Scenic Day Trips from Toronto

1. Belfountain Conservation Area

Nature lovers are bound to enjoy a day trip visit to the lovely Belfountain Conservation Area which is located about an hour northwest of Toronto. To get there you are strongly advised to choose the very beautiful Forks of the Credit Scenic Drive which stretches along the Credit River from Hwy 10 to Belfountain Village.

The conservation area is a good place to go hiking (leashed dogs are welcome), fishing and picnicking, surrounded by mature forest and beautiful gardens. There is a waterfall which is overlooked by a suspension bridge and the serene atmosphere offers a welcome break from the city and the chance to do some yoga or meditation surrounded by nature.

Belfountain Conservation Area, 10 Credit Street, Belfountain, L7K 0E5, Phone: 800-367-0890

2. London

You don’t need a passport to spend an interesting day trip in London, Ontario. Named after the very well-known capitol of England, Ontario’s London is located within an easy drive of Toronto and offers a good selection of attractions and activities, many of which are also named after its UK counterpart. You could choose to visit the Banting Museum to find out all about the invention of insulin or the Museum London which is packed with wonderful art and history exhibits. Other London museums include the London Regional Children’s Museum. Other attractive city options include exploring the Covent Garden Market, going on a brewery tour or walking/hiking the Thames Valley Trail.

London, ON N0L 1E0

3. Caledon

The town of Caledon and its surrounding rural areas offer day trippers from Toronto a wonderfully diverse collection of activities and attractions for all ages. The area is well known for offering exceptional scenic drives to view fall foliage while summer brings a host of outdoor activities. Art lovers can plan their trip to include visits to many art galleries and studios which welcome visitors, while families will find several farms where they can introduce the children to pick-your-own produce, corn mazes, hay rides and petting zoos. Along the route you will find several micro breweries and wineries, while outdoor enthusiasts can explore hiking trails, conservation areas and Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo.

Caledon ON, L7C 1J6

4. Cobourg Beach

Easily accessible by road or by train in around an hour, Cobourg Beach is an ideal destination for a day trip from Toronto. The city has a wonderful vacation atmosphere, thanks to the many lovely holiday homes which were built here in the early 1900’s. Most visitors come to Cobourg to enjoy the exceptional beach, which offers a large beach area, shallow water and a splash-pad for children. You can hire a bike to ride along the lake shore or rent a kayak or paddleboard (from Green Canoe Outfitters) to make the most of the clean, clear lake water. Other Cobourg attractions include historic downtown King Street for good shopping and restaurants, the Art Gallery of Northumberland and the Sifton-Cook Heritage Center.

Cobourg Beach, Cobourg, ON K9A 3P3

5. Collingwood

Collingwood is located about two hours north of Toronto on the south shore of Lake Huron. The town offers a complete change of pace and the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities during the warm summer months. A good way to explore the city would be to take a self-guided walking tour that best suits your interests, be they architectural, historic, artistic or culinary; the website has links to several interesting tour options. There are a number of outfitters offering water sport equipment and excursions as well as scenic boat tours and you can consider renting a bicycle and exploring the many cycling trails. In winter Collingwood offers great cross-country skiing and snow shoeing.

Collingwood, ON L9Y 0E8

6. Dundas Peak

Dundas Peak offers outdoor enthusiasts a remarkable recreation area located just one hour south-west of Toronto, near the town of Hamilton. You will find Dundas Peak in the beautiful Spencer Falls Conservation Area, where visitors come from near and far to spend a day surrounded by nature at its best. Although there are a few different routes to reach Dundas Peak, the most popular trails are the Tews Falls Lookout Trail and the Bruce Trail, both of which will lead you past beautiful waterfalls. If you are planning to visit on summer weekends you will need to park at Christie Park Conservation Area and use the free shuttle to reach the trail heads.

Dundas Peak, Harvest Rd, Dundas, ON L9H 5K7

7. Dundurn Castle

Fabulous Dundurn Castle (aka Dundurn National Historic Site) is a fascinating destination for a day trip from Toronto. The castle is located in Hamilton, which is easy to access by road or rail in about an hour. This historic mansion was once home to Sir Alan Napier McNab and was built in 1835. Back in the day, this was a very modern household which had unheard-of luxuries like gas lighting and running water. You can join a guided tour of the 40-room home which will take you back in time to see how the gentry lived upstairs and were waited upon by the downstairs servants. The castle hosts regular themed tours of the gardens and kitchen and Historic Cooking Workshops.

Dundurn Castle, 610 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON L8R 3E7, Phone: 905-546-2872

8. Eramosa Karst Caves

If you are in the mood to do something a little different on your next day trip you can head to the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area in Stoney Creek, about an hour from Toronto. Karsts are caves and passages caused by dissolving limestone rock and at Eramosa you can enjoy the opportunity to explore up to sixteen different Karst features. There are seven kilometers of trails which will lead you through the area and there are many small caves to explore. The trails are mostly flat and shaded so perfect for families to enjoy. You are welcome to bring a picnic and make a day of it.

Eramosa Karst Caves, Upper Mount Albion Rd, Stoney Creek, ON L8J 3X9, Phone: 905-627-1233

9. Ferris Provincial Park

Located about two hours east of Toronto, Ferris Provincial Park is an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Here you can spend a day (or two) enjoying a number of outdoor activities against the spectacular backdrop of the Trent River Gorge. Many visitors come to the park to enjoy water sports like boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing, while others are more interested in exploring the hiking trails and doing some bird watching. You can also bring along your bike to take a scenic cycle through the park. If you would like to stay overnight you can bring a tent or RV. In winter there are 5 km of cross-country skiing and snow-shoe trails.

Ferris Provincial Park, 474 County Rd. 8, Campbellford, ON K0L 1L0, Phone: 705-653-3575

10. Grand River

Ontario’s wonderful Grand River stretches over 280 kilometers along the western edge of the Golden Horseshoe area, offering outstanding opportunities for a range of recreational activities. There are several ways to explore the river and its surrounding areas including taking a scenic river cruise along a twenty kilometer section of the river in Brant County or opting for a Dinner Cruise from Caledonia. The Grand River is famous for offering excellent sport fishing and other water sports. Grand-Experiences (based in Paris, ON) offer a range of guided river adventures including one or two-day cycling and paddling tours or half-day paddling and rafting excursions.

Grand River, Ontario