If you appreciate all that nature has to offer, go to the Laurel Creek Conservation Area, located just outside of Kitchener in the northwest corner of Waterloo. (It’s bounded by Westmount Road, Conversation Drive and Beaver Creek Rd.)

This is a 750-acre multipurpose area. Visit the dam, which creates a beautiful lake. There’s a beach for swimming and boating is allowed on the lake, only if it has no motor. You might want to take the family hiking or bird watching. Perhaps an overnight camping trip is on your list; Laurel Creek fits the bill for a lot of activities you can do.