Ever wanted to visit an Ontario provincial park but didn’t want to pay the fees? For one day only this summer, you can visit any Ontario provincial park completely free for its Healthy Parks Healthy People celebration! Curiosity reports.
Mark your calendars for July 21, 2023, to explore your favourite park (or discover a new one), and sample its facilities and services until 10 PM, with a complimentary pass that you’ll be given once you arrive.
The pass will allow you access to access to the amenities that each respective park has to offer. Hiking trails, beaches, waterfalls, and more!
Keep in mind, any additional facilities not included in a normal day-pass visit at these provincial parks, like camping and rentals, will still cost extra. As well as additional charges at the swimming pools in Bronte Creek and Earl Rowe provincial parks.
Visit a park in the area or take a road trip and take advantage of this one-day-only event!
Can’t decide where to go? Click here to view our round-up of Ontario Provincial Parks, all within 4 hours of Toronto!
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The current number of COVID-19 cases is going down and that means that the province of Ontario is starting to reopen. On May 14, Premier Doug Ford and public health officials announced that all retail businesses with street entrances will be permitted to open starting on May 19.
This news is super exciting but physical distancing measures will still remain in place and these businesses will have to follow protocols like limiting the number of customers inside at one time.
“Businesses should reopen only if they are ready, and the truth is that this is all dependent on the numbers,” Premier Ford said Thursday. “As we get more and more people back to work, the risk of flare-ups is real so we need to be vigilant.”
Ontario’s Health Minister Christine Elliott also said that the province is asking members of the public to wear masks or face coverings while out when practicing physical distancing isn’t possible.
In addition to the news about retail businesses with street entrances being able to reopen, the Premier also announced that vehicle dealerships and scientific research laboratories will be allowed to resume operations, as will select medical businesses and businesses in the media sector like film and TV post-production.
According to the government’s Stage 1 framework, also allowed to resume operations are animal services like grooming, training, and veterinary offices as well as animal shelters and boarding facilities.
“Thanks to our collective efforts we are prepared for the next stage of reopening the economy,” the premier said. “We are getting thousands of people back to work. We have the framework, safety guidelines and capacity in our healthcare system.”
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Even though we’re in the middle of August, it doesn’t mean summer is over quite yet. There is still plenty of time to get out there and enjoy a weekend in the country or staycation. Ontario is filled with so many beautiful places from Airbnb’s and farms, to hotels and motels just waiting for you to book in.
Here are 12 unique and inspiring places to stay in Ontario!
The Lake House In Muskoka
Airbnb
If you had cottaging in Muskoka on your summer bucket list, there’s still time to check it off. Head to this glorious lake house and live out all your cottage and lake fantasies. This property has ammenties like a paddle boat, kayak, Muskoka chairs (duh!), and even a fire pit. Located in the town of Gravenhurst, it’s an easy drive from Toronto, too.
‘Base Camp at Blue’ Mountainside Suite
Airbnb
This Scandinavian style home is so incredible, we couldn’t leave it out. There’s a private hot tub and it’s only 350 metres from the heart of Blue Mountain Village. If you should ever want to leave this spectacular place, the bars, restaurants, day spas, and ski slopes are only a short stroll away.
Treehouse Retreat & Cabin Hideaway
Airbnb
This treehouse cabin is extremely popular and in demand for good reason as it’s glamping on a whole new level —literally! Nestled away in the forest, it has a pool, hammocks, a poolside fireplace, and stunning interior design like you’ve never seen before. This is definitely the place to live out your childhood fantasy and stay in the treehouse of your dreams.
The June Motel
Instagram/@thejunemotel
The ‘insta-worthy’ June Motel is a bloggers dream come true. Every Saturday morning, you can take a yoga class that’s followed by mimosas in the front yard. You can also take part in The June’s Rose O’Clock with $5 glasses of the house rosé every night from 8-9 p.m.
Prince Edward County Yacht Stay
Airbnb
Calling all sailors! This 34’ sailing yacht can be all yours! Spend a romantic weekend with your significant other out at sea, or just docked at the beautiful Waupoos Marina. Borrow the canoe and take it for a run to explore the bay or even go fishing.
The Ferg PEC
Instagram/@thefergpec
You’ll feel like a local in lovely Picton when you stay at The Ferg. Located in the heart of wine country, this rustic-chic home is inspired by Scandinavian aesthetic and interior design that is spot-on. You don’t need to bring a thing either, as it has everything you’ll need and more. Basically, it’s the ideal getaway for a restful weekend in the County.
