Without a doubt, Science North, 100 Ramsey Lake Rd.(tel.800/461-4898; 705/522-3701; www.sciencenorth.ca) is the best place to take kids in Sudbury. It's the most popular tourism destination in northern Ontario, and for good reason. The buildings are two giant, stainless steel snowflakes joined by an underground tunnel (this is Canada -- it gets cold here), with four floors of hands-on exhibits. Kids can build a robot in the Lego Mindstorms Robotic Lab or get close to beavers and flying squirrels. Or walk among hundreds of butterflies in the F. Jean McLeod Butterfly Gallery. The Object Theater brings science to life in shows like Climate change Show -- watch a thunderstorm come to life, and there's also an IMAX theater with changing films such as NASCAR: The IMAX Experience. The new Dynamic Earth, 122 Big Nickel Rd. (tel. 800/461-4898; 708/522-3700; www.dynamicearth.ca), which features a rock gallery, an earth gallery, and recent exhibits exploring the science of the tsunamis. The most popular attraction here, though, is the famous Big Nickel, a 30-foot high tribute to nickel and Sudbury's mining history. It's an apt location -- Dynamic Earth is built on the site of the former Big Nickel Mine. Admission to one event in Science North's is $18 adults, $15 children and Dynamic Earth is $16 adults, $13 children, but a Dynamic Duo Passport gains you admission to both (Science North is next door) for $39.95 for adults, $29.95 for children. Plan on spending the better part of a day here. Open from March to October.

Dinosaur Valley Miniature Golf, 3316 St. Laurent St., Greater Sudbury (tel. 705/897-6302; www.dinosaursudbury.com), is not your average golf course. With over 50 holes on six different courses, there are fifteen gigantic dinosaurs and insects in a labyrinth of mazes. Owners Marcel and Josephine Rainville have dedicated the place to the memory of their son Steven, who loved both dinosaurs and min golf, and cancer families worldwide. The custom-built attraction has held events for over 40 charities onsite. Open May to September, daily. Admission for all 54 holes is $20 adults, $17.99 kids under age ten. The Rainvilles also run the not-to-be-missed Josephine's Vegetables, (tel.705/897-6302) since 1982 from their herbicide-free farm. Dozens of seasonal produce items are available, including some items you can pick yourself. They are two separate businesses, but it's hard to miss one from the other. Dinosaur Valley is located off Highway 69 North, about fifteen minutes north and west of downtown.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.