8 Great Family Friendly Locations to Visit in Canada

When you’re a mom, every day is a fun adventure, but that fun can be intensified still further when we take our kids on a vacation. They say that travel broadens the mind, and that’s certainly true when you introduce children to new locations, sights, sounds and smells. It can be an educational experience as well as bringing memories that last forever, and the great news is that you don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to reap the benefits. Here are eight exciting locations in Canada that are also easily accessible from the United States, and they’re all family friendly and waiting to be explored.

1. Ottawa

Whether you live in Canada or are simply visiting, you absolutely have to visit the capital of the country: Ottawa. There are regular flights to Ottawa operated by leading airline Porter Airlines from Toronto and other major airports, and once there you’ll find a lot to keep yourself and your children occupied. Porter Airlines are renowned for their great value and great customer service, and with flights operating across North America, you could combine a vacation in Ottawa with journeys to other cities as well. In the Ottawan summer, you should head to Parliament Hill, scene of many a historic moment, to witness the beautiful formality of the changing of the guard, and if you’re lucky enough to be in Ottawa in winter, there’s no better place to be than the Rideau Canal as it transforms into the world’s largest and most spectacular naturally frozen ice rink. Wrap up warm and you’ll find that Canada’s capital really is a winter wonderland.

2.Quebec City

When you touch down in Quebec City, you can easily imagine yourself in the heart of France rather than the heart of Canada, and it is its Gallic influences that make it so vibrant and exciting for people of all ages. A horse drawn carriage ride is sure to thrill youngsters, especially when it leads through the beautiful sights of old town Quebec. You may know the Chateau Frontenac as the luxurious hotel which has launched a million photographs, but your children will think they’ve been whisked away to a real-life Disney castle fit for Belle or the beast. Once again, this is a city that excels in winter too, and you can participate in family friendly fun such as dog sledding and snow parades.

3. Toronto

Toronto is Canada’s largest city with a population of more than two and a half million, and that means that there’s a lot to see and do here. It also means that it’s a shopper’s paradise, so if your children enjoy shopping until you drop, then a visit to Toronto could be perfect for them. It also has a wealth of movie theaters, bowling rinks and more to keep them occupied even on days when the weather isn’t perfect. Among its many family-oriented locations and activities, a visit to Toronto Zoo is a must; it’s one of the world’s greatest zoos and your children will learn about wildlife conservation as well as seeing animals they’ve never encountered before.

4. Halifax

There’s something magical about the seaside, and the magic is in full flow in the east coast city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It’s large enough to have all the facilities and entertainment offerings you could crave, and yet it also has its own distinct feel thanks to its rich fishing and seafaring history. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is filled to the top with treasures, and it has been specially designed to appeal to young and inquisitive minds. On a warm day, there’s nothing finer than relaxing on the beaches that stretch along the coastline around Halifax, and there’s also plenty to do and see in Point Pleasant Park, which is still home to beautiful and historic forts.

5. Saint John

Saint John in New Brunswick is one of the most beautiful cities in North America, so it’s little wonder that it attracts tourists young and old from Canada, the United States and across the world. There are plenty of green spaces for active children to enjoy, and the Irving Nature Park is a real treat for all the family. It has a number of trails that cover beaches, marshes and areas of forest, and there are walks of different lengths and difficulty so you can find one that’s perfect for your kids. The ‘reversing falls rapids‘ are another natural feature that’s sure to prove a hit, as the crashing tides that meet here create a spectacular and unique sight.

6. Sudbury

Sudbury is one of Canada’s little gems, and it has plenty to offer families and children of all ages. It’s situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, so you’ll be spoiled for choice if you and your kids want to explore lakes, trails and natural parks. It’s also a great destination for science loving children, thanks to its world-renowned Science North education centre. Science North is full of interactive exhibitions that will get your children’s imaginations fired up, and they’re so much fun that your kids won’t even know that they’re being educated at the same time. It also has a planetarium and an area that houses animals of all kinds, and they also provide summer camping facilities and family rentals. You’ll need more than a day to explore it, and Sudbury has lots more to offer too.

7. Mont-Tremblant

If your children love skiing, snowboarding or other winter sports, then the Mont-Tremblant in Quebec Province is the place to bring them, and thanks to Porter Airlines, it’s easy to reach too. This is one of the largest and most spectacular ski resorts in North America, and the good news is that it’s geared up to welcome both adults and children. That means that you’ll find a piste suitable for all ages, and if you and your family are new to winter sports, there are also ski instructors who can teach people young and old. It’s not all about skiing and snowboarding here, however, as the resort also hosts a world class triathlon as well as canoe racing.

8. Moncton

Moncton in south east New Brunswick has a lot to see and do, including the large Mapleton Park which is a great place for families to stroll or cycle around. There’s one attraction which will particularly appeal to children however, whether they’re eight or 88, and that’s the magnetic hill. It’s a geographic feature which is unlike any other you’ll have seen or experienced, as you can simply drive to the bottom of this Moncton hill and then watch it roll uphill as if pulled by some unseen magic. It has to be experienced to be believed, so this is one Canadian location that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Your children will love telling their friends that they’ve been on the magnetic hill, and there’s also a zoo on the site, as well as a winery that the adult visitors can enjoy.

Canada is a country with so much to offer that even those who live there can be unaware of all it has to offer. From magnetic hills to world class zoos, and from fairy-tale castles to winter paradises, Canada is a country that rewards exploration. Find things to do in Edmonton during your travel. Canada is also a country which is family-oriented, so whichever of its spectacular destinations you fly to, you can be assured that there will be more than enough to keep your children occupied and enthralled; and, of course, happy children means a happy mom.