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One of the most popular Canadian family amusement parks is Canada’s Wonderland which is located in Toronto, Ontario. The good thing about Wonderland is that there are attractions and rides for everyone in the family. There are certain ride requirements that need to be met, but you can view a full list of those on the Wonderland website. If you have never been to Wonderland before and you don’t know what to expect on your arrival, you should continue reading through our helpful planner.

Arriving

When you first arrive to Wonderland you will need to find a parking spot which isn’t a problem because the lot is huge, but it you don’t want to walk too far then you need to make it to the amusement park in the morning. If you don’t have admission tickets to the park yet then you will need to purchase them at the front gate. I recommend buying your admission tickets online at the Wonderland website though, since they offer discounts for making a purchase online.

Rides

The amusement park is split up into little areas which are designated for certain age groups. When you arrive to the park make sure you grab a map so you can find out where everything is located. Some of the areas of the park consist of KidZville, Hannah-Barbera Land and Splash Works. There are plenty of large roller coasters for the enthusiasts including Top Gun, The Bat and The Dragon. Another one of the most thrilling rides in the park is Drop Zone which is a ride where you’re elevated straight up into the air and then released at a rapid speed down to the ground. There is over 100 acres of rides in the park which everyone can enjoy including such rides as spinning buckets, bumper cars, behemoth, Minebuster and many others. Wonderland also has a 20+ acre Waterpark which is full of both small and big waterslides so that the entire family can enjoy the area. There is also a massive wave pool which is really fun for the older children and adults. When it’s time to relax for an hour or two you can take in one of the many live shows which include gymnastics, diving and live entertainment.

Dining

Since you’re most likely going to spend the entire day and night at Wonderland you and the family are going to need to eat. The locations in Wonderland are rather expensive so if this is an issue you will want to leave the park and go across the street. There are several restaurants and fast food restaurants across the street from the park which you can too. If you eat in the park some of your options include Pizza Pizza, Mr. Sub, Manchu Wok, The Marketplace, International Buffet, Diary Queen and a lot more.

Accommodations

Wonderland doesn’t have any hotels on site which is a shame because a lot of the people who visit the amusement park are tourists. They understand that a lot of their visitors are tourists though, and you’ll be able to receive hotel vouchers from numerous hotels in the area. You will need to just present your Wonderland day passes at the hotel you choose on arrival. There are well over a dozen hotels where you can stay that have connections with Wonderland and you can view all of the options on the Wonderland website.

If your family vacation takes you to the Toronto area this summer, consider booking a day (or two) at Canada’s Wonderland.

Toronto

* The CN Tower is one of the largest structures in the world and you will be able to take an elevator up to the top of the tower. The cost of this attraction is really inexpensive so it’s great for families traveling on a budget. You will be able to see the entire city plus some of the surrounding areas from the top of the CN Tower. You can also eat in the restaurant which is located near the top of the tower and it rotates around the tower so you can view all angles of the city while having a meal.

* If you’re feeling a little extreme then you will definitely want to make a stop at Wonderland which is one of the biggest amusement parks in the country. Wonderland has a lot of monster roller coasters for the daring individual, but there is also a children’s area and Waterpark area loaded with awesome rides. The cost of admission has been going down every year lately and it’s definitely a great way to spend a full day of your vacation in Toronto.

* There is plenty of shopping that you can do in the downtown area of Toronto and you will also be able to have your pick at hundreds of great restaurants. There are plenty of trendy clothing shops, museums and even the Hockey Hall of Fame in the downtown core of Toronto. You can easily spend an entire day in this area shopping and enjoying the busy atmosphere.

* If you enjoy watching sports then depending on the season you will be able to watch one of Toronto’s professional sporting teams. Toronto has a professional baseball team, hockey team, basketball team, soccer team and a CFL team. Tickets can be rather expensive to watch a Toronto sporting event though, so you need to decide how important it is for you on your trip.

* The Kensington Market is a great place to visit as well when in Toronto as it’s completely free to visit. It’s a street market where you will be able to find everything from bootleg DVD’s to imported food from overseas. The market is always thriving and open everyday as many people earn their income from running stores on the side of the street.

