Family Friendly Quick Winter Getaways from Toronto

During the winter chill, doesn’t it feel like your family could use a change of scenery? And while a trip down south would be amazing, it’s probably not in the cards for many of us. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t escape from Toronto, at least for the day. Below, we’ve rounded up some family-friendly quick winter getaways from Toronto your family can check out this year.

And since we’re sure some of you might want an excursion that’s a little longer than a day, we’ve made sure to include some recommendations that work as overnight adventures.

Note that all “time from Toronto” details are estimates that depend on good traffic conditions.

Family-Friendly Quick Winter Getaways from Toronto

Bayview Wildwood Resort

1500 Port Stanton Pkwy., Severn Bridge
Time from Toronto: Nearly two hours

Muskoka isn’t just a summertime destination, as Bayview Wildwood Resort. Here, you’ll find skating, tobogganing, and even snowshoeing. But don’t worry about having to pack your skates, sled, or snowshoes; Bayview supplies all the necessary equipment at no extra charge. Also included in your resort fee is access to several family-friendly indoor activities, such as an indoor playground and games room. Bayview offers several accommodation options, including cottages, and depending on the date, an “all-inclusive” meal package that features breakfast, lunch and dinner may be available. Nights start at around $136, with special packages available during certain time periods, such as New Year’s Eve.

Blue Mountain Resort

The Blue Mountains
Time from Toronto: Just over two hours

While Blue Mountain can undoubtedly be a day trip, this scenic slice of southern Ontario is so jammed with activities you may want to spend a night in one of the resort’s nine lodges or in one of the countless nearby condos and homes that are up for rent. Some available activities include snow tubing, the ever-popular Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, and swimming at the Plunge! Aquatic Centre. And, of course, there’s skiing and snowboarding at the Blue Mountain’s large ski park, which features three terrain parks and a well-established ski school. Pre-purchased lift tickets start as low as $44 for kids, and with some luck and flexibility on your dates, you might be able to score a hotel room for under $200 a night.

Bronte Creek Provincial Park

1219 Burloak Dr., Oakville
Time from Toronto: Just under an hour

If your kids love tobogganing, add a trip out to Bronte Creek Provincial Park to your to-do list. Its large tobogganing hill, “…offers a unique panorama of the park and its surrounding area” as well as plenty of (safe) thrills. The park also features snowshoeing and cross-country trails. Once your family has had its fill of outdoor activities, stop by the Nature Centre to learn about (surprise!) nature and the turn-of-the-last-century Spruce Lane Farm House, where the focus is on local history.

Fallsview Indoor Waterpark

Niagara Falls
Time from Toronto: Not quite two hours

Also known as the Niagara waterpark that doesn’t require you to spend the night, Fallsview is a great choice for a day trip that will let you swim the winter blahs away. At North America’s largest indoor water park, your family will find a wave pool, a giant tipping bucket, and slides suitable for all ages. There’s also the Jungle Beach dry playground for when your kids need a break from the water. And if your family does want to spend the night, Fallsview is attached to three hotels, and a quick walk away from many others. Pre-purchased passes start at $38.99.

Great Wolf Lodge

Niagara Falls, ON
Time from Toronto: Not quite two hours

Here it is: Countless kids’ version of paradise. This place has a wave pool, a four-storey interactive treehouse, slides suitable for all ages and confidence levels, and that’s just in the pool area. On dry land, you’ll find bowling, laser tag, a new virtual reality game, and so much more. You do have to stay on-site to access all this fun, but at least you have a range of accommodation options to choose from, including themed rooms and separate cottages. There’s also an optional meal plan (and you can always order in or head into Niagara Falls for food). This place isn’t cheap — expect to pay over $300 a night — but do keep an eye out for discount codes.

Horseshoe Valley

Near Barrie, ON
Time from Toronto: Approximately 90 minutes

Do your kids need to burn off a ton of energy? And could you use a break yourself? A trip to nearby Horseshoe Valley might be precisely what your family needs. One of the easiest quick winter getaways from Toronto, you’ll find one of Ontario’s longest snow tubing hills, 29 downhill ski and snowboard runs, guided snowmobile and fat bike tours, and more. Horseshoe Valley is also home to the Vettä Nordic Spa. While it’s not family-friendly, it certainly is parent-friendly! Lift ticket prices weren’t available as of publication time, but on-site accommodations start at around $120. You don’t have to stay on site to access the ski hill but if you do spend the night, you’ll have access to several other amenities includes skating and an indoor pool. Just note that weekends and Christmas break have a two-night minimum.

Lakeridge Ski Resort

790 Chalk Lake Rd., Uxbridge
Time from Toronto: Under an hour

While this place does offer family-friendly skiing and snowboarding (including six runs classified as for beginners), another key attraction that draws thousands of families here each year is Lakeridge’s snow tubing park. As long as your child is at least 42 inches tall, they can participate in the fun. Snow tubing pricing starts at $35 per person for two hours of unlimited fun. Advanced reservations aren’t required but are recommended as this place gets busy.

Nottawasaga Inn Resort & Conference Centre

Alliston, ON
Time from Toronto: Around an hour

Brighten up a dull winter weekend with an overnight trip to this close-by resort. Your kids will love the tropical-themed pool area, which includes a three-storey, 100m long waterslide. There’s also an indoor miniature golf course, and an arcade and games room. And we suspect you’ll love Nottawasaga’s delicious food, as well as its extensive fitness area that includes squash and racquetball courts. Outside are family-friendly walking trails and a quick drive to Earl Rowe Provincial Park, where your family can cross-country ski and snowshoe. Rooms start as low as $253 a night.

Reptilia

1400 Victoria St. E., Whitby

Delpark Homes Centre Pool

1661 Harmony Rd. N., Oshawa, ON
Time from Toronto: Under an hour

Want to take the kids on a tropical vacation without ever leaving the GTA? Then head eastwards with a first stop at the Whitby location of Reptilia. Featuring 31,000 square feet that are home to dozens of scaly creatures, tons of tropical plants and an indoor playground, this place is a little slice of somewhere more exotic. Admission starts at $14.

Once your kids have had their fill of lizards and snakes, push on to Oshawa’s Delpark Homes Centre Pool, where you can pretend you’re beachside. Here, you’ll find a spacious pool with areas suitable for young children, a lazy river, and a two-storey water slide. Pool admission starts at $3.25 for kids.

Ski Snow Valley

Barrie, ON
Time from Toronto: Approximately 90 minutes

Self-proclaimed as, “Ontario’s favourite family resort,” Ski Snow Valley is a great choice for kids who are still learning to master the slopes. There are nine beginner runs, kid-friendly lessons and perhaps best of all, on-site childcare for kids aged six months to five years. There’s also snowtubing and snowshoeing. Lift tickets for kids start as low as $45 for kids. There are no on-site accommodations here, but nearby Barrie does has plenty of options if you do want to turn this trip into a weekend getaway. A couple population options include a Hampton Inn & Suites and a Holiday Inn Express, both of which have pools.

Willowtree Farm

975 Durham Regional Rd 21, Port Perry
Distance from Toronto: Around an hour

While many local fun farms are taking a well-deserved break over the winter, Willowtree Farms still has its doors open and is inviting visitors over to spend some quality with its farm animals, including its always entertaining goats. There’s also a large wooden playground, lots of opportunities for pretty photos and if you stop by on select dates in December, the chance to meet Santa Claus. Need to warm up? Stop by the farm’s store/café when you can grab coffee and a variety of tasty item to eat now or at home. General admission to the farm is free.