Ontario offers a diverse range of destinations perfect for weekend escapes, catering to interests from serene nature retreats to vibrant city experiences. This guide provides curated recommendations to help you plan your ideal Ontario weekend getaway.
Prince Edward County
Known for its picturesque vineyards, artisanal food scene, and beautiful beaches, Prince Edward County is one of the best staycation options in Ontario.
A must-see for those who love weekend getaways in a rustic setting, it's also the perfect choice for foodies. Between markets brimming with crafts and fresh products (you'll be amazed by the cheeses locally produced) and festivals like Countylicious and Wassail, Prince Edward County is the ideal destination for those who want to discover a lesser-known side of the country: its wine production.
Why is wine tasting so famous in Prince Edward County? The region's soils provide an optimal terroir for wine production. More than 20 grape varieties grow here at the over 30 wineries in the surrounding area (many are actually award-winning and are already part of Ontario's Vintners Quality Alliance).
You'll have the opportunity to taste Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or Cabernet Sauvignon (and even cider!), in vineyard experiences ranging from $15 to $30 CAD, but that's not all they have to offer.
In both rustic and luxurious settings, you can enjoy tours, beautiful gardens, panoramic views of lakes, tastings of local cuisine, and experiences like farm-to-glass (from grape growing to winemaking) or farm-to-table dining.
And of course, like any good staycation in Ontario, Prince Edward County offers opportunities to marvel at nature in the dunes of Sandbanks Provincial Park, where you can also enjoy the long stretch of white sand beaches, fish in its lakes, or swim when the season allows.
Combining dunes, beach, and forest, Sandbanks Provincial Park boasts one of the world's largest bay-mouth barrier dune systems. With over 1,500 hectares of dunes reaching up to 25 meters in height, this park, opened in 1970, is a summer favourite, with its more than 500 campsites filling up as visitors enjoy the dunes, lakes, and its "golden" beach.
Algonquin Provincial Park
Although Canada has over 30 national parks, Algonquin Provincial Park offers year-round options for people of all ages to enjoy Ontario.
A true haven for frequent nature enthusiasts and first-time park visitors alike, Algonquin offers vast forests, lakes, and wildlife, for an entrance fee of $21 CAD per vehicle (take into account that camping, canoeing, and other activities have extra costs, require reservations, and vary in price by season).
During the summer, the most popular activities in this park, which opened in 1893, are camping (with over 1,000 sites), fishing, and hiking, while in winter, skiing and snowshoeing take center stage. Animals you might spot in designated areas include moose, wolves, and various birds.
Algonquin Provincial Park is also well known for its educational focus on the Canadian biodiversity in Ontario 2; people of all ages can find this interesting opportunity to learn while on vacation through:
🗻 Algonquin Provincial Park Discovery programs: where expert guides offer tours to learn about the park's diverse ecosystems
🦌 The Algonquin Logging Museum and visitor centres with special exhibits on geology, wildlife, indigenous and settler history, and the culture of preservation.
Algonquin Park is one of the best places in Canada to enjoy the canoeing and kayaking experience, no matter if you are a beginner, as it has more than 2,000 kilometres of routes.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Your staycation plans in Ontario surely involve deciding between Prince Edward County and Niagara-on-the-Lake, both of which are great options for food tourism (and the most significant competitors of the gastronomic scene in Nova Scotia!).
Niagara-on-the-Lake is best known as a historic town (it was the capital of Upper Canada), for its charming streets and early 19th-century architecture, its theatre and arts culture, and of course, its wineries.
🍷 The best time to take a wine tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake is from April to October.
🍴 They mainly include explanations of local grape varieties, tastings, and lunch or dinner. They last either a full day or a half day.
🤑 Group tours start at $70 CAD but can go up to $150 CAD or more.
Vacations in Niagara-on-the-Lake offer a blend of nature, culinary experiences, and an appreciation for Canadian history and culture. That's why you'll find a wide range of accommodation options; some of the best are (depending on your budget and group size).
| Type of Accommodation | Typical Price Range (per night on CAD) | Best For | Best Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury Hotels | $$$ ($200 to $300) | Couples, Families | Pillar and Post Inn & Spa, 124 on Queen Hotel and Spa |
| Upscale Boutique Inns | $$ - $$$ ($175 to $250) | Couples, Small Groups | Queen's Landing, Explorer House |
| B&Bs (Premium) | $$ ($175 to $200) | Couples, Solo Travelers | Brockamour Manor, School House Bed and Breakfast C.1859 |
| B&Bs (Mid-Range) | $ - $$ ($160 to $190) | Couples, Adults | 627 on King Bed & Breakfast, Woodbourne Inn |
| Quaint & Historic B&Bs | $ - $$ ($150 to $190) | Couples, Adults | Greenview Manor Luxury Bed & Breakfast, Serendipity Bed and Breakfast |
As mentioned, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a historic district well worth visiting to learn more about its essential role in shaping Canada as we know it today.
