Kid-friendly castles, forts and historical jails in Ontario

Greater Toronto Area

Casa Loma

Casa Loma, which means “House on the Hill” in Spanish, sits at the intersection of Spadina and Davenport roads overlooking downtown Toronto.

Built from 1911 to 1914, the mansion features dramatic stone architecture with turrets and towers. The castle has 98 rooms, including 30 bathrooms, a library and a grand dining room. Secret passageways, narrow staircases and underground tunnels add an air of mystery and adventure to this historic landmark.

Family-focused activities

Explore the castle on a self-guided tour. Intriguing exhibits include the “dark side tunnel” and the antique car display. Take in sweeping views of the city below, play in the sprawling gardens around the castle and attend special seasonal events.

Rise to the challenge presented by the series of interactive escape room games hosted at Casa Loma for groups and families with kids 12 and older.

Location: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto

Hamilton, Halton and Brant

Dundurn Castle

Dundurn Castle National Historic Site is located along Hamilton’s waterfront facing Burlington Bay. 

In Gaelic, “Dundurn” has been translated as “hill fort of a fist,” although it’s also been suggested to mean “fort on the water”. Both descriptions hold true for this regal-looking castle. 

Archeologists have found evidence at Dundurn that confirms the land was home to First Nations People as far back as 9,000 years ago. The castle was built much more recently, between 1833 and 1835, for Sir Allan Napier McNab, one of Canada’s first premiers. At the time of its construction, the gas lights and running water inside the castle were the pinnacle of modern technology.

Family-friendly activities

Purchase tickets for one-hour guided tours of the villa, wander through the historic kitchen gardens (seasonal) and visit the museum shop located in the 1870’s coach house.

In addition, Dundurn presents a calendar of family-friendly events throughout the year, including hands-on cooking workshops and free heritage weekends with costumed interpreters.

Location: 610 York Boulevard, Hamilton

Niagara Region

Old Fort Erie

Old Fort Erie is an impressive stronghold constructed along the Niagara River in 1764. It was used to support British troops in the American Revolution and experienced major action during the War of 1812. It also played a role in the Fenian Raids of 1866, which pushed Canada toward Confederation.

Family-friendly activities

Guides and staff at Old Fort Erie stage re-enactments in period costume, lead tours with interesting information about Niagara’s role in the War of 1812 and offer cannon and musket demonstrations. 

There’s also a dramatic siege of Old Fort Erie event held each summer with soldiers clashing and cannons firing.

Location: 350 Lakeshore Road, Fort Erie

Southeastern Ontario

Fort Henry National Historic Site

Located in Kingston, Fort Henry is another military fortification built during the War of 1812. It was designed to monitor maritime traffic on the St. Lawrence River and protect the Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard and the entrance to the Rideau Canal from invasion.

Family-friendly activities

Enter into the 19th-century realm of military life with guided tours, musical performances and military demonstrations offered by the Fort Henry Guard. In addition to the re-enacted soldiers, meet schoolteachers, soldiers’ wives, vendors and others playing the parts of the townspeople around the fort.

Popular events include the annual Fort Henry Tattoo and the summer sunset ceremonies. In the fall, Fort Fight is suitable for adults and families with older children.

Location: 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston

L’Orignal Old Jail

One of eastern Ontario’s most unique heritage sites, L’Orignal Old Jail is the oldest jail in Ontario and the second oldest in Canada. Its architecture represents different period styles, from the original Loyalist Neo-Classical stone courthouse facing Queen Street to the more contemporary styles of the 1960s and 70s the rear section of the complex.

Family-friendly activities

Open seasonally, take a guided 45-minute tour to learn about its storied past. In addition, you can arrange to play an escape game at the jail! Suitable for groups of three to twelve, you’ll need to solve puzzles together to escape with a set time frame.

Location: 1023 Queen Street, L’Orignal

York, Durham and Headwaters

Old Stone Jail

Built by a Scottish stonemason in the 1840s, Old Stone Jail in Beaverton is a simple three-cell structure. The facility was used to imprison lawbreakers and town rogues, but it also provided shelter to travellers in need.

The jail was originally situated on the Beaver River behind the first town hall. In 1995, it was saved from demolition by the local historical society and moved to its current location.

Family-friendly activities

Volunteer guides are available seasonally to walk you through the Beaver River Museum and Old Stone Jail, view the artifacts and explore the cells.

Location: 284 Simcoe Street, Beaverton

Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington

Castle Kilbride

This grand Victorian mansion was built in 1877 in Baden, a community just west of Kitchener and Waterloo. James Livingston, a member of the Canadian parliament and owner of flax and linseed oil mills, named the family home after his birthplace in Scotland.

The castle features incredible Italian Renaissance-style wall and ceiling murals executed in Trompe-l'œil. Meaning “trick of the eye,” this art form creates optical illusions by using two-dimensional imagery that appears three-dimensional. 

Family-friendly activities

Today, the National Historic Site operates as a museum offering group tours that provide a glimpse into 19th-century luxury life and explain the hidden images and motifs in the rare and wonderful artworks.

Look for upcoming exhibits and family-friendly events, such as March Break activities.

Location: 60 Snyder’s Road West, Baden

Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol

The Huron Historic Gaol in Goderich was established for the Huron district of Upper Canada in 1842. In addition to housing inmates, the octagonal-shaped jail also served as a temporary courtroom and council chambers.

The jail was officially closed in 1972 and converted into a museum two years later. The building has since been refurbished to reflect its original Victorian setting. 

Family-friendly activities

Visit the Huron County Museum and the historic gaol for a fascinating insight into the history of the region’s justice system and architectural developments. 

During the summer, Behind the Bars is an immersive tour led by actors portraying staff and inmates. Pre-purchase tickets in advance. The site also hosts kids’ camps and fun family events, including games, movies and a night at the museum.

Location: 181 Victoria Street North, Goderich

Northwest Ontario

Fort William Historical Park

Fort William is an award-winning living museum located along the Kaministiquia River, just west of downtown Thunder Bay. 

One of North America’s largest living history sites, it depicts all aspects of an early 19th-century fur trading post and society, with a recreated Anishinaabe encampment showcasing traditional Ojibway culture, fur stores, a trades square, a farm, an apothecary and costumed re-enactments

Family-friendly activities

Enjoy seasonal guided tours and daily activities such as traditional craft demonstrations from the era, boat building, tailoring and smithing, as well as workshops where kids can learn some new skills.

Fort William also hosts seasonal events, festivals and themed weekends.

Location: 1350 King Road, Thunder Bay

Experience history come to life at engaging and interactive historic sites in Ontario through guided tours and family-friendly activities.