Toronto 
Need ideas for a day trip from Toronto? From fabulous nature parks and gardens to historic museums and breweries, here are 25 ideas for a day trip west of Toronto.
Royal Botanical Gardens [50 minutes from Toronto]
Credit: Royal Botanical Gardens
A hotspot for events and fun activities, the Royal Botanical Gardens connects the public to the wonders of plant life and horticulture. Check out the plants and flowers of the season, the art in the park, and walk on a nature trail.
Address: 680 Plains Road West, Burlington
Phone: 905-527-1158
Website
St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market & Flea Market [1 hr 20 minutes from Toronto]
Shop for local products, antiques, handmade crafts, and fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, meats and cheeses, and maple syrup and honey all at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market. This unique farmers’ market has indoor and outdoor stalls, and is well-known for its ready-to-eat foods prepared on-site.
Extend your trip by riding the Waterloo Central Railway.
Address: 878 Weber St N, Woolwich
Phone: 519-747-1830
Website
Pillitteri Estates Winery [1 hr 20 minutes from Toronto]
Credit: Pillitteri Estates Winery
Experience the grandeur of the Pillitteri Estates Winery, a winery with Sicilian roots. This true family business is a world-class winery where you can take a public tour of the estate and the unique barrel cellar, or indulge in private tour and tasting program, including simple or artisan cheeses.
Address: 1696 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Phone: 905-468-3147
Website
Terre Bleu Lavender Farm [1 hr from Toronto]
Terre Bleu is an organic lavender farm that will brighten up your day with purple. Purchase an exclusive, handcrafted product from the farm store, with lavender that is planted and harvested on site, snap a couple of photographs, and even take part in some yoga.
Address: 2501 25 Side Rd, Campbellville
Phone: 519-512-0522
Website
Niagara Falls [1 hr 30 minutes from Toronto]
A quintessential Ontario adventure is a trip to Niagara Falls – the title that encompasses the three waterfalls that is the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls. The falls are a stunning vision of natural beauty in the day time, and light up during the evenings.
Alton Mill Arts Studio [1 hr from Toronto]
Situated in the village of Alton, this historical spot is animated by the combination of shops, galleries, studios, event spaces, and café against the rolling hills. Take a class, head on a hike, enjoy the beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces, or attend a public event.
Address: 1402 Queen St W, Alton
Phone: 519-941-9300
Website
Albion Falls [50 minutes from Toronto]
Among Hamilton’s many famed waterfalls, Albion Falls is one of the most stunning, and popular. Falling over the Niagara Escarpment, many enjoy a relaxed hike around the area to take in the views and check out the lookouts.
Address: 885 Mountain Brow Blvd, Hamilton
Website
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area [50 minutes from Toronto]
Spend a day out at Rattlesnake Point, the epitome of a trip into the heart of nature in Ontario. Rock climb on a cliff face, participate in Yoga in the Park, or simple hike to the Buffalo Crag lookout point to spot some birds and marvel at the escarpment.
Address: 7200 Appleby Line, Milton
Phone: 905-854-0262
Website
Eramosa Karst Conservation Area [50 minutes from Toronto]
The Eramosa Karst Conservation Area is known to be a great place for outdoor family fun. This protected park boasts underground caves that can be explored, as well as many biking and hiking trails that sweep you away from city life.
Address: Upper Mt Albion Rd, Stoney Creek
Phone: 905-627-1233
Website
Niagara-on-the-Lake [1 hr 30 minutes from Toronto]
Niagara-on-the-Lake is the epitome of a classic Ontario small town. This charming place showcases much history, with historic bed and breakfasts, country inns, world-class culinary spots, independent retail stores, and of course, incredible wineries.
Kelso Conservation Area [45 minutes from Toronto]
This transformative place is known as the Kelso Conservation Area. A place where there is something for everyone: stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, mountain biking, camping, and even movies under the stars!
Address: 5234 Kelso Road, Milton
Phone: 905-878-5011
Website
Aberfoyle Antique Market [55 minutes from Toronto]
Credit: Aberfoyle Antique Market
Browse 100+ dealers at Canada’s oldest antique market. Take your time picking out a one-of-a-kind item, and then head to the restaurant for some locally-sourced, fresh food or the Bluewater Creamery for homemade treats and ice cream.
Address: 57 Brock Road South, Puslinch (Guelph)
Phone: 877-763-1077
Website
Fishing at the Credit River [25 minutes from Toronto]
79 species inhabit the Credit River, including rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, bass, carp, and pike. The Credit River runs through the center of southern Ontario, allowing it to offer many fly fishing opportunities from boats and piers.