Cabin On The 9
Instagram/@cabinonthe9
Disconnect from the world and hide away in the cutest, most intimate cabin. Enjoy a skate on the private pond during the winter, and make it your own private swimming pool in the summer months. Surrounded by 15-acres of property, it’s also the perfect spot for hiking. Just grab your bestie or significant other, and experience this dreamy getaway.
Fronterra Farms
Instagram/@lifeissweetbeaches
Located on an organic farm is Fronterra Farms that grows 130 varieties of herbs, veggies, and edible flowers. There are 10 log-framed tent suites to choose from, which come with hardwood floors and your own bathroom. Each tent has a king bed, lounge, and en-suite bathroom. What’s even cooler is guests can pick their own veggies to cook for dinner, go for a countryside stroll, or sign-up for one of the workshops on-site. This is a must do for upscale glampers!
Mr. Anderson’s House
This Airbnb created each room to reflect a different film in director Wes Anderson’s repertoire. The 100 year old home is unique in design and is an ever-evolving project for the homeowner. Stay in this film lover’s dream and live like The Royal Tenenbaums.
Rustic Lakefront Cottage
Gaze out over Lake Erie from this cozy and rustic lakefront cottage. Enjoy the outdoor kitchen in the summer, and the fire pit in the winter. Curl up and read a book or play a few tunes on the piano.
Arcadia Custom-Built Log Chalet
If you’re looking for over-the-top lavishness, this chalet is the perfect spot for you. Grab fifteen of your closest friends and enjoy a luxury retreat. It’s on the pricier side of things but with everyone chipping in, it’ll be worth it for sure. Surrounded by 3 sprawling acres of tranquil, secluded terrain, this 4,600 square foot paradise radiates coziness and modern elegance. The games room features a pool table, foosball table, air hockey table, and an assortment of board games.
InterContinental Toronto Centre
Instagram/@torriwebster
If you’re looking for a fabulous place to stay that’s right in the middle of exciting Toronto, your best bet is the InterContinental Toronto Centre that’s located on Front Street. Staying in the heart of the city’s Entertainment District means that you can have all the fun you want, but be back in your room in no time. In addition to the luxe amenities, make sure you check out the spa for a relaxing experience.
Featured Image: Instagram/@thejunemotel
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I know all about wanting to travel on a shoestring budget. The itch to explore every inch of the globe is real, my friends. But, unfortunately, the state of my bank account just isn’t in line with my ambition to travel the world.
Luckily, there are some pretty rad places just around the corner, and plenty of adventure to be had not too far from Toronto!
Here are four day trips to take outside of Toronto this summer.
Elora, Ontario
Elora might just be one of my favourite places to explore. A trip to Elora is less than two hours by car, and it’s most certainly worth it. There is so much to do and see, you might think you’ve gone a lot farther than two hours outside of the city.
Things To Do
Elora Brewing Co.
If you’re anything like me then travel is defined by food and craft beer. I always try and find a local brewery no matter where I go, so of course one of my first stops in Elora is their brewery!
Elora Gorge & Quarry
Not only is the town of Elora super beautiful, they’ve also got to beautiful conservation areas to visit. The Gorge is the place to go for casual walks, as well as tubing down the Grand River. You can also camp at the Gorge campgrounds. The Quarry is a large swimming hole with high cliffs and good times.
Prince Edward County, Ontario
I am definitely making a trip to PEC this summer. There is just so much to do, I’m not sure how you could fit it all in one day! But, being just about two hours outside of Toronto, it’s a great place to make multiple day trips this summer. While we’ve already built a list of things to do in Prince Edward County that can’t be beat, here are some other things to add to your to-do list while you’re there.
Things To Do
Designed by Tiffany Pratt, who designed Paris Paris and Cafe Cancan here in Toronto, The Vic Cafe is a beautiful space and totally Instagrammable. You’ll love all the colours and fun vibes, as well as the all day breakfast!
Okay, I know I said day trips outside of Toronto, but trust me, you’re going to want to visit The June. It feels more like you’re hanging out in Palm Springs than just a few hours outside of Toronto, so you know the photos ops are going to be prime. Plus, you can always just go for a hang at the lobby bar if you’re going to be in the area anyway!
Caledon, ON
Just north of Brampton is a large county called Caledon. And when you head out that way, you’ll be in for a treat!
While it might be closed for conservation, there are still a few lookout points for a great view! Since it’s so close to Toronto, you’ll have plenty of time to admire its beauty.
Hamilton, ON
Okay, you might be thinking I’m a little bit crazy to suggest heading out to a location that’s literally a Go Train ride out of Toronto, but hear me out, okay? There are tons of amazing places in Hamilton, and when was the last time you made the trek?
