[UPDATED 2022] Best Weekend Getaways from Toronto

Looking for the best weekend getaways from Toronto?

Our comprehensive Toronto weekend getaway road trip guide features the best day trips and romantic retreats outside of the GTA.

We’ve included popular Toronto getaways such as Muskoka, Niagara and Prince Edward County. If you’re a local who has traveled extensively we’re sure you’ll find a new Toronto weekend getaway perfect for you. Our list features trendy off-the-beaten-path destinations such as Norfolk County, Beamsville and Rochester.

Looking to book a romantic Toronto getaway? Our guide to weekend getaways from Toronto includes the best destinations for couples looking to rest and relax. Enjoy a few days of bliss at a relaxing spa, award winning restaurants and luxurious boutique hotels.

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Fun Weekend Getaways from Toronto

Most people who enjoy weekend getaways from Toronto spend their time driving around the Golden Horseshoe. The region wraps around Lake Ontario, stretching from Durham to Niagara. Southern Ontario is the most highly populated region of Canada, connecting Niagara Falls and Buffalo, New York City to Toronto and beyond.

Our comprehensive Toronto weekend getaway guide is organized by shortest to longest driving journey from Union Station. We thought long and hard on what destinations to include and decided to recommend Toronto getaways that were accessible by car in under 6 hours. That way your romantic Toronto getaway isn’t spent entirely on the highway.

The first few destinations in our weekend getaways from Toronto guide are best enjoyed on a day trip. You can eat and sip your way through Oakville, Markham, Hamilton and Beamsville easily in a day.

Looking to book an extended romantic Toronto getaway on a long weekend? Destinations at the end of our list are perfect for those who have a bit more time to spare as they require 5-6 hours of driving. If you’re willing to go the distance, Mont Tremblant, Montreal, Montebello and Ottawa offer plenty of attractions for adventure seekers.

Join Dobbernationloves founder Andrew Dobson in the kitchen by signing up for a fun virtual cooking class! Classes begin with a cocktail that you can sip while preparing 2-3 recipes that are curated around a unique culinary theme. Check out our current Cooking Class Schedule!

Book A Tour: Weekend Getaways from Toronto

Keen to sit back and relax on your Toronto getaway and don’t want to worry about renting or driving a car? Here is a list of our favourite weekend getaways from Toronto offered by local tour operators. Be sure to check the starting point for each itinerary as some require you to arrive in the destination independently before starting your tour.

Private Guided Bruce Peninsula Day Trip: leave Toronto early in the morning and enjoy a hike to the Grotto on Georgian Bay followed by lunch in Tobermory. End the day on a cruise in Fathom Five Marine Park.
Original Hamilton Beer Tour: explore Hamilton’s growing craft beer and cider scene on this guided drive.
20 Valley Wine Tour in Beamsville: visit the best wineries in Beamsville on this 6 hour tour.
Cooking in Kawarthas: enjoy a cooking class led by the chef at South Pond Farms.
Private Algonquin Park Day Trip: enjoy a private guided tour of Algonquin to explore scenic nature trails and wildlife.
Algonquin Park 5 Day Canoe and Lodge Adventure: combine an unforgettable Algonquin canoe trip with a few days at a historic log cabin.
Full Day Prince Edward County Wine Tour: this small group wine tour visits three wineries in Prince Edward County and includes lunch.
Niagara Falls Day Tour: this Niagara Falls day tour features a cruise, lunch and “journey behind the falls.”
Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour: enjoy an unforgettable flight over Niagara Falls by helicopter.
Niagara on the Lake Winery Tour: enjoy a private tasting tour of Niagara wine region featuring tastings and lunch in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Oakville

35 kms/30 minute drive from Toronto

Sandwiched between Mississauga and Burlington, Oakville is one of the best day trips from Toronto. Located a short 30 minute drive from downtown Toronto, Oakville is easily accessible thanks to regular service by Go Transit and VIA Rail.

Oakville sits perched over Lake Ontario and is well known for its scenic lakeshore, popular with cyclists during the warmer months of the year. Oakville is perhaps most famous for being one of the most affluent communities in Canada. Drive west along Lakeshore Road towards downtown Oakville and you’ll find a parade of jaw-dropping mansions, some of which look like historic castles.

Our favourite reason to visit Oakville is to explore its vibrant culinary scene. While many of Oakville’s best restaurants are located downtown, you’ll also find a clutch of popular eateries on Kerr Street and in Bronte and Glen Abbey. While the majority of Oakville’s award-winning restaurants celebrate French and Italian culinary traditions, you’ll also find talented chefs serving authentic Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian and Japanese cuisine.

