Things to Do in Vaughan, Ontario
One warning before any plan: the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the attraction in Vaughan that most guides still lead with, is closed for redevelopment and plans to reopen in 2029. That changes a Kleinburg day. Vaughan still has a theme park, a forest education centre and one of the largest enclosed malls in Canada, and they sit far enough apart that you should pick a side of the city.
Last reviewed November 1, 2026 by the York Happening editorial team.
What most visitors come for
Canada's Wonderland sells most of the city's summer trips, but the owner now calls it a four-season park. Halloween events ran to November 1, and WinterFest is its holiday event. Open days change from month to month, so read the operating calendar before you promise a visit to anyone.
Vaughan Mills works in any weather. The mall opens Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and special hours apply on holidays. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, which is built for children aged 3 to 10, is inside. Advance online tickets cost less than tickets on the day.
Reptilia is a short drive east on Rutherford Road. It is indoors and climate-controlled, and it opens daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking there is free.
Canada's Wonderland
A large amusement park with a changing calendar of open days.
1 Canada's Wonderland Drive, Vaughan
Vaughan Mills
An enclosed shopping centre with outlets and entertainment.
1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto
An indoor attraction designed for ages 3 to 10, inside Vaughan Mills.
1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan
Reptilia Zoo
A fully indoor, climate-controlled zoo, closed only on Christmas Day.
2501 Rutherford Road, Vaughan
Forest and valley
The west side is where Vaughan turns green. The Kortright Centre, run by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, has 325 hectares of woodland on Pine Valley Drive and more than 16 km of trails, with a boardwalk through the marsh. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission for 2026 is $8.30 plus HST, and parking is extra. Bicycles are not allowed on the trails at this time.
Boyd Conservation Park is the summer choice, with Humber valley trails, playgrounds, a beach-entry pool and a splash pad. Its 2026 season ended on November 1, and TRCA lists it as closed from November to April, so wait for next year's dates.
The Nashville Conservation Reserve, at more than 900 hectares, is the wilder option. It has trails for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing, but no washroom, so use TRCA's map before you leave.
Kortright Centre for Conservation
325 hectares of woodland with family programs, run by TRCA.
9550 Pine Valley Drive, Woodbridge
Boyd Conservation Park
A seasonal TRCA park with trails, a pool and a splash pad.
8739 Islington Avenue, Vaughan
Kleinburg while the McMichael is closed
The McMichael page lists its gallery, cabin and shop as closed every day. Its parking lot closes to vehicles when construction starts this fall, and trail access through the site stops at the same time. The village itself still has its old core on Islington Avenue, and the library is a dry stop. Our Kleinburg page has the detail, and the Woodbridge page covers the old mill town to the south.
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Closed for redevelopment. The planned reopening is 2029.
10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg
Kleinburg Library
The Vaughan Public Libraries branch in the village.
10341 Islington Avenue North, Kleinburg
Pierre Berton Resource Library
A larger branch on Rutherford Road, useful on a wet afternoon.
4921 Rutherford Road, Woodbridge
Places to visit in Vaughan, sorted by need
Wet day with children: pair Reptilia with lunch at Vaughan Mills, because both are on Rutherford Road or close to it.
Toddlers: LEGOLAND Discovery and the Kortright programs for ages 1 to 4 suit this group better than a theme-park day.
Winter: Kortright stays open daily, and the indoor zoo, the mall and the libraries need no forecast check.
Low budget: the library branches are free, and the sibling page on free things lists more. Kortright admits children aged 3 and under free with a paying adult.
Two stops in one day: join Reptilia and Vaughan Mills on the east side, or Kortright and the Kleinburg village walk on the west side. Crossing the city between them uses up the afternoon.
Getting around without a car
Line 1 of the TTC ends at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, and YRT connects from there. YRT lists Routes 4, 20, 165, 320 and 360 for Canada's Wonderland. For Vaughan Mills it lists Routes 12, 20, 21, 26, 85, 87, 320 and 360. Its page does not list Kortright, Boyd or the McMichael, so plan on a car or a trip planner search for the green spaces.
Upcoming events
From the York Happening events calendar, updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the McMichael Gallery open?
No. Its site lists the gallery, cabin and shop as closed for redevelopment, with reopening planned for 2029.
What are the top attractions in Vaughan?
Canada's Wonderland, Vaughan Mills, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Reptilia and the Kortright Centre.
What can you do in Vaughan in winter?
The indoor choices are Reptilia, Vaughan Mills and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre. Kortright stays open daily, and Wonderland lists WinterFest as its holiday event.
Is Canada's Wonderland open all year?
It calls itself a four-season park, but it does not open every day. Check the park calendar for dates.
Can you reach Canada's Wonderland by transit?
Yes. YRT lists Routes 4, 20, 165, 320 and 360.
Sources
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