Arrive at Best Western Parkway Hotel Toronto North on Highway 7, where you’ll be well placed for the Richmond Hill and Markham outings ahead. Check in, unpack, and give everyone a proper two-hour breather after the journey. Confirm parking and breakfast arrangements at reception, and ask about the pool or other facilities if the kids still have energy; hotel amenities and hours can vary.
If daylight and the weather cooperate, drive about 10–15 minutes to Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park. The park paths are a low-effort way to stretch your legs, and you can look out for the outdoor art as you wander. In late December, sunset comes early and paths may be icy, so keep this to a relaxed hour, dress in warm layers, and turn back if conditions are slippery.
Head to Sarpa Restaurant for Italian comfort food and an easy first-night meal. Budget around C$30–50 per person, before tax and tip; with six people, it’s wise to reserve and check holiday-season hours in advance. It’s a short drive from the hotel, so there’s no need to build the evening around transit—just take your time over dinner, then return to the hotel for an early night.
Aim to arrive atAga Khan Museum around, usually 10 a.m. Tuesday–Sunday; holiday-season hours can change, so check its schedule before setting out. Allow about two hours for the serene galleries of Islamic art and the building’s striking architecture. Budget roughly C$20 per adult** for admission, with reduced or free admission for younger visitors depending on age. If driving, use the museum’s visitor parking and bring coats for the walk between the galleries and the grounds.
Drive about 10–15 minutes to Edwards Gardens for a quiet winter stroll among the landscaped paths; admission is free, but paths may be icy, so sturdy shoes are worthwhile. Keep this to about an hour, then warm up with a roughly 10-minute drive to Bayview Village Shopping Centre. Browse the shops and take a relaxed indoor break—holiday hours may differ in the week before Christmas.
For dinner, head to Congee Queen on Sheppard Avenue East, around a 10-minute drive from the shopping centre. Order several Cantonese comfort dishes to share; plan on C$20–35 per person and about 90 minutes at the table. It’s a handy family option, but dinner can get busy, so arriving a little before the usual evening rush may make seating easier.
Head to the Royal Ontario Museum for opening, then give the family about three hours among the dinosaur skeletons, natural-history galleries and world cultures. It’s a big museum, so pick a few must-sees rather than trying to cover every floor; warm layers can be checked at the coatroom. General admission is roughly C$27 per adult, with reduced prices for children, and special exhibitions may cost extra. Check the museum’s holiday hours and book timed tickets ahead—December 23 can be busy.
Walk south along Queen’s Park and down University Avenue to Nathan Phillips Square—about 20 minutes at an easy pace. Allow around 45 minutes to take in the civic square and its festive skating scene. Skate rentals are available seasonally for a fee; check rink and rental status before setting out, and bring gloves and a helmet for the kids.
From the square, it’s a short walk east along Queen Street West to CF Toronto Eaton Centre, a handy 1½-hour warm-up and browse. The mall is generally open into the evening, but holiday hours can vary. There are plenty of quick food options if the kids need a snack before dinner; keep the group’s coats together, since the centre gets crowded in the run-up to Christmas.
Finish at Pai in the Entertainment District. Walk west along Queen Street and south toward Duncan Street, allowing about 15–20 minutes from the mall. Northern Thai favourites run about C$25–45 per person; reserve ahead, especially for a family of six, and mention the children when booking. Expect a lively, compact dining room and confirm the restaurant’s holiday hours before you go.
Head to St. Lawrence Market early; Christmas Eve hours may be shorter than usual, and some vendors may close before the market itself, so check the holiday schedule and arrive near opening. Give yourselves about 90 minutes to browse and pick up lunch from the stalls—an easy way to let everyone choose something different. From central downtown, walk over in roughly 20–35 minutes or take the 504 King streetcar east; allow extra time for holiday service.