Be sure to stop by downtown Oakville’s harbour, in the Spring of 2020 the city unveiled a beautiful new boardwalk called Tannery Park.

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Markham

30 kms/40 minute drive from Toronto

Fans of Asia’s wildly diverse cuisines find happiness dining in Markham. The best Markham restaurants offer authentic dishes brought over by immigrants from Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and beyond.

Located a short drive north of downtown Toronto, Markham is famously known as the home of the best Asian restaurants in Ontario. Celebrated Momofuku Chef David Chang even paid a visit to a Chinese restaurant in Markham on his show Ugly Delicious on Netflix.

When people think about where to eat in Markham, delicious Asian feasts instantly come to mind. Markham’s diverse Asian restaurant scene offers Taiwanese Bubble Tea, Japanese Souffle Pancakes, All-You-Can-Eat Sushi, Cantonese Dim Sum, wonton soup, hand-pulled noodles, Bejing roasted duck, Japanese mochi, Taipei fried chicken, Vietnamese coffee, Korean katsu burger, Malysian laksa and the lively Hutaoli Sichuan Chinese Music Restaurant.

Hamilton

70 kms/50 minute drive from Toronto

As the cost of living in Toronto skyrockets, residents have been packing themselves out of the city in search of more affordable housing. It looks as though Hamilton is experiencing the biggest welcoming boom.

For years Hamilton was most famous for its steel industry. Today, the port city, located between Burlington and Niagara, is home to half a million residents. As Hamilton continues to boom, entrepreneurs and creatives priced out from the big city have opened up shop here.

The trendiest hipster strip can be found on James Street North. The street is now covered in inspiring graffiti and plays home to nerdy coffee shops, local boutiques, and bustling restaurants.

Other must-see attractions in Hamilton include dinner at Brux House, Dundurn Castle, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Hamilton Farmer’s Market and a slew of award winning craft breweries. Hamilton is also known as the “City of Waterfalls,” boasting more than 100 frothing natural fountains along the Bruce Trail and Niagara Escarpment.

Beamsville

90 kms/1 hour drive from Toronto

Beamsville and the surrounding towns of Lincoln, Vineland and Jordan, are home to over 20 vineyards. The Beamsville wineries are the closest vineyards for those visiting Toronto and are located between Hamilton and Niagara on the Lake.

While nearby Niagara may be the best known wine region in Ontario, the Beamsville Bench wineries are quickly catching up. The terroir and growing conditions in Beamsville are ideal for growing grapes that perform well as sparkling wines.

Depending on what you’re looking for, the wineries in Beamsville offer a broad offering for visiting oenophiles. You’ll find happiness on a wine tour in Beamsville, exploring everything from tiny boutique vineyards to eye-popping barrel cellars.

Many of the Beamsville wineries offer onsite accommodation, fine dining restaurants, pretty patios, unique retail stores, tutored tastings and informative behind-the-scenes tours.

Hockley Valley

90 kms/1 hour drive from Toronto

Nestled in the heart of Ontario’s scenic Headwaters, Hockley Valley is an easy day trip from Toronto. The scenic rural region is located halfway between Toronto and Collingwood.

If you’re looking to sleep over and explore, book yourself a suite at the Hockley Valley Resort. The all-seasons resort offers a world-class spa, farm to table dining, award-winning golf course and ski and snowboard slopes.

Hit the regions rural roads and you’ll drive past some of Canada’s poshest horse farms. Hockley Valley also offers plenty of tasty treats for foodies. Enjoy a wine tasting at nearby Adamo Estate Winery, local craft beer at GoodLot Farmstead Brewing and everything apple at Spirit Tree Estate Cidery.

Art lovers should be sure to sign up for a creative class at the historic Alton Mills Arts Centre. If nature and hiking is your thing, strap on comfy shoes and enjoy the trails at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park on the picturesque Bruce Trail.

Langdon Hall in Cambridge

100 kms/1 hour drive from Toronto

Take a short drive from Kitchener Waterloo and you’ll arrive in Cambridge, home to one of Canada’s most celebrated luxury boutique hotels.

Langdon Hall is one of our favourite romantic weekend getaways from Toronto, a short 90 minute drive from the city. In recent years the historic manor house has garnered a long list of swoon-worthy accolades, placing her in the choir with Canada’s creme de la creme.

