Top 11 Ontario Towns To Visit In 2025

As we wade into the back half of 2025 (my gosh, where does the time go?), it's time to pull the trigger on those lingering travel plans. With four Great Lakes, the lengthy Niagara Escarpment (including the better side of Niagara Falls - sorry, New York), the world's largest freshwater island, and the untapped wilderness of its northern reaches, Ontario has a lot to offer. And capitalizing on each of these attributes are vibrant beach towns, laid-back fishing villages, wine-country enclaves, and even a ski hub or two. There is still time to capitalize on the summer hits (in fact, the lakes here are typically warmest in August). After that, the colorful forest trails and harvest-themed community events bring new life to the province. And of course, you have not truly experienced Canada until tackling one of its winters. These 11 Ontario towns are ripe for the picking in the back half of the year. Let me show you why.

Lambton Shores

The municipality of Lambton Shores hugs the south side of Lake Huron and features several charming towns in addition to must-see natural spaces. For wild, clean, swimmable beaches, check out Ipperwash and Pinery Provincial Park. For challenging but scenic trails across sand dunes, make for Port Franks, or for firmly-packed wooded trails and waterfall boardwalks, head on over to Rock Glen Conservation Area. For dinner, a show, and some shopping, Forest (i.e., Lambton Shores, the largest community) is your go-to. And for a quintessential beach-town vibe, complete with surf shops, cantinas, and ice cream, Grand Bend is the place. Each of Lambton Shores' enclaves has its assets, and now that summer is slowly slipping away, it's the perfect time to capitalize on the pleasant weather and dispersing crowds.

Bayfield

Lambton Shores' northern neighbor, the municipality of Bluewater, also has its share of intriguing communities, but Bayfield deserves extra recognition. With the look and heritage of a 19th-century European village, Bayfield's short-but-sweet lakeside Main Street makes for a worthwhile lunch-and-shop stop, or, thanks to its array of inns, a full-blown weekend getaway. Spend some time sifting through pages at The Village Bookshop (or stately public library), poke your head into the collection of the gift shops and galleries, or see which menu catches your eye across the half-dozen satiating bistros. Bayfield is also a key destination on the Taste-of-Huron-Vine-Ale-Trail, with many of the 13 wineries and breweries awaiting mere minutes away by car. Speaking of cars, the Bayfield Vettefest may have just concluded, but Volksfest is still around the corner (Sept 28, 2025).

Tobermory

Tiny Tobermory tops the Bruce Peninsula, acting as a terminus for the 900-kilometer Bruce Trail (which starts all the way back at Niagara Falls), a port for the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry (which will take us to our next must-visit Ontario town), an epicenter for two exceptional national parks, and a multitudinous destination unto itself. This harbour community swells during the summer and then pretty much shutters for the winter, but I have always enjoyed visiting during the shoulder seasons. Head there in the coming weeks and you will still be able to comfortably camp at Bruce Peninsula National Park, take a glass-bottom boat tour of the shipwrecks of Fathom Five National Marine Park (or get an even closer look with local SCUBA operators), and enjoy some all-you-can-eat fish 'n chips on various patios.

Providence Bay

Yes, Tobermory is blessed with gorgeous limestone shorelines, but one lakeside attribute it lacks is a substantial sandy beach. That's okay because this is near Providence Bay's specialty. Remember the Chi-Cheemaun? Book a ticket for one of its multiple daily crossings of Georgian Bay (sometimes called the "sixth Great Lake") over to Manitoulin Island (i.e., the record-setting rock mentioned up top) and then work your way west to this off-the-beaten-path beach town. Thanks to its two-kilometer sandy shore, parallel boardwalk, and shallow, comparatively warm waters, Providence Bay is regarded as one of the best beaches that Northern Ontario has to offer. There isn't a ton of infrastructure, but this late-summer getaway has what you and the whole family need to enjoy the serene atmosphere. The Harbour Centre is a nice place to retreat to during peak UV hours, offering ice cream and education (a combo I wish schools would capitalize on). The playground and oversized novelty cottage chair add a little zest. And the modest collection of accommodations, in conjunction with Providence Peace Cafe and Lake Huron Fish & Chips, makes it possible to hunker down for an entire weekend.

Little Current

While you're on the island, head on up to Little Current - ironically, Manitoulin's largest community. This transit town sees folks coming on and off the island via the Heritage Swing Bridge (i.e., a 1913 railway crossing), which spans the North Channel and connects with Northern Ontario, as well as docking at its multiple sheltered marinas. The aptly-named Water Street is considered Mantoulin Island's "Fashion Center," but also covers the typical, tourist-appropriate commercial spectrum of coffee shops/restaurants/souvenirs. There's also a street-wide farmers market every Saturday morning, should your road trip happen to coincide. Shopping aside, Little Current features a quaint boardwalk, a lengthy local history mural, and the Manitoulin Information Centre (for all you new arrivals). Finally, just up the road, craft connoisseurs will find the Manioutlin Brewing Company, with its expansive patio, complete with an outdoor bar and food truck(s). Ultimately, Little Current maintains the island's laid-back, nature-based persona, while adding just a few social accents to spice things up.

