Toronto 
School’s out and summer is here; treat your adventurous teenager to exciting thrills, exercise and nature. Whether they have a skill they would like to develop or just to enjoy the balmy weather and great outdoors with friends and family, check out these summer adventure trips, located within Ontario.
Check out the world’s highest hydraulic lift lock
Go sightseeing with your teen over the world’s highest hydraulic lift lock and explore the beautiful Trent Severn Waterway aboard The Island Princess. Discover the unbelievable beauty of this remote region of the Kawarthas.
Credit: To Do Canada
Address: 92 George Street North Peterborough
Cost: : $3.50 – $29.75
Drive along Historic Canals
If you want to go on a road trip with your teen, there are various options for road trips across Ontario, but why not combine some of the prettiest towns and Canada’s engineering marvels, like the lift lock, into a multiday road trip?
- Drive the Rideau Canal National Historic Site: The Rideau Canal offers a fascinating drive between Kingston and Ottawa traversing some of Ontario’s prettiest towns, going along lakes, rivers and 19 kilometres of canals cut into the soil and rock between the natural bodies of water.
- Drive the Trent-Severn Waterway: You can enjoy the best of Central Ontario by wheeling your way along the route of the Trent-Severn Waterway on land. You’ll still get a chance to enjoy the rural scenery, the quaint towns, and the waterside views that boaters see as they explore the lock system.
Zoom on a Go-Kart
With kart speeds reaching as high as 40 KPH, Go-karting at Wasaga 500 will get your racing around the one-mile-long, high-banked track. There is also night racing around a lighted track for extra excitement.
Address: 152 River Road West, Wasaga Beach
Cost: starting at $7 for one lap
Lookout from a Tower
Climb to the top of the observation deck located 465 feet above Lake of Bays. The Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower offers spectacular views of Lake of Bays, as well as all the amazing forests and rugged scenery in the area. There is also a hiking trail in the area you can enjoy on your stop, as well as picnic sites and visitor information.
Address:1191 Dorset Scenic Tower Rd., Dwight
Cost: $2.25 to $11.35
Walk 2,200-Foot-Long Tunnel
Take a glass-enclosed elevator to the thrust deck level of the now decommissioned Niagara Power Station. Discover more about this incredible feat of engineering as you walk 0.7 kilometres through a tunnel and see an amazing view of the Niagara River and Niagara Falls. You will be walking through the tunnel that once expelled waters into the lower Niagara River, right at the base of the Horseshoe Falls.
Credit: Niagara Parks
Address: 7005, Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls
Cost: $18.25 to $37
Zipline Between Two Provinces
Do something unique and exhilarating that you’ll never ever forget — cross the Ottawa river, not a boat or the bridge but, by flying across it! Yes, flying across it on the 1st ever interprovincial zip line in the whole world! The zip line connects Ontario to Quebec and allows you to fly all the way into Ottawa from Gatineau while looking down at the most spectacular views that cannot be seen from any other angle.
Address: Check-in at Zibi site, Gatineau and fly into Ontario.
Cost: $39.99 for adults and $29.99 for kids.
Canada’s Wonderland
It’s just not summer without a trip to this famous themed amusement park. With 17 roller coasters, a massive water park, concession stands, and a midway, Canada’s Wonderful is a fantastic place to enjoy all-day outdoor excitement with friends or family.
Address: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan
Cost: Starting at $44.99
Try Treetop Trekking
If you are craving a thrilling escape into nature, visit the Treetop Trekking parks across Ontario. There are zip lines and wooden bridges, monkey cables, and Tarzan swings; combine exercise and fun in one afternoon.
Treetop Trekking
Address: 7 locations in Ontario
Cost: Varies depending on parks
ATV Adventure Tours
Find yourself in the beautiful Collingwood area and ride the open road on an ATV! ATV Adventure Tours offers guided ATV excursions that are both safe and exciting. Tours are available for single riders as well as groups; fun for the whole family!
Address: Collingwood
Cost: Starting at $50
Turbo Tubing
Grand River Rafting offers paddleboard and kayak rentals, as well as turbo tubing, a unique outdoor adventure! Coast down the nine-kilometre-long meandering river where you will be privy to eagle sightings and forested areas that have been dubbed ‘the Canadian Amazon.’
Address: 181 Bethel Rd, Paris
Cost: Starting at $38 + tax
Head to Blue Mountain Resort
The Blue Mountain Resort, located in Collingwood, provides many, fun activities for both teenagers and adults alike. Only two and a half-hour drive from Toronto, you and your teen will enjoy the many attractions available, such as mountaintop tours, an open-air gondola, and the Woodlot Low Ropes with your day pass ticket.
Address: 190 Gord Canning Dr, The Blue Mountains
Cost: Starting at $10.00
Ariel Park at Sauble Beach
While Sauble Beach is a beloved location for overnight camping, you can also visit this popular area for a day trip. Discover the Aerial Park, which features Canada’s first ‘zip coaster!’ Enjoy the surge of adrenaline and exciting thrills while surrounded by beautiful forested areas upon this famous, fresh-water beach.
Address: 11 Lakeshore Blvd N, Sauble Beach
Cost: The day pass starts at $55
Tobermory Wave Adventures
There are many boat tours that lets you explore Bruce Peninsula National Park and Fathom Five National Marine Park.
Tobermory Wave Adventures provides an exciting tour on a jet boat and the tour focuses on magnificent Flowerpot Island with its interesting caves, rock pillars and wildlife and the Grotto of beautiful Lake Huron.