It’s about a five-minute walk to the Gooderham Building. Take a look at Toronto’s famously narrow flatiron from the street, with the city’s towers rising behind it; half an hour is plenty for photos and a quick wander nearby. Then walk east to the Distillery Historic District (around 15 minutes) for a relaxed stroll among the Victorian industrial buildings and pedestrian lanes. Seasonal displays or events can affect access and may require tickets, so check what’s running before you go.
Stay in the district for Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie, where French-inspired dishes and a bakery counter make a comfortable early dinner stop with kids. Budget about C$30–55 per person before any extras, and reserve if possible. Christmas Eve service can be reduced or unavailable, so confirm the restaurant’s hours before setting out and have a nearby backup in mind.
Keep Christmas Day low-key with an hour outdoors at Richmond Green Park. The park is free to visit, but stick to cleared paths and skip outdoor amenities if they’re icy or conditions are poor; bundle up, as the open spaces can feel especially windy. Check the City of Richmond Hill’s holiday notices before setting out, since facilities and washrooms may have limited access.
Before heading to the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, check its holiday calendar and box office: a Christmas Day performance is not guaranteed, and the venue may be closed if nothing is scheduled. If there is a show, allow about 1½–2 hours and check ticket prices when booking. Afterwards, return to the Best Western Parkway Hotel Toronto North for a warm, unhurried two-hour family break.
For an easy dinner, look for a nearby Tim Hortons and confirm Christmas Day hours before leaving the hotel—many locations shorten their hours or close for the holiday. Soup, sandwiches and hot drinks make a simple meal; budget around C$8–18 per person. Keep a backup snack in your room in case the closest branch is closed.
After allowing 30–50 minutes to reach Yorkville, start at Yorkville Village for an easy indoor browse; an hour is plenty, and Boxing Day hours may differ, so check before you leave. Then walk about 10 minutes to the Bata Shoe Museum for its compact footwear and fashion exhibits. Confirm it’s open on December 26 before setting out, as holiday hours—and any renovation-related access—can affect visits.
Walk a few minutes to Café Boulud for a leisurely lunch; budget around C$40–75 per person and consider booking ahead for Boxing Day. It’s a relaxed pause before the afternoon, especially with kids who’ve already had a full morning indoors.
From Yorkville, take a short rideshare to Casa Loma, or use TTC Line 1 to Dupont station and walk uphill to the castle (allow roughly 15–20 minutes from the station). Set aside about 2.5 hours for the rooms and towers; check seasonal hours and book tickets in advance, since holiday admission and closing times can differ. Dress warmly for the outdoor sections, and expect some stairs.
Allow 20–35 minutes to reach Harbourfront Centre from Yorkville by TTC; check the holiday Sunday schedule before leaving. Start around 10:30 and spend about 90 minutes seeing what’s on indoors. Exhibitions and winter programming vary, and some may require tickets, so check the centre’s listings before you go. It’s a good warm-up stop if the lakeside wind is biting.
If paths are clear, walk about 10 minutes west to the Toronto Music Garden for a 45-minute wander. Its Bach-inspired landscape is lovely even in winter, though the garden will look very different from its summer photos; avoid icy paths and keep this stop flexible in poor weather. Continue to Amsterdam BrewHouse on Queens Quay for lunch—budget about C$25–45 per person, but Amsterdam BrewHouse has been reported closed. Verify its status before setting out; if it hasn’t reopened, use the lunch break for a nearby Queens Quay restaurant instead, checking holiday hours and menus in advance.
From Queens Quay, walk east toward Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada—roughly 20–25 minutes—or take the 509 streetcar toward Union and walk the remaining few minutes. Allow about 2.5 hours for the galleries and underwater tunnel; holiday dates can sell out, so book timed admission ahead and check current ticket prices and opening hours. Afterward, keep the evening easy: the aquarium is close to Union Station for your trip back north.
