50+ Fun Things to Do this Summer in the Region of Halton

50+ Family Fun Things to Do this Summer in Halton

Hilton Falls – Milton.© Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation

With GTA’s best conservation areas, farms, and rib fests you will be having a summer full of fun in the Region of Halton! There are art installations, unique markets, and beautiful parks to explore in Burlington, Milton!

Events and Festivals

Drive-thru Ribfest

Enjoy award-winning, authentic southern BBQ and classic festival treats @ Sheridan College. Details

Oakville Family Ribfest | August 20 – 22, 2021

Artisan Market

Shop a variety of local artisans outdoors at this Artisan Market every Saturday this summer! Details

Saturdays | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Hawk Walk

Have an up-close and personal experience with one of Mountsberg’s resident hawks. Meet a hawk up close, hold one on your arm and even watch one released, fly overhead and return to the group. Details

Wednesday- Sunday, June 25 – September 6, 2021

Explore the Lochland Botanicals

Escape to a place where peace and well-being intertwine, whereby disconnecting from the outside world, you can reconnect with yourself.

Get outside, learn about sustainable farming practices, and all-natural, holistic, plant-based remedies that the earth can provide. 50+ acres to wander, pick flowers, and simply enjoy. Take a wagon ride to the Big Pink Swing, Build-Your-Own bouquet, browse our Shoppe, and so much more.

History Explorers

Explore history through fun crafts, stories, and exploration downtown Oakville at Erchless Estate. For children aged 4-7yrs. Details

July 7, 21 & August 4, 18, 2021 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

The Art of Storytime in Gairloch Gardens

Bring your little one to Oakville Galleries’ Gairloch Gardens to explore art and enjoy storytime! Enjoy a stroll amongst the roses on the lakeside, using the surrounding sculptures within the garden as inspiration for an engaging and toddler-friendly art activity. Details

Wednesday, July 14, 2021 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Blooms Stage

Bring a lawn chair or pack a blanket and enjoy a variety of programming being offered this summer at the RBG Blooms Stage from Thursdays through to Sundays and holiday Mondays. Details

Thursdays to Sundays, July 8 to September 6, 2021

The Enchanted Garden Tour

Dress up as gnomes, elves, fairies, pixies and make your way to Royal Botanical Gardens for an enchanting tour where a touch of magic awaits. As you venture along a 1-km accessible path, meet some larger-than-life magical beings who will share their stories and secrets about monarch butterflies. Learn what you can do to help butterflies grow and thrive. Details

July 24 – 25 & August 7 – 8, 2021

Teagan’s Ride

Take a scenic ride through the Halton Region via the Lakeshore to the Royal Botanical Gardens and then back to Oakville. Details

Sunday, August 8, 2021

Seeing the Invisible

See contemporary artworks created with augmented reality (AR) technology at Royal Botanical Gardens. Details

September 2021 to August 2022 (Opening Dates TBA)

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Activities in (and near) Halton Region

Visit a Farm

Escape to a beautiful escarpment countryside. Andrew’s scenic offers walking trails, wagon rides, playground, animal corral, straw mountain climb, miniature straw maze, corn walk, and great photo opportunities year-round. Details

Shop at the Farmers’ Market

Get fresh produce and browse through artisan wares at Farmers’ markets:

Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate

Erchless Estate was the home of Oakville’s founding family and overlooks the harbour and Lake Ontario. Enjoy stunning views and explore the gardens and grounds at Erchless Estate. The museum houses many artifacts used by the family in the 1920s. The museum is currently closed. Details

Enjoy Walking Tours

There are a many trails that one can check out in the Halton region. Check out some of them:

Explore Bruce Trail

Explore and hike various trails viewing caves, swamps, old forests and cobble beaches. You could also camp in some of their designated campground areas. Check for updates and trail closures before starting. Details

Visit your Favourite Patio

Savour a bite of everything! Dine safely outdoors at the patios this summer!

Rock Climbing

Experience the thrill of rock climbing at these locations. Details

Rattlesnake Point – currently open
Kelso – currently closed
Mount Nemo – currently closed

Spray Pads

Cool off at Milton Community Centre, Sunny Mount Park, or any of the other splash pads around your area. Check out the list of Milton splash pads!

Get Activated

Play arcade-style games, dive through lasers, climb glowing walls at Activate.

Enjoy Fishing

Have a fun time fishing!

Enjoy Ontario Family Fishing days from July 3 – 11, 2021

Mount Nemo Conservation Area

Go for a hike at this scenic park or for something a little more adventurous try out rock-climbing (currently closed). Details

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Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Spend the weekend camping, cool off by one of the largest man-made swimming pools in North America, check out the children’s farm, picnic shelters, and nature centres at this provincial park. Details

Brant Street Pier

Take an evening stroll and head over to the waterfront in downtown Burlington for stunning sunset views over the lake. Details

Chudleigh’s

Visit this farm to pick your own apples and don’t forget to check out the children’s play area and see what farm events are happening. Details

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Limehouse Conservation Area

Bring your dog for a walk, do some bird watching and explore the Bruce trail at this conservation area. Details

Enjoy a Hike

Use the maps to plan your next hike.