Langdon Hall still exudes the air of an old Ontario estate, but few people are aware of the international connections in the property’s hundred-year history. Built in Canada by the son of an English man who inherited American wealth, the grand home was intended as a summertime contrast to life in New York, London and a chateau in the Loire Valley. Now owned by William Bennett and Mary Beaton, their Country House Hotel is now known across the globe for serving up fine fancies to discerning globetrotters.

If you’re looking for a truly spectacular service experience, indulge at Langdon Hall’s world-class spa and award winning restaurant by Chef Jason Bangerter.

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Guelph

100 kms/1 hour drive from Toronto

The best Toronto weekend getaway balances big city energy with relaxing farmland and forests.

The city of Guelph is located a short drive from Kitchener Waterloo. It’s a friendly city best known as the headquarters for Agriculture Canada and home to the University of Guelph. From September to June the city doubles in size with its lively student population. Guelph’s downtown is filled with bustling bars, farm to table restaurants and an inspiring assortment of local boutiques, book stores and indie theatres.

In recent years, Guelph has been ranked as one of the top 20 places to live in Canada. Guelph is often compared to Berkley, California, a well-educated community of hippies, vegans and art enthusiasts. Visit the historic Guelph Farmers Market on a weekend and you’ll get an excellent snapshot of the city’s quirky diversity.

Guelph’s biggest draw for those looking to enjoy a Toronto weekend getaway is a sip and nibble tour through the local food scene. Beer lovers will find happiness at Wellington Brewery. Thatcher Farms is a perfect place to introduce kids to the inner-workings of a family-run Ontario farm. Indulge in fresh farm to table fare at Borealis Grille, Artisanale Restaurant and The Woolwich Arrow.

The historic Albion Hotel is Guelph’s best bar to enjoy a night out, offering nightly dance parties for lovers of Funk, Reggae and Folk. If a hike through nature is more your thing, strap on your boots and explore the Starkey Hill Interpretive Trail.

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Kitchener Waterloo

110 kms/1 hour 20 minute drive from Toronto

There’s a magical little place in Ontario that comes alive each Fall as it hosts Canada’s most celebrated beer festival. For nine days in October, the sister cities of Kitchener Waterloo host Ontario’s Oktoberfest soiree. The beer splashed bacchanal is in honour of a happy harvest thanks to the German tradition of slurping suds, nibbling on pretzels and dancing in lederhosen to lively polka.

Kitchener Waterloo is the most German destination you can visit on a Canadian road trip. Did you know that Kitchener was once called the city of Berlin? And that today, the Village of St Jacob’s is famed for its lively German Mennonite community, which ride horse and buggy to the market?

Kitchener Waterloo’s local craft brewery community works 365 days a year to produce some of Ontario’s most sought after beer. The majority of the regions top microbreweries are fresh on the scene and experimenting in their infancy to make local beer lovers swoon. Whether you’re high on hoppy, best on bitter or enjoy a light lager, a road trip through Waterloo Region offers craft beer fans the perfect opportunity to sip in search of a new favourite brew.

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Barrie

110 kms/1 hour 10 minute drive from Toronto

For Muskoka cottagers the drive north from Toronto only starts to get exciting when you arrive in Barrie. The friendly community sits perched over Lake Simcoe and in recent years has enjoyed a population boom.

Over 200 years ago, what is now downtown Barrie was the beginning of the Nine Mile Portage. This important link on the journey from Lake Ontario to Lake Huron provided Canada’s First Nations people with a peaceful shore to rest on before their long portage trip. Later, during the war of 1812, the region became a detour, allowing British supplies and troops to safely bypass the U.S. forces on their way to Upper Canada’s military posts.

Today, downtown Barrie offers a revitalized waterfront, which connects its picturesque heritage buildings to a scenic waterfront. Barrie’s lakeside promenade shows off best during Kempenfest, the city’s annual waterfront festival featuring over 400 vendors, live music, midway, antiques and street food.

If you’re an Ontario craft beer fan no trip to Barrie is complete until you’ve made a pilgrimage to Flying Monkeys Brewery. We suggest ordering a flight of craft beer, share a mouth-watering pickle pizza then join a free brewery tour. Barrie’s breweries are becoming more and more well known so if you have the time pop by and visit Redline Brewhouse and Barnstormer Brewing.

Ste Anne's Spa is our favourite romantic and rural weekend getaway from Toronto. — Ste Anne’s Spa is our favourite romantic and rural weekend getaway from Toronto.

