African Lion Safari, Toronto

Children of all ages will love the African Lion Safari where they can take a drive through the game reserve, cruise on the 'African Queen' boat, watch bird and animal performances, experience an 'elephant round up', pet some baby goats, or even enjoy the Misumu Bay Wet Play area.

Opening Times:
Summer: Open daily, from 9am to 5.30pm. Autumn: Open daily, from 9am to 4pm

Admission:
Spring and Autumn (7 May to 24 June; 6 September to 10 October): C$24.95 (adults), C$19.95 (children). Summer (25 June to 5 September): C$29.95 (adults), C$24.95 (children)

High Park, Toronto

High Park is Toronto's largest park and features sporting, cultural and educational facilities, gardens, playgrounds and a zoo. A great place for a stroll or a family picnic, High Park also features two children's playground, a communal swimming pool which is manned by lifeguards, and plenty of open space to tire the little ones out.

Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto

Any avid hockey fan must make a turn at Toronto's Hockey Hall of Fame, an ode to hockey's greatest players and most prized teams. A shrine to Canada's national sport, visitors can learn about the history of the game through memorabilia from every era, hockey artefacts from around the world, interactive exhibits and images of great moments in hockey history. Marvel at Terry Sawchuck's goalie gear, Newsy Lalonde's skates and the stick used by Max Bentley. The Stanley Cup never fails to delight visitors and most fun is had trying a hand at shooting or goalkeeping in the interactive displays. You won't be disappointed.

Opening Times:
Hours vary slightly according to the season, but are generally from 9.30am or 10am, to 5pm or 6pm

Admission:
C$15 (adults), C$10 (youths). Concessions are available

Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park, Toronto

Just 45 minutes east of Toronto on Highway 115, Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park is one of Ontario's most popular tourist attractions. The Park is home to a diverse collection of mammals, such as wolves, skunks, lemurs and chimpanzees - though it is the collection of big cats that truly makes Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park special. When it opened in 1983, the purpose of the Park was primarily recreational; however, in latter days, Jungle Cat World has taken on a more pronounced environmental education role. Housing rare and endangered cats - such as snow leopards and Siberian tigers - the park runs a variety of fun, kid-friendly programs, designed to further the ends of wildlife conservancy, by educating visitors about the dire need to protect the lives and habitats of the magnificent animals on display. Be sure not to miss the Park's Feeding Tour, which occurs at 1.30pm daily.

Opening Times:
Open daily, from 10am to 5pm

Admission:
C$15 (adults), C$10 (teens and seniors), C$7.50 (children)

Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, Toronto

The largest theatre for young audiences in Canada, the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People is also a drama school, creating theatre for the youth, by the youth. The productions put on here aim to have a lasting emotional and educational impact on the youth of today. Children will love watching performances here.

Opening Times:
Consult website for show times

Admission:
Generally, tickets prices are between C$10-20 per show

Kensington Market, Toronto

A National Historic Site, Kensington Market embodies Toronto's multicultural society. Founded in the early twentieth century by eastern European Jewish immigrants and Italians, the area was renowned for its open-air market, evocative of those found in Europe. Home to immigrants from the Caribbean, China, East Africa and Vietnam War veterans, Kensinton Market is an infusion of world cultures, all of whom have left an imprint in the music, shops and restaurants of the area. A hybrid of cheap eclectic clothing retailers, fresh produce stores, cheese merchants, fishmongers, cafés and general bric-a-brac stores, the Kensington Market area offers a rambunctious downtown atmosphere. The most prominent streets are Augusta Avenue and Kensington Avenue.

Getting There:
The market is served by streetcar stops College, Spadina and Dundas

Opening Times:
Open seven days a week. Most opening hours are from 11am to 7pm, although fresh produce stalls usually open earlier, and restaurants usually close later

Harbourfront Centre, Toronto

With an idyllic setting right beside the lake, the Harbourfront Centre is the spiritual heart of the city where locals gather on weekends for some gallery hopping, shopping, biking and concerts. Used as an industrial docklands for decades the abandoned warehouses and disintegrating factories have been transformed into a treasured recreational and cultural public space. Stroll along the waterside promenade, indulge in theatrical performances and browse craft boutiques or head to Queen's Quay Centre for some superb shopping. Year round events at this urban playground include film, dance, theatre, music, children's events and marine events.

