Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Vaughan

"St. Lawrence Market is perhaps the most famous market in Toronto, and locals regularly shop its stalls for produce, meats, cheeses, and more. While the focus of your trip should be browsing the dozens of food stalls, it’s interesting to take a look at the architecture of the St. Lawrence Market, too. Though the current main building was erected in 1902, part of the Old City Hall, which dates to 1845, was incorporated into it."

"A hot day staple on Ossington, Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery offers customers excellent ice cream sandwiches. Whether you prefer your ice cream inside a sammie, a choux, or a bubble-waffle cone, you won’t be disappointed at this small-but-mighty shop that has both gluten free and vegan options for those interested. Even though this sweet spot “officially” closes at 10:00 p.m., don’t be surprised to find it still serving customers well past closing during the summer months!"

"You’ll likely have to wait in a line out the door to get a taste of Bang Bang Ice Cream – but it will certainly be worth it. The sweet shop is home to the original Toronto ice cream sandwich, often featuring standout flavors such as burnt toffee, orange cardamom and halva. It also offers vegan and dairy-free options so that everyone can leave feeling a little bit sweeter."

"Bang Bang is perfect for satisfying an ice cream sandwich craving. There are countless combinations of flavors from cookie type, including Birthday, Oatmeal and RoCocoa, and ice cream flavors, including Orange Cardamom, Lemon Meringue, London Fog and Burnt Toffee. Try a full sandwich with two cookies for $7 or a half sandwich with one cookie for $4.50."

"Start your Toronto visit in the downtown core at Nathan Phillips Square. This public space is a popular gathering place for Torontonians. It is easily recognized by the gigantic Freedom Arches over the reflecting pool and the 3D TORONTO sign. Together with City Hall, they make an iconic landmark in the city worth visiting."

"Pull on some skates and go ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square. If you’re not an ice skater, hang around the square to lap up the winter wonderland atmosphere while you watch the skaters glide across the ice."

"Marita Payne Park is one of those outdoor spaces that truly has it all. From the baseball diamonds to the tennis courts to the playground, there’s something for every member of the family at this beloved Vaughan green space. There’s also a 2.5-kilometre walk that passes through the park."

"Between Highway 407 and Dufferin is another outdoor oasis that I'm sure you've passed by many times without noticing. There are numerous linear and loop walking trails that take you around ponds, bridges, and creek. You also have the option of visiting the Glen Shields Park."

"G for Gelato is an ideal spot for anyone looking for an authentic Italian experience. The gelato is made in-house and the flavours are inspired by the seasons, made with locally sourced ingredients. This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:"

"This market is built with love and it welcomes community wellness businesses, with a calendar that’s always full of activities, especially for kids. There’s a wide selection of local produce and products to choose from. Be sure to stop at Paul’s stall - they sell superb tomatoes."

"If the Distillery District is a time capsule to 19th-century industrial Toronto, this open-air heritage museum is a snapshot of rural life in that same era. About 19mi (30km) north of the city center and an even longer trip back in time, Black Creek Pioneer Village recreates life in 1867 with restored homes, stores, farms, churches and schools, plus a dedicated crew of costumed villagers. At 15 Canadian dollars ($11.44) for adults and 11 dollars ($8.39) for children, it’s the cheapest ticket to a time machine."

"This living-history village recreates the 1860s with more than 30 restored buildings and such craftsmen as tinsmiths, blacksmiths, millers, clock-makers, and weavers selling their wares. Visitors will also find demonstrations of spinning, hearth cooking, and quilting. The butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker prove how modern life may feel busier than ever, but in may ways, we have it easy."

"A tribute to the Toronto area's pioneering roots, take a trip back in time to 1860 and see what life was like."

"If you’re a fan of historical romance, you’ll love planning a shoot in Spadina Museum. Its delicate terrace and sprawling gardens will make your pictures look classy yet unique. It’s the perfect place for wedding photoshoots because the mansion evokes the feeling of being in a romance novel."

