Do you enjoy a change of scenery each weekend, but need to be back for work on Monday morning? It doesn’t take much to escape the city. Whether you’re craving island beaches, hiking, or just an escape from the monotony of the urban city, Ontario is full of natural beauty. So, why waste the weekend on Netflix?
We’ve explored a diverse range of places, all within a 3-hour drive of Toronto. Here are the top 10 that we enjoyed the most, and would recommend everyone to try, whether you’re a local or visitor to Toronto:
Niagara Falls
Driving time: about 1.5 hours
The number one destination outside Toronto that locals and also visitors long for is Niagara Falls. Formed about 12,000 years ago when melting glaciers formed massive fresh-water lakes, the city has endless activities for everyone. Walk along the Niagara Parkway to admire the falls, or climb the Skylon Tower for majestic views. For entertainment, enjoy the many attractions along Clifton Hill, such as the Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, among many more. For an alternate view of the falls, you can also ride the Niagara Skywheel. The Clifton Hill area is full of hotels, from budget to mid-range. Luxury travelers can enjoy hotels with majestic views of the falls from the many luxury hotels in the Fallsview area. Travelers who enjoy adventure can opt for a cruise to the falls on Hornblower Niagara Cruises. The boat goes very close to the falls, so bring a change of clothes because you will get splashed by what will feel like a hurricane! And don’t leave Niagara Falls without driving about 45 minutes along the Niagara Parkway to the village of Niagara-On-The-Lake for a nice walk and wine tasting at the many local wineries.
Kingston
Driving time: about 2.5 hours
Located on the eastern end of Lake Ontario where the St. Lawrence River begins, Kingston is known for its historic buildings as well as being the getaway to the Thousand Islands of Ontario. History buffs will enjoy Fort Henry where the British fought during the War of 1812, and the Kingston Penitentiary which served as the Alcatraz of Canada until as late as 2012. In Kingston, travelers will also find the former home of Canada’s First Prime Minister, St. John A. MacDonald. Visitors who enjoy cruising along the lakes can take the Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises for a tour of the more than 1,800 islands along the St. Lawrence River. A fashionable retreat for the elite in the 19th century and also today, the area is paradise for boating, cottage life and many outdoor activities.
Barrie
Driving time: about 1.5 hours
If you don’t want to drive far, Barrie is a great weekend escape. With beautiful stretches of beach, incredible downtown restaurants, and a wealth of fun activities for couples and families alike, Barrie is the getaway to Muskoka. Hiking trails can be found within 20 minutes from the city. In the heart of the city is Lake Simcoe, which is a beautiful walk and also passes by a beach. Walking by the lake you will learn about the history of the area, and that the trail used to be a railway. History lovers will also enjoy the Simcoe County Museum.
Collingwood
Driving time: about 2 hours
Hikers and skiers will enjoy visiting Collingwood, home of the popular Blue Mountain Resort. In the summer, the ski resort transforms into a place for summer activities. Hikers can walk up the mountain for the views, or take the cable car up and walk atop the mountain. Beach lovers can drive to the nearby beach exclusive to Blue Mountain guests. End the day with a nice sunset from view at Sunset Point Park in Collingwood, and with a drink at 1858 Caesar Bar. For more hiking, visit the nearby Scenic Caves, where you can explore the series of natural caves and caverns along the self-guided trails. The hike will take you across the Scenic Caves Suspension Bridge, the longest in southern Ontario. At the end of the trail, adventure buffs will enjoy the Thunderbird Twin Zipline, Canada’s longest twin zipline at 2,550 feet with a drop of 300 feet. Collingwood will keep you coming back!
Wasaga Beach
Driving time: just under 2 hours
Beach lovers can escape from the busy city and enjoy a weekend in Wasaga Beach, a town at the southern end of Ontario’s Georgian Bay. The long and sandy beach lies on Nottawasaga Bay, with views of Blue Mountain in the distance. The town has a total of 8 beaches. Beach 1 and 2 tend to get very crowded with locals from all over southern Ontario. For a less crowded beach, try to drive to one of the other 6 beaches, and find parking nearby. Those beaches, although public, are mostly populated with locals living in Wasaga Beach. Adventure buffs can rent a jet ski and cruise along the river onto the lake. History buffs will enjoy Nancy Island Historic Site, which commemorates the HMS Nancy ship’s battle against 3 American schooners during the War of 1812.
