Family Day is a holiday in Canada observed in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. In most cases the holiday falls on the third Monday in February, but in the case of British Columbia, it’s the second Monday in February. Now, you might be dreaming of taking off for a long weekend this month for some much-needed alone time, rather than planning to spend it with family. If that’s the case, we have you covered. Here are some of the best options for celebrating Family Day this year – without your family.
Whistler, British Columbia
Two hours north of Vancouver is where you’ll find Whistler, a beautiful year-round destination. Active travellers looking for an adrenaline-filled Family Day weekend can not only ski and snowboard but also try winter ziplining, ice climbing, winter bungee jumping and dog sledding. For people looking for something a little tamer, Whistler Village offers shopping, art galleries, spas and much in the way of bars and restaurants. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you won’t want to miss the PEAK 2 PEAK 360 Experience, a gondola ride with 360-degree views of Whistler Village, mountain peaks, surrounding forests, lakes and glaciers.
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada’s capital offers a lot to see and do for anyone looking for a family-free Family Day weekend getaway. First of all, you’ll want to grab your skates (or rent a pair) to take a spin on the Rideau Canal Skateway. At nearly eight kilometres, it’s the largest naturally frozen skating rink in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lovers of art and culture can spend the weekend visiting Ottawa’s many museums and galleries, including the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Nature. In addition, the ByWard Market is a great place to go for bars, restaurants and souvenir shopping.
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Looking for a place to spend Family Day weekend – without any family? Niagara Falls might just be the place for you. The Falls themselves are pretty spectacular in the wintertime, as is the surrounding area so you’ll want to bundle up and go for a scenic walk. Try your luck at Casino Niagara where there’s free live music every Friday and Saturday through February 27 as well as Yuk Yuks comedy, also going on until February 27. In addition, you can check out the Guinness Book of World Records Museum, Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks, Ripley’s Moving Theatre 4D and so much more.
Montreal, Quebec
Head to Montreal for a family-free weekend filled with shopping, exciting nightlife, amazing food and the chance to experience the city’s architecture, history and culture depending on where your interests lie. Shop the 15-kilometre length of Sainte Catherine Street, one of North America’s longest shopping streets; explore Old Montreal’s cobblestone streets and 18th- and 19th-century stone buildings, indulge in some of the most innovative cuisine in the country and get your art and culture fix among Montreal’s many museums and galleries.
Banff, Alberta
Banff is an ideal weekend destination for family-free revelers. The charming town of Banff is nestled in Banff National Park, which puts you in close proximity to three ski resorts as well as hot springs, scenic skating rinks, shopping and nightlife. So no matter what you’re in the mood for over the weekend, be it skating on Lake Louise, soaking in a hot spring, taking a snowboard lesson, or shopping until you drop, you’ll be able to make it happen in Banff.
Charlevoix, Quebec
If you’re craving some alone time in the great outdoors this family-free Family Day, Charlevoix, less than two hours from Quebec City, will give you the chance to get active skiing (downhill and cross-country), dog sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and even winter kayaking if you’re brave enough to tackle it. In addition, the area offers much in the way of history, art, culture, an exciting culinary scene and a wide variety of places to stay, from bed and breakfasts to chic hotels.
Search for flights to Quebec City
Brookvale, Prince Edward Island
Celebrate winter and Family Day weekend – sans family – at Brookvale Winter Activity Park in Prince Edward Island. Located in the central part of Queens County, Brookvale offers enough cold weather activities to keep you busy and having fun for days. Head here (minus the family) for Nordic skiing, snowshoe trails, alpine skiing, snowboarding and the province’s only alpine ski hill with a 76-metre vertical drop.
Toronto, Ontario
You could spend months in Toronto and still not experience everything the dynamic city has to offer. But Toronto also lends itself well to a weekend escape. The best way to really get a taste of the city is to bundle up and start exploring one of Toronto’s many eclectic neighbourhoods. Start with Kensington Market and Chinatown, make time for West Queen West (voted by Vogue as the world’s second coolest neighbourhood) and head to the historic Distillery District for pedestrian-only cobblestone streets and Victorian-era architecture. In addition, Toronto is firmly on the foodie map and boasts world-class shopping.
Featured image: istockphoto.com/franckreporter
