Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Camping is a fun and affordable way for families to vacation. Campgrounds offer activities geared to all ages, such as crafts, hayrides, movie nights and dances.
Whether you're looking for a park with lots of amenities or you want to get back to nature in a wilderness setting, there are plenty of places to pitch a tent.
Ontario is home to more than 100 provincial and national parks, such as Bruce Peninsula National Park, Fathom Five National Park, Presqu'ille, Sandbanks, Killarney, Point Pelee and Algonquin provincial parks. Camping fees at provincial parks range from $25.75 per night for a basic site to $40 for a premium campsite with electricity and showers. There are discounts for seniors and persons with disabilities. See ontarioparks.com and ontariotravel.net.
Also check out Camping in Ontario, a reservation service for private campgrounds that has specials such as stay three nights or more during the week and get a night free at Bon Echo Family Campground. Contact campontario.ca or 1-877-672-2226.
Explore Northumberland
Northumberland has a new Outdoor Adventure Map that covers the county's best trail networks, five best cycling routes, birdwatching, golf and public fishing spots as well as a geo-caching link.
The region has one of Ontario's longest trails, the 500-km Ganaraska Hiking Trail. Or hop in the car and try Northumberland's new Road Rally that takes in 35 clues take you through little known hamlets, past old general stores, bakeries, farms and artisan studios. Contact northumberlandtourism.com or 1-866-401-EAST.
Laid-back Kawarthas
Cottagers love Peterborough and the Kawarthas area and there are lots of good values this summer. Free concerts Wednesdays and Saturdays at Peterborough's Festival of Lights at Del Crary Park (festivaloflights.ca). Lang Pioneer Village with its working Grist Mill (langpioneervillage.ca/index.php) and Riverview Park and Zoo (admission free, peterboroughutilities.ca/Park_and_Zoo/Features_and_Attractions.htm) are also fun for families.
Peterborough is also home to the world's largest hydraulic lift lock, located along the Trent-Severn Waterway. Cruise up and over the lift locks for less than $20 per adult and $10 for children (liftlockcruises.com) or park yourself nearby and watch the action. Also check out the Canadian Canoe Museum (canoemuseum.ca/), where the collection includes dugouts, birch bark canoes and skin kayaks. See thekawarthas.net for more.
Fall for Niagara
Stand at the crest where the water catapults over and you can feel the power and energy of Niagara Falls. And it's free, along with a stroll along the gorge or a cycle along the Niagara Pkwy. Summer at its best.
The Niagara Region offers lots of inexpensive fun for families, including: The Welland Canal Centre at Lock 3 (stcatharineslock3museum.ca); a 5-cent spin on the St. Catharines Antique Looff Carousel in Lakeside Park; Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum which includes the 1901 Neff Steam Buggy (portcolborne.ca); Mildred Mahoney's Doll House Gallery in Fort Erie (mahoneydollhouse.com); a climb to the top of the recently restored Brock's Monument (niagaraparks.com/heritage/queenston_history.php); and check out uniformed soldiers or re-enact a siege at historic Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake (pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/fortgeorge/index_E.asp) and Fort Erie (oldforterie.com). For more on the Niagara-area, see tourismniagara.com and niagarafallstourism.com.
Fire and music on water
IlluminAqua on the Welland Recreational Waterway (July 10, July 24, Aug. 7 and 21, and Sept. 4) presents an interactive production of fire and music. Concerts on a floating stage start at 8 p.m. at Merritt Park Amphitheatre. Seating is free (first come, first serve). Performers include Leahy, Nikki Yanofsky, David Francey, Kathleen Edwards, The Joys, Tom Fun Orchestra. Contact illuminaqua.com or 905-735-1700, ext. 2777.
Relax in Huron County
Known as Ontario's West Coast, Huron County is the quintessential summer playground with camping, hiking, cycling, beach bummin', motorcycle touring routes and heritage walking tours.
Check out: Shakespeare to the Shoreline, nine themed self-guided day tripping routes (shakespearetotheshoreline.ca); Blyth Festival celebrating 35 seasons of affordable Canadian theatre (blythfestival.com); Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend (huroncountryplayhouse.com); Tug Boat Rides on the M.V. Donald Bert out of Goderich marina (519-524-9551). For more on Huron County events, visit ontarioswestcoast.ca.