Northumberland County

120 kms/1 hour 15 minute drive from Toronto

Northumberland County is a scenic region of Ontario, which sits perched over Lake Ontario between Bowmanville and Prince Edward County.

It takes just under 90 minutes to drive east of Toronto to Northumberland County’s historic towns of Cobourg and Port Hope. Sprawling Rice Lake is the county’s northern border, a gateway to Kawartha cottage country.

Are you a couple looking to book a romantic weekend getaway from Toronto? Northumberland County offers two unique accommodations you won’t want to miss!

Whispering Springs is ranked as one of the best sites to go glamping in Ontario. Owners John and Nancy Corcoran launched the luxury tented campsite in August, 2017.

Whispering Springs is open each year from mid-May to mid-October. The glamping site features 10 Safari Tents, 6 Bell Tents and one Cabin. Whispering Springs’ Safari Tents are inspired by the great prospector tents of Canada’s past. They’re artfully situated throughout the property to offer stunning views of spring-fed ponds and wild wilderness.

A short drive from Whispering Springs you’ll find Ste Anne’s Spa, which is managed by the same entrepreneurial hospitality loving family. The luxury boutique hotel in Ontario has been operating as a spa hotel since the 1980s.

Located on 500 acres of rolling hills, guests at Ste Anne’s Spa are greeted by the hotel’s charming fieldstone castle, which was originally built in the 1800’s.

The full service spa features over 30 treatment rooms including outdoor gazebos, which overlook the properties gorgeous gardens and swimming pool. Spa guests can rest and relax in an outdoor hydro-spa featuring hot and cold pools, sauna, steam room and relaxation lounge with a choir of massage chairs.

Niagara on the Lake

130 kms/2 hour 30 minute drive from Toronto

Our favourite weekend getaway from Toronto for wine lovers is the charming historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Located a stones throw from the awe inspiring Niagara Falls, the petite vine village dazzles first time visitors with her choir of cute boutique hotels, romantic main street lined with horse drawn carriages, the Shaw Festival’s spectacular theatrics and plenty of award winning wineries.

TripAdvisor recently ranked NOTL as the #1 Food and Wine Destination in Canada, a testament to the close-knit communities commitment to producing high quality local food and beverage experiences for culinary tourists keen on taking a bite out of Ontario’s best.

Nestled below the Niagara Escarpment amidst a landscape of vineyards and orchards stretching from the picturesque Niagara River Parkway to Lake Ontario, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s over 30 wineries are a mere minutes from each other.

The region’s well marked wine route offers cycle fans a perfect opportunity to sip through the Spring, Summer and Fall. If you’re planning an extended stay check with your hotel to see if they offer complimentary bikes for their guests.

Winter is Niagara on the Lake’s slowest season but it’s when we encourage Ontario locals to visit. The wineries are far less busy this time of year so you can enjoy a more attentive tasting. February is also Niagara on the Lake’s annual Icewine Festival, a month long celebration of the regions most celebrated syrup.

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Norfolk County

130 kms/1 hour 30 minute drive from Toronto

If your romantic Toronto getaway plans have you driving west from Toronto to the Windsor-Detroit border be sure to make a stop in Norfolk County. The regions biggest draw is the quaint town of Port Dover, which sits perched over Lake Erie, south of Hamilton.

Historically Norfolk County was one of Canada’s tobacco farming hubs. When anti-smoking sentiment swept the nation, the government switched up its quota system and the region’s tobacco farmers were forced to quickly decide what to grow next. Today, these farm families operate award winning winery’s, harvest aromatic lavender and craft phenomenal berry spiked cider.

Port Dover is one of the best weekend getaways from Toronto, a short two hours from the city. Visitors to Norfolk Country enjoy a beach retreat at Long Point Provincial Park, award winning wine at Burning Kiln Winery, craft brews at New Limburg Brewery, cider at Blueberry Hill Estates, perfumed fields at Bonnieheath Estate Winery and Lavender Farm and Zip Lining at Long Point Eco Adventures.

Norfolk may be dubbed “Ontario’s Garden” and the “Strawberry Capital of Canada,” but it’s the regions friendly locals that make a visit to Port Dover certifiably “fresh for the picking.”

If you’re looking to go glamping in the region, book a luxurious romantic Toronto weekend getaway at Hide Away Hills. The gorgeous glampsite is located at Turkey Point, a short drive from Long Point Bay.

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Oxford County

140 kms/1 hour 30 minute drive from Toronto

Oxford County is one of the best weekend getaways from Toronto for fromage fans.