Tobermory Wave Adventures
Address: 1 Bay St, Tobermory
Cost: Adult $68, Senior $63, Children $59
Horseback Riding
Spend the day horseback riding at Pathways on Pleasure Valley. Discover 225 acres of serene fields and forested trails. Pathways offer lessons for novices, and more experienced riders will love the beauty and tranquility of this equestrian adventure.
Address: 2499 Brock Rd, Uxbridge
Cost: Starting at $84.75
Up!
Discover incredible views, lush scenery, and an experience of a lifetime with a ride in a hot air balloon. Sundance Balloons offers rides within the Toronto area that begin in Kitchener, Waterloo. After receiving proper instructions and safety equipment from your guide, find yourself soaring along the St. Jacobs Country region, high above the Conestoga River. This activity makes a great tourist destination or a festive way to commemorate a special occasion.
Address: 48 Crampton Dr, Belmont
Cost: Starting at $225 per person.
Go hang gliding.
You don’t have to travel far outside of Toronto to experience the thrill of hang gliding! Only a 26-minute drive outside of Markham, Higher Perspective provides hang-gliding equipment, courses, and instructions for all experience levels. Embrace your inner daredevil while you soar high above the grounds.
Address: 1150 Hwy 7, Locust Hill
Cost: Starting at $170 per person.
Discover the suspension bridge at Eagle Canyon
Teens that are looking for thrills will marvel at Eagle Canyon, which offers the longest suspension bridge and zipline in Canada. Nestled beside Lake Superior, your family will discover incredible views and beautiful scenery as you walk along the bridge. Eagle Canon offers individual, family and group rates, making it a great location to host a birthday party or festive occasion.
Address: 275 Valley Rd, Dorion
Admission: starting at $22 for children over 12.
Cliff jump at St. Marys Quarry
St. Marys Quarry is the largest freshwater swimming hole in Ontario, but this popular summer destination offers more than just a refreshing dip. Teens, in particular, will love the chance to cliff dive, and families will enjoy picnicking along the scenic grounds. This spot also offers plenty of recreation, such as splash pads, playgrounds, day camps, and badminton courts.
Credit: St. Marys
Address: 425 Water St S, St. Marys
Admission: $4.50 for a child/youth (ages 3 – 17)
$7.00 for an adult (ages 18+)
Enjoy a natural water slide at Algonquin High Falls
Teens who enjoy aquatic adventures will find thrills among the waterfalls located at Algonquin Park. Gather the family together for a day trip of hiking or canoeing and venture towards the Barren River, where High Falls collects at the base of this famous natural swimming hole.
Address: Algonquin Provincial Park
Admission: Provincial Park Admission
Make a splash at Whirlpool Jet Tours
Niagara Falls offers many exciting activities, including Whirlpool Jet Tours. Coast along the Lower Niagara River at 80 km/hr. Your guide will provide historical references to the waters, rushing through the waves, and crashes of the white waters. You can either get soaked in an open-concept jet boat or stay covered and dry in an enclosed vessel. Either way, it’s the perfect chance to discover the ride of your life-on water!
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours 3
Address: 55 River Frontage Road Niagara Falls
Admission: $73.95 for children over 12
Visit Bridal Veil Falls
Located on Manitoulin Island, Bridal Veil Falls is a stunning waterfall that cascades down to a natural swimming hole. Teens and families alike will love climbing the various trails and cooling off in the sparking fresh body of water. The surrounding area also provides picnic tables, washrooms, and even a famous ice cream parlour open during the summer months.
Address: 50-64 Main St, Kagawong
Cost: Free
Glow-in-the-dark kayaking
If paddling on the water wasn’t fun enough, Toronto Kayaks have elevated this exciting summer adventure with nighttime, glow-in-the-dark tours. In addition, they offer LED and Bluetooth-compatible kayak rentals available with one or two seats while coasting along Humber Bay Park.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cel131lu4eE/
Address: Humber Bay Park, Toronto
Cost: Starting at $70+
Edgewalk the CN Tower
Considered one of the most extreme adventures in Toronto, the CN Tower Edgewalk is a thrilling summertime activity for teens who love a rush of adrenaline and who aren’t afraid of heights.
Make the most of the balmy weather and step along a five-foot ledge in a full circle 116 stories high atop the iconic tower.
Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto
Cost: $195.00 per person
Painted Rock at Bon Echo Provincial Park
Mazinaw Rock looms over Mazinaw Lake, 100 metres above the water, giving an impressive view within Bon Echo Provincial Park. Not only does it produce a great echo – prompting the name of the park – it also has more than 260 Indigenous pictograms that speak to the history of the so-called “painted rock.” Paddle on Mazinaw Lake and head over to Mazinaw Rock to view one of Canada’s largest visible collections of Indigenous pictographs.
Address: 16151 ON-41, Cloyne
Cost: Provincial Park Admission
Splash Around at a Water Park
Experience thrilling, aquatic adventures at Calypso Water Park; the largest water park in Canada! Boasting 130 water-themed attractions, Calypso Park includes a 52-foot wave pool and 35 water slides.
Address: 2015 Calypso St, Limoges
Cost: $44.99 & up
See Parliament and downtown Ottawa From Above!
Travel along the picturesque Ottawa River on a Biplane! Strap on your aviator’s cap and goggles and get a bird’s eye view of Parliament Hill and downtown Ottawa, or travel back in time as you soar serenely aloft the Gatineau River, viewing historic Gatineau Park, the Chelsea River dams, and the original river-logging route that helped found the City of Ottawa.
Ottawa Biplane Adventures
Address: Rockcliffe Flying Club, 1495 Sir George-Étienne Cartier Pkwy, Ottawa
Cost: $38 to $175 per person.