The Waterfalls
Did you know there are a TON of waterfalls within Hamilton? It’s the waterfall capital of the world! What a better way to spend a summer day then chasing waterfalls?
Not only are these gardens super pretty, but the RBG actually hosts concerts here, too! The Strumbellas will be playing there on July 7th, how cool is that? Plus, if you head over right now, you might catch a glimpse of the cherry blossoms and save yourself the headache of seeing them at High Park!
With so many amazing places to adventure just outside of Toronto, maybe I don’t have to worry so much about travelling all over the world this year. I can’t wait for the summer weather to hit!
According to the CBC, Shopify is “very confident” that they will be able to handle the first day of recreational pot sales in Canada. They are quoted as saying they are so confident becasue “cannabis isn’t Kylie Cosmetics.”
That type of comment may seem a little cocky, but the execs at Shopify aren’t wrong. Pot demand may be high, but it’s very unlikely that it will exceed the tens of thousands of orders Kylie Jenner’s Lip Kits generate in a single minute.
“These stores are going to get hit hard, and there’s going to be a lot of people browsing… If this is bigger than a Kylie Lip Kit drop, I think that’s going to surprise everybody,” said Loren Padelford, Shopify’s general manager.
When Cannabis becomes legal on October 17th, some physical retail stores will exist, but the vast majority of consumers will head online to make their purchases.
Shopify has been preparing for months for the first day of legal pot use and will be one of the main tech software players in the Canadian marijuana landscape.
According to the CBC Shopify has put their systems through rigorous training and testing. The company believes that they will be successful in fulfilling the orders and has not really shown any major cracks as of yet.
The online shopping portals for cannabis will be similar to online shopping for other products. The main difference is that there will be an age-verification system, and cannabis portals will also have an education information component for consumers.
One of the biggest concerns for Canadian consumers centres around privacy. According to the CBC and Shopify, protocols will be in place to protect shoppers data.
“There’s lots of attention being paid to the security of the data and ensuring that people’s private information isn’t shareable or easily accessed,” Padelford said.
Hopefully, everything goes to plan and Shopify is able to meet demands… Here’s hoping.
Source: CBC
Get ready, Ontario finally has its very first floating water park and it’s located at Barrie’s Centennial Beach.
The structure spans over 13,000 square feet of inflatable fun on the water, with paddle rafts, slides, wobbling bridges and lots more. The concept was started by Okanagan Wibit, which have owned and operated similar parks in British Columbia since 2014. Lucky for us, SplashON is now open for some summer splashing!
All participants must sign a waiver to gain access, and those aged 5 years old or less need to be accompanied by an adult. Here are the prices:
Featured Image: Instagram/@splashonwaterparks
Source: Narcity.com
Are you going to go to the floating waterpark this summer? Let us know in the comments.
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Who will be selling marijuana in Ontario once it becomes legal has been a little confusing for consumers. According to CTV the OCS (Ontario Cannabis Stores) won’t be the only ones selling marijuana once it’s legal on October 17, 2018, as the Ontario government will allow private stores to remain open as legalization takes place.
Sources close to the provincial government expect the announcement to be made public as early as next week and will outline the strategy to allow the private sector to own and operate cannabis shops.
The government would still control the distribution of cannabis and would also manage online sales. Under the former Wynne government, Ontario was set to give full control of cannabis sales to the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, with 40 stores set to open in the next few years under the OCS banner.
The new system would see something similiar to what Albert has established which lets private business sell Cannabis with licences granted by the LCBO.
The new change stems from the new Ford government who doesn’t believe the “government should stick their noses into everything”
We will keep you posted as this story develops.
Source: CTV
Our friends at Retail-Insider are reporting that Swedish mega-furniture retailer IKEA has halted plans to open a 270,000 square foot store at Wellington Road and Highway 401 in London Ontario.
Construction on the store was supposed to begin this year on a vacant piece of land that would have also included an expanded Costco Store.
When approached by the London Free Press, IKEA stated that it still sees London as a good opportunity for a future store, but currently is working on “new solutions” for the company.
This will come as a disappointment to London residents who have been looking forward to an IKEA store for the past few years.
It’s still unclear what will happen with the IKEA planned for London, they could open a new store or scrap the project completely.
Featured image: Instagram/@xxzigoo
Escaping the city noise and pollution to somewhere more peaceful is only a car ride away. It’s finally getting nice out and that means it’s time for summer road-trips. Visit all of these adorable towns to explore their individual charm.
