March Break Destinations in Ontario

Author by Dave Aelick.Posted in Driving Tips, Places.
Frosty morning Sault Ste Marie

By Lori Straus

It’s already that time of year: when the kids start talking about March Break, even though it’s over a month away. It’s like their second Christmas, until they realize that summer is coming soon, too. But we’ll talk about summer at a later time. In this blog post, I’ll highlight a few possible March Break destinations in Ontario. Pull out your travel planner: your family’s ideal road trip could be just a few clicks away.

International Bridge connecting USA with Canada in Sault Ste. Marie in the winterSault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie is nestled between the shores of Lake Huron and Lake Superior. With a population of just over 73,000, it has all the conveniences of a large city but the intimacy of a small town. Like any ideal winter destination, you have a myriad of outdoor and indoor activities to choose from. Sault Ste. Marie is home to many trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, and hills for downhill skiing.

You also have lots of options for indoor activities. If your kids love bugs, take them to Entomica. You’ll get grossed out while they marvel in the grossness of tons of different bugs (many of them alive). Entomica’s tourism description says, “Come freak-out to find out what awesomely fun insect science is all about!”

Of course, for those less inclined to explore the six-legged world, Sault Ste. Marie has several museums, such as the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site, the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, and Whitefish Island, now a National Historic Site, but for centuries, it was a First Nations and Métis encampment.

OttawaRideau Canal Ice Skating Rink in winter, Ottawa, Canada

Our nation’s capital, known for the Rideau Canal Skateway and beautiful parliament buildings, is a March Break destination in its own right. Although the Skateway will likely be closed by the time spring break rolls around, you still have many outdoor options: outdoor skating rinks; Gatineau Park, with its 200 km of cross-country skiing trails that run through Canadian wilderness; and the Sir John A. Macdonald Winter Trail, which offers 16 km of multi-use trails that begin at the Canadian War Museum and travel west along various urban communities, such as Westboro Village.

For warmth, you can tour all the world-famous museums, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian Museum of Nature, and the Canadian War Museum. Admission is even free on Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 PM.

For something truly special and unique to Ottawa, you can visit the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride Centre. Tours of the stables and Visitor Centre are open in March on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and you might also see the musical ride horses and riders practise if they’re not away on tour.

Blue Mountains

"The sun is just rising over the village of Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Collingwood, Ontario with a view up the main street with the ski runs in the background."

Besides being a skiing destination, the village of Blue Mountains, perched on the hills of the Niagara Escarpment by Collingwood, is home to Blue Mountain Resort. They have a host of events planned for March Break. From scavenger hunts to live music and a Toronto Maple Leafs pop-up skating rink, you’ll find a plethora of activities for you and your family. (Even if you don’t like skiing.) Travelling to Blue Mountains is the ideal weekend getaway from Toronto if you still have to work during the week.

Enjoy Your Trip

Above are just a few of the places to visit in Ontario. Wherever you decide to travel to, family trips are easier and more enjoyable if you plan ahead. Write out your packing list, clean out your rooftop carrier, and refresh your safety kit. Plan your destination, including your hotel or B&B and any must-do activities. A little preparation can go a long way to turning your March Break vacation into a week of happy memories for you and your family.