CANADA FOR FAMILIES

Canada’s spectacular landscapes are a never-ending playground and offer a huge variety of family adventures, from tracing the path of Gold Rush pioneers to exploring amusement parks. For rainy days, museums throughout the country hold a treasure trove of discoveries to keep boredom at bay.

Amusement Parks

Step back in time at Calgary’s 19th-century amusement park in Heritage Park Historical Village , with vintage rides and paddlewheel boat cruises. For more modern thrills, ride the rollercoasters at LaRonde in Parc Jean-Drapeau  or visit the West Edmonton Mall , which features its own water park, amusement park, ice rink, and aquarium.

CANADIAN ZOOS

 Toronto Zoo

There’s a good collection of Canadian wildlife at this zoo , a firm favorite with animal lovers. The animals are housed in natural conditions.

Calgary Zoo

Canada’s most-visited zoo , this place protects many endangered species, including whooping cranes and the Vancouver Island marmot.

Assiniboine Park Zoo

This zoo is part of a large complex that includes a range of kid-friendly attractions, such as butterfly gardens, hiking trails, and a steam-train ride

The Dinosaur Trail

Drive or walk through the Valley of the Dinosaurs in Dinosaur Provincial Park , where you can see reconstructed skeletons, ancient fossils, and take guided tours from the Field Station. The latter is part of the Royal Tyrrell Museum . Its Dinosaur Hall is dino-heaven, with a Gorgosaurus, a T-rex, and numerous digging programs for kids.

Family-Friendly Festivals

Most Canadian festivals have some activities for kids, but there are dedicated family-focused events as well. Along with magicians, music, and clowns, Toronto’s Canada Kids Festival each September has fashion, talent, and comedy shows. Vancouver also has its own International Children’s Festival in May, with acrobatics, puppetry, and art activities on the rich agenda.

Multicultural Cuisine

 Given the diversity of Canada’s population, it’s no surprise that the food on offer is equally vibrant. From Vietnamese rice paper rolls to hearty German späetzle (pasta), you’ll find a dazzling array of international dishes served all across the country. Particular highlights include Mexican food, authentic Asian fare, and traditional recipes from Southern and Eastern Europe.