13 Most Eccentric Towns in Ontario
In Ontario, there is a lot to explore. From Provincial Parks to big cities such as Toronto, the province has a variety of attractions to see. Some of Ontario's most unique places are the province's small towns. Each town has a unique culture and landmarks. Towns such as St. Jacobs bring visitors back to a simpler time with its horse-drawn carriages and a charming farmers market. Other towns, such as Grand Bend, are bustling modern beach towns that bring thousands of tourists in every year. The variety of small towns in Ontario makes each one seem eccentric because of their different cultural events and quirks. However, some small towns in Ontario are particularly eccentric. Wiarton, for example, has a groundhog mascot. And Dunnville has a giant mudcat statue, the biggest in the world. Here, we explore Ontario's thirteen most eccentric towns. Even though they are eccentric, after reading this, you will be packing your bags, eager to visit them on your next road trip.
Waterford
The warm community of Waterford is located on the North Shore of Lake Erie. The small town has around 3,000 residents, but despite its small size, it has a rich history. In the 1700s, Waterford was an important town in the railway transportation business and for agriculture. The Old Town Hall and the local Waterford Heritage and Agricultural Museum tell the story of the town's past. The downtown is small and full of lively antique shops, such as the Waterford Antique Market and the Old Country Store.
Ever year the town hosts annual events to bring the community together such as Pumpkin Fest. Waterford is also home to beautiful landscapes. Th Waterford Heritage Trail takes hikers through a beautiful wooded area. There is also beautiful countryside to see in Waterford. Just outside the town is one of the area's most beloved farms, Bonniheath Estate Lavender & Winery. This magical spot is a combination of lavender fields and vineyards. Enjoy sipping on one of their wines while enjoying the smell of lavender and the surrounding views.
Paris
Paris is one of Ontario's prettiest towns. Full of lush green parks and quaint storefronts, the town has a bohemian vibe. This is in part because of the town's unique businesses. Paris Bohemian Gallery displays and sells quirky but outstanding art from a variety of artists. The Dog Eared Café is a local eatery that hosts monthly poetry nights. The café even has books for sale inside.
Paris is also home to the unique Cambridge to Paris trail. The trail can be hiked or cycled and follows the Grand River. Downtown Paris is great for walking and cycling. There is even an interactive hiking and cycling path that goes to the downtown area from Lions Park.
Fergus
Like Paris, Fergus is a small town on the Grand River. Often overshadowed by pretty Elora, it is a unique combination of small-town charm and natural beauty. The town is most well known for its annual celebration, the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Held annually in August, the festival celebrates local Scottish heritage. Downtown Fergus has cute shops and eateries to check out. Grab a coffee from The Vault while exploring the town.
Anyone looking to explore Elora and Fergus in one day might be pleased to know that there is a trail connecting the two towns, so there is no need to drive. Grab your bike and cycle down the Elora Cataract Trailway. The trail goes along the Grand and offers beautiful views. Make sure to check out Fergus's theater while in town. The historic theater opened in 1928 and still operates today. They have unique plays throughout the year.
St Jacobs
Just over an hour from Toronto, St Jacobs is a quaint small town with a rich Mennonite heritage. The town is famous for the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, Canada's largest year-round farmers’ market. Find local produce, handmade goods and artisanal products. Walking around the town, the Mennonite heritage shines through. Enjoy sites of horse-drawn carriages, maple syrup farms, and handmade quilts that bring back the nostalgia of a simpler time. Visit the Mennonite Story to learn about Mininet history and culture. The St. Jacobs Country Playhouse is a great place to stop by in the afternoon for some entertainment.
St Jacobs also has several trails, making it easy to explore the surrounding natural area. St Jacob's Butterfly Trail is a leisurely walk through woods with stainless steel butterflies, gardens, and signs explaining the importance of pollinators. There's also St. Jacob's Art Walk, which is a self-guided tour of St. Jacob's cool art pieces.
Wiarton
Many towns are unique for their historical landmarks or special events. While Wiarton is unique for these reasons, its most unique aspect is the town's beloved groundhog, Wiarton Willie. Visit Willie at Bluewater Park. On February 2, the town hosted an annual Wiarton Willie Festival, which included a trackless train, photo booth, inflatable mazes, and other activities. Besides the town's famous groundhog, Wiarton is full of small-town charm. Walking along the cute downtown, visitors will find quirky shops and tasty eateries. A local favorite breakfast spot is J's Amazing Breakfast. Try the fruit Dutch pancake for a sweet start to the day.
Wiarton is near the Bruce Peninsula and is a great destination to start exploring the area's natural beauty. The Greystone trail is just a short drive from the town. This is a great spot for hiking and birding in a quiet area. A few minutes north of Wairton is the stunning Spirit Rock Conservation Area. Here, explore the aforementioned Corran Ruins and find the iconic Red Staircase leading to the shores of Colpoy’s Bay.
Dunnville
Dunnville is a cute Ontario town to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Located just 45 minutes from Toronto, the town is located along the beautiful Grand River. Being conveniently on the Grand, Dunnville is a great small town to enjoy a scenic hike along the river or an early morning paddle. The town also has some of Canada's best lake and river fishing. A visit to Dunnville's Centennial Park will show the town's love for fishing. The world's largest Mudcat Statue, affectionately known as "Muddy," is at the park's entrance. The 27-foot-tall statue represents the town's mascot. Every year, the town even has a Mudcat Festival to honor the importance of this special fish to the town.
For a more relaxing afternoon in Dunnville, visit Rock Point Provincial Park. The peaceful beach is one of the best places to watch a sunset at a beach in Ontario. Beyond outdoor beauty, Dunnville is also home to a charming Farmer's Market that sells locally farmed produce and homemade goods.
