Amelie CameronSometimes, escaping from the city noise is what we need to rejuvenate and get some motivation back. If you’re looking for a day trip outside Toronto in the summer, we’ve got your back!
We gathered our favourite summer places near Toronto that only take a short drive and will have you home by dinner. Get your weekend ready and check them out below.
Port Credit
– Media credit: portcreditbia
Distance from Toronto: 25.1 km, 22 minutes by car
Location: Port Credit, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Website: https://www.portcredit.com/
Contact Details:
- 905-278-7742
- [email protected]
One of the closest places for a day trip near Toronto is Port Credit, located in south-central Mississauga. This charming community offers a lot of outdoor activities, perfect for summer.
First on the list is exploring the main street at Port Credit Village, a charming place to shop and dine. You can walk along the river for some much-needed relaxing break and see the red and white lighthouse that can be seen from Lake Ontario.
Bring out your fishing gear and head down to Credit River for a day of tranquillity. You don’t need to be a skilled angler because the river has something to offer for everyone–so be ready to cast your line in this serene spot!
| Pro Tip: Try to visit around August for Port Credit Buskerfest! This event showcases jaw-dropping performances that will feature incredible feats of strength and daring exhibitions that will keep you on the edge of your seat! |
Niagara Falls
– Media credit: niagarafallstourismcanada
Distance from Toronto: 135 km, 1 hour and 15 minutes by car
Location: 6650 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
Website: https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/
Contact Details:
- 1-800-563-2557
- 905-356-6061
Operating Hours: Year-round, Monday – Sunday: 24/7 (attractions have different schedules)
A summer day trip to Niagara Falls is easy to plan. You can purchase a roundtrip package via GO Train for an easy commute for only $18 for weekends and $30 for weekdays.
Solo goers and groups can find plenty of things to do before heading back home. To see the falls up close, you can join the Journey to the Falls activity, where you’ll get soaked with the waters falling down to the basin.
A cool and thrilling activity for your day trip is to zipline across the falls for as high as 67 metres. Since this is a famous tourist spot, you’ll find many activities for all ages to enjoy!
| Pro Tip: Bring extra clothes and shoes because you’ll most likely get soaked by the water. Even with a poncho, your shoes will get wet. Bring a reusable storage bag for things you don’t want to get wet. If you’re a traveller and have your passport with you, it’s best to keep it safe in a waterproof storage bag. |
Niagara-on-the-Lake
– Media credit: visitniagaraonthelake
Distance from Toronto: 151 km, 1 hour and 40 minutes by car
Location: 1593 Four Mile Creek Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, Canada (municipal office)
Website: https://www.niagaraonthelake.com/
Contact Details:
- 905-468-1950
- [email protected]
The charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is only a 30-minute drive from Niagara Falls. It’s also easy to visit from Toronto because a shuttle via GO Train runs daily and departs at Union Station.
This idyllic town is one of the best places to visit if you’re looking for a quick escape from the bustling city. The houses and shops are enchanting, and it feels like you’re in a movie because everything is picturesque.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is sprawling with wineries with expert winemakers—don’t forget to bring home a bottle! You can also take a stroll at the botanical gardens after a full belly from eating all the delicious food!
| Pro Tip: Explore the town and learn about its rich history by going on a horse-drawn carriage ride. You can even rent the horses for a photo shoot–for a wedding, maybe? |
Scarborough Bluffs Park
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Distance from Toronto: 16.7 km, 27 minutes by car
Location: Scarborough, ON M1M 3W3, Canada
Website: https://www.toronto.ca/
Operating Hours: Year-round, Monday – Sunday: 24/7
With beaches and parks, Scarborough Bluffs, affectionately called “The Bluffs,” is a go-to for outdoor activities in the summer that won’t break the bank. There’s no need to wake up too early for a long drive, making this an ideal day trip for families with kids.
A spot for a nice afternoon walk is Bluffer’s Park, which is also an ideal place for picnics. You get to meet beautiful swans while boating or sunbathing on the beach.
But if you’re looking for an easy workout, the Scarborough Bluffs Trail is an easy out-and-back that won’t take too much of your time. It’ll only take a little over an hour—you can bring your furry friend, too!
| Pro Tip: If you’re bringing your dogs, you must keep them on leash at all times. There have been many sightings of coyotes on the hiking trails, and some have been reported as aggressive. |
Canada’s Wonderland
– Media credit: canadaswonderland
Distance from Toronto: 46 km, 35 minutes by car
Location: Vaughan, ON L6A 1S6, Canada
Website: https://www.canadaswonderland.com/
Contact Details: 905-832-8131
Operating Hours: May – October, seasonal hours
Summer isn’t complete without visiting an amusement park, especially if you have kids! Ride bone-chilling roller coasters or slide into a giant pool and brave all the twists and turns.
Canada’s Wonderland is a very accessible place for Toronto residents. You can drive, ride the TTC or YRT, or wait at the passenger pick-up at Jane Street. Plus, there are over 200 attractions for every thrillseeker.
