Isn’t spring the most wonderful time for a break?

Well, we give you the top getaways from Toronto, this spring.

‘In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move.’ – Henry Rollins

Truer words haven’t been spoken, right? During the cold winter, most of us like to plan vacations that we would like to take in spring. Spring is here. It’s time to say goodbye to your winter clothes and set forth on that trip you’ve been longing to take, but couldn’t because you preferred being holed up in your apartment till winter passed. No more excuses, because now is the time to travel. Torontonians, it’s the time to explore those beautiful waterfalls, scenic landscapes, cute inns, and everything that’s on your travel bucket list. Whether you want a romantic escapade, an adventure with friends, a solo trip or a road trip, we give you 16-weekend getaways from Toronto that you can choose from for your spring trip!

Niagara Falls and the White Water Walk:

We cannot talk about weekend getaways from Toronto without starting the list with Niagara Falls. This natural spectacle is known to attract millions of tourists every year. The view offered by Niagara Falls is not only breathtaking but also a memory that one will cherish for a lifetime. While going on a photography spree is one of the things that you can do at Niagara Falls, there are quite a few other activities that one can indulge in here. The White Water Walk is the one thing you ought not to forget about on your trip to the Niagara Falls. Both, the riverside boardwalk and the viewing platforms offer spectacular views to the visitors. While there’s a small fee of $13 involved, it’s absolutely worth it!

Distance from Toronto: 128.2 km (79.7 mi)

Travel Time: 1.5 hours approximately

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a town in Ontario located at the point where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. This popular tourist destination is known for its quaint charm and hosts numerous attractions like water adventures, wine tours, art galleries, the Shaw Festival, among other things. Whether you prefer Bed & Breakfasts, five-star hotels or private vacation homes, the town has it all. There’s always something to do in this rustic town and if you prefer to do nothing at all, the town provides the perfect levels of comfort that a tired soul needs. Did we mention that each of the wineries here has a unique story and offers an equally delicious taste? So, don’t forget to book a wine tour if you plan to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

Distance from Toronto: 131 km (82.0 mi)

Travel Time: 1.5 hours approximately

Ste. Anne’s Spa

Spread across 400 acres, Ste. Anne’s Spa offers a wonderful experience for everyone. Whether you want to spend the night or just enjoy a relaxing day, it has amazing packages that one can choose from. The old world charm of this place will take you back in time, whilst pampering your body and soul. The culinary experience too is known to be a scrumptious affair. Anyone who has stayed at Ste. Anne’s Spa will surely give you ravishing reviews of their country staff. If you are looking for a homely experience with lots of pampering, look no further.

Distance from Toronto: 133.9 km (83.2 mi)

Travel Time: 1.5 to 2 hours approximately

Spruce Bog Boardwalk

If sweating it out is your kind of way to relax, this trail certainly deserves a spot in your ‘places to visit’ list. The mostly flat trail set against the backdrop of the brilliant blue skies provides the much-needed escapade from the city life. The Spruce Bog Boardwalk trail takes you to two separate bogs, the Sunday Creek bog and a small kettle bog. It will help you reconnect with nature with its lovely flora and fauna. So ditch the gym plans and head to this picturesque nature trail this weekend!

Distance from Toronto: 320 km (198.8 mi)

Travel Time: 3.5 hours to 4.0 hours approximately

Grail Springs Wellness Retreat

If self-care is on your mind, Grail Springs Wellness Retreat is the answer. Located in the mineral capital of Canada, this holistic retreat is dedicated to the well-being of its guests like no one else. There are a lot of experiences that this retreat offers that you can pick from. Weight loss, juice fasting, healing therapies, meditation, yoga, body cleanse are some of the services provided by Grail Springs Wellness Retreat. While guests can customise their own packages, one can also choose from the 5 to 21 nights transformational packages. If you want to reconnect with nature and yourself, this is the place to be!