Muskoka
Driving time: about 2-2.5 hours
Muskoka is a large regional municipality, containing villages, towns, farming communities, golf courses, lakeside vacation homes, and many outdoor activities. In total, the region has an area of 3,890 km². Adventure buffs can enjoy ATV rentals, zip lining, aerial parks, and unlimited hiking and biking trails. Boating, canoeing and kayaking are very popular in the summer months. If you enjoy scenery, there are many towns that offer sightseeing cruises along Georgian Bay. The top getaways to Muskoka are Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville, where all activities can be found within a 30-minute radius.
Muskoka is known as “cottage country”. The region has numerous cottages to rent, and many of them are on the lake. Visitors can also opt to stay in a hotel, motel or AirBnb. Many of the towns also have sightseeing cruises for visitors to enjoy the beautiful 30,000 islands of Georgian Bay. The top hotels for those who enjoy a hotel in front of the lake are Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, or Residence Inn by Marriott Gravenhurst Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst.
Parry Sound
Driving time: about 2.5 hours
Hugging the shores of Lake Huron, Parry Sound is the getaway to Georgian Bay, an area that contains 30,000 Islands. The islands represent the world’s largest freshwater archipelago. The town has a beautiful harbour (called the Town Dock by locals), from where travelers can board the Island Queen cruise for a 2 or 3 hour tour of Georgian Bay. If you really enjoy the views, you can also board a flightseeing tour with Georgian Bay Airways. Add that to the delectable dining options, exciting galleries and quaint thrift stores, you will have a blast and want to return for the fall foliage. In the evening, head across the street from the Town Dock, and stand behind the Charles W. Stockey Centre & Bobby Orr Hall Of Fame for the most majestic sunset view over Georgian Bay. If you haven’t had enough sightseeing, another boat which takes a different route than the Island Queen is the M.V. Chippewa III, offering 2-hour sightseeing cruises or a beautiful 2.5-hour sunset cruise.
Sauble Beach
Driving time: Just under 3 hours
Located along the Bruce Peninsula, Sauble Beach reconnects visitors with the beauty of Ontario. If you’re looking for a place to simply relax, unwind and enjoy, this is the destination for you! Across the beach is an adventure park with a ropes course for those who want to put their muscles to work. When you want to take a break from the beach, head to Sauble Falls Provincial Park for a short walk that leads to a waterfall. In the evening, have a drink at the 1858 Ceasar Bar, opened in 2021 as a second location after the one in Collingwood. Overall, Sauble Beach is a very small town and there are not as many dining and accommodation options. For more restaurants and more affordable accommodations, drive about 30 minutes to Port Elgin. The beach in Port Elgin is not as nice as the one in Sauble Beach, but the town has a bigger variety of restaurants and accommodation. In the evening, do not miss the sunset! It is arguably the most beautiful sunset we have ever seen, and it’s worth arriving at the beach as early as 1 hour prior to the sunset time.
Penetanguishene
Driving time: about 2 hours
Located on the southeastern tip of Georgian Bay, Penetanguishene is as rich in human history as it is in natural beauty. From the Indigenous Huron-Wendat people to today’s vibrant community, the past is brought to life at Sainte-Marie Among The Hurons, a former French Jesuit settlement. Those who enjoy learning about the war can visit Discovery Harbour, an original British naval and military base located in front of the lake. Penetanguishene also has a Georgian Bay sightseeing cruise for those who enjoy the landscapes of Georgian Bay. In the evening, stand on the harbour for a beautiful sunset over the hill.
Algonquin Provincial Park
Driving time: just under 3 hours
Algonquin Provincial Park is diverse and offers something nearly for everyone. Hikers will find endless trails, ranging from short and easy to long and complex hikes. The park also has numerous lakes. Whether you enjoy laying on the beach or canoeing, you will find it in this park! If you enjoy camping, this park is a paradise for campers as most campsites are isolated, away from the main road. Otherwise, there are plenty of motels close to the park entrance. Alternatively, many visitors to the park stay in Huntsville which is a 30-minute drive away.