Niagara Falls

Dropping back down to the province's action-packed southern reaches, Niagara Falls is an essential destination at any time of year. Located directly across from the American city by the same name, Niagara Falls, Ontario, boasts even better views of the international cascades - thanks to the proximity of Horseshoe Falls, which at 57 meters tall (on average), and 670 meters wide, is, by far, the largest of the three. Though summer is the best time to get up close and personal with the rushing waters (whether clad in raingear aboard Niagara City Cruises, standing atop one of the riverside viewpoints, or from the climate-controlled comfort of Skylon Tower's observation deck), but given the immense rate of flow (i.e. 168,000 cubic meters/6 million cubic ft. per minute at its peak) Niagara Falls remains in free fall even during the winter.

While the namesake natural attraction is the primary draw, Niagara Falls has developed a wide range of activities to keep tourists occupied for days on end. There are high-octane options, such as ziplines and waterparks, but also golf courses, spas, wine tours, and even the 40-hectare, circa-1936 Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens (complete with the Butterfly Conservatory) for those in search of leisure. Plus, every month features a fresh slate of festivals, and almost every evening brings different bands, magicians, and plays to the city's various stages.

Niagara-On-The-Lake

Niagara Falls packs a big initial punch, but Niagara-On-The-Lake (located just 20 kilometers north, where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario) will keep you coming back season after season. Thanks to its fairytale, 19th-century Old Town, "NOTL" is often considered the prettiest town in Ontario. Adding even more elegance to its Victorian core is the collection of nearly 40 wineries that make up the famed Ontario Wine Country. Sommeliers can sign up for a guided tour, cycle between select locations, or simply dine at any of the many winery restaurants. Upping the charm factor further still is NOTL's world-renowned theatre scene. The Shaw Festival (which has now entered its 63rd iteration) runs from April through to December, spans three venues, and brings a mix of classic and contemporary productions (including, of course, the works of George Bernard Shaw) to a cumulative audience of over a quarter-million people.

Stratford

In the midst of Southern Ontario's rural swath, the small city of Stratford has something of its own to say about theatre productions and architectural prowess. Centered around the Avalon River, restored, red-brick, 19th-century buildings flood downtown Stratford. These stately facades house a range of boutique and antique stores, ice cream and chocolate shops (more on this in a moment), and all sorts of hotels and bistros. Punctuating the delightfully ubiquitous aesthetic are four massive theatres that host the annual Stratford Festival (April through October). Whereas Shaw is the headliner at NOTL's festival, Shakespeare is the primary attraction here, though various other genre-spanning productions, past and present, round out the schedule. In between performances, why not indulge in a tour of Stratford's Chocolate Trail? Here's the pitch: one map, six vouchers, and two dozen delectable dealers to choose from. Need I say more?

Collingwood

Switching gears a bit, Collingwood offers four-season outdoor recreation, including one of Ontario's only downhill ski resorts. That's right, though far removed from the Rockies or Appalachians, here the Niagara Escarpment thrusts high above the southern shore of Georgian Bay, giving rise to Blue Mountain. With 12 lifts servicing 43 runs (including 30 illuminated night trails), this hill is surprisingly engaging - and not just during the winter. The fair-weather seasons unveil Blue Mountain's mountain coaster, open-air gondola, skywalks, ziplines, climbing walls, water sports, and a plethora of mountain biking trails. As for Collingwood proper, you've got the beauty of Nottawasaga Bay, which can be enjoyed at Sunset Point Beach, the Collingwood Arboretum, or along the Georgian Trail in between. And for those inclement days, the maritime-themed Collingwood Museum awaits within the circa-1873 train station.

Creemore

Just south of Collingwood, the adorable escarpment village of Creemore deserves a gander. Derived from the Gaelic word croimor, meaning "big heart," Creemore lives up to its legacy. Its delicate downtown is plucked right out of a postcard, and features such gems as the Creemore Springs Brewery (which was doing small-batch brews well before the modern craft craze caught on), the Bank Cafe (a from-scratch bakery/deli/coffee shop within an old red-brick bank), and the historic Creemore Jail (the smallest jailhouse on the continent). Just beyond town limits sits Purple Hill Lavender - a wholesome operation that channels the surrounding farms into bath, body, and home products. And as for forthcoming events, the Saturday Farmer's Market continues through to October 25th, and if you hustle, you can catch the last couple of Sundays in the Park (featuring music and fitness classes), which concludes August 24th - the same day as the brewery-centric Copper Kettle Festival.

Red Rock

While on the subject of sprinting to last-minute destination events, let's cap things off in the isolated Northern Ontario town of Red Rock - host of the Live From The Rock Folk Festival. This family and camping-friendly affair takes place this weekend (August 8th-10th), and puts dozens of artists on three outdoor stages in front of thousands of music lovers. In addition to the full-blown performances, there are smaller-scale songwriter workshops and campfire jams, plus a host of other sensorial assets, including an artisan village, food court, children's parade, and group yoga sessions. If you can't make it to the festival, fear not, for Red Rock remains a stunning retreat on Lake Superior's wild north shore. Explore the islands of Nipigon Bay by boat (you can launch out of the Red Rock Marina), hike Nipigon River Recreation Trail high onto its scenic bluffs, and spend a stimulating night at the Overlook-esque Red Rock Inn.

The sun may be setting on peak summer season, but there are still plenty of fair-weather days remaining in which to enjoy Ontario's small-town beaches, festivals, and patios. But even when the cold descends, many of these eleven communities take on a new appeal in the form of theatrical performances, wine tastings, and powder-based recreation. So if you're an Ontarioan itching for a local getaway, or one of our southern neighbours curious to explore the 51st state (just kidding, America, you know I love you) before 2025 comes to a close, check out these top Ontario towns.