Distance from Toronto: 247.7 km (153.9 mi)

Travel Time: 3 hours approximately

La Cloche Mountains

La Cloche Mountains are a range of hills in Northern Ontario. This bewitchingly beautiful range is home to the popular tourist destination Killarney Provincial Park. The Heaven’s Gate Trail, which traverses from Willisville in the east to Massey in the west is another known feature of the La Cloche Mountains but due to its length and remoteness, it’s rarely traversed. While this destination offers a great escapade from the city, we must tell you that it’s a photographer’s paradise.

Distance from Toronto: 481.8 km (299.3 mi)

Travel Time: 5 hours approximately

Felker’s Falls

 

A 22 metre high, ribbon styled waterfall, Felker’s Falls is a dream come true for many travellers. Not too far from the city, this perennial waterfall is an exquisite place for a day trip. If you decide to pay a visit to the Felker’s Falls, you can also check out the Devil’s Punch Bowl. Both these attractions are quite easily accessible, so if you are considering a trip with your kids, there’s nothing that you need to worry about. We must tell you though that Felker’s Falls is truly a hidden gem for nature lovers.

Distance from Toronto: 76.2 km – 99 km (47.3 mi – 61.5)

Travel Time: 1 hour approximately

Bon Echo Park

Bon Echo Park is a provincial park located in South Eastern Ontario. It is known to feature many lakes, including a part of Mazinaw Lake, the second-deepest lake in Ontario. There are a lot of recreational activities that one can enjoy here. Rock climbing, hiking, boating, swimming, camping are a few things that you can do here. The Mazinaw Rock which features over 260 pictographs is a major attraction. The site of the pictographs here was declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 1982. If you wish to take a dip, there are three natural sand beaches that you can explore in this area. 

Distance from Toronto: 282.8 km (175.7 mi)

Travel Time: 3 hours 15 minutes approximately

Dundas Peak

The Dundas Peak trail is a popular one. Most hikers rave about the panoramic views of the Spencer Gorge on this trail. Apart from scenic views, this trail also features two waterfalls, Tews Falls, and Webster’s Falls. The walk to Dundas Peak is surreal and one is likely to have a mind-blowing experience. A lot of daredevil people who explore this trail like to click that one photo of their feet hanging off the edge of the cliff. While it’s certainly a social media share-worthy picture, we surely don’t encourage it. The Dundas Peak trail with its two waterfalls is a 3-in-1 deal. So it’s quite a bargain if you are planning a day trip from Toronto.

Distance from Toronto: 72.6 km (45.1 mi)

Travel Time: 1 hour approximately

Fairmont Château Laurier 

The Fairmont Château Laurier, a national historic site of Canada, is a 660,000 square-foot hotel, designed in the French Gothic Châteauesque style. Anyone who visits this property is left mesmerised by its architecture. Located in the centre of Downtown Ottawa, the Fairmont Château Laurier is only minutes away from major attractions like the parliament buildings, Byward Market, Shaw Center, Rideau Canal, National Gallery of Canada and the National Arts Center. While the guest rooms at this majestic hotel are equipped with all modern amenities, its regal look and equally royal service will make you feel nothing less than a royal. If you want to be treated like a king/queen that you are on your trip, this is where you should be headed.

Distance from Toronto: 454.2 km (282.2 mi)

Travel Time: 4.5 hours to 5.0 hours

Algonquin Park

Algonquin Park is a provincial park located between the Georgian Bay and the Ottawa River. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1992. This park is popular for its year-round activities, which include horseback riding, camping, fishing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and day hiking. Fishing is limited to the holders of valid Ontario fishing licenses. The park is home to 53 species of mammals, 272 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles and amphibians, 54 species of fish, about 7000 species of insects, over 1000 species of plants, and over 1000 species of fungi. The diversity of this park makes sure that it offers something for everyone.

