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See the sites sans-trip – Metro US

See the sites sans-trip

Toronto

NO-FAIL TRAILS
Uxbridge, recently dubbed The Trail Capital of Canada, is home to the Durham Forest, which offers dozens of trails for varying levels of hikers and cyclists.

Or, for something distinctly different in the same area, try geocaching. Using only a handheld GPS with geographical coordinates, participants search for hidden containers.

“It’s enjoyed throughout the world by people of all ages, and is a fantastic way to explore places that you have never been before,” says Michael Hackenberger, chair of the Regional Tourism Organization (Zone 6) in Durham. Visit www.durhamgps.com for more information.

RIDE THE RAILS
Departing from the Mill St station in downtown Tottenham, a 1920s train coach slowly winds its way on a 100-year old branch line that curves this way and that, while smoke puffs from the engine against a darkening autumn sky. “I especially love the velvet seats,” says 11-year-old Anna Zizys, “but even better is chasing my brother up and down the aisles.”

Ottawa

I SPY
Built and maintained by the government of Canada from 1959 to 1994, the top secret Canadian Forces communications facility — the Diefenbunker Museum — aimed to protect the government from nuclear attack during the Cold War. Now open to the public, the bunker offers 100,000 square feet of exhibits, including a mock up of a family fall out shelter, spread over four stories deep underground. (www.diefenbunker.ca)

COME UP FOR AIR
Just outside Ottawa, you can do skydiving for as little as $20 www.milehighparachuting.com, until Oct 31. But if your flights of fancy are more of the Oz kind, consider a hot air balloon flight. Lasting up to two hours, these trips carry passengers wherever the wind takes them, every day of the year. In Ottawa, there are several launch and landing sites (magma.ca/~mstevens/.)

WAY UP
Try walking across the trees on a suspension bridge or speeding through on a zipline. (www.aventurelafleche.ca) Or just head to the Huron Lookout at Gatineau Park and survey the 362 sq km of autumn glory at your feet.