Winter blues got you down? We’ve got just the remedy – six to be exact! We’ve rounded up the dreamiest Ontario getaways to cheer you up this season. Just because the temperature has dropped and the days get dark so early, doesn’t mean you should hibernate in your apartment. The winter can be a magical time if you spend it in the right place!
Whether you’re craving a completely restful vacay or are looking for an adventurous winter escape, these six Ontario getaways are sure to cure your winter blues.
And if you’ve already checked these six off your list, check out these 10 winter wonderland getaways. Happy travels!
Wine Country Experience at Inn on The Twenty
Instagram/ @fernwehsociety
Escape to Ontario’s premier wine country and enjoy a stay at Inn on the Twenty in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Each guest room features a fireplace and soaker tub so you can relax after a day of wine tasting and exploring. With over 20 wineries, two distilleries and several craft breweries, plus plenty of boutiques, markets and restaurants, Twenty Valley is the ideal winter getaway spot. The inn itself houses its own restaurant as well as a spa for all your rejuvenation needs.
Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Hours from Toronto: 1 hour 15 min
Prices: Rooms start at $169 plus tax and service
Get Cozy at the Northridge Inn
Instagram/ @thenorthridgeinn
Bustled in the heart of Muskoka, Northridge Inn and Spa is known for its picturesque views and cozy accommodations. Choose from lakeside chalets and charming suites, each one with a wood burning fireplace so you can unwind with a glass of vino. Muskoka is an amazing winter destination, offering activities ranging from snowshoeing to cross-country skiing. After a day in the snow, you can have a drink at the inn’s Copper Fox Lounge before retreating to your toasty oasis.
Location: Muskoka
Hours from Toronto: 3 hours
Prices: Rooms start at $200 plus tax and service
Go Quaint at The Edward
Instagram/ @theedwardpec
With just three luxury suites in the inn, The Edward in Prince Edward County is perfect if you’re looking for a quiet and quaint getaway. Each room was designed for relaxation so you can sleep peacefully and wake up to a gourmet breakfast, made fresh daily. During the day you can explore all Prince Edward County has to offer, from wineries to Sandbanks to Picton’s main street filled with cafes, restaurants and shops. Head to The Vic Cafe for lunch and the Drake Devonshire Inn for dinner for some truly delicious eats.
Location: Picton, Prince Edward County
Hours from Toronto: 2 hours 40 min
Prices: Rooms start at $205 plus tax and service
Ski Getaway at Crest View Chalet (Airbnb)
Image: Aribnb
Looking to get away with a group of friends? This luxury Scandinavian log home will help you escape in style. Close to Calabogie Peaks ski hill and looking over Calabogie lake, you can spend your time skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing or snowmobiling and retreat to the chalet to warm up by the fire. Calabogie Village is a tiny picturesque town that you can explore by foot if skiing and ice fishing aren’t your thing.
Location: Calabogie
Hours from Toronto: 4 hours 20 mins
Prices: Rooms start at $265 plus services fees
Ultimate Relaxation at Craigleith Manor Bed & Breakfast
Instagram/ @scarfonephoto
Rated as one of the top 25 B&Bs in Canada, Craigleith Manor is nestled between Georgian Bay and the Blue Mountains, offering plenty of outdoor winter activities for your stay. The boutique bed and breakfast has only three rooms, so you can be sure your getaway will be as private and relaxing as can be. They’re a preferred accommodation partner of Scandinave Spa, a quick 5-minute drive away, so you can make the most of your R&R.
Location: Collingwood
Hours from Toronto: 2 hours
Prices: Rooms start at $200 plus tax and service
Winter Wonderland at Elora Mill Hotel & Spa
Instagram/ @elora_mill
The town of Elora is one of Ontario’s most beautiful villages, perched on the edge of a stunning gorge and sitting along the banks of the Grand and Irvine river. Any nature-lover will be enchanted by Elora’s natural beauty and old world charm. Century-old buildings have been transformed into restaurants, galleries and gift shops, so you can explore the town before coming back to your restful, luxury suite at the Elora Mill hotel. With winter packages available through March 31st, you can cozy up in your room or head to the spa for a seriously blissful experience.
Location: Elora
Hours from Toronto: 2 hours
Prices: Rooms start at $450 plus tax and service
Featured image: Instagram/ @thenorthridgeinn
If you’re feeling consumed by the city concrete this summer, it couldn’t be simpler – or cheaper – to get up close and personal with nature. Alongside partners Parkbus and Parks Canada, Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) is on a mission to connect urbanites with the great outdoors.