Distance from Toronto: 276 km (171.4 mi)

Travel Time: 3 hours to 3.5 hours

Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County, an island on the North Shore of Lake Ontario is a beautiful and affordable place to explore. Whether you are a history buff, nature lover or a foodie, there’s something for everyone in this county. Prince Edward County has become a top culinary and winery destination in the recent years. The wine tours and the taste trails (food tours) should certainly be on your to-do list while visiting Prince Edward County, which is home to over 40 wineries. If you love cycling, you can cruise through the county on a bicycle. The list of activities that one can enjoy here is quite endless. So, based on the kind of traveler that you are, you can customize your own list. While there are lots of accommodation options that one can pick from, we’d like to recommend The Inn at Huff Estates, which is a charming country accommodation, located right next to the Huff Estates Winery.

Distance from Toronto: 205.5 km (127.6 mi)

Travel Time: 2.5 hours approximately

Cobourg Beach

Someone has rightly said, ‘A little sand in your toes takes away all your woes.’ Don’t you agree? Well then, if you are looking for a place to rejuvenate, Cobourg Beach will be the perfect host. While the blue waters are bound to leave you spellbound, the white sand at Cobourg Beach provides the much needed natural pedicure, at absolutely no cost. One can rent kayaks, canoes and paddle boards here. A walk down the boardwalk that runs from Hibernia Street to Ontario Street is a must when you visit Cobourg Beach. This place is also known for its picnics. So you can either bring your own picnic basket or have one of the restaurants in the locality pack one for you. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?

Distance from Toronto: 121.6 km (75.5 mi)

Travel Time: 1.5 hours approximately

Wasaga Beach

Situated along the longest (14 km) freshwater beach in the world, Wasaga Beach is a popular summer tourist destination. If you are a beach bum, the sandy shores and the stunning sunsets will leave you awestruck! While basking on the beach is one of the things that you can do in this town, you can also enjoy cycling, birding, boating, canoeing, fishing, and hiking. The dunes area of the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, known for its parabolic sand dunes offers 30 km of trails. Whether you want to spend some quality time with your family or just chill with friends, Wasaga Beach caters to all kinds of tourists.

Distance from Toronto: 144.6 km (89.8 mi)

Travel Time: 2 hours approximately

Grey County

Laden with numerous waterfalls, Grey County is home to endless adventures and presents unique cultural and culinary experiences. There are so many places to select from while visiting Grey County that one trip certainly can’t cover it all. Waterfalls, gardens, beaches and breathtaking views, Grey County has it all! If you love the outdoors, you can participate in activities like fishing, rock climbing, horseback riding, among other choices. Webwood Falls, Inglis Falls, Jones Falls, Indian Falls, Hoggs Falls are only a few of the cascading waterfalls in Grey County. If you want to be spoilt for choice, Grey County is the perfect place for you!

Distance from Toronto: 169.2 km (105.1 mi)

Travel Time: 2 hours 15 minutes approximately

Tobermory

Tobermory is a lakeside town located at the top of the Bruce Peninsula. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, this town greets visitors with the best possible experiences. With numerous stay options to hand-pick from, Tobermory also has lots of activities to indulge in. Home to two national parks and the Flower Pot Island, visitors can never be bored here. Hiking the Bruce Trail, kayaking or canoeing on the inland lakes, diving or snorkeling, cruise to the Flower Pot island, spotting shipwrecks, golfing, boat tours, pampering your taste buds with the local fish, and watching a perfect sunset is only a few of the things that Tobermory has to offer.

Distance from Toronto: 295.4 km (183.5 mi)

Travel Time: 4 hours approximately

Now that we have given you a list of places that you can head to this spring, what are you waiting for? Based on how much time you can spend on traveling and your budget, go plan your trip already. If you have been to any of the above-mentioned places, don’t forget to tell us about your experience. If you think that a place that you recently explored deserves a spot on this list, do tell us. Happy Travelling, Torontonians!