Top 10 Best Small Towns in Ontario
The province of Ontario, which is home to the majority of Canadians, is well-known for its outstanding collection of small towns. From the Greater Toronto Area ... read more...(GTA) or from Ottawa, some of these locations are day trips, while others are much farther away. The top small towns in Ontario have a wide range of activities to do, so no matter where you go, you'll have a fantastic time. Let's take a look at the best small towns in Ontario below!
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Compared to its noisier cousin up on the hill, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake offers something a little low-key vibe. A beautiful main street with ancient structures, a waterfront neighborhood with views of Toronto, and genteel homes on leafy streets may all be found here.
You may travel back to 1812 at the Fort George National Historic Site, which is only a short distance from the city center. Some people might not be aware of this, but the Shaw Festival is also held in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The plays of George Bernard Shaw and other writers are performed throughout the summer on three stages located throughout the city. You can have the ideal romantic weekend by staying in a bed and breakfast or historic inn, taking it easy with a leisurely first-class dinner, and then going to a concert each night. It's a great idea to use a bicycle to explore Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Niagara River is followed by trails that travel through pastoral farms and beautiful, green countryside. Take a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon exploring.
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Prince Edward County also referred to as "The County," has grown into a pleasant destination over the years. Everybody finds the location to be appealing because it offers a little bit of everything. Picton is the town at the center of it all.
This medieval village of just over 4,700 people is ideally situated in the center to explore the area. It has many popular attractions, including Lake on the Mountain, Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area, Dunes Beach, making it well worth a visit. Children can run down huge sand dunes into Lake Ontario at Sandbanks Provincial Park, a popular destination for families with young children. There are countless unique stores in the city and all throughout the county will be ideal for those who are more interested in home furnishings and antiques. Back at your vacation rental or cottage, are you planning a special dinner? Visit any of the fruit stands you see along the way. It is highly recommended to visit the Black River Cheese shop in Milford. Standard hotels, luxurious B&Bs, and a variety of other lodging options are all available in the city.
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Blue Mountain Ski Resort and Village is a very popular winter destination in Ontario, but it’s great to visit any time of the year! The resort is located in The Blue Mountains, a town in southwestern Ontario.
According to some, the greatest time to go is during the summer, when the hiking and mountain biking trails are open and there are a lot of people enjoying the warm weather on the restaurant patios. Water trikes and paddleboats can be rented or brought on your own at a small mill pond during the summer. The climbing wall, rope courses, and Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster are all great options for those who like to challenge their endurance. Take an outdoor gondola ride or use the putting course if you're looking for something a little more leisurely. The ski hill is frequently crowded on weekends during the winter as people enjoy sliding down the snowy slopes. A lively après ski scene emerges in the village as the slopes close. Whatever seasonal option you choose, this little village will undoubtedly please. The village at the base of the ski hill is a pedestrian-only area and is just over two hours from downtown Toronto. The Boulevard is lined with shops where you can buy the latest ski fashions in the winter and the hottest summer clothes in the summer.
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Stratford, Ontario is a pretty city with small-town charms, located about 1.5 hours from Toronto. It is one of the top road trip destinations in Ontario and best small towns in Ontario.
Stratford has a long history of serving as the province's center for the arts and culture. Shakespeare's plays were first shown live here in 1953, which is also where the concept for the Stratford Festival was initially developed. Currently, the season consists of 12 or more events presented in four locations. Shakespeare is not the only play being performed; musicals, contemporary plays, and dramas are also. The performing arts are just one aspect of Stratford. With a bustling main street filled with restaurants, stores, and unique boutiques, the city is incredibly walkable. Going for a stroll along the Avon River is a wonderful activity. By going paddle boating on the river, you can witness this beautiful scenery from new vantage points at a leisurely pace. Shakespeare Gardens, Upper Queen's Park, and Lower Queen's Park are some of the parks in the city that surround the Avon River.
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Grand Bend is one of the most well-liked beach towns in southern Ontario. It has been regarded as one of Ontario's iconic summer beach towns. Locals and tourists alike go to the sandy Main Beach during the summer months because of its Blue Flag rating for water quality and safety.