It gathers crucial centres where you'll find exhibits on archaeological discoveries or essential insights into the War of 1812 (with interactive theatrical performances at Fort George National, a key site in that conflict). It's also home to Navy Hall, a vital site in the country's parliamentary history. 3
After enjoying the wine and a tour of Canada's historical heritage, don't miss the Shaw Festival, which runs from April to December and attracts over 250,000 spectators annually. This theatre festival is world-renowned for showcasing one of the world's leading theatre companies, performing classics, dramas, and comedies by authors such as Chekhov, Ibsen, and Wilde, among many others.
spectators per year
Muskoka Region
Looking for relaxation but also plenty of fun activities by a lake? A staycation in the Muskoka Region is the right choice for travellers seeking stunning lakes, forests, and upscale cottages.
With year-round activities, its renowned cruises, cottages, nature playgrounds, museums, and galleries, it is a must-see destination in rural Ontario.
Muskoka boasts over 1,600 lakes, offering opportunities to encounter wildlife (especially birds), waterfalls, breathtaking scenery, waterfront parks, and, most importantly, some of the best bass fishing.
One of the must-do activities on Muskoka's lakes is boat cruising in places like Lake of Bays or Georgian Bay. Prices start at $30 CAD per person (and some boats are over 100 years old!), though you can also rent private boats for groups of up to ten people for a more intimate experience.
You'll regularly find boat cruise tours in the Georgian Bay of Muskoka, among the most popular; these tours can take you around the 30,000 islands in just a couple of hours.
For accommodations in Muskoka, rustic cottages are the traditional choice. Still, you'll also find options like resorts, spas, and lodges, with prices starting at $150 CAD per night, depending on the season, and of course, with any extra amenities you might want. Finally, the cuisine of this lake region is well-known for its use of cranberries and maple 1, as well as its local beer (produced, evidently, in its craft breweries).
Toronto Staycation
Planning a visit to Toronto is, in reality, planning a world-class staycation. It's one of North America's best-preserved cities, with plenty of markets and museums, and a unique architectural heritage palpable in areas like:
- Casa Loma, a 20th-century emblem and one of the most worthwhile castle/museums to visit
- The Allan Gardens Conservatory and High Park, both emblematic green spaces that are over 100 years old
- The Distillery District (a testament to Toronto's most well-preserved Victorian industrial architecture) also offers one of the best spots in winter, with an amazing Christmas Market.
Toronto is a symbol of multiculturalism and energy. It's full of social, commercial, and cultural hubs, and you'll be able to experience it at the Kensington Market (recognized as a National Historic Site), St. Lawrence Market, Little India, Little Jamaica, and all the cafes, restaurants, and theatres in the Distillery Historic District.
Spreading across several blocks, it was a few decades ago the multicultural meeting point in Toronto. Today, it has evolved into a leisure and shopping space. It is the best place to find gifts, crafts, vintage shops (where you'll see not only clothing, but also home decor and kitchenware), coffee shops, street art, and to sample one of its international restaurants.
Toronto's oldest market, opened nearly 200 years ago, is characterized by its classic hall with fresh produce, delicate meats, flowers, great bakeries, and a fantastic place to sample world cuisine. As a bonus, if you have friends from other countries, it's an excellent place for them to buy souvenirs.
Have you considered staycationing in Montreal?
Enjoying a staycation in Toronto naturally includes visiting some of its historic landmarks, such as the aforementioned Casa Loma, as well as exploring its more innovative offerings, including new museums and galleries.
You might be surprised to learn that Toronto has museums and cultural centres specializing in photography, textiles, and even sustainability. Take a look at Toronto's cultural offerings; there's something for everyone:
- Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
- Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
- Royal Ontario Museum
- Ontario Science Centre
- Arcadia Earth
- Museum of Illusions Toronto
- The Image Centre
- Gallery Arcturus
- The Power Plant (contemporary art gallery)
As you can imagine, a weekend trip to Toronto is not enough. Between shopping, visiting museums, heritage landmarks and parks, or taking a ferry to the Toronto Islands, it's definitely a trip for various weekends. Take note of the best accommodation options:
| Type of Accommodation | Price Range | Best For | Best Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury Hotels | $$$$ | Couples, Business, Families | Shangri-La Toronto, The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto |
| Upscale Boutique Hotels | $$$–$$$$ | Couples, Solo Travelers | Bisha Hotel Toronto, The Broadview Hotel, The Omni King Edward |
| Boutique & Design Hotels | $$$ | Couples, Urban Explorers | W Toronto, The Drake Hotel, Pantages Hotel |
| Mid-Range Comfort Hotels | $$ - $$$ | Families, Groups | Delta Hotels Toronto, Hilton Toronto, Sheraton Centre Toronto |
| Mid-Range Hotels | $$ - $$$ | Couples, Adults | The Ivy at Verity, Lakeview Coach Inn, Park Hyatt Toronto |
Seasonal Getaway Ideas
Spring and Summer
One of the significant advantages of spending your vacation in Ontario during Spring Break, or even the entire summer, is that you don't have to choose between beach escapes, festivals or cultural vacations: you can do a little bit of everything.