The scenic rural region is located between Kitchener Waterloo and Norfolk County. It’s famously home to the delicious Oxford County Cheese Trail, which is one of the Best Things To Do In Woodstock!

Enjoy the self-guided culinary trail at your own pace while visiting local producers in and around Woodstock and Ingersoll.

Oxford County is dubbed Ontario’s cheese capital as it has a longstanding dairy production history. Enjoy the delicious tourism trail by tasting your way through local cheese farms, craft brewery, restaurants, bakeries, chocolate shop and maple farm.

The Kawarthas

140 kms/1 hour 40 minute drive from Toronto

Located two hours north east of Toronto, Viamede Resort is a postcard-perfect property situated right on the shores of Stoney Lake. Guests looking for a romantic Toronto getaway can stay in the more hotel-like rooms in the lodges, or book a cottage on the water’s edge. In addition to spacious bedrooms, cabins are outfitted with a kitchen and living room area.

Be sure to make time to explore two of The Kawarthas most popular natural attractions: Warsaw Caves and The Teaching Rocks. The Warsaw Caves came to be when limestone bedrock was shaped through various glaciations, especially when glaciers from the Wisconsin ice age began to retreat 12,000 years ago and meltwaters formed underground channels. The resulting caves are pretty neat to check out though not for claustrophobes.

The Kawarthas are also home to the largest concentration of carved images in all of Canada. Kinoomaage-waabkong — the teaching rocks — are images that are believed to have been carved into white marble prior to the arrival of the Europeans. Due to the sacred nature of the glyphs, visitors are not allowed to take any photos. Boats, snakes and turtles dance across the rocks, carrying spiritual significance to many First Nations people.

Wasaga Beach

145 kms/1 hour 40 minute drive from Toronto

Wasaga Beach is located a short two hour drive north of Toronto, a stones throw from Barrie and Collingwood. In the summer Wasaga is famous for its long sandy beach, pretty paddles and Canadiana cuisine.

Wasaga Beach is home to the world’s longest freshwater beach, and its sandy shores on Georgian Bay are the draw for those on a weekend getaway from Toronto looking to rest and relax in July and August. Wasaga is an ideal destination in Ontario for families as it caters to those looking for affordable accommodation. Within a 10 minute drive from Wasaga’s beach you’ll find a handful of RV parks, campgrounds, motels and B&Bs.

When you’re not tanning on the beach and splashing in the lake, fun family friendly activities include Skull Island Mini Golf, Wasaga 500 Go-Karts, Paintball at Wasaga Beach Adventure Park, and a canoe paddle on the Nottawasaga River with Free Spirit Tours.

Orillia

145 kms/1 hour 30 minute drive from Toronto

If you’re heading north of Toronto for a weekend getaway you’ll find the city of Orillia located a short drive from Barrie en route to Muskoka.

Dubbed the “gateway to Ontario Cottage Country,” Orillia is located on Lake Couchiching and offers a scenic waterfront and pretty pier.

Skip through downtown Orillia and you’ll find plenty of local shopping, bustling bakeries and cafes, new craft brewery, friendly restaurants and thriving art scene. If you’re a visiting foodie check out our Orillia Restaurant Guide!

When visiting the hometown of Canadian music icon Gordon Lightfoot on a weekend getaway make sure to stop into Casino Rama for a day of exciting slots, live shows and serene spa.

Stratford

150 kms/1 hour 40 minute drive from Toronto

The picturesque town of Stratford is located a short drive west of Kitchener Waterloo. Theatre fans planning a Toronto getaway should be sure to prioritize a visit to attend the celebrated Stratford Festival. The small town’s famous theatre festival has featured a handful of bold faced names on stage such as Maggie Smith and Christopher Plummer.

Stratford is also known a the pork capital of Canada. Foodies can purchase a pass to the city’s Bacon & Ale Trail, which includes five stops on a self guided tour of Stratford’s best beer and bacon pairings.

In classic small town Ontario-style, take a walk down Stratford’s main street and you’ll find tea emporiums, chocolate shops, indie coffee shops and farm to table restaurants. On a sunny day take a stroll down to Shakespearean Gardens and enjoy watching elegant swans paddle across Lake Victoria.

Most theatre fans visit Stratford on a weekend getaway from Toronto to take in as many shows as they can. If you’re looking for a unique place to stay we suggest Rosehurst Stratford. The well appointed B&B in Stratford is owned and operated by Theresa Albert, a food media personality turned boutique hotelier.

