Toronto’s Airport Area has everything you need to get your vacation started as soon as you land. Stretch your legs at the Woodbine Shopping Centre, where over 165 shops and services will keep you busy and the mall’s indoor amusement park should be enough to occupy your kids. Plus, just down the road at Laser Quest, you can enjoy an exhilarating round of laser tag. Try to survive in the multi-level arena, working your way through the swirling fog, heart pounding to the music.

While in the area, follow the sound of thundering hooves to Woodbine Racetrack. No matter what time of year you visit, the horses will be rounding the track and a handful of coins will buy you loads of fun at the slot machines. Or find out what’s happening at the International Centre, just three minutes from Toronto Pearson International Airport. The 500,000 square feet of space hosts a variety of consumer trade shows each year. Catch anything from a classic car auction to the latest in home décor. 

If golfing is what drives you, head to the Royal Woodbine Golf Club. Nestled in the lush Mimico Creek valley, this course will both challenge and reward you. Hugging the banks of Mimico Creek, these 18 holes will demand every club in your bag.

If you’re looking to experience authentic Canadian culture, there is no better place than the village of Kleinburg. Located in the City of Vaughan, perched atop the Humber River Ridge, this pleasant village is home to the renowned McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Works by Canada’s famed Group of Seven painters, as well as First Nations and Inuit artists, are displayed in a wonderful woodland setting. 

Despite being just north of Toronto, life in Markham Village moves at a distinctly slower pace. Unwind and invigorate your senses with a sample from one of the local wineries, a leisurely stroll down the scenic streets or the cool sounds of the annual Markham Jazz Festival.  

A rich heritage and Old World charm are brought to life by community celebrations, quaint boutiques and a variety of family activities. If shopping is your therapy, you’ll love the unique area shops, where you’re bound to find a treasure or two.

Imagine a magical mall with all your favourite stores where everything’s on sale, all the time. The Dixie Outlet Mall has more than 130 outlet and specialty discount stores under one roof. If that’s not enough, Square One Shopping Centre has a dizzying 360 shops, restaurants and four major department stores: The Bay, Sears, Wal-Mart and Zellers.

Add a little Asian culture to your shopping experience at the Mississauga Chinese Centre. Located in the heart of the city, you’ll find more than beautiful home décor, high-tech gadgets and exotic Asian goodies at this shopping centre. Explore stunning replicas of the Nine Dragon Wall, Soo Chow Garden Pavilion and the fortress at the Great Wall. 

After all that shopping, it’s time to blow off some steam at Playdium. Dive into 40,000 square feet of high-tech, adrenaline-charged action for kids and adults. Rides, sports simulators and arcades offer extreme family fun. Or try an exhilarating round of laser tag at ­Laser Quest. How will you fare in the multi-level arena, working your way through the swirling fog, heart pounding to the music? For a more civilized game, the Lionhead Golf & Country Club offers two championship golf courses. Swing your way through the natural surroundings of forest and rolling hills.

Slow things down with a stroll through Port Credit. This quaint waterfront village will charm you with arts and crafts, handmade chocolates and more. A little further north up the CreditRiver, you’ll reach the historical buildings of Streetsville. With its enchanting collection of unique and well-preserved façades, Streetsville is an inspiring mix of rural Canada’s days-gone-by and contemporary style, complete with jewellery shops, fashion boutiques and a tempting selection of restaurants and cafés firmly rooted in the 21st century.

When the sun goes down in Mississauga, the spotlight rises on the elaborate buffet and lively stage shows found at StageWest. Take in an evening at this world-class, 630-seat Vegas-style dinner theatre that has hosted Canadian talent like singer Jackie Richardson and tenor Mark Dubois.

Along the shore of Lake Ontario, at the mouth of the Credit River, is the picturesque village of Port Credit. Known as Mississauga’s Village on the Lake, this waterfront retreat is home to an assortment of restaurants, craft shops and boutiques. Drop anchor in one of the various marinas that decorate the shoreline, where slips can be rented by the week, day or even hour – if that’s all you have to spare.

Land-lovers will enjoy the natural treasures of the area. Parks, beaches and 15 kilometres of Lake Ontario’s Waterfront Trail beckon cyclists, in-line skaters and walking enthusiasts to take in the breathtaking scenery. And if your trip coincides with the Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival, you can groove to the international and Canadian acts that fill a variety of venues across town.

Contemporary meets classic in Streetsville, a quaint community nestled along the picturesque banks of the Credit River. Mississauga’s “Village in the City” attracts architecture and history enthusiasts with the proud towers and gothic windows of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, built in 1867, and the Streetsville United Church from 1876. The inspiring mix of yesteryear Canadiana and modern style is never more evident than in the collection of unique and well-preserved façades that set the scene for fashion boutiques, jewellery shops and tempting restaurants.

Take a leisurely stroll down Main Street in Unionville and let its classic charm warm your heart as you admire the atmosphere of this 19th-century legacy. The heritage train, horse-drawn carriage rides and candlelight parades will bring you back to a simpler, more peaceful time. Quaint and inviting fashion shops carry everything from the chic to the unique, while a selection of great restaurants, patios and cafés weaves a modern feel into the classic ambiance of yesteryear.

This fast-growing city is quickly gaining a reputation as a must-see destination with something for everyone. Vaughan’s superb shopping scene includes brand name outlets, boutiques and specialty shops. As well, the new 1.2-million-square-foot Vaughan Mills Mall is sure to please.

If you prefer swinging clubs rather than shopping bags, there are ten golf courses to choose from. The impressive line-up features courses that will challenge seasoned pros or perfectly suit the casual player.

More than just shopping sprees and golf tees, the “City above Toronto” boasts a diverse and eclectic gastronomical landscape. Shaped by the city’s cultural diversity, delectable cuisines at gourmet restaurants and bistros offer food lovers a mix of mouth-watering international flavours.

Before you fill up on the tasty delights you’ll want to check out Canada’s premier theme park, Canada’s Wonderland. Home to over 200 attractions and more than 60 rides, this wild amusement park welcomes over three million guests through its gates each year. For a more rustic adventure, the Kortright Conservation Area offers a unique learning experience. This impressive environmental education centre is home to the largest demonstration of renewable energy technology in Canada.

Covering some 1,756 square kilometres just north of the city of Toronto, York Region is large enough to offer an incredible range of attractions. Some of Canada’s most challenging and spectacular golf courses are here, including Angus Glen and St. Andrew’s Valley. So too is the country’s biggest theme park, Canada’s Wonderland, boasting over 200 rides and a 20-acre water park. And huge malls like the Pacific Mall and Vaughan Mills offer incredible and diverse shopping experiences.

Many visitors are attracted to York Region for the chance to explore smaller, intimate towns like Unionville, whose old-world charm is a million miles away from the teeming malls and thrill-filled rides. You’ll find festivals year-round in the smaller towns and regular farmers’ markets. And if you want to experience authentic Canadian culture, you can’t do better than the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, where works by Canada’s Group of Seven, as well as First Nations and Inuit artists, are displayed in a wonderful woodland setting.