Day Trips Canada is evolving! (all be it slowly)

We have begun the daunting task of upgrading the web site to both improve the cosmetics as well as introduce some cool new features. The changes have already begun and we anticipate that it will take about a month to fully complete the overhaul. During this time, you may notice the web site acting a little strange now and then. Rest asured that eventually things will be back to normal!

Some of the new features you can look forward to are:

• Improved map & directions utilizing Google Maps
• Google map views that show all of our content - this will allow you to view all the day trips in a specific geographic area
• Improved categorization by province
• Real-time weather information for each day trip
• Favorites - Create your own personal list of day trips that you want to visit to give you quick access
• Printer friendly versions of all of our trips
• Discussion forums
• Improved navigation (drop down menu system)

Again, we appologize for the interruption but we feel that it's for the better.

Travel back to the year 1815 when the fur trade was a way of life. Fort William Historical Park is one of the largest living history attractions in North America. Spanning over 225 acres, Fort William supports over 40 historic buildings that help to re-create the days of the North West Company and the Canadian fur trade industry.

In addition to the historic architecture, Fort William Historical Park also offers tours, demonstrations, feasts, concerts, and festivals themed around the 1800s. Live demonstrations of blacksmithing, canoe building, baking, food preparation and more are sure to facinate all who visit.

The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art offers a wonderful collection of over 3,000 historical and contemporary ceramic pieces. Located across from the Royal Ontario Museum, the Museum's displays include ceramic, porcelain, and pottery from across the world including Ancient Americas, Asia, Europe as well as modern contemporary pieces.

To further enhance your visit, the Gardiner also houses a retail shop and a research library.

Day-trips.ca tip: Admission is half price on Fridays from 4pm - 9pm

Ontario Place is an internationally acclaimed cultural, leisure and seasonal amusement park located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  Ontario Place is located on the shore of Lake Ontario, just south of Exhibition Place; it is approximately 4 km west of downtown Toronto.  Ontario Place opened in May 1971 and consists of three artificially constructed, landscaped islands.

Ontario Place has rides and attractions, including the Molson Amphitheatre and the world’s first permanent IMAX® theatre, the Cinesphere.  The attractions are spread throughout the park, as well as walking trails and food and drink concessions.

Ontario Place offers Soak City, Toronto’s only downtown water park.  They have heated the water allowing for earlier and later use of the waterslides in the waterpark.

Family fun rides consist of H20 Generation Station, the Atom Blaster, First Flight, Free Fall, Super Slide, Pedal Boat Adventure, Mini Greens, cool Hoops, and an Arcade.

For the Thrill Seekers, check out The Wilderness Adventure Ride, Bumper Boats, and the F/X Adventure Theatre showing Ecozone.

The Region of Peel Museum is considered one of the finest mid-size museums in the province. The museum features collections and exhibits related to the history of the region including family treasures and tools that were hand made by the area's settlers.

The museum is part of the Peel Heritage Complex which is housed in what was once the County Jail. In 1977, the Jail was closed and renovated to create the complex which also contains the Art Gallery of Peel and the Region of Peel Archives.

The Island Queen is Canada's largest sightseeing cruise ship. Based on Georgian Bay in the Thirty Thousand Island region, the 550-passenger Island Queen departs from Parry Sound for two-hour and three-hour cruises.

The cruise gets passengers up close to some of the most beautiful scenery in Canada including glacier smoothed islands, secluded beaches and massive granite cliffs. The area is now part of the Georgian Bay Littoral which is a United Nations Biosphere Reserve and it's rich in history, geology and wildlife.

The Bovaird House was built by Mr. Peter Chisholm Sr. in 1852 and is an excellent example of a Canadian-Georgian style farm house. In 1929, the house and surrounding area was purchased by James Bovaird to be used for the breeding of thoroughbred horses. Eventually, the house was passed down to James' son, William, who also raised horses and lived in the house wife.

In 1973, the area surrounding the home shifted from rural farms into a massive urban development known as North West Brampton. William Bovaird and his wife decided that they would eventually donate the home to the City of Brampton as a historic landmark.

In 1985, William's widow Mossie Bovaird sold the house and surrounding property to the City of Brampton for just two dollars to be kept as a historic reminder of life in Brampton during early 1900s. Since then, the home has had extensive restoration and decoration to bring it back to the 1850-1900 era using a large collection of period artifacts, furnishings, artwork, and memorabilia.

Day-trips.ca Tip: For those who believe in the supernatural, the home is also said to be haunted. To discover the entire story, visit the web site listed below and read up on the "Haunted Child's Crib".

The Cochrane Railway and Pioneer Museum is located directly across from the Cochrane train station. The museum was created to offer visitors a glimpse into the history of the pioneer railway and homesteading days in Northern Ontario. From the famous engine #137 to the caboose, you will enjoy an array of railway memorabilia, antique photographs, and displays of the pioneering life in Cochrane, Ontario.

The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, (MOCCA), currently showcases approximately 400 works of art by more than 150 Canadian artists. The museum is very important to the Canadian art scene and some of the most famous Canadian artists have their work on display in the museum.

What makes the MOCCA a great day trip idea is that admission to the gallery is free.

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Fort York is home to Canada's largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings. Originally a garrison built in 1793 by Lieutenant Governor John Graves, Fort York served to provide a strong hold against attacks from the United States.

Today, Fort York is open year round and offers tours, exhibits, period room settings and seasonal demonstrations. During the summer, the fort offers live demonstrations by the Fort York Guard.