7 Amazing Ontario Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive

Ontario is Canada's second-largest province, containing 10.8% of the nation’s total area. Considering Ontario has so much land to explore, Ontario travelers are lucky to have so many unique adventures just a few hours from home. In fact, these seven amazing day trips that are worth the drive can each be a fun way to explore the region and travel far and wide without breaking the bank. For example, just a few hours from Canada's capital of Ottawa is one of the province's most beautiful parks, Algonquin. This is a great park to day trip to for a hiking adventure. Or consider Elora, a small town that's just a couple hours from Toronto; it's a great place to experience a charming trek along the magnificent Grand River. Whether you are looking for an afternoon of hiking or a morning at the beach, these seven Ontario day trips are well worth the drive.

Muskoka's Cranberry Marshes

Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery is a unique day trip spot where visitors can tour one of Ontario's wineries in the beautiful Muskoka area. Just under a 2.5-hour drive from Toronto, this is the perfect day trip for anyone looking to experience the beauty of the Muskoka area at a unique winery. Around the winery, visitors can explore its miles of trails and admire the 27 acres of cranberries. Tour the facilities of the winery on the Bog to Bottle Tour. Afterwards, relax on the Muskoka patio while sipping cranberry wine and cider. Throughout the year the winery hosts special events for kids so there is something for the whole family to enjoy. The farm is open year-round to visit, but a popular time is in the fall. This is when the annual Cranberry Plunge takes place. Get an amazing photo opt wading in cranberries!

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Thinking of taking a trip to Niagara Falls but don't know what to do after? Consider spending a day at Niagara-on-the-Lake. The historic town is full of charming boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, and galleries. Spend some time exploring the historic landmarks such as the Prince of Wales Hotel, the Old Courthouse, and the Memorial Clock Tower. Check out the Niagara Apothecary, a unique museum of an old pharmacy. Learn about the town's history at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum. The museum has an amazing collection of over 40,000 artifacts. While walking around, stop at one of the local bakeries such as Balzac’s for a tasty treat. Stop at Queen's Royal Park for a break from the traffic and amazing views of where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. Afterwards, hike or bike along the scenic Niagara Parkway. The road goes alongside the beautiful Niagara River.

Georgian Bay

Known for beautiful crystal blue waters and stunning hiking opportunities, Georgian Bay and its associated cities, including Tobermory provide perfect starting points for trips to spectacular natural sites, including Georgian Bay Islands National Park. In other parts of the bay, visitors may hike the Grotto or swim at Indian Head Cove. The beautiful natural landscape near Tobermory and the Bruce Peninsula area transports visitors to another world. Beyond hiking, swimming and kayaking, Georgian Bay offers a great experience for divers and snorkelers. This is one of the few spots in Ontario where divers will feel as though they are in the Caribbean. Diving into the waters of Georgian Bay, they can explore canyons, forests and shipwrecks from decades past.

Elora

One of Ontario's most popular small-town destinations is Elora. It's no mystery why; the town is one of Ontario's most charming. Strolling around the downtown is an enchanting experience, passing cute eateries, quaint shops and historic buildings. The Elora Mill is one of the town's historic landmarks that has been transformed into a luxurious spa and hotel. Five minutes from the downtown area, visitors can stroll along the banks of the Grand River. One of the most popular activities in the summer is to go tubing along the Grand River. Put your feet up and spend the afternoon floating along the Grand. Afterwards, check out the trails and do some hiking at a conservation area.

Point Pelee

Canada's southernmost mainland point, Point Pelee National Park is home to monarchs, birds and beautiful marsh landscapes. Point Pelee offers something for everyone. Enjoy a leisurely walk on the Marsh Boardwalk and stop to climb the observatory tower. Use binoculars to spot wildlife. After, take another walk, this time to the tip of the island. Enjoy a 360-degree view of the beginning of mainland Canada. In the afternoon, paddle or canoe in the marsh. One of the main attractants to Point Pelee in spring is the pack of spring migration of birds. The area explodes with vibrant colors of different types of birds. The diversity of birds makes this a great time to visit the island. Make sure to reserve your tour in advance; this is also a very popular time to visit Point Pelee.

Long Point

The fourth-oldest provincial park in Ontario, Long Point is one of the best places for a beach day. Pack a picnic and drive through the cute town Port Rowan to get to the park. Spend the day with your toes in the sand, enjoying the magnificent waves of lake Erie. If you go for a swim, make sure to watch out for the undertow. For a more adventurous beach day, rent a paddleboard at South Coast Watersports or Long Point Eco-Adventures Resort & Retreat Centre; the latter also has a restaurant called the Marshview Patio & Bar, which is the perfect place to grab lunch on your day trip. Across the street is a local winery, Burning Kiln, which offers a place to relax with a glass of wine surrounded by the mysterious beauty of the forest and marshland.

Algonquin Provincial Park

One of Ontario's most beloved parks, Algonquin Provincial Park is an oasis of maple hills, rocky ridges, and thousands of lakes. Just over a three-hour drive from Toronto through the Ontario countryside, Algonquin is a great day trip to experience remote Ontario wilderness. There are 14 designated hiking trails in the park and over 1,200 miles of canoe routes. Algonquin is a great park to see wildlife from birds to bears to bull moose. Many people capture stunning nature photographs here. Considering the vast size of Algonquin, it's helpful to have a guide for first-time park-goers, even on a day trip. Algonquin Outfitters offers a variety of preplanned day trips for visitors looking for more guidance on their trip to the park. They offer both self-led and guided tours. Some of their popular adventures include a Canoe and Colours Guided Fall Paddle and a trip to Hailstorm Creek to see wildlife. To extend your visit to Algonquin from a day trip to an overnight trip, consider staying at one of the glamping sites, such as Four Corners Algonquin. Outside your cabin, enjoy views of the stars and experience the vast expanse of night sky.

Final Thoughts

Ontario is home to a diversity of day-tripping options. The beautiful province is home to stunning natural landscapes — from the remote wilderness at Algonquin to the crystal-clear waters at Georgian Bay. It is also home to some charming towns, such as Elora and the historic Niagara-on-the Lake. And each of these seven amazing Ontario day trips that are worth the drive offer something for everyone — from birdwatching at Point Pelee Island to spending a day as a beach bum at Long Point. If you're thinking of planning a day trip, consider visiting one of these places and taking one of these trips. While the destinations may be a bit of a drive, it's often the journey that matters most in the end.