Summer in Vaughan with memorable arts and cultural experiences
Vaughan’s rich arts and cultural heritage
contribute to a cohesive sense of belonging. The city’s four Heritage Conservation Districts – Kleinburg-Nashville,
Maple, Thornhill and Woodbridge – offer a unique connection to Vaughan’s
vibrant arts and cultural communities. Whether you’re playing tourist close to
home or visiting Vaughan for the first time, consider exploring these historical
and artistic gems before summer ends.
In Kleinburg, art meets nature in several different areas with incredible trails, including the Bindertwine, Oak Ridges and Humber Valley Heritage Trails. Explore 100 acres of forested land in the Humber River Valley through a network of outdoor paths and hiking trails, including public artwork and sculptures along the nature trails, parks and village streetscapes.
With a rich cultural history, Maple features an extensive range of architectural designs, including two 19th-century churches designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church congregation was established in 1829, the present church (9860 Keele St.) is built in the Carpenter Gothic style. Dating to 1836, St. Stephen’s Anglican Church (10103 Keele St.) has an outdoor surrounding garden accessible to the public with community programming throughout the year.
Situated in the heart of Thornhill, the J.E.H. MacDonald House is one of the city’s many historical sites and was home to an original member of the Group of Seven. Built in the late 19th century, the house sits on four acres of land and is surrounded by a garden. Artist James Edward Hervey MacDonald lived in Thornhill from 1913-1917 and is known for depicting natural Canadian landscapes. His most prominent work, Tangled Garden (1916), depicts the grounds surrounding his Thornhill residence.
A distinct characteristic of Woodbridge is its village-like atmosphere, largely due to its 12 different architectural styles spanning over 200 years of history. Walking through the park paths along the Humber River, you’ll also discover pieces of history, including the iconic Woodbridge War Memorial Tower, which pays tribute to local soldiers who gave their lives during the First World War.
Vaughan Metropolitan Centre
The Heritage Conservation Districts aren’t the city’s only attractions! The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) is an emerging arts, culture and entertainment district and home to Vaughan’s first university and subway station. It features the first City-curated panoramic art installation, Metropolis in Motion, at the gateway to the south VMC. This three-dimensional art mural by Vaughan-based artist Frank Mazzuca gradually reveals two different images depending on your viewing perspective.
There is also the recently opened David Braley Vaughan Metropolitan Centre of Community, which includes the City’s newest recreation venue – Vaughan Studios and Event Space, Vaughan Public Libraries’ latest branch – the VMC Library and VMC Express – and a YMCA Centre of Community. From the extensive collection of new and popular titles at the VMC Library and VMC Express to the state-of-the-art facilities at the Vaughan Studios & Event Space and the YMCA, there is so much to experience and learn. Located in the heart of the VMC at 200 Apple Mill Rd., it is just steps away from the VMC subway station, making it easily accessible to citizens and visitors of Vaughan.
Plan your travels
To plan your visit to explore the city, consider using the York Region Transit Trip Planner Tool, which makes it easy to navigate Vaughan’s neighbourhoods no matter where you’re visiting from.
Get away for the weekend
Exploring the city of Vaughan is a great one-day trip, but it’s an even better weekend getaway! Plan your staycation now. With so many arts and cultural areas to discover and explore in Vaughan, 24 hours simply isn’t enough. You can make the most of your next trip by planning an overnight stay and taking advantage of Ontario’s Staycation Tax Credit. The tax credit applies to leisure stays between Jan. 1, 2022 and Dec. 31, 2022, regardless of the timing of payment for the stays.
When you’re filing your personal Income Tax and Benefit Return for 2022, you can claim 20 per cent of your eligible 2022 accommodation expenses. That means, whether you stay at a hotel, cottage or campground, you are eligible to claim expenses of up to $1,000 as an individual or $2,000 if you have a spouse, common-law partner or eligible children, to get back up to $200 as an individual or $400 as a family.
For more details on upcoming events and information to help make the most of your summer in Vaughan, explore visitvaughan.ca and check out the Summer in Vaughan webpage for itinerary ideas. You can also email tourism@vaughan.ca.
The Tourism Vaughan Corporation is the official destination development organization for the City of Vaughan with a mission to enhance Vaughan as a destination for tourists and business travellers. This aligns with the City’s commitment to supporting the tourism and accommodation industry, which falls under the Economic Prosperity, Investment and Social Capital priority in the Council-approved 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.
To stay informed on the City’s latest tourism, business resources and initiatives, sign up for the Economic Development department’s eNewsletters at vaughanbusiness.ca/enewsletters.
For updates and news as they happen, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.