Since the early 1900s, tourists have been attracted to Grand Bend. Today, a long stretch of sand beginning where the Ausable River flows into Lake Ontario serves as one of Ontario's top beaches. The beach is the place to go to see and be seen. You can choose to relax on your towel, relax on your beach chair, take a stroll along the sand, or just observe people. A funky main street is located behind the beach, where fast food restaurants, ice cream parlors, and shops selling beach-related items compete for your hard-earned cash. One of Ontario's most well-known parks, Pinery Provincial Park, is just a short drive from Grand Bend. Grand Bend is also known for the largest fireworks display in Southwestern Ontario to celebrate Canada Day.
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With its location along the magnificent Grand River, the small town of Elora offers one of the most picturesque settings in the province. Walk across one of the river bridges while keeping an eye out for the Elora Gorge Falls.
There are many early 19th-century buildings that have been restored in the downtown area. Explore the main street and stop at any of the many independent stores, boutiques, and art galleries. Elora offers a diverse variety of restaurants that serve both local and international food, some of which have pleasant patios. Even though Elora is a simple day drive from Toronto or Hamilton, it also makes for a wonderful overnight destination. Along with high-end boutique hotels, B&Bs in old houses can be found all around the city. Take the quick trip from town to the Elora Gorge Conservation Area for those who are less interested in dining and shopping and more interested in water activities. You can get an inner tube rent here and float down the Grand River. With 400 sites, this campground is one of the closest to Toronto.
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The Lake Scugog shoreline town of Port Perry is buzzing with activity. Fashion boutiques and unique stores providing everything you would need can be found in large numbers on the main street. Restaurants, pastry shops, and a chocolate shop are located on the main street as well.
The town has done an excellent job of preserving its historic main street, and as a result, numerous movies have been filmed there throughout the years. Once you leave the city center, you may wander through lush neighborhoods that are dotted with some quite opulent older residences. Nearly an hour is needed to travel from Toronto's downtown to Port Perry. There are some beautiful Victorian buildings and storefronts in Port Perry. You may mistakenly believe that you are in England because of the red brick buildings with colorful awnings and decorative features. The old post office is a beautiful structure with a clocktower. And the Piano Inn on Queen Street still has the exact same appearance as it did more than a century ago.
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One of Ontario's best parks, Algonquin Provincial Park, is accessible from the town of Huntsville. Huntsville is situated in the untamed Canadian Shield region, which features exposed granite, crystal-clear lakes, and massive white pines.
This outdoorsy town is ideal for a weekend getaway in Ontario's northland and is just a 2.5-hour journey north of Toronto. Walk the length of the main street and explore the shops. Algonquin Outfitters, one of the best, has the most up-to-date camping, canoeing, and hiking gear. If you've worked up an appetite, there are numerous excellent restaurants with sizable patios that look out into the river in the town's center. It has other popular attractions, including Lions Lookout, Arrowhead Provincial Park, making it well worth a visit. The town holds numerous events during the winter and provides access to outdoor activities including snowshoeing, ice fishing, skating, snowmobiling, dogsledding, cross-country skiing, and even downhill skiing at the close-by Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area.
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Fort Frances bills itself as the destination for "Boundless Adventures" and is situated in the far northwest of the province, across from International Falls, Mn. The town is ideally located on Rainy Lake, making it possible to enjoy world-class boating, fishing, and snowmobiling in the winter.
Scott Street, the main thoroughfare of the neighborhood, has undergone a significant renovation that includes new sidewalks and a brand-new central park. There are markets and live music held here all summer long. The lovely La Verendrye Parkway is located not far from the city center. This urban walking path follows the Rainy River's shoreline for 3.6 kilometers before connecting to a path that leads to Pither's Point park. Along the way, make sure to get some ice cream at the Sorting Gap Marina, explore the adjoining 33-meter-tall (100-foot) viewing tower, and take a tour of the 60-foot-long Hallett Tugboat.
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Wawa is a township in the Canadian province of Ontario that is connected to Wawa Lake and situated in the Algoma District. The township was formally renamed to Wawa in 2007 from its previous name of Michipicoten, which was taken from a local river of the same name.
Recently, this quiet town has experienced something of a renaissance, thanks to infrastructure upgrades that have made living there more enjoyable along Main Street. Wawa Lake, one of the town's main attractions, is, however, often overlooked. The shoreline at Wawa is a beautiful golden-sand beach, and on both sides of this large lake are enormous hills dotted with trees. For rugged outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy fishing, snowmobiling, or riding ATVs, Wawa is an appealing option. Additionally, Lake Superior Provincial Park, which offers excellent kayaking, camping, and hiking options as well as beautiful beaches, is only about 20 minutes away.