Address: 17760 McLaren Rd, Caledon
Website
Dundurn National Historic Site [50 minutes from Toronto]
Go for a guided tour of the Dundurn National Historic Site – a 40-room, 18th century Italianate-style villa, and even attend a weekend event like a hands-on cooking workshop or historic garden tour.
Address: 610 York Blvd, Hamilton
Phone: 905-546-2872
Website
Cheltenham Badlands [55 minutes from Toronto]
This dramatic landscape consists of red-hued rolling hills and gullies, a rarity in Ontario. The Cheltenham Badlands trail is a rock/clay hiking trail that can be accessed for nature viewing, and to check out the historical geological badlands.
Oxford County [1 hr 25 minutes from Toronto]
Oxford county is the perfect example of an Ontario landscape. With small-town charm and flat countryside roads, you will cycle past agricultural farmlands, bakeries, and cheese shops. Cycling in this area is seamless and easy-going, even during the winter months!
Website
Mount Nemo Conservation Area [45 minutes from Toronto]
Mount Nemo is a hiker’s paradise. Well away from the crowds of the city, this sanctuary is available for a stroll or a climb to check out the cliff-edge eco system and the rich biodiversity of the area.
Address: 5317 Guelph Line, Burlington, ON
Phone: 905-854-0262
Website
Port Dover [1 hr 40 minutes from Toronto]
Port Dover screams vibrancy. Being a lakeside town, you can relax here with an Arbor hot dog in hand whilst strolling the beach. Enjoy Lake Erie whether by paddling, or by eating the fresh catch of the day at a restaurant.
Website
Grand River Cruises [1 hr 5 minutes from Toronto]
Grand River Cruises sails three boats all season, the Grand River Belle, Grand River Queen and Grand River Princess. Each boat can comfortably hold a bus load of passengers with each table arranged along a window to give all passengers a great view. Grand River Cruises is located in the tranquil County of Brant and cruises on a 20 km section of the Grand River between Caledonia and Brantford, Ontario. Expect picturesque scenery and warm hospitality when visiting Grand River Country.
Museums in Kitchener-Waterloo [1 hr 15 minutes from Toronto]
Kitchener-Waterloo is dotted with several historical and art museums such as THEMUSEUM – intertwining and interactive art, technology, and science exhibits, the Joseph Schneider Haus Museum – a local landmark in Kitchener, and the sweet Maple Syrup Museum of Ontario.
Website
Credit: Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery
Head to the Clay and Glass for exhibitions, events, and education in art in the form of fun classes. Admission is free to this dynamic cultural spot for contemporary art, and visitors are sure to be impressed with some of the best Canadian crafts in ceramic and glasswork.
Address: 25 Caroline Street North, Waterloo
Phone: 519-746-1882
Hiking on the Bruce Trail [45 minutes from Toronto]
Credit: The Bruce Trail Conservancy
The Bruce Trail’s mission is to preserve “a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.” This stunning trail of greenery is Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath that connects adventurers to the Niagara Escarpment.
Website
Labatt Brewery [2 hrs from Toronto]
Take a brewery tour at Canada’s largest brewery – the Labatt Brewery in London, Ontario. Pre-book a tour and spend 2 hours on a full guided tour of the brewery, along with a taste test of several beers.
Address: 150 Simcoe St, London
Phone: 519-850-8687
Website
Fanshawe Pioneer Village [2 hrs from Toronto]
Visit the heritage village inside the Fanshawe Conservation Area and discover life back in the 19th century on an interactive guided tour led by interpreters decked out in costume. Each year offers a different theme and rotates between different topics each month such as agriculture and subsistence, social change, and technology.
Address: 2609 Fanshawe Park Rd. E., London
Phone: 519-457-1296
Website
Get artsy in Stratford [2 hrs from Toronto]
Stratford is known for its arts. The city has hosted the Stratford Shakespeare Festival since 1953, and boasts theater-themed bed and breakfasts, local neighbourhood-style bars and restaurants, and live music culture.
Website
Adventure at Boler Mountain [2 hrs from Toronto]
With activities for both the warmer seasons and the winter season, Boler Mountain is a prime destination year-round for outdoor adventure. Go skiing or snowboarding in the terrain park, experience the treetop adventure park, go mountain biking, hike on a fitness trail, or relax with some yoga.
Address: 689 Griffith St, London
Phone: 519-657-8822
Website
