Trips (Self Drive)
From spectacular Niagara Falls to the stunning collection of Canadian art at the McMichael gallery, there's lots to see and do in the towns and villages around Toronto.
Day 1
Morning
All the attractions listed below could be enjoyed as half or full day excursions, depending on your interest and desired level of activity.
Kortright Centre for Conservation
The Kortright Centre for Conservation is located on 800 acres of pristine woodlands just 10 minutes north of Toronto and is Canada's largest environmental education centre. Learn about the latest developments in solar and earth energy technologies in the Sustainable Living Centre and tour the Renewable Energy Demonstration Cottage, designed as an energy-efficient building.
Location:
9550 Pine Valley Drive, Woodbridge, Ontario
Getting There:
By car: 1 km north of Rutherford Road and 1 km S. of Major Mackenzie Dr.Pine Valley Drive is about 3 km west of Highway 400.
Hours:
10 am to 4:30 pm
The Visitor Centre closes at 4 pm
Afternoon
If you're not spending the day cross-country skiing, continue northwest to the picturesque village of Kleinberg, home of the renowned McMichael Canadian Art Collection.Kleinberg is located 30km (19 miles) northwest of Toronto and offers lots of options for lunch and dinner as well as antiques and other stores.
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
The McMichael is the only major gallery in the country with the mandate to collect Canadian art exclusively and houses one of the finest collections of Canada's "Group of Seven" artists in the world, as well as premium examples of Inuit and First Nations art.
Join some of the family-oriented workshops and activities hosted by the gallery or explore one of the many hiking trails that traverse the 100 acres of conservation land that make up the grounds.
Location:
10365 Islington Ave.,Kleinburg, ON
Getting There:
By car:Hwy. 400 north from Hwy. 401 or Hwy.407; Hwy. 427 north from the QEW.
Hours:
Openseven days a weekNovember 1- April 3010 am- 4:00 pm
May 1- October 3110 am- 5 pm
Closed Dec. 25th
AND IF YOU HAVE TIME...
Dr. Flea's Flea Market
If shopping is on your agenda, you'll find lots of bargains at this indoor flea market and farmer's market. More than 400 stalls include an international food court, clothing, household items, fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, fresh poultry and fish.
Location:
8 Westmore Dr., Toronto,
Getting There:
By car: Highway 27 andAlbion Road
By public transport: RoyalYork Bus #73
Hours:
Saturday andSunday 10 am to 5 pm
Day 2
Morning
Today you're off along the shore of Lake Ontario towards Burlington and Niagara.Make sure you get an early start or you won't have time to visit spectacular Niagara Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Brighten up a winter's day with a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens, located about 30 miles south west of Toronto.
The two-storey indoor Mediterranean Garden is home to plants from the world's five Mediterranean climate zones and is most spectacular in winter when plants are in bloom.
From January to April, the Bulb Room features spring-flowering bulbs and spring-flowering shrubs and trees which are forced into bloom.Other highlights of the Gardens' include Spicer's Court, a sheltered, south-facing courtyard filled with unusual plants, and the Maze, made up of 300 white cedars.
Location:
680 Plains Rd. West., Burlington, ON
Getting There:
By car:Plains Road Westis just off Highway 6.
Hours:
RBG Centre:year-round, daily, 9 am to dusk. Closed December 25 and January 1 Mediterranean Garden: year-round, 9 am to 5pm
All outdoor gardens: seasonal, daily, 9:30 amto dusk.
Afternoon
Continue on around Lake Ontario and stop for lunch in the pretty town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, gateway to the Niagara Region.
Niagara Region
The Niagara region of Ontario is famous the world over for its magnificent falls and award-winning vineyards and is less than a 2-hour drive from Toronto. There are plenty of winter activities to keep you busy: theme parks, museums, casinos, historic towns, the Horseshoe Falls and many seasonal festivals and events.
Sightseeing services and transportation to the Niagara Region from Toronto are also available if you prefer not to drive.
Location:
Stoney Creek- Fort Erie- Niagara-on-the-Lake
Getting There:
By car: Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) west from Toronto, follow the signs for Niagara.
Hours:
N/A