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11 Fun Weekend Road Trips from Toronto

11 Fun Weekend Road Trips from Toronto

Planning some weekend road trips from Toronto to go on?

Whether you’re looking to do a last minute weekend getaway from Toronto or plan an extravagant long weekend escape, there are plenty of awesome short trips you can do near the city.

As downtown condo dwellers, Adam and I don’t have our own car, and we usually rent one.

If you’re also coming from downtown Toronto, you can typically rent a car on Expedia from Friday through Sunday for around $150, which includes unlimited mileage and free cancellation up to 6 hours before pickup.

If you’re not coming from downtown, car rentals are even cheaper!

Here are some fun and epic weekend road trips from Toronto to go on this summer, whether it’s for a quick getaway or long weekend!

Be sure to also follow me on Instagram and TikTok – I share a lot more content on those platforms that don’t make it to the blog!

If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Ontario, you might enjoy these posts:


Weekend trips from Toronto


Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

1. Visit the Niagara Region

Niagara Falls is a classic destination for weekend trips from Toronto.

Stop by Horseshoe Falls, explore Clifton Hill (a street full of tourist attractions and restaurants), and hiking along the Niagara Glen.

You can also check out these other fun activities in Niagara Falls:

  • Zipline over the Niagara River Gorge
  • Journey Behind the Falls to see the icy falls up close
  • Stop into the Butterfly Conservatory
  • Head up the Skylon Tower (free entry if you dine at the restaurant)
  • Take an epic helicopter flight

If you’re in the mood for a little wine tasting, stop by one of the dozens of wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake, or hit up this icewine and chocolate tasting tour or this Winter Wonderland food tour!

It’s the perfect place for a weekend road trip, but you can also spend a day trip in Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls is a 1 hour 20 minute drive from Toronto (128 km). Drive west along the 403 and transfer to the Queen Elizabeth Way.


Chedoke Falls in Hamilton, Ontario

2. Chase waterfalls in Hamilton

Don’t let TLC tell you not to chase those waterfalls.

With over 100 waterfalls, Hamilton is known as the waterfall capital of the world.

Spend a weekend road trip hiking to waterfalls and eating at some of the best restaurants in Hamilton!

If you enjoy hiking, you should definitely do the Dundas Peak hike for the incredible views.

Activities you can do during your visit to Hamilton:

  • Hike Websters Falls, Tews Falls, and Dundas Peak (a shuttle takes you to each destination on weekends)
  • See other great waterfalls (Tiffany Falls, Albion Falls)
  • Take in the city views at Sam Lawrence Park
  • Eat at one of the amazing restaurants on King William Street

There are also a bunch of cute and Instagrammable spots in Hamilton, including Motel Restaurant and Hello Baked Sugar Shop.

Hamilton is a 50 minute drive from Toronto (69 km). Drive west along the 403.


Downtown Stratford, Ontario

3. Delve into the arts in Stratford

Stratford is all about arts and culture, and they’re famous for the Stratford Festival.

This Shakespeare-loving town is filled with quirky boutiques, awesome local eats (the Stratford Chef School is located here), and tons of fun things to do.

There’s even a craft brewery here called the Shakespeare Brewing Company!

Activities you can do during your visit to Stratford:

  • See a show at the Stratford Festival
  • Explore the Victorian buildings
  • Shop at the local boutiques

Stratford is a 1 hour 40 minute drive from Toronto (149 km). Drive west along the 401 and transfer onto highway 8.


Sauble Beach, Ontario

4. Explore the Bruce Peninsula

On your way from Toronto, you can explore both the South Bruce Peninsula and Northern Bruce Peninsula.

Gaze at the views of the Georgian Bay, stop by the picturesque Sauble Beach, and swim in the clear waters of the Tobermory Grotto.

You can also take the ferry to Flowerpot Island!

The nice thing about this drive is that you can break it up in the middle so it won’t be as long and grueling.

We stayed overnight in Owen Sound (about two thirds of the way) when we went to Tobermory.

I have a blog post all about how to spend a weekend road trip in Bruce Peninsula!

Tobermory is a 3 hour 30 minute drive from Toronto (296 km). Take the 410 north, then highways 10 and 6 north.


5. Go cottaging in Muskoka

If you’re looking for a more relaxing weekend getaway, hit up Muskoka aka cottage country.

Rent an Airbnb cottage for the weekend and relax at the lake, or get outside and do something active like biking, zip lining, or doing an ATV tour.

There are tons of outdoor activities you can do in Muskoka!

Muskoka is a 2 hour 25 minute drive from Toronto (222 km). Take the 400 north, then highway 11 north.


Algonquin National Park
Stephen Elms Photography
Algonquin Park – Interior site on Tim Lake

6. Hike in Algonquin Provincial Park

Algonquin Provincial Park is the perfect weekend escape if you’re looking to getaway in nature and wilderness.

