Toronto 
Credit: City of Barrie
5 ideas for a day trip or a weekend getaway for this weekend of February: February 1 to 3
Whether you want a cozy spa weekend, or enjoy a getaway filled with winter festivities and outdoor adventures, you are sure to find inspiration to plan a spontaneous day trip or weekend getaway.
Winter carnivals and festivals are a plenty during the month of February. If you are a festival seeker, checkout the festivals happening this weekend in Ontario.
1. A Black History Weekend Getaway
February is the Black history month. If you want a themed getaway, visit Chatham-Kent to appreciate and honour the history of Underground Railroad. The municipality is hosting special events the entire month.
Visit Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site in Dresden, and Buxton National Historic Site in Chatham to learn more about how enslaved Africans followed the North Star on the Underground Railroad — a secret network of routes and safe houses to escape slavery and reach free states or Canada.
“Ring the Liberty Bell”, tour the last standing schoolhouse, and other original structures built by fugitive slaves at Buxton National Historic Site & Museum — Ontario’s second largest national historic site. Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site displays the life story of one of history’s most famous black slaves, Rev. Josiah Henson – the inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.
Credit: Municipality of Chatham-Kent
Make a weekend of it and enjoy other activities like ice fishing at Mitchell’s Bay or the Thames River, or visit attractions in Chatham-Kent like Erieau Beach, Rondeau Provincial Park, Wheatley Provincial Park.
2. A Winterlude Getaway
Credit: Canadian Heritage
Canada’s premiere winter festival kicks off this weekend with plenty of entertainment and activities. Taking place in downtown Ottawa, Winterlude kicks off on February 1, lighting up the capital during the festival’s 41st annual celebration with spectacular ice sculptures, rocking entertainment, and great family fun!
An array of activities—reflecting both Canada’s Capital Region and the country as a whole—have been planned for this year’s winter celebrations. The festival ends on family day weekend.
3. A Weekend in Goderich
Credit: Maitland Woods Trail Association
Visit Goderich this weekend for a quiet getaway or a weekend filled with winter festivities.
The town is hosting the annual winter festival this weekend with with lots of fun events for all – explore Maitland Woods with candlelight in hand, take the kids for BIA ICEtacular featuring interactive ice sculptures by Iceculture of Hensall, taste the best chili the town offers during cook-off, snow-pitch tournament, fireworks and more!
Credit: Benmiller Inn & Spa
If you want a quieter weekend, plan a weekend at the Benmiller Inn & Spa. Located amidst the scenic Babbling Sharpe’s Creek and wooded hillsides, the Inn offers various packages that includes 3 course a la carte dinner, brunch, and aesthetic and therapeutic spa treatments.
Benmiller Inn is also one of the best Goderich Restaurant for fine dining that showcases showcases the best of Huron County‘s bounty.
4. A Weekend in Barrie
Credit: Glen LaMarche/City of Barrie
To say that winter adventures are endless in and around the city of Barrie will be a bit of an understatement.
Here are 3 Things to Do in Barrie if you are planning a trip this weekend.
— Barrie Winter Fest: Barrie is hosting their annual Winterfest this weekend. The festival is one of the Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario! Activities include Battle of the Chainsaws, Ice and Sculptures, Lumberjack Shows, Horse-drawn wagon rides, mini tube slide, helicopter rides, Polar Dip, Toronto Kite Fliers showcasing kites of all sizes, shapes, and colours in a special winter aerial display and more!
— Downhill Skiing & Snow Tubing: Home to Horseshoe Resort and Ski Snow Valley, you have plenty of opportunities to hit the powder in Barrie.
You can enjoy all sorts of winter activities in Horseshoe Resort including fat biking, ice skating, snowmobiling for kids, ice skating, snowshoeing at Horseshoe. Stay at the resort to enjoy it all.
If you are first timer, Ski Snow Valley offers a first-timer package that include 75 Minute Beginner Ski Lesson, Adventure Learning Centre Ticket, Ski Equipment & Helmet Rental for $75.
— Dog Sledding: Experience this unique winter adventure and explore Barrie’s snowy countryside with Windrift Adventures.
5. Frontenac Provincial Park
Visit Frontenac Provincial Park located 35 kilometres north of the city of Kingston and explore the park through hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing.
For the cross-country skiing lovers, the park offers an 11 km trails. With three stocked lakes, the freezing waters of Frontenac provide sureshot ice fishing opportunities.
You can also try camping in one of the campsites located across the park.