For the daredevils, the Leviathan ride is the tallest in the park, standing at a whopping 306 feet! This ride isn’t for the faint of heart because, besides the height, there’s a heart-stopping 80-degree drop!
| Pro Tip: If you’re driving, you better get there early to find the closest parking spot at the entrance. At the end of the day, walking far to find your car will be tiresome. Remember to wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking and running all day. Also, don’t bring big backpacks that cannot fit the lockers. |
Blue Mountain Resort
– Media credit: bluemtnresort
Distance from Toronto: 159.5 km, 2 hours and 6 minutes by car
Location: 156 Jozo Weider Blvd, The Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 3Z2, Canada
Website: https://www.bluemountain.ca/
Contact Details:
- Toll-free: 1-833-583-2583
- International Callers: 1-705-419-2409
Operating Hours: Year-round, Monday – Sunday: seasonal availability for activities
Sure, Blue Mountain Village Resort is popular for being a winter destination, but it still remains one of the best summer spots near Toronto. There are so many fun activities that will turn the season into a memorable one!
Some activities you can do are wall climbing, hiking, biking, and zip-lining. You can also hop on to the open-air gondola for 360-degree views of the place!
To get here, you can drive or ride a bus to South Georgian Bay. There are also charter services available by the Air Transportation Group if you want to avoid driving.
| Pro Tip: To get the most out of your summer day trip, we recommend you check out the available activities there. It will give you time to sort out your schedule, so no minutes are wasted! |
Guelph
– Media credit: cityofguelph
Distance from Toronto: 93.2 km, 1 hour and 1 minute by car
Location: Guelph, ON, Canada
Website: https://guelph.ca/
Contact Details:
- 519-822-1260
- [email protected]
Located in the southwestern part of Ontario, this small city is a vibrant place to visit during the summer months. You can marvel at the gorgeous architecture of historic landmarks, kayak at Guelph Lake, and ride the Riverside Park and miniature train.
Because this city has a rich Francophone history, you don’t have to travel to Quebec to experience French-Canadian culture. You can also taste the city’s delectable French cuisine to make the experience even more memorable!
| Pro Tip: Go to the Guelph website and make your own itinerary. You can choose the places you want to visit, and you’ll receive an e-mail to make your day trip easy to manage. |
Prince Edward County
– Media credit: visitthecounty
Distance from Toronto: 203 km, 2 hours and 10 minutes by car
Location: Shire Hall – 332 Picton Main Street, Picton ON, K0K 2T0 (administrative office)
Website: https://www.thecounty.ca/
Contact Details:
- 613-476-2148 x 1023
- [email protected]
If you want to explore charming small towns, then you only need to drive a couple of hours to get to Prince Edward County! Affectionately called “The County,” this is one of our top summer destinations because of the sandy beaches to cool off the heat.
It’s also not as loud and crowded as Toronto, making it an ideal place to escape the city commotion. We recommend checking out Picton Main Street and shopping your heart out!
| Pro Tip: If you plan on visiting Sandbanks Provincial Park, you need to get a reservation or you won’t get in. You can do so as early as five days in advance. |
Muskoka
– Media credit: discovermuskoka
Distance from Toronto: 223.6 km, 2 hours and 15 minutes by car
Location: Muskoka District Municipality, ON, Canada
Website: https://www.discovermuskoka.ca/
Contact Details:
- 1-800-267-9700
- [email protected]
Muskoka is home to charming villages, resorts, and country clubs that all look stunning in the summer. Once the winter ice melts, you’ll be greeted by green trees, colourful flowers, and lakes that aren’t freezing to go into.
For your day trip, you can hike the many trails available for different skill levels. You can also bring your mountain bikes and ride the terrain in the mountains up to stunning lookouts!
If you’re willing to get wet, kayak along the Muskoka River. If you’re a beginner, you’ll appreciate Shadow River for its calm waters where you can see beavers!
| Pro Tip: If you’re planning outdoor activities, it’s best to bring bug spray. You’ll most likely get eaten by bugs and mosquitoes without it! |
St. Jacobs Farmers Market
– Media credit: stjacobsmarket
Distance from Toronto: 117.9 km, 1 hour and 18 minutes by car
Location: 878 Weber St N, Woolwich, ON N2J 4A9, Canada
Website: https://www.stjacobsmarket.com/
Contact Details:
- 519-747-1830
- [email protected]
Operating Hours: Year-round, Thursday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM & Saturday: 7:00 M – 3:30 PM
If you want to explore other farmers’ markets other than St. Lawrence Market, then a drive to Woolwich is what you need! St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is an ideal Saturday day trip, only taking an hour from the city if there’s no traffic.
There are hundreds of vendors here selling baked goods, fresh produce, artworks, beverages, clothing, and various knick-knacks. Hey, you may even get to buy a blue chicken egg—and yup, it’s safe to eat!
| Pro Tip: Drive here early to avoid traffic and to find a parking spot. Since this farmer’s market is only open twice a week, you’ll find huge crowds all the time. |