Once you’re settled back in Richmond Hill, head to David Dunlap Observatory for about an hour on the grounds and a look at the historic observatory from outside. The grounds are a lovely, quiet winter walk, but access to the building itself depends on tours and programming; check ahead, and stick to cleared paths if it’s icy.
Continue to Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, a historic farmhouse with exhibits on the area’s past. Allow about an hour, but check its seasonal schedule before setting out: it’s Monday, and the centre may be closed, especially around the holiday period. If it is open, confirm admission and any holiday hours directly before you go.
Take a gentle 45-minute loop around Mill Pond Park; the pond and surrounding trees make a peaceful change of pace, though paths can be slippery after snow or a thaw. For dinner, Cotolet serves Portuguese-style grilled chicken with sides; budget about C$15–30 per person and check holiday hours before driving over. After a day outdoors, it’s a straightforward, family-friendly meal—call ahead if you’ll need a table for six.
After the short drive from Richmond Hill, aim to reach Markham Museum near opening and allow about two hours for its historic buildings and exhibits on local life. It’s an open-air site, so bundle up and expect to spend some time outside between buildings. As holiday-season hours and access can vary, check the museum’s schedule before setting out; confirm admission prices too, as they may change.
Drive about 10 minutes to Main Street Unionville and allow around 90 minutes to wander its heritage streetscape and browse the independent shops. It’s a pleasant place to take things slowly, though some shops may have reduced winter hours. Then pop into Old Firehall Confectionery, set in a historic firehall, for a sweet break—budget about C$5–15 per person and check whether it’s open that day.
Stay in the village for dinner at Ambiyan, where Indian dishes make a warming end to a winter day. Allow about 90 minutes and budget C$25–45 per person; with six people, booking ahead is sensible. Check the restaurant’s holiday hours and menu before you go.
Set out early enough to reach Toronto Zoo near opening; in late December, daylight is short, so an early start makes the 3–4-hour visit much more comfortable. Check the zoo’s winter hours and last-entry time before leaving, and prioritize a few favorite habitats rather than trying to cover the whole site. Much of the visit is outdoors, so bring warm layers, hats and gloves, and check for icy paths.
Drive about 25 minutes to Guild Park and Gardens for a quieter hour among its architectural fragments and lake views. The grounds are best explored in daylight, and winter conditions can make some paths slippery, so keep to open, maintained routes. From there, allow roughly 10–15 minutes by car to Scarborough Bluffs Park; enjoy the shoreline views from safe, open paths, but stay well back from cliff edges, which can be unstable. Aim to arrive before sunset—around 4:45 p.m. at this time of year—and skip exposed areas if weather or footing is poor.
Finish at The Roti Hut for Trinidadian roti and curry; allow about an hour and budget C$15–30 per person. It’s a relaxed, filling end to a cold day, especially with kids. Check the restaurant’s holiday-season hours before heading over, and keep a backup dinner option in mind in case the kitchen closes early.
Allow 75–100 minutes to reach downtown from the Toronto Zoo by TTC, so leave Scarborough early and check holiday service before setting out. Aim for the Art Gallery of Ontario around 10:30–11 a.m.; spend about 2½ hours, choosing a few galleries rather than trying to see everything. Holiday hours and admission prices can change, so check the gallery’s current schedule and book ahead if required.
From the gallery, head west to Kensington Market—about a 15–20-minute walk, or a short TTC ride if it’s especially cold. Give yourselves an hour to browse the independent shops and colorful streets; some businesses may close early on New Year’s Eve. Then stop at Seven Lives Tacos y Mariscos for tacos, budgeting about C$15–25 per person. Confirm it’s serving that day, and have a backup nearby in case the holiday schedule differs.
Make your way to Nathan Phillips Square for Toronto’s public New Year’s Eve celebration, if the event is held there this year. Details on performances, access and timings are usually announced closer to the date, so check before you go. Dress for standing outdoors, bring snacks and warm layers for the kids, and agree on a meeting point in case the square is crowded. Check TTC’s New Year’s Eve service and plan your trip back before the festivities end; expect busy platforms and extra travel time.
