Ontario, Canada, is an amazing province where stunning landscapes meet charming historical towns. From outdoor adventures to cultural exploration, or simply spending quality time together, there is a wide array of Ontario weekend getaways that cater to every interest. Whether it’s enjoying the area around the world-famous Niagara Falls or relaxing on the tranquil shores of Lake Huron or exploring the wilderness of the Canadian Shield Ontario provides unforgettable experiences await you and your family.
Booking.comIn this blog post, we have curated a list of the 12 best Ontario weekend getaways, ensuring that your family’s vacation memories will be filled with joy, wonder, and a true sense of adventure. Get ready to embark on a journey of discovery as we explore the best that Ontario has to offer for an unforgettable family getaway.
12 Best Ontario Weekend Getaways to Explore with Your Family
Table of Contents:
Niagara Falls
Topping the list of Ontario Weekend Getaways To Take Your Family is our own Natural World Wonder Niagara Falls. Flowing with over 160,000 cubic metres flowing through the falls every minute, Niagara Falls is the most powerful waterfall in the world. With no shortage of ways to explore the falls, plan to spend at least a day here if it is your first time.
Over the decades, Niagara Parks has provided people with dozens of interesting and unique ways to experience the falls and learn about their importance in Ontario’s history. Get up close and personal with the falls with the Journey behind the falls or the iconic Hornblower Cruises aka Maid of the Mist, or learn about its fascinating history at the newly opened Niagara Parks Power Station. Niagara Falls adventure pass
Apart from the falls themselves, the Niagara River itself is a sight to explore. As the Niagara River rushes towards Lake Ontario, it cuts through 410-million-year-old layers of rock creating the stunning Niagara Gorge. The class 6 rapids whip through the Gorge creating the famous whirlpool rapids.
Niagara Falls is also home to world-famous gardens with the historic Queen Victoria Park, beautifully maintained Botanical Gardens and the enchanting Butterfly Conservatory, with over 2,000 vibrantly coloured butterflies. Visitors come from around the world to explore the famous rose and tulip collections, flowering trees and shrubs, and annual arrangements such as the floral clock. There’s a reason why Niagara Falls is one of the top Ontario Weekend Getaways on this list.
Where to stay in Niagara Falls?
Kingston
“Oil thigh na Banrighinn a’Banrighinn gu brath” is something you may hear as you wander around this beautiful University town. Once the capital of Canada, Kingston Ontario is also home to 3 post-secondary school institutions, including the Royal Military College and Queen’s University.
A perfect Ontario weekend getaway, Kingston has a ton of great character and activities steeped in its deep history as part of Canada’s foundation and its unique location, right at the mouth of the St Lawrence River and Rideau Canal.
Be sure to check out Fort Henry or the Kingston Penitentiary. During the warmer months, you can take a cruise through the iconic Thousand Islands or take a dip at the new Gord Downie Memorial Pier. Built in 2017 it is Canada’s first urban natural swimming pier, named in memory of Canadian music icon Gord Downie, who lived across the street from the original pier and was a major proponent for a swimmable, drinkable and fishable Lake Ontario for everyone.
After a long day of exploring be sure to check out Kingston’s beautiful historic core with some of the best Canadian, Italian, Cambodian and Indian cuisines in southwestern Ontario. With an amazing variety of restaurants and shops that service the students from the 3 universities and tons of visitors that come to visit during the warmer month.
Where to stay in Kingston?
- Residence Inn by Marriott Kingston Water’s Edge
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Kingston Waterfront
- Kingston Market Square Hotel
Ottawa
What list of Ontario weekend getaways would be complete without a visit to our nation’s capital? Not only the Capital of Canada but also one of our largest Metropolitan areas Ottawa provides a multitude of activities for your family to enjoy.
No visit to Ottawa would be complete without a visit to Parliament Hill, as well as many other government buildings such as 24 Sussex (The Prime Minister’s Residence), The Supreme Court of Canada and Rideau Hall. Additionally, there are tons of great museums including the famous Diefenbunker Cold War Museum, the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of History.
The UNESCO world heritage site of the Rideau Canal runs through the city. It provides year-round activities from the thousands of tulips that lay along its banks during the Canadian Tulip Festival in the spring to skating along the world’s longest skating rink during the winter.