Goderich
Located along the coast of Lake Huron, Goderich is beloved for its beautiful shoreline and historic downtown. There are three beaches in Goderich all within walking distance of each other. There is a lovely boardwalk connecting all three beaches, and at the end of the boardwalk, there is a quaint ice-cream shop, the perfect reward for walking along the hot shore in the summer. The Goderich Lighthouse is one of the town's cutest historical attractions. The lighthouse is unique as the oldest lighthouse on the shores of Lake Huron. Visiting the Lighthouse in the day, visitors can enjoy stunning views of Lake Huron below.
Right before Goderich's waterfront, there is a quaint park called Harbor Park. This romantic park makes a great picnic spot before hitting the beach. Something that makes Goderich incredibly unique is that its downtown is in an octagonal shape. Traffic is directed as a roundabout in this strip of the town. Goderich's downtown is filled with cute shops, eateries, and the local theater. Vibrant murals are painted on some of the buildings downtown, which brighten up the buildings. In the summertime, the town hosts a farmers market at the center.
Lion's Head
Lion's Head is the Ontario town to go to if you want to enjoy serene nature in a quiet atmosphere. The eccentric town is an epicenter for natural exploration. Located on the Bruce Peninsula, it is a great place to set up camp while hiking on the Bruce Trail. Some unique outdoor attractions in Lion's Head include Glacial Pot Holes, Greig's Caves, and William's Caves. Greig's Caves is where scenes from Quest for Fire and Against the Wild were filmed.
Beyond these outdoor attractions, the town has a unique Painting Retreat on the Bruce Peninsula. Artists can enjoy stunning views of the bluffs over crystal turquoise waters. Take a break to hike or kayak on the Peninsula between painting sessions.
Grand Bend
Right on the shores of Lake Huron, Grand Bend is one of Ontario's best beach towns. The pristine beaches are great for working on a summer tan. The quaint tourist town is full of cute shops, summer markets, posh eateries, and lively nightlife. The Main Street is a 600m stretch of eateries, shops, and bars. The Growling Gator Bar And Grill, Midori Sushi Bar, Archies Surf Shop, and XTREME Watersports are some of the town's most popular spots.
On the outskirts of town is Darkhorse State Winery. The winery offers a taste of local wine while enjoying rural Huron County. Grand Bend is also near Pinery Provincial Park. Full of hiking trails on the shore of Lake Huron, the park is home to lush oak savannah and unique ocean dunes.
Mono
Mono is a town just outside of Toronto, known as the home to Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. The park is also a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Biosphere Reserve and is located on the beautiful Niagara Escarpment. It is home to an abundance of wildlife and lush forests, making it a popular hiking destination. The Carriage Trail, Cliff-Top Side Trail, and Lookout Trail are all popular trails in the park. Mono is also home to another stunning spot, Hockley Valley Nature Reserve. The reserve is part of the Niagara Parks System and the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. It is one of the best places in the area to connect with nature. The trails stretch for miles and take hours to complete. After a day of exploring, guests should check out the local Black Birch Restaurant. The fine dining spot offers a three-course meal made from locally sourced ingredients.
Midland
A dreamy town at the southern end of the Georgian Bay, Midland is a paradise of outdoor recreation and small-town charm. The historic town has a unique history as one of New France's first colonized areas. Learn about this history at the Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. Discover more of the town's history by walking along Main Street and admiring the 34 historically inspired murals. The beautiful paintings even feature a reproduction of a famous Norman Rockwell painting and a mural of the Brebeuf Lighthouse. The Midland Cultural Center features more local art and even offers art classes. Grounded Coffee is one of the town's hidden gems. It is the perfect place to grab a sweet treat while exploring the eccentric small town. In June, the town comes alive for the annual Butter Tart festival. The event hosts 200 vendors in downtown, selling butter tarts and other homemade goodies.
Bancroft
Known as the Mineral Capital of Canada, Bancroft captivates people with its geological wonder. The Bancroft Mineral Museum shows off the area's rich mineral heritage and the history of mining in the area. In designated areas, people can try their hand at finding some of the region's beautiful minerals. Bancroft is also close to Algonquin Provincial Park. The park is a mix of lush forests, serene lakes, ragged cliffs, and quiet ponds, making for a great destination for outdoor recreation. Bring your kayak or your hiking boots to explore this magnificent park.
Downtown Bancroft offers quaint shops, artisanal boutiques, and art galleries. The Art Gallery of Bancroft showcases local talent. The Canadian Peace Museum is also in town, showing visitors the drivers of peace and conflict.
Port Dover
A small fishing town on the shores of Lake Erie, Port Dover is a colorful town full of cute shops, eateries, and hiking trails. Enjoy a walk along the beach or grab your paddleboard and paddle along the calm Lake Erie waters. Afterward, grab some dinner at the Beach House, Erie Beach Hotel or The Harbor for more casual dining. Many restaurants in the area sell local Lake Erie-caught fish. Walk along the Main Street and stop at the local shops. The Dover Cheese Shop, Beach Reads Bookstore, and 13 Reasons are some of the town's most beloved stores. Port Dover is also home to the Lighthouse Festival Theater, a great place for live entertainment. The town is also home to a unique winery, The Frisky Beaver, located on the outskirts of town.
Overall, Ontario is home to some wonderfully eccentric small towns. Some of them, such as Bancroft and Midland, have unique histories to explore. Many of them are surrounded by stunning natural views, from views of the Peninsula in Lion's Head to views of the Grand River in Paris. Whether you are an avid hiker looking to explore some unique and scenic trails or want to be wowed by strange landmarks, these Ontario towns have something for everyone. For your next trip, consider visiting one of these towns. Their lively communities and wild attractions are sure to make for a trip to remember forever.
