Vaughan

Shop for the latest clothes, sports equipment and computer gadgets, admire the work of Canada’s greatest and most influential artists or get the thrill of your life on gravity-defying rides and rushing roller coasters during a visit to Vaughan.

Set in the heart of town, Vaughan Mills Mall has over 250 stores to satisfy every kind of shopper. Find labels such as Calvin Klein and Gucci or stock up on equipment for your next sports match or fishing adventure. The food court here is also appealing, offering Asian, European and traditional American dining.

Enjoy a relaxing yet riveting afternoon at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, a short drive west of the mall. Proudly displaying only pieces from artists of native descent, the 13 exhibition spaces pay homage to the individuals and movements that have pushed the country’s art to become some of the world’s finest. Marvel at displays of Inuit and First Nations paintings along with works by Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. Step outside into a majestic 100-acre (40-hectare) forest and wander through a sculpture garden of exquisite carvings and mesmerizing figures.

Finally, no trip to Vaughan is complete without a stop at Canada’s Wonderland on the northwestern side of town. Discover a great variety of heart-pounding roller coasters, including Behemoth and Leviathan. Slide and dive in the splash park. If you prefer something a little slower, check out a show at the Playhouse Theater and see the amazing life-size dinosaurs that move and roar with incredible realism.

Vaughan is a 40-minute drive north of central Toronto. Find many of the town’s best food outlets in the mall and along nearby Rutherford Road. You’ll find plenty of hotels available with luxurious rooms as well as simpler options for budget-minded travelers.