Fallbrook Trail Ranch

Try horseback riding at this ranch which also offers various summer camps. You can also host a birthday party here so you can ride horses with your friends! Details

A Night of Stargazing

Watch the stars and wonder at the celestial splendor. Stargazing is not fun as well as relaxing. Lie back in your own backyard or in a dark sky area near you and take in the awe-inspiring star-filled night sky.

You might like: Where to Stargaze in Ontario: Dark Sky Areas and Observatories

Valleyridge Park

Visit this imaginative playground and splash pad for an afternoon full of family fun. Details

Twin Valley Zoo

Take your kids to this 25 acre, family-run, wildlife park to see over 80 species of animals including Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Birds, Bears, Deer, Alpaca, Primates, and so much more! Details

Royal Botanical Gardens

The outdoor garden areas of the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens are open. Explore the David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden, Hendrie Park, the Arboretum, Laking Garden, and the RBG trails. Light grab and go fare will be available at the Rock Garden as well as at the Turner Pavilion Teahouse in Hendrie Park. Once the garden is open fully, you can take part in biodiversity programs, music and art exhibitions as well as bloom celebrations. Details

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Cycle the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail

Passing through Burlington and Oakville, the trails offers a quick cycle or a longer journey along the Lake Ontario shoreline:

Rattlesnake Point

Head on over to this beautiful park to see thousand year old cedars, camp under the stars, practice yoga and even rock climb! Details

Beach Day

With Lake Ontario and various small lakes only from your backyard, a trip to the beach is as easy as packing that beach towel and rounding up kids into the car!

Beachway Park, Burlington
Brant Street Beach, Burlington
Bronte Beach Park, Oakville
Coronation Park East & Coronation Park West, Oakville
South Shell Park Beach, Oakville
Kelso Beach
Prospect Park Old Beach, Acton

You might like: Beaches in Greater Toronto Area

Play tennis in Oakville

Oakville has over 60 tennis courts around the town, why not check some of them out this summer and have a family tennis tournament. Details

Kelso Conservation Area

Try out some new sports like mountain biking, stand-up paddle boarding, challenge courses, yoga, swimming, and more. You can explore the lake on a boat, or play volleyball while your children use the play area.

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Springridge Farm

Check out this fun farm and pick your own strawberries or pick up a ready basket. This farm also offers a petting zoo, escarpment lookout, antique tractors and so much more! Details

Coronation Park

Have a family picnic at this park which features designated picnic and shelter areas, complete with picnic tables and barbecue pits. Details

Rotary Park Outdoor Pool

Spend the afternoon cooling off at this outdoor pool in Milton with four lanes, a lap pool and water spray features. Details

Hilton Falls Conservation Area

Visit the famous falls, try out some fun activities at this conservation area including mountain biking, bird watching, geocaching, fishing, and hiking. Details

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Willow Park Ecology Centre

Have a fun, summer afternoon at this lovely 5-acre biodiverse nature park in Norval! Details

Visit Ontario Parks

All 115 provincial parks are free to visit from Mondays to Thursdays, until September 2nd, 2021. Ontario Parks will offer free day-use visits and issue free permits on those days. Visitors will still need a permit to visit parks from Fridays to Sundays. Details

Ontario provincial parks are open to visitors. Be it to enjoy a walk or just relax in the outdoors, fish or enjoy boating, provincial parks are great places to spend your time.

You can now visit Ontario parks for free by borrowing day-use permits from participating Ontario libraries.

Stay in Cabins at KOA

Bring the whole family and spend the weekend in cabins at this campground facility. They offer great outdoor activities including weekend recreation programs. Details

Crawford Lake Conservation Area

Hike the trails and explore the Iroquoian village to learn more about local First Nations for both a cultural learning experience and a workout. Be sure to check out the boardwalk that surrounds the lake! Details

Mountsberg Raptor Centre

Visit the Mountsberg Raptor Centre, and walk along the Wildlife Walkway for a visit and get to know resident raptors, like Pip the American Kestrel, or Chomper the Great Horned Owl. Details

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Explore Mountsberg Conservation Area

Mountsberg Conservation Area is a delight to explore with its play barn, sugar bush and mountain bike trails, reservoir, the Raptor Centre, fishing opportunities, and lookout trail. Details

Pick-Your-Own Strawberries/ Cherries

Delicious strawberries or cherries are ready for picking. Head over to your nearby U-pick Farms and enjoy ‘Pick-Your-Own’ berries!

Visit Royal Botanical Gardens

Geocaching

For a treasure hunt-like experience try geocaching! Chances are there are some geocaches near you. Create a free account to get started. Details

Go Apple Picking

There are many farms in the region that offers apple picking. Apple picking season usually starts mid-late August/early-mid September. Do call the farms to confirm their hours before starting. Check out these farms for some great options:

See Sunflower Fields and Mazes

A visit to a sunflower farm is surely a cause for a smile, photo ops, and plenty of sunshine. Walk on a path through a sea of yellow flowers and purchase a specialty product from a store on-site to commemorate your summer experience. In Ontario, these flowers bloom for about two weeks only from early to late August/early September.

Sunflower Fields and Mazes in Ontario For a Day Trip

Explore Halton’s Regional Forests

Halton Regional has many regional forests including wetlands, meadow, and wooded areas and are home to rare wildlife species. These areas can be explored by the public. Details