How to Make the Most of Your Toronto Family Vacation - Tips for Enjoying an Idyllic Holiday with the Family in Toronto

As the largest city in Canada, Toronto is often considered the best family vacation hotspot in the country. Home to some of the world's finest museums and recreational attractions, Toronto packs in a punch in terms of touristic value. Whether one's family is interested in sports, nature, the arts or shopping, there are plenty of things to see and do in this bustling Canadian city. Here's how to make sure a family getaway in Toronto is truly unforgettable.

Sign up for a Cruise

Tipped to be among the most rewarding excursions that families can enjoy in Toronto, taking a cruise around the harbour on the Tall Ship Kajama can be a great way to spend time together. Families can board the Tall Ship Kajama from the Toronto Waterfront close to the Harbourfront Centre. Considered one of the easiest ways to uncover the Toronto skyline, cruising on this 100-year-old ship with 3 masts can be the adventure of a lifetime for those who have not enjoyed sailing excursions before. The onboard restaurant also serves a family-friendly menu while adults can also grab a glass of bubbly from the bar.

Take in the Views

CN Tower in Toronto | Image via Unsplash

Offering visitors panoramic views of Toronto from a vaulted vantage point, the CN Tower is a great place to visit with kids. Having been the world's highest freestanding building for several decades, the CN Tower is no less impressive now than it was when it was first constructed. The high-speed glass lifts take travellers to the observation deck where they can stand on a transparent floor and look out at the city spread out below. 

Families with a taste for adventure can also attempt the Edge Walk, where one can strap on a harness and walk along a 5-foot-long ledge, 1000 feet above the city's skyline. Although this activity is open to all visitors over 13 years of age, it is definitely not for the faint of heart. Grabbing a bite at the rotating "360 The Restaurant" atop the CN Tower is also a must for first-timers as it serves up some of the best grub in the city.

Hit the Beach

Although Toronto is home to more than ten public beaches where families can splash around, Sugar Beach is the destination that should be on every family's travel itinerary. As one of the few beaches in the city where one can do more than simply lounge by the water, the beach offers the best swimming conditions among the beaches lining the Lake Ontario coastline. Visitors can also venture over to Centre Island, Hanlan’s Point and Woodbine Beach while Cherry Beach and Balmy Beach are two other seaside recreational hotspots on Leslie St. Spit and Scarborough respectively.

Discover the Toronto Islands

Listed as luxury travel destinations in blogs such as The Luxury Travel Channel and other travel-related resources, the Toronto Islands are another must-experience highlight for families. Boasting popular points of interest such as the Centreville Amusement Park and Blue Flag Beach, these scenic islands are accessible via a boat ride or water taxi ride from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. 

The haunted Gibraltar lighthouse, which dates back to 1808, is also found on the islands where families can rent kayaks and paddle around the coastline at their own pace.

Tour the Ontario Science Centre

As one of Toronto's best edutainment hubs, the Ontario Science Centre is another hotspot that families should hit during a stay in the city. Containing interactive and hands-on exhibits that delve into the world's rainforests and outer space, the KidSpark experience is what draws most travellers with kids to this illustrious institution. 

Don't forget to catch a movie at the venue's IMA Dome Theater with its impressive 44 high-definition speakers before leaving the science centre.