"Take a guided tour around Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres – Toronto’s best-kept secret. This double-decker theatre is the last operating one in the world, making it even more impressive!. Go behind-the-scenes at Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres to take a closer look and learn about its fascinating history. You will be surprised how different the old-fashioned Elgin Theatre is from the forest-like Winter Garden Theatre on the upper level."

"This restored masterpiece is the world's last operating Edwardian double-decker theater. Celebrating its centennial in 2013, the Winter Garden was built as the flagship for a vaudeville chain that never really took off, while the downstairs Elgin was converted into a movie house in the 1920s. Fascinating tours run Mondays at 5pm and Saturdays at 10am. "

"21 Doughnut aficionados no longer have to make the pilgrimage to this Hamilton-based bakery for their yeast-risen rings, now that the brand has a booth at Stackt, Toronto’s new shipping container market. The selection changes daily, but their roster of rotating flavours has included lavender-lemon, blood-orange hibiscus, raspberry-habanero and the #Hamont Cream-Filled, Donut Monster’s take on the beloved Boston Cream. There is no wrong choice."

"Founded in 2002 by Bay St. lawyers Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow, Bustle Clothing is a leading Canadian sportswear label, known for its cheeky twist on menswear classics. Shop their new unisex collaboration – Playboy X Bustle. The collection includes: heritage classics, collegiate prep, streetwear, vintage-inspired T-shirts and accessories."

"Distance from downtown: 12 minutes Let’s get Bellwoods over and done with because we all know they are the reigning MVP of Toronto craft breweries, enticing Ossington hipsters with killer beer, chic pub food, and fairy lights since 2012. The Bellwoods crew have created a Torontonian craft brew empire with two breweries, retail stores, bottle shops, and lovingly handcrafted beers ranging from imperial stouts to hoppy, fruity pale ales. In recent years they’ve also started to focus on farmhouse ale using wild yeast and bacteria.Best Brew: Jutsu, an American pale ale made with a blend of two different yeasts."

"Bars and pubs Beaconsfield. What is it: The grandaddy of modern craft brewing in Toronto is Bellwoods Brewery. Smack-dab in the center of the hipster mecca that is Ossington Ave., this bottle shop and restaurant is constantly bustling with patrons seeking good eats and even better brews."

"Bar Volo has been an institution for the past 30 years so, and they’ve carried their reputation to the new location on Nicholas Street. The biggest attraction here is probably the 26 rotating taps that they have, often with some unique and unusual beers that aren’t widely available at other Toronto bars. It makes them a favourite for die-hard Untappd users who are looking to pad their check-ins."

"What is it: Classy and contemporary, yet warm, the original Buca Osteria & Enoteca (there are four outposts peppered all over town) equally embraces tradition and modernity, skillfully combining the two into remarkable dishes. Why go: Come for the house-made salumi, displayed in the windowed curing rooms, and stay for the in-house made pasta, including the incredible pork-blood and ’nduja spaghetti. Consistently ranked as one of Canada’s best chefs, chef Rob Gentile spends weeks traveling to the far corners of Italy, learning regional delicacies from the best cooks in Italy."

"Located on the ground floor of the Four Seasons condo building, Buca adequately conveys the glitz of the posh Yorkville neighborhood, with polished concrete walls, a sparkling open kitchen, and an impressive marble bar. And yet the food and wine still manage to take center stage. This is refined Italian at its best, and the use of Canadian ingredients—Fogo Island cod, Gaspé scallops, Acadian sturgeon caviar—makes it one of Toronto's most unique dining experiences."

"The Yorkville-based outpost of Toronto’s celebrated King Street Buca location offers a menu with more fresh, sustainably-sourced seafood than before. The pizza and pasta selections that earned them their reputation are still on offer, and their dedication to sourcing the best ingredients is tireless. Plus, an attentive wait staff will ensure that your dining experience is seamless."