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Blue Mountain in Collingwood

170 kms/2 hour drive from Toronto

From a steamy outdoor spa, an Apple Pie Trail and ancient caves to wintertime snow-covered ski hills, Blue Mountain, two hours north of Toronto in southern Georgian Bay, is a four-season resort region that always offers plenty to do. The focal point for those on a Toronto weekend getaway is Blue Mountain Village, a Whistler-esque holiday town filled with chalet-style hotels, boutiques, restaurants and activities. Surprisingly, the Blue Mountains aren’t really mountains at all; they’re the highest part of the Niagara Escarpment, a 450-mile-long ridge that’s been named a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

In the winter the big draws are skiing and snowboarding, with 42 ski and snowboard trails boosted by a world-class snowmaking system. Other cold weather activities include cross-country skiing, skating, snow tubing and snowshoeing, and it’s easy to organize excursions at the central Activity Centre in the village.

In summer the shores of Georgian Bay move to the forefront. Nicknamed the “Sixth Great Lake,” this vast body of water offers beaches, boating and beautiful views, and vies for attention with other outdoor adventure ops in the region such as hiking, ziplining, golf and cycling the Georgian Trail. One sport that’s gained big traction in the area is mountain biking, easy to see why as Blue Mountain has the largest downhill mountain biking facility in Ontario.

The destination has gone a long way into creating a family-friendly atmosphere, developing fun activities such as the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, the Cascade Putting Course, a Timber Challenge Ropes Course, Wind Rider Triple Zips and a private seasonal beach. And while Georgian Bay might be too cold for splashing in winter, the Plunge! Aquatic Centre offers year-round ways to get wet with the kids, and the Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain is an ideal adult escape – a blissful circuit of outdoor pools, cedar saunas, steam and relaxation rooms set in a tranquil forest – especially gorgeous in fall.

Muskoka

180 kms/2 hour drive from Toronto

Muskoka is Ontario’s most luxurious cottage country destination. The region, located 3 hours drive north of Toronto, was recently dubbed “Malibu of the North,” as marvellous lakeside mansions play home to A-List celebrities such as Martin Short and Goldie Hawn.

Muskoka stretches from Gravenhurst to the entrance of Algonquin Park and is ranked as one of the best Canadian road trip routes. The pristine freshwater lakes in Muskoka make it one of Canada’s most sought after spots to rent a cottage, camp or cozy up at a luxury resort such as Taboo Resort or the JW Marriott.

Muskoka is a great place to visit year round. In the winter head to Muskoka to enjoy snowshoeing, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, ice skating and Canada’s favourite pastime, hockey on a frozen over lake. Come spring and summer, Muskoka’s lakes fill with water-sports lovers on motorboats, sailboats, canoes and kayaks. Fall is my favourite time of the year to visit Muskoka as the trees transform into a jaw-dropping cavalcade of colours.

We also suggest sipping your way through the best Muskoka breweries, including Lake of Bays Brewing in Baysville and Muskoka Brewery in Bracebridge.

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Prince Edward County

200 kms/2 hour 20 minute drive from Toronto

Prince Edward County sits perched over Lake Ontario between Toronto and Kingston. In recent years Prince Edward County has experienced a tremendous tourism boom thanks to entrepreneurial locals. Prince Edward County is one of the most popular weekend getaways from Toronto as its just a short 3 hour drive away.

Prince Edward County is most famous for its beverage producers, which include award wining wineries, craft breweries, cider farms and a distillery. Most tourists stay in the cute towns of Picton or Wellington. For a region that feels so rural, Prince Edward County offers all the trappings of a luxury getaway. With the increase in wine tourism here, luxury boutique hotels have bloomed along with stellar restaurants.

The quirkiest property in town is The Drake Devonshire, ranked as one of the best luxury boutique hotels in the world. If you’re keen to sleep over at this stylish art and design hotel, be sure to book your stay months in advance.

If visiting Prince Edward County in the summer, be sure to pack your swimming and tanning gear as Sandbanks Provincial Park offers one of Ontario’s most celebrated stretches of sand.

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London

200 kms/2 hour drive from Toronto

London is most famous for playing home to Western University. While the city fills with students from September to June, London offers year round attractions and activities worthy of a Toronto weekend getaway.

100 Kellogg Lane is Canada’s largest entertainment complex. The massive play place features Powerhouse Brewery, Mystery Escape Rooms, The Next Level Virtual Reality, Paradigm Spirits and The Factory, Canada’s biggest indoor family entertainment centre. The 170,000 sq ft space features the world’s largest indoor ropes course as well as zip-lines, trampoline park and massive arcade.

