Vacation Staycation

The sprinkler is fun and all, but some days you just need to get out of dodge. Whether you have chosen the popular ‘staycation’ this year (aren’t you trendy) or you’re just looking for a bit of adventure beyond the backyard, we found some destinations close by that will keep the whole family entertained.
You might recall that our fave city destination is still Toronto’s Ward Island for the beach and a short bike trip. But before you hop on the ferry there is one very fun stop to make along Lakeshore Drive if there is a pet lover in your life. It’s the PawsWay Pet Discovery Centre, situated on the waterfront at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre.

Besides being a huge venue with lots of interactive educational exhibits for pet lovers, admission is free, dogs are welcome and it’s designed to foster healthy happy relationships between pets and their guardians. It also houses the Purina Pet Hall of Fame which includes the stories of 138 heroic Canadian pets and the many lives they have saved. PawsWay is a great place to go if you’re thinking of getting a pet (or you just want to satisfy some little person’s desire for a pet craving).

If sports is your gig, head northeast (30 minutes from downtown in fact) to Timber Creek Golf Centre in Stouffville, where your biggest concern will be tearing the kids (and possibly your beloved) away. Don’t let the word ‘golf’ scare you—there are two mini golf ranges and a driving range for big swingers but smaller kids can also enjoy the huge bouncy castle, a batting cage, and a new mining area where kids find gemstones and minerals at the Timber Creek Mining Company.