Once you’re back in Richmond Hill, head to Lake Wilcox Park in Oak Ridges for an easy hour by the water. The boardwalk and trails are lovely in winter, but check trail conditions first and stick to cleared, non-icy paths; the lakeside can feel much colder than the forecast. Parking is available nearby, though holiday availability can vary.
Warm up at Oak Ridges Community Centre for an hour or two of indoor recreation, depending on what’s open to the public. New Year’s Day hours and drop-in schedules may be limited—or the centre may be closed—so check with the City of Richmond Hill before setting out. In the afternoon, make a quiet reading stop at Richmond Hill Public Library — Central Branch if it’s open; confirm its holiday hours in advance, since library service is often reduced or closed on January 1.
Finish with a relaxed breakfast-for-dinner at Cora Breakfast and Lunch. Allow about an hour and budget C$15–25 per person; call ahead to confirm New Year’s Day service and kitchen hours. It’s a gentle way to end the holiday, especially after a day outdoors.
After allowing 40–70 minutes to get to Mississauga, start with a gentle 45-minute stroll through ariya Park, a quiet Japanese-style garden just south of the city centre. It’s free to visit, but in winter some paths or features may be closed or snow-covered, so stick to cleared routes and keep the walk flexible.
Walk about 10 minutes to Square One Shopping Centre for a warm indoor break and roughly two hours of browsing. There are plenty of food options if the family wants a snack, but save room for dinner. January 2 isn’t a statutory holiday, though seasonal hours can vary—check the mall’s current hours before setting out.
Head to Rec Room Square One for about 90 minutes of games and activities; it’s inside the mall, so there’s no need to bundle up between stops. Check current pricing, age rules and holiday hours in advance, particularly if the kids are different ages. Finish at Earls Kitchen + Bar Square One, where the varied menu makes ordering for a family straightforward; allow about 1½ hours and budget roughly C$25–45 per person, before drinks and tip.
Keep the morning unhurried at your accommodation. Rogers Centre is in downtown Toronto, not Richmond Hill, so only make the trip if its official calendar confirms a public tour or event for today; access and tour availability aren’t guaranteed, especially in winter. If nothing is scheduled, skip the out-of-area detour and enjoy a slow start instead.
Check the event calendar at Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts for a family show or community event, allowing around 1½–2 hours. Sunday performances vary, and tickets may need to be booked ahead, so confirm the start time and availability before setting out. Afterward, spend about an hour browsing the Richmond Hill stretch of Yonge Street for local shops and any last trip necessities; keep purchases manageable if you’re packing to leave tomorrow.
Finish with an easy pizza dinner at Pizzaiolo in Richmond Hill. Allow about an hour and budget roughly C$15–25 per person; check the nearest branch’s Sunday hours and whether dine-in, pickup or delivery suits your family best. Don’t plan too much after dinner—tomorrow is checkout day.
Allow about an hour at Best Western Parkway Hotel Toronto North to finish packing, check the room, and settle any remaining charges. Confirm the hotel’s check-out time and ask reception to hold your bags if you have time for one last stop; if you’re driving, load the car before checking out so the family isn’t juggling luggage indoors.
If your onward departure allows, check the schedule at Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts before heading over. It’s a short drive from the hotel, but daytime events aren’t guaranteed, so treat this as a bonus rather than a fixed stop; allow one to two hours only if there’s something suitable on. Otherwise, keep the morning simple and leave time for a relaxed snack nearby.
Before leaving town, stop at a café along Yonge Street for a final coffee, hot chocolate, or snack—budget about C$5–15 per person and give yourselves around 30 minutes. Then set off with extra time for winter road conditions and traffic; check the route just before departure, and keep coats and essentials easy to reach rather than buried in the luggage.
No packing list attached yet.