It's not just the security checkpoints, tear gas, and sound cannons - call us paranoid, but everything south of Highway 7 just might grind to a halt during next weekend's $1-billion summit. You and your brood would be wise to skip town altogether, but where to go if you're not invited to Muffy and Biff's Muskoka mansion? Fear not - whether you make it a day trip or a full 24 hours, there are fun, chaos-free staycations right in our own backyard.
IN THE GTA
Destination: Speaking of lunacy, the lawn of the David Dunlap Observatory is the perfect place to check out the partial eclipse of the moon on Saturday night (if you can stay up to catch it just before dawn). 123 Hillsview Dr., Richmond Hill, 905-883-0174, www.theddo.ca
Worldly Pleasure: Guided tours for kids seven and up let you peer through the humongous 74-inch reflecting telescope, Canada's largest. Dutch astronomer Anne-Marie Weijmans will give a talk and answer your most pressing space-related questions. 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., advance tickets only, $10 adults, $5 youths aged 13-17, $2 kids 7-12.
How to get there: Hillsview Drive is just off Bayview Avenue, between 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive East.
Where to stay: Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites, 10 East Pearce St., 905-695-5990, from $126.95 for a double queen room.
Where to eat: Restoran Malaysia, a multi-ethnic halal eatery with Indian, Indonesian, Chinese and Thai influences, packs a spicy punch. Mains $15-25. 815 Major Mackenzie Dr. E., 905-508-1432, www.restoranmalaysia.com
Destination: The Old Mill might be better known as a wedding factory this time of year, but it's also a spa hotel with a full array of pampering options (packages from $210). TTC accessibility plus proximity to High Park and the Humber Valley make it a hideaway within easy reach. 21 Old Mill Rd., 416-232-3700, www.oldmilltoronto.com
Worldly Pleasure: Families with kids can rent bikes and hit the trails along the Humber, or chill out in High Park (thankfully, it's far from any designated protest zones).
How to get there: Old Mill subway station, or via Bloor Street west of Jane (avoid taking the Gardiner or the 427).
Where to stay: Double queen rooms start at $340 per night.
Where to eat: Brunch on Sunday at the Old Mill is a family-friendly buffet, free for kids under 5 (adults $31.95, kids 6-11 $15.50). Reservations recommended.
Destination: It's 13 times the size of New York's Central Park and chock-full of plant species and wildlife, including the odd deer and trumpeter swan. But although Rouge Park is within the eastern GTA, this massive green space - 47 square kilometres - is often overlooked by vacationing urbanites, who also have the option of camping there. 905-713-6038, www.rougepark.com
Worldly Pleasure: Twelve kilometers of hiking trails snake through the forests, marshes, meadows and ancient rocky outcrops. Bring your binocs and tag along with one of the guided nature tours, which run at 9:30 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Saturday.
How to get there: The park has many access points, but to get to the campground, take Exit 390 from the westbound 401 and drive east on Kingston Road.
Where to stay: Tent sites at Glen Rouge Campground are $22 per day. To book, call 416-338-CAMP.
Where to eat: You'll have to bring your own food to the campsite. But on your way back to civilization, Johnny's Hamburgers is a worthwhile detour, a patty-flipping institution since the Neolithic era. At $2.95 for a charcoal-broiled burger, it's one of the best and cheapest joints in town. 2595 Victoria Park Ave.
WITHIN 90 MINUTES' DRIVE
Destination: The St. Jacobs Farmers' Market on Saturdays in Waterloo is packed with Ontario produce, cheese, meats, crafts and home-baked goodies. Don't miss the sausages, apple fritters and maple syrup sold by horse-and-buggy-driving Mennonites. 878 Weber St. N., 519-747-1830, www.stjacobs.com
Worldly Pleasure: Kid-friendly activities are everywhere, from the petting zoo and pony rides to Market Road Antiques across the street, for toy collectors and vintage-hounds in training.
How to get there: From the 401, take exit 278 to Kitchener, then Highway 85 to the Road 15 exit for the Market District.
Where to stay: The budget-friendly Destination Inn offers a package for a family of four that includes an $80 restaurant voucher, a horse-drawn farm tour, and tickets to various historic exhibits, from $249. 547 King St. N., 1-866-222-9175, www.destinationinn.com
Where to eat: Arrive hungry. You'll want to stuff your piehole with pierogies, schnitzel and carrot cake from the market stalls selling authentic country food - the kind that schmecks, of course.
Destination: Creemore, a tiny Victorian village that's home to the eponymous microbrewery and North America's smallest jail, locavores haunt the 100 Mile Store, which specializes in locally grown, organic food from small to midsize farms.
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Worldly Pleasure: Creemore Springs Brewery offers free tours on the hour from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. daily (139 Mill St., 705-466-2240). Horse-crazy girls will insist on a trail ride with Rawhide Adventures (from $40 for two hours, 638135 Prince of Wales Rd., 519-925-0152).
How to get there: Take Airport Road north and exit at County Road 9.
Where to stay: The boutique-style Creemore House Inn has an outdoor pool and spa services. Double rooms from $180. 201 Mill St., 705-466-2001, www.creemorehouse.com
Where to eat: Chez Michel proprietors Michel and Elinor Masselin have recreated an authentic slice of Provence in the middle of this sleepy town. Serious foodies come for the filet mignon and duck confit. 150 Mill St., 705-466-3331, www.chezmichel.ca
Destination: Just outside Barrie, Splash Canyon's 40 acres of soaking-wet fun will excite even the most jaded young water-park veterans. Accommodations are wallet-friendly - there's an on-site RV campground and family cottage rentals. Water park admission, $14.95 to $19.95. 1897 Nursery Rd., Barrie, 1-877-778-4448, www.splashcanyonresort.com
Worldly Pleasure: Wedgie-inducing speed slides and white-water runs keep the thrills coming, while Mom and Dad can kick back with some umbrella cocktails on the lounge chairs.
How to get there: From Highway 400, take Bayfield Street North and exit at Highway 26, turning right at Nursery Road.
Where to stay: The campground offers packages for a two-bedroom cottage rental (for a family of 5) with water-park admission from $199.95.
Where to eat: There's a typical pizza-and-burgers menu at the overpriced Coyote Canyon Bar & Grill, but you probably aren't there for the culinary experience.
Special to The Globe and Mail