Guide to the Best Road Trips from Toronto

Here are the best laces to visit in Toronto : 

1. Niagara Falls

Canada’s famous Niagara Falls is a beautiful and the most popular place to visit in Summers. It is about a two hour drive from Toronto, and located on the border between Ontario and New York.

Niagara Falls can be visited all year round but to experience all of the attractions at their best, the best time to visit is from June to August. Summer is the peak season because the average high temperature is in the low 80s. You can enjoy a light breeze from the Falls to keep you a little cooler. There is also a free discovery Niagara shuttle, which runs throughout the summer months. 

You could experience different and beautiful colors in State Park if you visit the Falls in Autumn. Unfortunately, the main attractions do close over the Winter period. But if you are in the neighborhood, we recommend you head to the Falls as they freeze over.

You can also plan to extend your day trip and spend a night here as the area around the Falls is a great place to stay. There are many excellent hotels and restaurants nearby.

2. Niagara on the lake

It was once considered the capital of Upper Canada. Most of the town’s buildings are designed to give us a historic 18th century feel. It is often called the prettiest town in Canada.

Here the streets are lined by beautiful flowers and the place offers many unique boutique shopping experiences from tarts and sweets to souvenirs, Maple syrup to clothing of all different kinds. There are jewelry shops too.

The Parkway to Niagara on the Lake is beautiful and you can hike to the river rapids and whirlpools. Standing behind the Falls is pretty spectacular too.

3. Algonquin Park 

This is Canada’s First National Park that was established more than 120 years ago. It is about a three hour drive from Toronto. One gets to explore wildlife and natural wonders by visiting the park.

There is a visitors center, a logging museum and an art gallery. This museum with a 1.3-kilometre trail, features outdoor exhibits on logging history.

Summer is the best time to visit the lakes and rivers here. The tourists looking forward to an adventurous trip can try cross-country skiing and snowshoeing as these are the popular winter activities here. 

On the other hand, Autumn is also one of the most pleasant times to visit, as the visitors witness the leaves changing colors.

4. Blue Mountain

Blue Mountain is about a two hour drive from Toronto and in the Winter, the appeal here is obvious. It is Southern Ontario’s best ski hill, and offers a variety of other winter activities; like skating, snowshoeing, fat biking and tubing. While the winters here are spectacular, Blue Mountain is truly a great day trip all year round. Visitors can enjoy shopping in the village, outdoor events, wall climbing, zip lining and a variety of other activities during the Summer, Spring and Autumn months.

5. Tobermory

Tobermory is the furthest destination on this list from Toronto. But if you book your private car rental from Toronto with us, there is literally no location that seems to be far. Located atop the Bruce Peninsula, it’s a stunning lakeside holiday spot surrounded by the crystal blue waters of Lake Huron. 

The Tobermory village lies next to Fathom Five National Marine Park which is home to the  stunning Flowerpot Island sea stacks, 19th century lighthouses, and multiple shipwreck dive sites.

6. Caledon 

Caledon is a vibrant community of over 75,000 residents, conveniently located just an hour North of Toronto.

Major river systems here include the Oakridge’s Marine and Niagara escarpment which shape Caledon’s landscape. It boasts multiple provincial parks as well as conservation areas for your outdoor pursuits. 

While in Caledon, you should also visit the Alton Mill. An award-winning building that is often considered a gem in the crown of the GTA art scene. It boasts a cafe, a heritage museum, studio artists, and also conducts classes for pottery and painting. It is home to one of the largest equestrian communities in Southern Ontario also having largest riding schools, breeding horse farms and equestrian boarding Staples.

7. Gravenhurst 

It is a small town which is also known as the Gateway to Lake Muskoka. It is a little less than a two-hour drive from Toronto. 

The town of Gravenhurst includes a large area of the district of Muskoka known to Ontarians as Cottage country. The town center borders two lakes, Lake Muskoka, which is the largest lake in the region and Gull Lake, a smaller cottage border lake. 

Gravenhurst is home to many celebrities. 

It also has a rich history in boat building and the steamship industry. 

This unique heritage is showcased at the Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre.

8. Elora 

A great place, about 90 kms from Toronto is Elora, an ideal place to spend an afternoon. People love to visit Elora because of Elora Gorge to enjoy picturesque hiking trails and beautiful views of the Grand River, which is one of the most popular places in Ontario for tubing and kayaking. Another place, Elora Quarry, offers a large beach area and tree covered picnic space. It has also appeared in a number of Hollywood films most notably in Stephen King’s IT.

It is also best known for its luxurious Elora Old Mill, Hotel and Spa.

Before returning to Toronto, you can stop by Elora Mews to do some shopping or grab a bite to eat or simply scroll down the street.                 

9. St. Jacobs 

One of the charming destinations located 90 minutes West of Toronto is St. Jacobs. It is a charming little village having beautiful rolling hills and a welcoming atmosphere. It is home to Canada’s largest year-round farmers market famously known as St. Jacobs Market. Hundreds of vendors sell everything from locally grown strawberries and raspberries to apple cider and meats here.