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This post is all about things to do in Ontario this summer and includes places to visit in Ontario for the weekend.
There are so many things to love about Ontario in the summer from the adventures in nature, to the farmers markets, to the festivals. Ontario comes alive in the summer and for many of us, it’s our favourite time of the year! Many people look to get out of the city in the summer and spend time in nature. Ontario has so much to explore with the plethora of beautiful lakes, great hiking trails, small towns and excellent food. You can count on having a summer packed full of fun day trips and weekend trips to some of these incredible places!
Looking to plan your Ontario summer bucket list? This post covers multiple unique things to do in Ontario this summer.
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1) Go paddling on the Speed River in Guelph
Paddling on the Speed River is the perfect day trip! Speed River Paddling is the company that operates boat rentals and they typically open in June. You can rent a canoe or kayak for an hour or more and enjoy a peaceful paddle into nature. All rentals include lifejackets and a map which outlines the river and some cool species to spot while out for a paddle.
Once you’re done paddling and return your boat you can stop by The Boathouse for delicious ice cream! They have so many flavour options at an affordable price. And for my dairy free friends, don’t worry they also have incredible vegan flavours. If you’re looking for a larger meal, cross the street and enjoy lunch or dinner at Bardō. They have the most delicious pizzas (highly recommend the apple bacon pizza) and the mac and cheese is also incredible, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu! In addition, they have dairy free, vegan and gluten free options.
If you’re day tripping on a budget then I’d recommend you pack a picnic with some food and drinks from home. Then, you can cross the street from The Boathouse to Royal City Park. There are multiple picnic tables and big trees to set-up under and enjoy a picnic in the park.
How to get there:
Guelph can be accessed by car, bus and train. Downtown Guelph is only 20 km off of the Ontario 401 taking the Highway 6 exit. Guelph can also be accessed by the GO Bus and GO Train. You can check the most up to date schedules here.
Where to stay:
If you’re looking to turn your visit to Guelph into a weekend trip you can check out the following accomodation options. My recommendation would be to stay close to downtown so you can explore the shops and great restaurants. But, if you have a car it will be easy to stay outside of downtown as you can access almost anywhere in the city in about 20 minutes and there are multiple free parking options almost everywhere.
Norfolk Guest House Inn: A unique stay which is walking distance to downtown.
Delta Hotels by Marriott: Close to downtown, close to the University of Guelph.
Staybridge Suites Guelph: Includes nice amenities such as a pool, close to the highway.
2) Enjoy an afternoon at Holland Marsh Wineries
Head for a tour and tasting at Holland Marsh Wineries, an award winning boutique winery in Newmarket. A majority of the vineyards in Ontario are concentrated in the Niagara Region so visiting this unique spot near Toronto is a fun day trip adventure! Learning about the special Holland Marsh grapes and visiting this small family run winery is something you can’t miss. We enjoyed the cheese board with our tasting and I loved shopping in their store afterwards as they sold many local homemade goods in addition to wine.
How to get there:
The Holland Marsh Wineries are only accessible by car. The drive is approximately 50 minutes from Toronto via the Ontario 400 North.
3) Try out Treetop Trekking in Barrie
Treetop Trekking is such a fun activity for people of all ages, so it should definitely be on your list of things to do in Ontario this summer! Located at Horseshoe Resort in Barrie you can walk up in the trees of the beautiful Copeland Forest. There are multiple cool aerial courses including zip lines, balancing logs, swings and more! Course options are available for young children if you’re looking for an activity for the entire family. Treetop Trekking is available from April to September and it’s required to book before you go. You can find more information about pricing and booking here.
After you spend a day in the trees you can head over to Crazy Horse Sports Bar & Grill to enjoy drinks and a delicious meal. If you’re feeling pizza you can also check out Eleven 01 Stone Oven Pizza which has mini, medium and family sized pizza offerings.
How to get there:
Horseshoe Resort can be accessed by car via the Ontario 400 North. It is approximately a 1.5 hour drive from Toronto. You can also reach Barrie via the GO Train or Bus and then take a 30 minute taxi to the resort.
Where to stay:
If you’re interested, I strongly recommend you spend the weekend at Horseshoe Resort. They have a variety of options for places to stay from one bedroom hotel rooms to full family apartments. In addition, Horseshoe has so much to offer including hiking trails, a golf course, biking, a beachfront and a spa. You can definitely have a fun filled weekend with friends and family!
Carriage Ridge Resort: These apartment style rooms are so spacious including a kitchenette or full size kitchen. In addition, the resort has amazing amenities with outdoor games, barbecues, a gym, pool and hot tub.