The Byward market is a food adventurers’ paradise as Canada’s oldest and largest public market, with many great restaurants, cafes, unique specialty food shops and boutiques. Even outside of the market, Ottawa has a wide variety of places to check out pedestrians only Sparks Street cuts right through the downtown, while Bank and Rideau streets have amazing streetscapes with walkable streets and quaint shops.
Where to stay in Ottawa?
Tobermory
The Niagara escarpment meets the great lakes at this stunning Ontario weekend getaway. Known for its stunning vistas and turquoise blue waters Tobermory has awed visitors from all over the world.
Located at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula Tobermory has many activities for your family to explore. Take a cruise to flower pot island and explore the interesting geological structures. Tobermory is also home to Five Fathoms National Park famous for its 24 shipwrecks and exciting scuba diving opportunities.
For those who love to hike, Tobermory is a hiker’s paradise with the Bruce Trail’s northern terminus starting at Tobermory, offering fantastic views of the rugged shoreline scenery, including the famous Grotto and Indian Head Cove. As well as its famous rocky shorelines, Tobermory also has a beautiful sandy beach at Singing Sands Beach
Where to stay in Tobermory?
Muskoka / Cottage Country
What could be more Ontarian than spending a weekend in Ontario’s northern cottage country? Playing host to vacationing Canadians for over a century, Ontario’s cottage country has taken on a life of its own. From lively cottage towns to iconic concert venues to classic burger joints and arcades; the famous rugged Canadian Shield landscape offers tons of great activities year-round.
Muskoka is one of the top Ontario weekend getaways for nature lovers. The Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve is the world’s first permanently designated Dark Sky Reserve, where visitors can view the night sky in its pristine state without urban lighting affecting the nighttime darkness. Georgian Bay Islands National Park is located in the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, its 63 islands and windswept islands inspired the strong and bold brushstrokes of the Group of Seven.
Muskoka also acts as the doorway to Algonquin Park, the first and one of the largest provincial parks in Canada. Here visitors are provided with a multitude of opportunities to explore the surrounding wilderness. Rent a canoe or kayak from the portage store and explore the many lakes. For those looking for something more challenging, backcountry camping is the best way to get intimate with nature. Just be sure to be prepared and pack accordingly.
For those looking to explore nature in a bit more comfort, take a ride on the historic RMS Segwun a steamship older than Canada itself. The towns of Huntsville, Gravenhurst and Bracebridge offer world-class amenities, resorts and hotels. One can try out a different type of star hunting at Port Carling, known for hosting celebrities such as Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russel and Justin Beiber.
Where to stay in Mukoka?
- JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa
- Bayview Wildwood Resort
- Residence Inn by Marriott Gravenhurst Muskoka Wharf
Cobourg
Nicknamed “Ontario’s Feel Good Town” Cobourg is definitely one of the best Ontario weekend getaways. Just over an hour from Toronto, Cobourg has one of the best beaches for your family in Ontario. Also, Cobourg has a ton of ways to explore its rich heritage and local nature. Additionally, Cobourg’s sister city Port Hope less than a 15-minute drive away provides twice the waterfront towns to explore.
Celebrated as the best-preserved 19th-century streetscape in the province of Ontario, Port Hope’s downtown has over 270 heritage-designated buildings throughout the municipality. The Ganaraska River (affectionately known as “The Ganny”), is well known to area anglers for annual salmon and trout runs. Located right in between the two towns, Port Hope Drive-In is Canada’s longest continually operated Drive-In Theatre in Canada. Also, be sure to check out Primitive Designs, a unique retail store that sells exotic and interesting arts and crafts items from around the world. Just be sure to set aside a few hours, as there’s so much to see.
Booking.comAs well as its neighbouring town, Cobourg is also located in the beautiful Northumberland County. Just a few minutes north of Cobourg you can find amazing hiking, cycling, horseback riding, ATVing, off-road motorcycling, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing in the county’s beautiful protected natural areas. Northumberland is also home to the historical Trent Severn Waterway. This historical waterway links Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay, passing through some of Ontario’s most iconic cottage towns.
Of course, one couldn’t talk about Cobourg without discussing its waterfront. One of the reasons settlers came to Cobourg in the early 1800s was the natural harbour formed by MidTown Creek. Then with the addition of the East Pier, Cobourg’s harbour expanded, becoming a major thoroughfare for cargo and passengers. Then in the 1980s, local visionaries worked to gradually remove all vestiges of industry and return the harbour to the city. Over the next decades, the town set forth on purchasing the remediating land around the harbour. These days Cobourg Harbor has been fully converted into the jewel of Cobourg with a groomed and well-maintained beach.