Now, you can hop on a free shuttle bus straight to the sights, sounds, and smells (in addition to the Instagram ops, naturally) of nature. Newly launched this summer, the TD Rouge Park Express offers free shuttle service from downtown Toronto to Rouge National Urban Park. The park features over 50 square kilometres of wilderness just outside of the city confines. Here, you’ll find picnic tables, lush wetlands, hiking trails, flowing rivers, and a sandy beach.
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The shuttle runs every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday now until September 30. Drop-off locations include 30 Carlton Street (College Station) and the MEC North York location. Tickets must be booked in advance at parkbus.ca.
The non-profit Parkbus was founded in 2010 to connect city dwellers to nature through accessible transportation options to national and provincial parks from major cities in Canada. In addition to the free Rouge Park Express, the company offers other affordable rides for both day and overnight trips. These include trips to Algonquin Provincial Park, Bruce Peninsula, Grundy Lake Provincial Park, Elora Gorge, Christie Lake, and Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area, to name a few.
You don’t have to break the bank when it comes to camping gear, nor rely on a random assortment of items borrowed from a dozen friends either. MEC offers tent and outdoor gear rentals.
So, even if you’re broke as a joke, don’t drive, or don’t know where to go, you have no excuse not to escape the city if the urge hits this summer.
Featured image: Instagram/ @rougepark
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It’s snowy, it’s cold and all you want to do is go on a vacation. But let’s face it, your wallet just isn’t on the same page as you.
As nice as it would be to hop on a plane and jet off to some quaint European town or a luxurious beach somewhere off the coast, it isn’t necessarily an option for everyone. Between bills and responsibilities, it’s either not the right time or you simply can’t afford it. Oh well, this is life.
But lucky for you, Ontario has a lot of unexpected gems nestled between its borders to make for the perfect weekend getaway. So unexpected that they can make you feel like you did, in fact, go on a vacation. Between the ambience, scenery and locals, you’ll feel like you left the province, even the country.
Here are eight places in Ontario that will make you feel like you went on a vacation.
Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula
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Tobermory is a well-known spot, mostly for its rocky shores and picturesque landscape. Regardless of its distance from the city, its stunning clear lakes and lush forestry have people flocking to it at all times of the year. It’s hard to believe a place like this really exists in Canada – it feels like it should be somewhere in Europe instead.
Georgian Bay Grotto, Bruce Peninsula
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Georgian Bay features some of the most beautiful sunsets in the province but that’s not all it has. If you don’t mind driving a bit of ways out of the city, Georgian Bay also hosts the Canadian version of cenotés, predominantly found in Mexico. So save yourself the cost of a flight and just drive over to the Georgian Bay Grotto instead.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto
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This serene temple is located right in the GTA so you won’t have to travel far with this one to feel like you went on a vacation. With its stunning architecture, intricate detailing and cultural significance, it’s sure to make you feel like you took a trip to India for the day. But don’t forget to be respectful while exploring the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir temple as it is a place of worship.
Port Dover Beach, Lake Erie
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Some people may feel our beaches here in Canada fail in comparison to those in tropical places like Hawaii or Cuba. But did you know some Canadian beaches can house palm trees? Port Dover Beach on Lake Erie can and the rare sighting is sure to make you feel like you’re oceanside at a tropical resort far from Canada.
Centreville, Toronto Islands
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Although Centreville is closed for the season, you can add it to your ‘Explore Ontario’ bucket list for the summer. Centreville is an extremely underrated spot seeing how most people think of it as a space mainly for kids. But it’s not! The mini-theme park hosts some great options for adults, plus they have a sky ride and a Ferris wheel that are sure to give you some major Coney Island vibes.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
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Niagara-on-the-Lake is the perfect spot if you love wine and want to experience Californian or Italian wineries but can’t afford to actually fly to either of those places. With a selection of large estates, medium-sized operations and small boutique wineries, you’ll really get the chance to indulge in Wine Country without breaking the bank.
Perth, Ontario
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Although it’s not the Perth in Australia, the Perth right here in Ontario has the power to make you feel like you’re in Europe. It’s the perfect spot if you’re craving a trip but can’t justify the flight costs or flying time. This small town has an abundance of gorgeous architecture that is reminiscent of quaint European spots like that in Ireland and Scotland.
Inglis Falls, Owen Sound
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If you love waterfalls – and maybe even chasing them, we won’t judge – this is one you need to go and see. Inglis Falls is 18 meters high and was formed from Sydenham River meeting the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. The result is nature at its finest. Inglis Falls is located in the middle of a forest, making it feel and look like you’ve escaped to an exotic place, possibly one of Thailand’s many gorgeous waterfalls.
Do you know any other places in Ontario that will make you feel like you went on a vacation?
Featured image:by ruffin_ready
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