The Hansom: Beautifully finished condos with spacious living areas and kitchens. The resort hosts a cool indoor-outdoor pool and two hot tubs. In addition, they offer a gym, barbecues, and playground.
Horseshoe Valley Suites – The Pine: The Pine is a smaller and more affordable suite on the same property as the Hansom so it hosts all of the same incredible amenities but at a lower cost.
4) Enjoy delicious pies and the best donuts at Mariposa Market & Bakery in Orillia
Mariposa Market is one of my favourite places to visit! Sometimes we spend hours wandering through the shop and enjoying a meal and other times we just do a quick stop in to grab some of our favourites. My recommendation is to spend at least an hour, sit in the cafe and enjoy a few of their different homemade pies including a delicious chicken pot pie and Shepards pie. Then wander through all the market has to offer with different food options, sweet treats (which includes a whole section just for fudge), unique home decor and multiple different homemade preserves.
After the market wander down Mississauga Street East and check out some of the cute shops. Then, you can head towards the Orillia waterfront and take a nice walk by the water on the Millennium Trail. It’s about a 10 minute walk to Couchiching Beach Park where you can relax at the beach or enjoy a swim. There are multiple picnic shelters so you can even set up there and enjoy snacking on some of the takeaway items you grabbed at Mariposa. If you’d like you can always go for a longer walk past the beach as the trail continues onto the Lightfoot Trail which is in a nice forested area.
How to get there:
Orilla can be accessed by car or bus. Mariposa Market is a 1.5 hour drive from Toronto via the Ontario 400 North and the Ontario 11 North. If you’re travelling by bus you can take the Ontario Northland to the Orillia transit station. From there it’s a short 4 minute walk to the market. You can see the most up to date prices and schedules for Ontario Northland here.
Where to stay:
Definitely consider spending the weekend in Orillia or the surrounding area to explore the other things to do around Lake Simcoe. Here are two options for staying in Orillia.
Days Inn by Wyndham: A 5 minute walk to Lake Couchiching and a 15 minute drive from downtown Orillia. Amenities include indoor pool, hot tub and gym.
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites: Close to Ontario 11 North creating easy access for exploring the surrounding area. Amenities include indoor pool, gym and terrace.
5) Hike to Halfway Log Dump in Bruce Peninsula National Park
Bruce Peninsula National Park has some of the most unique views of Georgian Bay making it one of the best things to do in Ontario this summer. With the beautiful blue water and jaw dropping cliffs, it’s the perfect place for a summer adventure in Ontario. You’ve probably heard of the very popular Grotto which has beautiful rock formations in addition to the stunning blue water. For a quieter hiking experience but just as beautiful views check out Halfway Log Dump.
It’s important that you make a parking reservation for the day you are planning to go. You have access for 6 hours in either the morning or afternoon time slot. You can make a day use parking reservation here. When you arrive, check in at the Cyprus Lake Campground Office. Here you can purchase your admission ticket for the park and pick up a map from the staff. Note that admission for youth 17 and under is free and there is a discount for families or large groups! You can also bring your dog in the park just make sure to pick up after them and keep them on a leash at all times.
After you check in head to the Halfway Log Dump Parking Lot. Surrounding the parking lot you will find a nice picnic area with great washroom facilities and water refill stations. The hike to Halfway Log Dump is about a 15 minute walk (1 km) on a relatively flat trail. You will find benches along the trail so you can sit and enjoy some time in nature as you please. There are compostable toilets available at the end of the trail before you head out to the stunning beach view.
Pro Tip:
Pack a picnic and enjoy it on the rocks at the Halfway Log Dump view point. Also bring items such as a garbage bag for packing out your trash and camp chairs as sitting on the rocky beach can be uncomfortable. Don’t forget to bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer incase the compostable toilets are out but in the many times I’ve been there they only lacked these items once.
Important Safety Notes:
The waters of Georgian Bay can have extremely strong currents so it’s important you exercise extreme caution. It’s not a safe place for swimming just for dipping your toes in the waters edge. You can read more about the swimming cautions here under Halfway Log Dump Questions. In addition watch out for the other wild animals such as Black Bears and the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. Both are unlikely to interrupt your adventure but it’s important to know how to handle the situation if you run into them. Be prepared by reading more here.
There are two trails along the bay, one that takes you past the compostable toilets to a backcountry campground and one that heads towards The Grotto. These are long, difficult and there is little to no cell service. If you’d like to explore them for the views and then turn back to the parking lot ensure you are prepared with proper footwear, emergency equipment and navigation.
