Family-Friendly Locations to Visit in Burlington, Ontario

By Emma Wilbert

July 4th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Summer is one season every Canadian looks forward to. With low temperatures over half of the year, it’s no surprise that Canadians gladly embrace the summer’s rays of sunshine and warm weather.

While summer is a great time for individuals to get an academic break or a work leave, it is also a good time for families to host picnics, attending festivals, and other outdoor events. For premium safety and fun, it is important that families visit family-friendly locations. Here’s a selection of the best family-friendly locations in Burlington, Ontario.

From the top of Mt Nemo you can see the Toronto skyline on a clear day. Easy to navigate paths lead you to the viewing station at the top.

Mount Nemo Conservation Area

If you love the good ol’ nature parks, then you’d love Mount Nemo. The conservation area is located on Guelph Line. It has a distinguished ecosystem of different plants and animals. The park has a climbing route, caves, and cliffs that will make you feel in tune with nature.

Mount Nemo is also an ideal educational tour for kids, as they will experience the biodiversity of rare species coming to life. You should come along with binoculars and magnifying glasses to capture the vast beauty of this mountain.

Trumpeter Swans and geese make the waterfront of LaSalle Park home along with the marina.

LaSalle Park

The beautiful sites in LaSalle Park have illuminated its surroundings on Burlington’s lakefront in Aldershot. The park’s breathtaking waterfront, trails, and grass make the perfect background for evergreen pictures. LaSalle Park is also home to one of Ontario’s most precious architectural pieces, the rebuilt pavilion. Trumpeter Swans live along the lakeside of the park.

If you’d love to host a family picnic, you’d love LaSalle Park. With a well-maintained court and playground, your kids will have a great time running around and flying kites. There is also a wading pool that is popular to cool off in and there is the possibility to play some baseball.

While the kids are having a good time, you could entertain yourself with some online games from the top casinos with the highest payouts. You just may hit the “jackpot” and leave the park with some extra cash. To enjoy your time at LaSalle Park, it’s best to bring along mats, towels, and bathing suits.

City View Park

The history of City View Park is similar to the proposed 350,000 hectares of cattle farm at Vergemont Station in Australia to be converted to a park. The 165-acre farm located on Kerns Road near Dundas St., west of Brant St., was converted to a park in June 2012.

City View Park comprises several sports fields, bike trails, and a playground. This naturalized park has good lighting, allowing visitors to enjoy a smooth bike ride. There are also washrooms where you can shower and change after a long ride. If you are a family of cyclists, then City View Park is a place you should visit.

One of the 12 themed areas at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington

Royal Botanical Gardens Hendrie Valley Sanctuary

Hendrie Valley Nature Sanctuary is almost as grand as Australia’s Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. With its colourful view of various flowers, the 100-hectare Hendrie Valley Sanctuary is situated in the Grindstone Creek Valley.

Other unique features of the Hendrie Valley Sanctuary are the trails of over 4 kilometers and the large cultivated garden of over 1,500 plant species. That’s not all; the Royal Botanical Garden is divided into 12 themed areas where you will find a rose garden and a vegetable garden with an interesting collection of sculptures.

If you are working on a shoestring budget, the Hendrie Valley Sanctuary is the place to visit. You can access the trails via bus, bike, or simply walk at no cost. However, fees may apply if you want to access the gardens.

Lowville Park

This park is one of the busiest parks in Burlington. The reason is not far-fetched, as the park is graced with a clean creek with tiny fish, lush vegetation, and a fairytale iron bridge.

Lowville Park is great for family picnics and games. There is a washroom for you to freshen up and a little store where you can get ice cream. The kids can get busy in the old stone schoolhouse and playground. To have a great time at Lowville, come along with soft balls and frisbees.

To the right of this scene there is a pier that juts out into Lake Ontario.

Spencer Smith Park

This park has a fascinating history. The land was initially gifted to Joseph Brant for his loyalty to the crown during the American Revolution. Over time, the land was eroded because of its proximity to Lake Ontario, which required the federal government to build a seawall in 1939. In the same year, the Burlington Horticultural Society cleared the shoreline and renamed it Spencer’s Smith Park after its former president. This park is a great way to engage your kids in some history lessons about land ownership and transfer.

Today, Spencer Smith Park is the best place to get a breathtaking view of the beach, Lake Ontario, and even the Skyway Bridge. Whether you choose to take a walk or cycle, the park presents you with a fantastic view of the lake. Locals often gather at Spencer Smith’s Park for outdoor events. You could visit the park during an event to enjoy the view and activities. Other historic park features include a children’s playground, a Terry Fox monument, a Lady of the Lake bronze sculpture, and Naval War memorials.

Final Thoughts

To access any of these locations, you’d have to make reservations in advance, so it’s essential that you start planning early. You can visit the official website of the locations highlighted here to learn about the cost of entry and other materials you may need to bring along.

Remember to choose a location that suits your pocket and ensure that you keep abreast of local news and events. Whatever your preference from our recommendations in this piece, you can rest assured that your family will enjoy the time spent together.