If art and history is more your thing, skip over to Museum London to check out the latest exhibit. The city’s museum features a collection of more than 5000 works in a wide range of media, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints and photographs.

Let’s be honest, our favourite reason to visit Museum London is to enjoy an elegant lunch at The River Room. The museum’s in house eatery serves some of London’s pretties plates with a strength being the chefs penchant for handmade pasta.

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St. Thomas

200 kms/2 hour drive from Toronto

St. Thomas is a historic city located south of London and north of Port Stanley.

The friendly Ontario Southwest townfeatures beautiful heritage buildings and is set amongst scenic farm country.

It’s known famously for being the railway capital of Canada and offers a fun museum perfect for families with kids. Visitors can hop on Harry Potter-style vintage streamliners.

St. Thomas is also associated with Jumbo the elephant and there’s a statue of the huge animal near the entrance to the scenic St Thomas Elevated Park.

Our visit was a Toronto weekend getaway culinary adventure to explore the Best St Thomas Restaurants.

Rochester

270 kms/2 hour 45 minute drive from Toronto

Drive east of Buffalo and you’ll find the bustling city of Rochester, New York.

Looking to explore the USA on a weekend getaway from Toronto? Rochester’s fascinating history and innovative entrepreneurs make for an excellent American holiday.

Rochester is enjoying a resurgence after its hay day as the international headquarters for Xerox and Kodak. While those two tech industries fizzled, the city was full of well-educated engineers and entrepreneurs who have reimagined Rochester as a city looking into the future.

So what are the best things to do in Rochester on a Toronto getaway? We suggest visiting the Public Market, George Eastman Museum, Memorial Art Gallery, Genesee Brew House and kayaking along Irondequoit Bay.

Rochester’s lively gay scene offers cute clubs and drag bars best paired with a bowling adventure at Radio Social and a cocktail bar hopping adventure into the wee hours.

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Tobermory

300 kms/3 hour 30 minute drive from Toronto

Tobermory is a nature lovers Nirvana, found at the tip of Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula – a jut of land dividing Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. A great place for naturalists, photographers, hikers, cyclists, campers, boaters and scuba divers on a weekend getaway from Toronto. It makes up the core of the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere and is home to the picturesque Bruce Peninsula National Park and Fathom Five National Marine Park.

Tobermory is most popular in the summer and fall with locals saying that the small town pretty much closes up shop in the winter. Most visit Tobermory to explore the region’s nature trails, which offer jaw-dropping panoramas over the crystal clear waters of Georgian Bay. Tobermory is ranked as the best destination to scuba dive in Ontario thanks to clear waters, curious cave systems and several shipwrecks.

Start your visit at the Bruce Peninsula National Park Visitors Centre then enjoy a hike to Indian Cove Beach and wildly popular Grotto. Local tour operator Blue Heron Cruises offers daily tours of Fathom Five National Marine Park. On the three hour tour you’ll peer overboard to spot two shipwrecks and enjoy a pleasant stroll on Flower Pot Island. The island’s iconic windswept stones appear as flower pots jetting out of the water.

Detroit

370 kms/4 hour drive from Toronto

Cross the Canada/US border in Windsor and enjoy an unforgettable Toronto weekend getaway in Detroit.

Once the heart of America’s automobile industry, Detroit has seen hard times but recently bounced back. The massive metropolitan area is best explored by car so why not start your local history lesson at The Henry Ford followed by a behind the scenes tour of the Ford Rouge Factory?

Music lovers should be sure to book tickets to the Motown Museum weeks in advance (it’s worth it trust me!) Art and history lovers rave for the Detroit Institute of Arts, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and The Heidelberg Project.

Detroit is a great destination for foodies, with must-visit restaurants including Buddy’s Pizza, American Coney Island and Slows Bar BQ. Be sure to quench your thirst by visiting a handful of Detroit’s best craft breweries.

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Ottawa

400 kms/4 hour 30 minute drive from Toronto

Canada’s capital has so much to offer that one can easily find themselves with sore heels after spending a weekend marching through the city’s stellar museums. Located between Toronto and Montreal, Ottawa is the perfect weekend getaway from Toronto for those driving into Quebec.