How to get there:
Bruce Peninsula National Park is a 3.5 hour drive from Toronto via the Ontario 10 and Highway 6 North. Even though it’s a long one, it’s a beautiful drive through rural Ontario that you’re sure to enjoy. Keep in mind there aren’t too many food stops along the way so I would pre-pack some road trip snacks. There is a new bus option to get to Bruce Peninsula National Park which you can read more about here.
Where to stay:
There are multiple options to spend a few nights in the beautiful Bruce Peninsula National Park and surrounding area. It’s one of my favourite places so I highly recommend you spend more than 1 day here.
Car Camping: If you love camping then this is a great option. You have to make reservations in advance, tpyically months in advance as it’s a very popular spot to camp. You can read more about the Parks Canada camping reservation process here.
Backcountry Camping: For all of my backcountry hiking friends, turning this visit to Halfway Log Dump into a backpacking trip is a must-do weekend adventure! I have a full guide on backcountry camping in Bruce Peninsula which you can check out here.
Tobermory: Staying in the Town of Tobermory is such a treat and it gives you access to the many things to do in the Northern Bruce Peninsula. For example don’t miss Fathom Five National Marine Park or Flowerpot Island. You can check out a few accommodation options here:
- Big Tub Resort and Marina: This spot includes beautiful views of the Marina via the balcony and cozy rooms with all necessary amenities.
- Grandview Motel: Rooms have a beautiful cottage feel and stunning views of Georgian Bay. It also has an on-site restaurant.
- Tobermory Summerhouse Cottage: A beautiful 3 bedroom cottage with incredible private views. Property has a full sized kitchen, private dock and barbecue.
6) Spend the day at the Scenic Caves in the Town of the Blue Mountains
The Scenic Caves is a must-visit spot in Ontario and something you can do with the whole family! In addition to exploring the caves there are multiple hiking trails that give you incredible views and a 420 foot long suspension bridge! There are also lots of kids activities includes a playground and gemstone mining.
I recommend you pack a lunch to enjoy by the pond after a morning of exploring caves and hiking. Remember to go early as the park fills up quickly, so the earlier the better to ensure you can get parking and enjoy all the park has to offer. You can see pricing, hours and guidelines for your day trip here.
How to get there:
The Town of the Blue Mountains can be accessed by car. It is a 2.5 hour drive from Toronto via the Ontario 400 North. There are some public transit options available to Collingwood but none are direct. It might be best to rent a car for the day or ask a friend who has a car and wants to join you on an adventure!
Looking for the perfect place to stay during your Ontario weekend getaway? Check out some great options on Booking.com:
7) Go day hiking in Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Provincial Park is famous for a reason. It has so much to offer with great front country camping, backcountry hiking trails, some of the best canoe camping in the world, beautiful day hiking trails, and if you’re lucky you might even spot a moose! There are a variety of trails catering to multiple skill levels and abilities making it one of the best things to do in Ontario this summer.
Check out these trails:
In my opinion, the day hiking trail with one of the best views in Algonquin Provincial Park is the Track & Tower Trail. This trail is 7.5 km long and is rated difficult as it includes a lot of elevation gain. But, if you’re up for a challenge, I highly recommend this trail! Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch, lots of water and some safety equipment such as a first aid kit and extra layers depending on the weather.
An accessible trail that is fun for the whole family and displays Algonquin’s unique history is the Algonquin Logging Museum Trail. This is a flat 1.3 km trail displaying multiple historic items such as trains, a logging alligator and more! We had so much fun the last time we visited this trail and learned a lot as well. There are multiple areas to sit and enjoy a picnic or snack.
Of course, there are so many other day hikes to do in Algonquin Provincial Park so don’t forget to check out their page to see which one suits your interests. I also really enjoyed Big Pines Trail and Centennial Ridges Trail.
How to get there:
Algonquin Provincial Park can be accessed by car. It is a 3 hour drive from Toronto via the Ontario 400 North. There are multiple stops along the way for both petrol and food. A convenient bus option is available with Park Bus. You can read more about Park Bus schedules and stops here.
Remember to buy your Day Use Permit online prior to your visit. You can purchase it up to 5 days in advance. Permits do sell out so it’s important to plan in advance. You can learn more about day use fees and how to purchase your pass here.
Where to stay:
Spending the weekend in Algonquin Provincial Park is a perfect Ontario weekend getaway! There are multiple options for staying in, or just outside of the park which I’ve listed below.