Where to stay in Cobourg?
Prince Edward County
Affectionately known as “The County” Prince Edward County is comprised of small villages and hamlets scattered amongst farm fields, wineries and waterfront resulting in a wide variety of unique activities resulting in it topping the list of Ontario weekend getaways in recent years.
Located on the north shores of Lake Ontario, Prince Edward County hosts 2 provincial parks, over 800km of shoreline and tons of white sandy beaches. Additionally, the area’s lakeside climate and unique soil composition have made it one of the top wine-growing regions, resulting in an amazing wine scene.
Along with its fantastic wineries Prince Edward County also has attracted equally as amazing restaurants and farms. Picton, Bloomfield and Wellington host some of the best food in the area. While you can find sugar bushes, lavender fields, apiaries and even an alpaca farm scattered throughout the island. Also, be sure to check out the mysterious Lake on the Mountain. A beautiful lake, perched high above the Bay of Quinte with no apparent source.
Where to stay in Prince Edward County?
Grand Bend
Tucked away on the southwest shores of Lake Huron, this beach town getaway is the perfect summer weekend getaway for your family. Known as one of the best beach towns in Ontario, there is so much to do in this cute town, from biking to antiquing to wandering the main drag, you may miss the beach completely, but let’s hope not.
Rising in popularity during the 1920-1940s Grand Bend’s main street has a unique retro beach town vibe that has earned it the reputation of being Florida North and one of the top Ontario weekend getaways. With tons of great beach-themed boutiques, restaurants and shops there’s something for everyone. Also if the Main Street shops are not enough, Grand Bend hosts a weekly antique flea market, Sundays at the Pinery Market. This 50-year-old market hosts many eclectic vendors including food, handcrafted and vintage items.
Check out this post on Our Favourite things to do in Grand Bend!
If your family wants to explore something closer to nature, check out Pinery Provincial Park. This park was created in 1957 to protect the unique Coastal Dune Ecosystems and Old Ausable Channel. The park’s massive coastal dunes blocked the Ausable River’s outlet to the lake, creating a hairpin bend in the Ausable River, after which Grand Bend is named. The park offers tons of activities from several kilometres of trails for hiking, biking and skiing to canoe, hydro biking, and paddleboat on the Old Ausable Channel. Not to mention 10 km of beautiful coastal sandy beaches along Lake Huron.
And of course, don’t forget the beaches at this beach town getaway. Whether the main beach at the end of Main Street or Port Blake Day Park, Grand Bend offers some of the best beaches in Ontario. Also, don’t miss out on the sunset. Described as among the “Top 10 Best in the World” as ranked by National Geographic.
Where to stay in Grand Bend?
Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain has been one of the largest and busiest ski resorts in Ontario and even Canada, since the 1960s. Then in 1999, Intrawest Corporation purchased a 50% interest in the ownership of Blue Mountain. The company embarked on several years of significant renovation and expansion of the resort, resulting in a large European ski village complete with shops, restaurants and hotels. Now Blue Mountain has become not only a major winter destination but one of the to Ontario weekend getaways, all year round.
Those of you who grew up in the 80s may remember the alpine slide during the outro credits of Sesame Street. Well, that slide was located at Blue Mountain. From 1977 to 1999 the Great Slide Ride operated out of Blue Mountain in an attempt to provide summer income to the resort area. Then in 2011, Blue Mountain opened Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, Ontario’s first Alpine Coaster. This improved version of the Great Slide covers just over 1 kilometre down 475 vertical metres of the Niagara Escarpment reaching speeds of up to 42 km/h
Some may not know that Blue Mountain’s “Mountain” is a 1-kilometre section of the larger Niagara Escarpment. The Escarpment is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve that stretches from Tobermory to Niagara Falls. Scenic Caves Nature Adventures provides unique ways to enjoy and interact with the Escarpment from hiking or cross-country skiing through some of the oldest-growth forests in North America Or walking high above the canopy along a web of platforms and walkways, and ziplines on a guided Eco Adventure tour.
But of course, how could we mention one of the top winter destinations in Ontario without mentioning all the winter activities the area offers? Aside from the 42 runs offered by the resort, serviced by 13 chairlifts, Blue Mountain also offers a 1.1km ice skating loop at Woodview Mountaintop Skating where one can skate while enjoying extraordinary views along the Niagara Escarpment. Then be sure to explore the village with its one-kilometre Holiday Light Trail and if it gets too cold check out Plunge! Aquatic Centre.