🏖️ Beach Escapes in Ontario:
- Visit Wasaga Beach or Sauble Beach for sun and sand. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is ideal for large groups; open from May to September, it's the world's longest freshwater beach. Sauble Beach, on Lake Huron, has generations of tradition, where, in addition to swimming, you can enjoy activities like fishing, camping, renting a kayak or canoe, or even playing mini-golf.
🎭 Festival Tours:
- Attend the Stratford Festival for their top theatre performances. From spring to fall, enjoy this world-renowned festival at four different venues. You'll see primarily Shakespearean plays, as well as acclaimed musicals and more contemporary works (the program varies from year to year, but recently they've even featured an adaptation of The Hobbit and musicals like Guys and Dolls).
Fall
Autumn steals the show in Ontario. It's the perfect time to enjoy the fall foliage, attend a pumpkin festival (check Keene Pumpkin Festival or one in the Haliburton Highlands), and visit artisan and farmers' markets.
You'll find it's an excellent season for family-friendly recreational and community activities such as the following:
- Autumn Foliage Tours: Drive through the Kawarthas or Haliburton Highlands to witness vibrant fall colours. One of the best ways to do this is to take advantage of harvest festivals, such as the Kawartha Farmfest, where, amidst attractions and various farmers' markets, you'll welcome autumn in style.
- The Haliburton Highlands also has a fall festival. However (as mentioned earlier), its activities revolve around the pumpkin patches and include BBQs, live music, and other amenities for the whole family.
Winter
Ski season is, of course, essential for every Canadian, a time we eagerly anticipate. Ski days are especially marked on the calendar between December and March. What are the places and snow sports that should be on our staycation itinerary in Ontario?
Ontario owns some of the world's largest resorts for: Day and night skiing, snowboarding, skating, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and winter hiking. Whether you're a beginner or have international friends visiting, no problem, you'll find lessons for all levels.
Enjoy cozy stays with winter activities at resorts like Fern Resort, one of the most traditional places in all of Ontario, having opened in 1895. Although also very popular in summer, Fern Resort is an all-inclusive hotel ideal for winter. Offering an indoor pool, spa, and fitness center, of course, the resort has all the facilities for winter sports, from skiing to outdoor hockey and curling.
Hit the slopes at Blue Mountain or Mount St. Louis Moonstone. Mount St. Louis Moonstone is a particularly favourite among locals (competing with the best resorts in Montreal), because of its location, just one hour away from Toronto, with 37 slopes, it has options for all ages (snow tubing hills, a large freestyle park, snowmobiling and more!); discover their large terrain in the following video:
Tips for Planning Your Ontario Weekend Getaway
- 📔 Booking Accommodations: Book in advance, especially during peak seasons. Parks often require day-use permits, and the rates vary by season and property.
- 🚗 Transportation: Consider renting a car for flexibility, as some destinations are best accessed by vehicle (consider, too, the reservation access for cars)
- 🧥 Packing Essentials: Pack according to the season and planned activities.
- 📆 Local Events and tours: Check local event calendars to enhance your experience and consider seasonal variations and exhibit fees for museums or cultural centers. For some tours, such as winery tours, check tasting fees and note that paired experiences may incur an extra cost.
- 🍁 Check if, as a Canadian citizen, you have any free access. Admission to many parks, cultural centres, and museums is typically covered during free-access periods with passes like the Canada Strong Pass.
References
- Places to Eat. Discover Muskoka (no date). Available at: https://www.discovermuskoka.ca/places-to-eat/ (Accessed: December 2025).
- Ontario Provincial Parks (no date). Available at: https://ontarioprovincialparks.ca/park/algonquin-provincial-park/(Accessed: December 2025).
- Niagara-on-the- Lake. Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake (no date). Available at: https://www.niagaraonthelake.com/shaw-festival(Accessed: December 2025).
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