Car or Backcountry Camping: For my friends who love camping, this is the perfect getaway in nature. Depending on your preference you can front-country or backcountry camp. You can find both reservation options on the Ontario Parks Website. These camping sites are very popular so make sure to book right when they open for the season which is 5 months prior to your trip date. You can learn more about reservations here.
Park Lodges: Algonquin has a variety of park lodges which puts you right in nature but offers more amenities than camping such as a cozy bed and warm shower! You can learn more about the park lodging options here.
Private Rentals: Around the Algonquin Park area there are so many vacation rentals available from rooms in small, family run inns to 4 bedroom private cottages. You can find these rental options on platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo.
8) Enjoy a beach day at Guelph Lake Conservation Area
Spending a beach day at Guelph Lake is one of the most fun things to do in Ontario this summer! Guelph Lake is a hidden gem and has so much to offer. The conservation area has hiking trails, kayak and paddleboard rentals, a beautiful beach area and multiple picnic areas.
My recommendation is to pack a full lunch and snacks for the day including some fun summer drinks. Bring some camping chairs, a beach blanket, cooler, water toys, card games, and lawn games to enjoy a beautiful day on the lake! You can learn more about Guelph Lake amenities and entry fees here.
How to get there:
You can learn more about how to reach Guelph from item number one of this post. Guelph Lake Conservation area is just over a 10 minute drive from downtown Guelph.
9) Visit St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market
St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is one of the most unique things to do in Ontario this summer. The market was founded in 1952 and is home to the largest population of Old Order Mennonites in Canada. You’ll definitely see them riding by in their horse and buggy!
The market houses multiple vendors including local Ontario produce, delicious boutique eateries, homemade decor and clothing, antiques, breweries and so much more. I can guarantee you will find something unique at the market. Don’t miss the Cini-Bun Shop for the most delicious cinnamon buns you will ever taste! The market area is huge so plan to spend at least a few hours exploring the market building, tent area and peddler’s village. The market often hosts special events such as Vintage Fest and the Maple Trail. You can learn more about the seasonal hours of operation, special events and vendors here.
How to get there:
St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is located in Woolwich, Ontario. It can be accessed by car, bus and train. There is free parking available at the market. To learn more about the bus and train options check the GO Transit website.
10) Explore Blue Mountain Village
Many people think of Blue Mountain as a winter destination for skiing and snowboarding but it is also incredible to explore in the summer months. There are so many fun activities including hiking, biking, zip lining, a mountain coaster, rock climbing and swimming!
I recommend purchasing their Play All Day tickets as it’s a great deal for exploring all Blue Mountain has to offer in the summer. In addition to the activities, there are multiple great restaurants and shopping in the village. Some weekends they are hosting events in which the whole village is decorated and you can often join the festivities for free. The last time I was there in the summer they hosted a drone show which was really awesome!
How to get there:
Blue Mountain Village is accessible by car. It is a 2 hour drive from Toronto via the Ontario 400 North. There are some public transit options depending on where you are travelling from. I recommend checking Google Maps for details on specific options for your area.
Where to stay:
Spending the weekend in Blue Mountain is such a great option for a summer weekend trip in Ontario. Not only is there so much to explore on the Blue Mountain Resort, the surrounding area has so much to offer from cute markets in Collingwood to natural beauty at the Scenic Caves. Check out these accommodations options below.
The Westin Trillium House: Located directly on resort this reliable option features a heated outdoor pool, hot tub and spa.
Blue Mountain Hideaway: Just outside the village, a 1.2 km drive, is this beautiful suite complete with a kitchen, living space, hot tub and pool.
Mountainside River Dream: This vacation rental is only a 2 minute walk to the village. It comes complete with a hot tub, pool, tennis courts, kitchen, and living space.
Blue Mountain Studio Oasis: This more affordable option is only 1 km from the village. It offers a hot tub, pool, kitchen, and small living space.
11) Go on a surprise adventure with Guess Where Trips
This might one of the coolest things to do in Ontario this summer! It is perfect for a girls day or a date. Guess Where Trips is a company that creates itineraries for exploring hidden gems all over Canada. There are so many trips offered in Ontario which can be catered to your interests. Each trip is meant to be a surprise. You open the adventure envelopes along the way to see what your next stop will be. You have the option to get the booklets via email or individual envelopes mailed to you. Either way this makes for the perfect weekend adventure with an element of surprise! Some of my favourite trips include Country Farms & Furry Friends and Toronto Gems. You can use the code MAPS10 for 10% off when making a purchase through the Guess Where Trips website.
Map of things to do in Ontario this summer:
Find everything you need for these day trips in Ontario, Canada on the map below.
This post was all about the best things to do in Ontario this summer.