Toronto is a very culturally diverse city and you will be able to find a lot of different types of things to do in the city. You will never be able to get bored in the city of Toronto and if you never want to sleep on your vacation you don’t need too. There is always something to do in Toronto no matter what time it is and that’s just one of many reasons why Toronto is the most popular tourist destination in Canada.

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Just 2 hours north of Toronto, ATVs rider’s heaven is found at the Seguin Recreational Trail. In Ontario, the Park-to-Park trail system links many existing or once established trail systems for public use. Whether you are an ATV enthusiast, a hiker or a biker, the Trans Canada Trail system is a self sustainable network for the public. The Sequin Trail is the major east-west spine of this vast system and covers about 75kms from from Highway 11 to Highway 400/69.

Originally, the trail bed was a base for a railroad system used to haul lumber from the Ottawa river to shipping yards on the Georgian Bay. The Sequin Trail is now maintained by the Parry Sound District Ministry of Natural Resources and managed by Park-To-Park Trail. This means the trail is kept clean and safe year round. No matter what the season, ATV and snowmobile enthusiasts can ride the trails of Ontario.

As this vast system of public trails is managed and maintained regularly, there is a fee to use them. Pricing depends on how you are using the trail system. As an ATVer, you need a permit.

1. Permits are issued to the person, not the machine/vehicle.
2. You must be at least 16 years of age.
3. You must sign a condition of sale contract.

You can buy a trail pass online or via one of many locations listed on this site.

If you don’t yet have an ATV or want to travel with other enthusiasts, you can go with arranged ATV tours. There are many ATV adventure packages through various local companies. Or join a yearly arranged event – there are many to choose from in 2009.

Some upcoming ATV events in Ontario include the Can-Am Spring Jam, Haliburton ATV Associaton yearly events, and the VMuts Rallies. Make sure you pre-register or apply for membership as some of these events are members only. You will also want to be prepared by making sure you have your trail pass purchased before you look for events to join.

If you are still thinking about buying an ATV so you can join in on the fun of Ontario’s trails and meet other ATV enthusiasts, you may want to look for ATV reviews online (they also have snowblowers).  Join one of the local ATV clubs and ask around to see what other people are buying or using now. Make an informed decision on the right ATV for you and your family.

Skiing in Northern Ontario’s ski resorts is something that shouldn’t be missed. Skiing, snowboarding and other winter sport can all be part of your spring break. Blue Mountain is Ontario’s largest ski resort and it has over thirty trails for you to try out. The Blue Mountain inn offers many package deals for March break that allow you to hit the slopes for a low price.

If you want to stay in Toronto and visit a ski resort, try the Horseshoe Resort. It’s just over an hour away from the city and allows you to get the big city experience of staying in Toronto while still being able to ski.

Near Ottawa, you also have your choice of ski resorts. Mont-Ste. Marie is the area’s premier ski location. The hills here aren’t as steep as they are other places in the province, but it’s a great park with 12 runs. Camp Fortune is only fifteen minutes from downtown and offers good cross country trails and night skiing.

No matter where you choose to spend your spring break in Ontario, you’ll be able to ski, snowboard, tube and enjoy the powdery snow.

You may want to arrive in a fancy car or limo, pick up your date and escort her to the yacht waiting to sail the night away. Bring roses for the ultimate impression and brownie points. This is the perfect time to show off your gentlemanly finess and treat your lady friend like she’s a princess. You know you will be in her good books for some time to come!

A dinner cruise usually offers some quiet, romantic background music and sometimes live entertainment that is just right to set the mood. A few sips of vintage wine with your meal, by moonlight, is a guarantee to a relaxing and enjoyable evening.

After dinner, enjoy some hold-me-close dancing; sure to turn up the romance dial. Take her to the deck for some potential cuddle time, and don’t forget the wine. If you are planning on making an announcement of engagement, or just giving a choice gift, this would be the perfect place and time.

If you are looking for a creative and clever way to romance your special lady, consider boat cruises as an ideal place for your special date.