Toronto Islands, Toronto

A chain of small Lake Ontario islands just offshore from the city, the Toronto Islands were created from a series of continually moving sandbars connected to the mainland by a frail peninsula, which finally disintegrated after a major storm in 1858. Only a short ferry ride from the mainland, the Toronto Islands provide a peaceful green refuge from the hubbub of the city and afford attractive panoramic views of downtown Toronto. Hire a bike or relax on the beach, take the kids for a day at Centreville Amusement Park or have a languid picnic in one of the many designated leafy areas.

Getting There:
The Toronto Island Ferry operates daily from 9am to 10pm, and leaves every 30 minutes. It travels to Hanlan's Point, Centre Island and Ward's Island

Admission:
C$6.50 (adults), C$3 (children). Concessions are available

Gardiner Museum of Ceramics, Toronto

Housed in an attractive building across from the Royal Ontario Museum, the Gardiner Museum of Ceramics is one of the city's finest examples of modernist architecture. Giving visitors a glimpse into a universal art form that has spanned centuries, the Gardiner Museum exhibits over 3,000 historical and contemporary ceramic pieces. With earthenware of all different shapes and sizes from the ancient Americas, China, Japan, the Italian Renaissance and more, a tour through the museum will shape visitors' understanding of the development of the ceramic process. On Friday evenings visitors can try their hand at sculpting and wheel throwing in the open clay studio or attend free films and seminars.

Opening Times:
Monday to Thursday from 10am to 6pm; Friday from 10am to 9pm; Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm

Admission:
C$12 (adults); C$6 (students); Free for children under 12 years. Half-price admission every Friday, between 4pm and 8pm

Distillery Historic District, Toronto

The brick-paved streets of the pedestrianised village have been designated a National Heritage Site, containing the finest collection of Victorian era industrial architecture in North America. The historic Distillery District, spread across 13 acres (5 hectares) in downtown Toronto, is a development dedicated entirely to arts, culture and entertainment with its plethora of art galleries, restaurants, bars and live music venues. Founded in 1832, the Gooderham and Worts Distillery became the largest distillery in the British Empire until it ceased operations in 1990 after 153 years of production, and was opened in 2003 as the pedestrian-only village it is today. It is also a popular film location and its numerous festivals and special events attract thousands of people every month.

Opening Times:
Monday to Wednesday from 11am to 7pm; Thursday and Friday from 11am to 9pm; Saturday from 10am to 9pm; Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Hours of restaurants, cafes and shops may vary

Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, Toronto

Formerly the Art Gallery of North York, the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art opened its doors in 1999 keen to display modern Canadian art that addresses current Canadian narratives. Situated in trendy downtown Toronto, Mocca boasts a collection of 400 artworks by 140 different Canadian artists, despite its small size. With most works created since 1985, Mocca offers great insight into contemporary Canadian society. A country once renowned for its loose immigration laws, Canada is home to a mix of cultures, which makes for a stimulating art world. Look out for group exhibitions with international artists and the annual Mocca Award in Contemporary Art.

Getting There:
Shaw Street subway station

Opening Times:
Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 11am to 6pm. Closed on Mondays

Admission:
By donation

Paramount Canada's Wonderland, Toronto

Boasting over 200 attractions and more than 65 exhilarating rides, Splash Works and a huge variety of roller coasters, Paramount Canada's Wonderland is Canada's favourite theme park. Kids will enjoy the fastest and biggest roller coaster, the Behemoth as well as carousels, train rides and Canada's only flying roller coaster, the Time Warp. This park is a must for a great day out with the family.

Opening Times:
Open daily, from 11am to 6pm

Admission:
C$31.99 - C$54.99 depending on the package

Toronto Zoo, Toronto

The Toronto Zoo covers 710 acres (287 hectares) and is divided into 'zoogeographic' regions. It features four major tropical indoor pavilions and several smaller indoor viewing areas, plus numerous outdoor exhibits with more than six miles (ten km) of walking trails. The zoo houses more than 5,000 animals representing more than 450 species; it draws more than 1,2 million visitors each year. It is located north of Highway 401 and is easily accessible by public transport.