Spend your weekends exploring what Ontario has to offer. Find cute boutiques, insta-worthy cafes, and delicious restaurants. Some of these spots might even make you feel like you’re in Europe!
1. Paris, Ontario
This town was voted “Ontario’s Prettiest Town,” lined with open-air cafes, delicious bakeries, cheese & candy shops. There are also an abundance of family and fine dining restaurants.
2. Almonte, Ontario
A scenic mill town with 19th-century vibes is located 45 minutes from Ottawa. Check out galleries, boutiques and antique shops on the main street, as well as cute restaurants and B&Bs along the river.
3. Elora, Ontario
Situated on the edge of a spectacular gorge and nestled along the banks of the Grand & Irvine River. Discover visual arts, upscale boutiques, natural beauty, architecture, culinary flavours, and diverse culture in Elora, Ontario.
4. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
This town sits on the shores of Lake Ontario, at the mouth of the Niagara River. It’s known for its wineries and the summer Shaw Festival.
5. Port Hope, Ontario
A heritage community that’s located on the north shore of Lake Ontario with both urban and rural vibes. Make sure to check out the Capitol Theatre and take a hike in Port Hope Conservation Area.
6. Picton, Ontario
Located in Prince Edward County, which is a must-visit in the summer filled with wineries, delicious food, and cute boutique hotels. Make sure you check out Sandbanks Provincial Park to see the sand dunes in person.
7. Port Stanley, Ontario
Located on the north shore of Lake Erie at the mouth of Kettle Creek, Port Stanley is an adorable beach town with one of the finest stretches of sandy beaches.
8. Cobourg, Ontario
From downtown foodie tours to haunted ghost walks to nature hikes – there’s the perfect getaway plan for everyone. It’s only a short car ride from Toronto!
9. Kleinburg, Ontario
Just north of Woodbridge, Kleinberg is an oasis for peace and serenity. Located in the Greater Toronto Area, with quaint stores, restaurants, and outdoor areas. Don’t miss out on visiting the prestigious McMichael Art Gallery.
10. Dundas, Ontario
Find quiet tree-lined streets, historic 19th-century buildings, restaurants, cafes, boutique shops and more, all nestled in the heart of picturesque Dundas Valley. Dundas is home to Tew’s Falls, Spencer Falls Conservation Area, McMaster Museum of Art, Dundurn Castle.
11. Blue Mountain Village, Ontario
Burrowed between the foot of the Niagara Escarpment’s scenic Blue Mountains and the rugged shores and crystal clear waters of Georgian Bay, this spot has events going on season-round. The town is lined with restaurants, hotels, shops and lots of outdoor dining.
12. Creemore, Ontario
A quaint southern Ontario town, dotted with galleries, specialty shops but mainly dominated by the Creemore Springs Brewery.
13. Goderich, Ontario
The town of Goderich combines small-town charm with world class amenities. There is much to see and do in this architecturally-rich port town which sits on the bluffs overlooking the shores of Lake Huron.
14. Unionville, Ontario
Main Street Unionville is a picturesque street lined with historic buildings, boutique shops, restaurants, spas, and salons. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ve got to check out the Old Firehall Confectionery, which is full of handmade goodies like truffles, macaroons, cookies, etc.
15. Merrickville, Ontario
For those going on day-trips, Merrickville has just about everything: lots of funky independent shops, nice cafés, and some interesting history. It’s perfect for cycling, paddling, hiking, and boating in the warmer months.
Featured Image: Instagram/@vintage_hotels
Which is your favourite town to visit in Ontario? Let us know in the comments!
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Think of an adult fun land, filled with zip-lines, arcade rooms, obstacle courses, trampolines and more! Luckily, all our childhood dreams are coming true.
The Factory, located in London, is going to be North America’s highest and largest indoor ropes course! It used to be an old Kellogg’s plant and now it will be the transformed into the amusement park of our dreams. There will be an entire zip line course and rope courses that go up to 75 feet in the air, with a 70-foot drop (not for those with the faint heart). It will also feature 21,000 square feet of trampolines (#trampolinecity), an Ultimate Warrior course, and of course interactive games like virtual reality, laser tag, and escape rooms!
Don’t worry, there’s more – Imagine a 7,000 square foot airbag (huh?), tumble tracks, dodgeball courts, and we will stop there for now.
Go check it out for yourself! Take a road-trip now that the weather is warm. It’s the perfect spot for adults and kids to spend the day.
Featured Image: Instagram/@illburyandgoose
Source: Narcity.com
Are you excited for North America’s highest and largest indoor ropes course?
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