Top five things to do in Vaughan this summer

June 20, 2024 3:00 p.m.

City News

Are you looking for fun activities to keep you and your family entertained this summer? We’ve got you covered! From exploring scenic trails to discovering vibrant public art, Vaughan offers plenty of ways to keep everyone busy and happy.

Here are the top five things to do in Vaughan this season:

1. Take a stroll along a trail or neighbourhood walk

Lace up your hiking shoes and prepare to embark on an outdoor adventure on one of the 12 Great Walks of Vaughan: Jersey Creek Neighbourhood Walk, Mackenzie Glen Neighbourhood Walk, Maple Nature Reserve Nature Walk, Marita Payne Neighbourhood Walk, North Maple Regional Park Nature Walk, Peter Rupert Neighbourhood Walk, Rainbow Creek Neighbourhood Walk, Riverwalk Neighbourhood Walk, Sonoma Heights Neighbourhood Walk, Sugarbush Nature Walk, Vellore Neighbourhood Walk and William Granger Greenway Nature Walk. There’s a trail for all ages, abilities and comfort levels. Visit vaughan.ca/GreatWalks for more information and maps. You can also browse the Parks and Trails webpage for an interactive view of all trails and parks throughout the city, the Great Walks of Vaughan walking trail guide (PDF) and the City of Vaughan’s Great Walks map legend (PDF).

In addition to the Great Walks of Vaughan, our city has many other local trails to explore, including the Bartley Smith Greenway, the William Granger Greenway (Humber Trail), the Nashville Conservation Reserve Trails and the Vaughan Super Trail. Learn more about these trails at vaughan.ca/trails.

2. Discover art created by local artists

If you’re looking for an art adventure, Vaughan has 12 public art stops to add to your summer plans! One dozen traffic signal boxes across the city have been transformed into extraordinary works of art through the City’s ARTonBOXES program. Check them out at the following locations:

Ward 1

Major Mackenzie Drive and Keele Street – Maria Suzdaleva, The Calmest Hour
Melville Avenue and Springside Road – Hailey Shema, Joy

Ward 2

Woodbridge Avenue and Clarence Street – Cailin Sadecka, Ethereality
Woodbridge Avenue and Islington Avenue – Alessandra Raso, The Hunt
Woodbridge Avenue and Kipling Avenue – Allyson Safran, Mountain Vast
Woodbridge Avenue and the Market Lane Shopping Centre – Kaitlyn Hsieh, Wilderness

Ward 3

Chrislea Road and Northview Boulevard – Daniel Zhang, Muskoka Woods
Famous Avenue and Colossus Drive – Anna Ladizginsky, Twine

Ward 4

Apple Mill Road and Millway Avenue – Marni Pellicane, Beauty of Banff
Ilan Ramon Boulevard and Lebovic Campus Drive – Caia Rotman, Peggy

Ward 5

Clark Avenue and New Westminster Drive – Lorenzo Pereira Misiunas, The Lone Boat
Yonge Street and Centre Street – Rana Silakhori, Snowy Serenity

To learn more, visit vaughan.ca/ARTonBOXES.

3. Enjoy your local park

The City’s parks offer a wide variety of outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy, including:

baseball fields
basketball courts
bocce courts
off-leash dog parks
outdoor exercise equipment
playgrounds
skateboard parks
soccer fields
tennis and pickleball courts
trails
volleyball court

Visit vaughan.ca/parks for more information on open amenities.

4. Go on a bike ride through the city

Are you looking for a bike path or recreational trail to ride your bike on as the warmer weather arrives? There are many options available in the city. Vaughan’s cycling and multi-use recreational trails network consists of the following:

In-boulevard cycle tracks: designated spaces for people riding bikes, e-bikes or e-scooters separate from those walking or driving by a curb and buffer. These areas are marked with an arrow, bicycle symbol and a diamond.
On-road bike lanes: designated spaces on the road for people riding bikes, e-bikes or e-scooters. Bike lanes are located on both sides of the roadway and users travel in the same direction as those driving. These lanes are separated from motor vehicle lanes by a white painted line.
In-boulevard multi-use pathways: shared spaces for people walking, riding bikes, e-bikes or e-scooters separate from those driving by a curb and buffer. These areas are within the boulevard along a roadway.
Multi-use recreational trails: shared spaces for walking and riding bikes found within parks and open spaces. Powered/motorized micromobility devices are not permitted on multi-use recreational trails.

And the network continues to grow! For more information, visit vaughan.ca/cycling. You can also explore more cycling facilities in the York Region Cycling Map.

5. Cool off at your local splashpad

Many of the City’s splashpads are open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., subject to weather and surface conditions.

Find a splashpad near you:

Ward 1