Getting There:
Rouge Hill GO Train station; #86A Scarborough bus route or #85 Sheppard East bus route

Opening Times:
Open daily, from 9.30am to 4.30pm (11 October to 31 December); 9am to 6pm (6 September to 10 October); 9am to 7.30pm (21 May to 5 September)

Admission:
C$23 (adults), C$13 (children). Other concessions are available

Ontario Place, Toronto

A fantastic day out for the kids and the family, Ontario Place offers hours of action packed entertainment and some exhilarating rides that kids of all ages will enjoy. Attractions at Ontario Place include the

0 Generation Station, the Atom Blaster, First Flight, Free Fall and Super Slide, to name a few.

Opening Times:
Opening hours vary from attraction to attraction, and depend on the season. Check website for details

Admission:
Admission to the grounds is free in 2011. Individual attractions will charge separate admission prices

Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto

The pride of this large and varied museum is the golden mosaic ceiling inside the main entrance to the building in Queen's Park, Toronto. The ceiling is adorned with patterns and symbols representing cultures from around the world throughout the ages, and is made from cut squares of imported Venetian glass. The museum consists of three buildings housing 200,000 square feet (18,581 sq m) of galleries and exhibitions. The more than 40 galleries showcase art, archaeology and science exhibits. Among the most popular are dinosaurs, galleries of Chinese Art, a bat cave, a gem and gold room, exhibits about Ancient Egypt and Nubia, and the Samuel European Galleries.

Getting There:
Museum subway station, or Avenue bus #5 from Eglington station

Opening Times:
Open daily, from 10am to 5.30pm (until 8.30pm on Friday)

Admission:
C$24 (adults), C$16 (children). Other concessions are available. Admission is half-price on Friday afternoons from 4.30pm, and free on Wednesdays after 3.30pm

CN Tower, Toronto

Standing 1,815ft (553m) high, Toronoto's landmark CN Tower is the world's tallest building, a celebrated icon, an important telecommunications hub and the centre of tourism in Toronto. About two million people visit the tower each year to take in the panoramic view and enjoy all its attractions. The tower was built in 1976 by the company Canadian National, who undertook the project simply to prove the strength of Canadian industry and solve the city's communication problems. Since then tourist attractions and facilities have been added, and the revitalised tower opened to the public in 1998, proving a hit with locals and visitors alike. The tower has four look out levels. At the first at 1,122ft (342m) is an outdoor observation deck with a spectacular glass floor; somewhat higher at the next level is an indoor observation deck and the Horizon's café, offering light meals high in the sky; at the 1,150ft (351m) level is a revolving restaurant, which rotates once every 72 minutes, allowing a stunning view of the city below while dining on the award-winning fare; finally comes the top level, at a dizzying 1,465ft (447m), known as the Sky Pod. At the top of the CN Tower visitors stand on the world's highest public observation deck. The tower is situated in the heart of Toronto's entertainment district, on the north shore of Lake Ontario.

Getting There:
Union Station

Opening Times:
In summer, open daily from 9am to 11pm. Phone or check website for other seasonal hours

Admission:
Rates vary from C$22.99 to C$34.99, depending on the ticket type: concessions are vavailable

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Lake Superior and Thunder Bay

This 24,400-hectare provincial park is set on a rugged peninsula near Thunder Bay resembling a sleeping giant. Known as the 'park of legends' it was inhabited for 9,000 years by natives who fished and hunted in the rolling, forested terrain dotted with lakes, which is still roamed by lynx and wolf. It is possible to hike to the top of granite cliffs for spectacular views of Lake Superior, or in winter to explore the trails on skis or snowshoes. The park also supports an exceptional mix of plant life, and in a bog in the park's southern end grow two rare orchids, the Adder's Mouth and the Striped Orchid. There are 24 types of orchid growing here altogether, and ferns abound. More than 190 species of bird have been recorded in the park, which is also home to white-tailed deer, red fox, porcupine, moose, bears, wolf and lynx.

Casa Loma, Toronto

Canada's own castle, Casa Loma, is today owned by the City of Toronto and draws plenty of interest standing in medieval splendour on its hilltop site. The castle was formerly the home of Canadian financier, Sir Henry Pellatt, who engaged the noted architect E J Lennox to help him realise a life-long dream of building a castle. Construction started in 1911 and it took 300 men nearly three years to complete the impressive Casa Loma. Inside visitors can see the magnificent decorated suites, secret passages, and 800ft (244m) long tunnel, while outside it is possible to stroll through the beautiful five-acre estate gardens. Self-guided audio tours are available and the castle is open every day.

Getting There:
From Dupont station, walk to Spadina Ave and Davenport Rd, then climb the Baldwin Steps to the castle

Opening Times:
Open daily, from 9.30am to 5pm

Admission:
C$20.55 (adults), C$11.32 (children). Other concessions are available

Gatineau Park, Ottawa

Gatineau Park is a giant wedge of land measuring 140 square miles (363 sq km) to the northwest of Canada's Capital Region. It is a recreational haven for locals and visitors alike, and contains many features of interest. The Luskville Falls are inspiring; the Lusk Cave made of marble can be explored with a hard hat; the King Mountain Trail has 10 observation points and takes an hour to complete; the Mackenzie King Estate, a 231-hectare landscaped space in the heart of the park, was the summer residence of William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada's 10th prime minister.