It’s next to Muskoka, so you can also do them both in the same weekend.

From hiking, to canoeing, to fishing, there are plenty of fun things to do in Algonquin during the summertime.

You can also do whitewater rafting on the Madawaska River!

If you’re looking to try camping with an expert, this 2-day group camping adventure is a great option and departs from and returns to Toronto!

Oh, and if you plan on camping, be sure not to watch the horror movie Backcountry before your visit.

Algonquin Provincial Park is a 3 hour drive from Toronto (276 km). Take the 400 north, then highways 11 and 60 north.


How to spend a weekend in Port Hope, Ontario

7. Wander in the historic town of Port Hope

Port Hope is a charming little heritage town, and there are tons of fun things to do downtown all year round.

It’s also the town they filmed the It movies in, so you can go around and find all the filming locations!

We visited while they were filming, which is why you see American flags in the photo above.

It: Chapter 2 is available on Crave Canada if you want to watch before scouting locations in Port Hope!

Port Hope is a 1 hour 10 minute drive from Toronto (107 km). Drive east along the 401.


Terre Bleu Lavender Farm in Milton, Ontario

8. Eat your way through Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County is one of the most adorable weekend getaways from Toronto.

Hit up some wineries, sunbathe at the beaches, and taste local eats in the picturesque Prince Edward County.

Here are activities you can do during your visit to PEC:

  • Visit one of the 40+ wineries
  • Visit the Prince Edward County Lavender Farm
  • Watch a movie at the Mustang Drive-In Theatre

Stay at the Drake Devonshire, June Motel, or the Prince Edward County Church for Instagrammable accommodations.

Prince Edward County is a 2 hour 10 minute drive from Toronto (204 km). Drive east along the 401.


1000 Islands Helicopter Tours in Gananoque, Ontario

9. Go island hopping at the 1000 Islands

The 1000 Islands is an epic weekend getaway just a few hours east of Toronto.

There are 1864 islands divided between Canada and the U.S., and Gananoque is the Canadian gateway to the islands.

You can see the islands by boat, kayak, or helicopter, and you can even rent a weekend property on some islands!

If you’re interested in visiting, I’ve got a weekend guide to the 1000 Islands.

Otherwise, here are some fun activities you can do during your weekend at the 1000 Islands:

  • Do a boat cruise around the 1000 Islands
  • Kayak around the 1000 Islands
  • Do a helicopter ride over the 1000 Islands
  • Hike at Landon Bay (a family-friendly hiking spot)

Gananoque is a 2 hour 44 minute drive from Toronto (287 km). Drive east along the 401.


10. Explore Ottawa, the capital of Canada

While Ottawa may not sound like an exciting place to visit to Torontonians, there are actually a lot of fun things to do in Ottawa.

They’ve also got an incredible and multicultural food scene, whether you’re in the mood for shawarma or ramen.

Activities you can do during your visit to Ottawa:

  • Explore the historic buildings
  • Explore ByWard Market (great shopping and restaurants)
  • Go river rafting along the Ottawa River

Ottawa is a 4 hour 10 minute drive from Toronto (452 km). Drive east along the 401.


Saint-Catherine Street in the Village, Montreal

11. Get cultured in Montreal

Montreal is probably around a 6 hour drive from Toronto including bathroom stops, but you can easily head up early Friday morning and later Sunday afternoon to spend a weekend there.

You’ll also want to visit one of the many incredible Montreal restaurants during your visit!

Activities you can do during your visit to Montreal:

  • Explore Old Montreal (European-esque neighbourhood)
  • Explore Le Plateau (hipster neighbourhood with lots of cool street art)
  • Walk along the Old Port
  • Attend the Osheaga Music Festival

Montreal is a 5 hour 10 minute drive from Toronto (541 km). Drive east along the 401.


Best weekend road trips from Toronto:

  1. Niagara Falls
  2. Hamilton
  3. Stratford
  4. Bruce Peninsula
  5. Muskoka
  6. Algonquin Provincial Park
  7. Port Hope
  8. Prince Edward County
  9. 1000 Islands
  10. Ottawa
  11. Montreal

There are plenty of awesome weekend road trips from Toronto you can go on, no matter what activities you’re interested in doing!

Sometimes we forget how great our own backyard is, and it’s nice to vacation locally every now and then.

If you’re interested, I’ve also got a blog post all about road trip tips that you might find helpful.

Will you be doing any weekend road trips from Toronto this summer? What are some of your favourite road trips to do around Ontario? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram!

If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Ontario, you might enjoy these posts:

Jessica Lam | Toronto lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and travel blogger | Diary of a Toronto Girl, a Canadian lifestyle blog

Weekend road trips from Toronto to go on this summer, whether you're looking to do a last minute getaway or plan an extravagant escape!

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