Ottawa’s icon, Parliament Hill, sit dramatically perched over the Ottawa River. A walking bridge connects the Canadian capital with Gatineau on the French speaking side of Quebec. It’s while standing in the centre of this bridge you can enjoy the best panorama of the city. You’ll also appreciate why Ottawa was selected as the country’s capital. Ottawa simultaneously touches the English and French speaking part of the country. The Canadian Parliament’s elevated location over the river also acted as a safeguard from a military attack.

Ottawa very much feels like a big little town. The majority of the community who live here are spread out across suburbs. Ottawa’s most popular attractions are all centrally located and easily walkable. Many of Canada’s best museums are located in Ottawa so it’s a great place to soak up the country’s unique history.

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Montebello

530 kms/5 hour 20 minute drive from Toronto

If you’re planning a weekend getaway from Toronto to Quebec and are arriving through Ottawa be sure to enjoy a few days in Montebello. Located an hours drive from the Canadian capital, Montebello plays home to one of Canada’s most unique luxury hotels, the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello. It proudly claims the title as “the world’s largest log cabin.”

The dream of Swiss-American Harold Saddlemire, who dubbed it “Lucerne-in-Quebec,” Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello was inspired by the luxurious alpine lodges from Switzerland. A crew of 800 worked around the clock using 10,000 giant cedar logs to build the resort’s three main buildings, all cut and set by hand. The central log chateau, which houses all the guest rooms in the resort, has a three-storey central atrium, at the heart of which stands a massive six-sided fireplace with a central chimney.

The hotel’s jaw-dropping lobby is truly dazzling. The open-concept space is designed in the shape of a hexagon with a booming fireplace acting as the impressive focal point. Look up and you’ll find a double decker balcony featuring hallways adorned with vintage photographs of the property. You can also spot the celebrities, politicians and royals who have visited the Fairmont Montebello in the past, such as George W Bush, Sir Richard Attenborough, Sandra Bullock, Margaret Thatcher and the Royal Family of Monaco.

Foodies should explore the restaurants in Montebello to sample tasty treats at Bistro Montebello, ChocoMotive, Les Brasseurs de Montebello and Fromagerie Montebello.

Montreal

540 kms/5 hour 30 minute drive from Toronto

If you’re a die hard craft beer lover looking for the best weekend getaways from Toronto be sure to dedicate a few days to exploring Montreal’s food and drink scene. Quebec’s most cosmopolitan city is also the province’s most Anglophone-friendly.

Montreal recently celebrated its 375th anniversary and understandably is an ideal destination for history buffs. Its restaurants are also regularly ranked as some of Canada’s best. Anthony Bourdain was a huge fan of the city’s food scene, which a decade ago helped endear her uniquely Quebecois restaurants to the world.

Beyond craft beer and fancy food, Montreal’s biggest draws are the Jean-Talon Market, Montreal’s Museum of Fine Art, Scandinave Spa, and the iconic Montreal Smoked Meat joint owned by Celine Dion, Schwartz’s. The city is also home to Canada’s only W Hotel, W Montreal, and the world’s first Ritz-Carlton, The Ritz-Carlton Montreal.

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Mont Tremblant

600 kms/ 6 hour drive from Toronto

Our favourite and farthest reaching weekend getaway from Toronto is Quebec’s iconic ski resort located in the picturesque Laurentian Mountains.

While Mont Tremblant is busiest during the winter season thank to ski and snowboard fans, it also gets lively in the warmer months of the year. Mont Tremblant’s cute alpine village gets packed each August when it hosts the popular Mont Tremblant International Blues Festival.

Whether you’re visiting on a sunny summer holiday or frigid winter weekend, our favourite way to enjoy Mont Tremblant is by feast on fine French food. Craft beer fans adore Microbrasserie La Diable while fine dining fanatics will find happiness at Resto SeB and Resto Quintessence.

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Never travel without insurance! We suggest World Nomads comprehensive coverage as it includes over 250 adventure activities such as scuba diving, bungee jumping and surfing.

If you’re planning a road trip make sure to compare the best local car rental options.

Looking to book a tour or VIP experience on holiday? Book the best local tours on Viator.

Be sure to check your travel destinations electrical plug requirements in advance. If you travel often be sure to purchase a multi-region adaptor.

Whether you’re marching through a city or exploring a rugged rural landscape, it’s important to ensure you’re traveling with comfortable footwear. We suggest these comfortable walking shoes for urban adventures or these waterproof hiking boots when embarking on a hike holiday.

Capture your holiday on a quality camera. We suggest the pocket-sized Canon Powershot G7 or professional SLR we shoot with Canon EOS 6D.

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