Canadian Museum of Civilisation, Ottawa

One of dozens of museums in Canada's capital region, the Museum of Civilisation is one of the most fascinating with its artefacts on display including interesting things such as the world's oldest known boat, several mummies, and the story of the 'bog people' of north-western Europe. The museum celebrates the diversity of humankind and showcases the achievements of cultures, past and present, using not only exhibits but live performances, giant screens and animations. The complex incorporates the Canadian Children's Museum, Canadian Postal Museum, an IMAX Theatre and a restaurant.

Getting There:
STO Routes 21, 31, 33, 35, 67 or 77

Opening Times:
Opening hours vary slightly according to the season, but are generally from 9am to 6pm

Admission:
Museum: C$12 (adults), C$8 (children); Free on Thursdays, from 4pm to 8pm

Parliament Hill, Ottawa

Parliament Hill in Ottawa is a place for decision-making, but also a place for people. Visitors can tour the buildings, watch Parliament in action, and enjoy ceremonial spectacles like the Changing of the Guard ceremony. There are three buildings making up Canada's parliament complex. The centre block with its distinctive Peace Tower houses the chambers of the House of Commons and the Senate. Visitors can watch either chamber in action, take a tour of the building, and climb the Peace Tower for a view of the capital city region. The historic east block contains the restored offices of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A Macdonald, and other early statesmen. Tours are offered of these historic rooms and visitors can also interact with historical characters from the period. The west block houses the offices of members of parliament and are not open to the public.

Opening Times:
Changing of the Guard happens daily from 9.45am (June to August). Free guided tours are available daily

Niagara Falls, Toronto

Straddling the Canadian-United States border and sited between the province of Ontario and the US state of New York, the awesome Niagara Falls attracts about 12 million tourists a year. It makes a spectacular day's outing from Toronto. The Niagara River has been flowing for about 12,000 years but the eroded escarpment over which the falls flow today is much older, having been formed during the ice age. The river plunges over a cliff of dolostone and shale to make it the second largest waterfall on earth, after the Victoria Falls in southern Africa. Apart from appreciating the mighty torrent of the falls itself, perhaps from a spray-filled boat tour, there is plenty more to see and do on the Niagara peninsula, including indulging in some wine-tasting at one of the local wineries; visiting the exotic butterfly conservatory, marvelling at the floral clock in the Niagara Parks Greenhouse; visiting the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum, or playing a round of golf on one of the 34 courses that dot the peninsula.

Opening Times:
Different attractions have different opening hours and seasons. Check website for details

Admission:
Admission tickets vary depending on which attractions are visited. See website for details

Amethyst Mine, Lake Superior and Thunder Bay

Ontario's official gemstone, amethyst, is one of the many natural resources found on the north shore of Lake Superior. The coloured crystalline silica mineral quartz found in this area comes in beautiful shades, like Precious Purple and Thunder Bay Lavender. Visitors can mine their own amethyst at the Panorama Mine, 35 miles (56km) east of Thunder Bay, which is the site of the largest deposit of amethyst in north America, discovered in 1955. The mine currently produces 40 percent useable amethyst by volume and has a large digging area open to the public that contains 20 percent useable amethyst. All one needs is a bucket and spade to enjoy a mining experience.

Opening Times:
Open daily, from 10am to 5pm (until 6pm between 1 July and 31 August)

Admission:
C$7.08 (adults); Free for children under 5 years old

Old Fort William, Lake Superior and Thunder Bay

Visitors can travel back in time to 1815 at an authentic duplicate of Old Fort William, the inland headquarters of the North West Company of Montreal, located at Thunder Bay just nine miles (14km) upstream from the site of the original fort on the bank of the Kaministiquia River. The North American fur trade is a part of Canada's colourful past that has been brought to life at the fort, with recreations of the characters, sounds, sights and smells of the operating fort as it would have been almost two centuries ago. The sprawling 20-acre site contains more than 42 fully-equipped historic buildings to be explored, among the assortment of fort inhabitants who include Ojibwa Natives, Scots gentlemen, French Canadian voyagers, craftsmen and farm labourers, dressed in period costume and busy with their daily chores.

Opening Times:
Open daily, from 10am to 5pm. In Winter, tours are by reservation only

Admission:
C$12 (adults), C$9 (youths). C$7.50 for everyone between October and May