Where to stay in Blue Mountain?
St Thomas
Known as Railway City, St Thomas was a major transportation hub with 7 major railways passing through the city. Starting in 1856 the London & Port Stanley Railway carried over a million passengers a year, with its terminus ending at the Port Stanley beach. Then steadily increasing through the late 1800s to the early 1900s, as the primary stop for passengers travelling between Detroit and Buffalo.
Though the golden age of the railway has long passed, St Thomas celebrates its past as The “Railway Capital of Canada’. The Elgin County Railway Museum is located in the former Michigan Central Railroad (MCRR) locomotive repair shops. Also, the Canada Southern Station (CASO Station) is the largest Italianate-style station left in North America. Visitors can even take a train on an old London & Port Stanley Railway section. The old set of tracks was electrified in 1913, then purchased by Port Stanley Terminal Rail Inc in 1983 providing tourists scenic rides between St. Thomas and Port Stanley.
Booking.comOnce known as “Coney Island of the Great Lakes” Port Stanley has a long history as both a historically significant port and as one of the most popular summertime Ontario weekend getaways. These days Port Stanley is knowns for its world-class beaches one of 27 in Canada that has earned its Blue Flag status. This small little beach town is a perfect summer Ontario weekend getaway for those with young children. Home to two beaches a smaller Cove beach and the main beach complete with beachside shops, restaurants and boutiques.
Then once you’re ready to head back to St Thomas, jump on the Whistlestop trail, a 15.5 km trail that follows along the scenic London & Port Stanley Rail trail and Sunset Drive. Passing the many sights along the way such as Shaw’s famous old-fashioned ice cream, Canada’s first elevated park, located on the old MCR (Michigan Central Railroad) Kettle Creek Bridge and a life-sized statue of Jumbo the Elephant; one of the most famous elephants in the world who was tragically killed when he was struck by a Grand Trunk Locomotive in St. Thomas Ontario, on September 15th, 1885.
Where to stay in St.Thomas?
Hamilton
One of Ontario’s rust belt cities, Hamilton tops many lists of Ontario weekend getaways. Once a major manufacturing hub, Hamilton’s population boomed from the 1900s to the 1960s, creating a beautiful art deco downtown core. A recent revival of the city along with the 2001 amalgamation of the original city of Hamilton with its 5 neighbouring municipalities, including Ancaster, Dundas and Stoney Creek created a multitude of unique adventures for you and your family.
Known as the “City of Waterfalls” Hamilton is home to hundreds of waterfalls. Hamilton’s unique geographic location at the western end of Lake Ontario and with the Niagara escarpment bisecting the city into upper and lower parts, Hamilton creates the city to take your family waterfall hunting.
As well as its waterfalls, Hamilton is home to the beautiful Hamilton Bay. Created by a natural sandbar at the western end of Lake Ontario this beautiful Bay is home to Cootes Paradise and Hamilton’s Bayfront Park, Pier 4 and the HMCS Haida.
Where to stay in Hamilton?
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Hamilton
- TownePlace Suites by Marriott Hamilton
- Comfort Inn Hamilton/Stoney Creek
Owen Sound
This lesser-known hidden gem of a town is Owen Sound. is located at the mouth of Owen Sound Bay a broad valley where the Sydenham River cuts through the Niagara Escarpment and flows into Georgian Bay. Owen Sound has tons of stunning nature, including several beautiful waterfalls as the Sydenham River flows over the Niagara Escarpment, definitely one of the best Ontario weekend getaways for those that love to explore nature.
Owen Sound boomed in the early 1900s after the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway connected the port town to Toronto and the rest of Ontario. Influences can be seen by the many turn-of-the-century buildings and the numbered avenues that run east-west, divided into the east and west of The Sydenham River. Renamed in 1909, by the mayor of Owen Sound influenced by New York City.
Known as the jewel in the Crown. Harrison Park is a 40-acre wonderland in the heart of the Sydenham Valley, which truly makes it one of the best Ontario weekend getaways for families. Generously donated by the Harrison family over 150 years ago, this land has played host to families from all across Ontario for decades. One of the most beautiful parks in Ontario, Harrison Park contains tons of trails and green space, including a small waterfall that can be seen from the property. Harrison Park also has an amazing playground, bird sanctuary, boat rentals and even a full-service campground.