FIFA fever may be in full swing, but there’s still plenty of summer left to savour. We’re craving the charm of small Ontario towns and checking off as many as we can before the season slips away. With warm days, fewer bugs, and perfect road-trip weather, there’s no better time for a spontaneous day trip or weekend escape. Pack the car—or hop on a bus or train—and discover the hidden gems waiting just beyond the city.
Picture-Perfect Small Ontario Towns to Scope out this Summer
Port Dover: 1.5 to 2 hours from Toronto ⚓
While you can certainly plan a day trip to Dover, a weekend stay is a much better way to experience the ins and outs of this seaside town. Port Dover is a biker’s paradise every Friday the 13th, but those with slightly more nuanced tastes may wish to explore outside those dates.
With a sprawling, shallow beach on Lake Erie and some of Ontario’s best fishing, Port Dover is a quintessential summer escape. Come for the famous Arbor Dog and then check out some of Main Street’s best shops. Nearby Frisky Beaver winery makes for a fun afternoon.
Stay at The Dover George (above, middle) and make it a weekend romp. You can take over the entire boutique hotel or steal Suite Four just for yourselves. Read about a recent stay at DG here.
Picton: 2 hours from Toronto ☀️
If you’re heading east, make a pitstop in Picton, part of the incredible Prince Edward County. Snag a campsite at Sandbanks, or book in for more sumptuous stays at Picton’s prime spot, The Royal, right on the main street. Super walkable, staying here brings a little European flair to this small town. Book a table at Bocado, Picton’s answer to tapas, and be sure to check out Zest for gourmet kitchen gear, and Yellow Studio for inspired gifts.
Located just around the corner from The Royal, a perfectly private stay awaits at Hotel Karydia. With three well-appointed rooms and a full kitchen, this house-hotel is like an Airbnb without all the headaches. Nearby, the Drake Devonshire offers wine tours around the county and boasts a happy hour at its seaside estate. The June Motel is another breezy stay or accessible happy hour.
Local county fun is almost limitless. A couple of ideas this summer:
🎸The Hayloft Dancehall is a nostalgic evening in the county. The 100-year-old barn is the hot spot every weekend with live music and entertainment. Look for free shuttle buses running between The Hayloft and Picton, Bloomfield, and Wellington all evening long.
👻 Graveyard & Gallows Walking Tour
Fridays in July and August (minus August 21st), 7 pm
Macaulay Heritage Park, 23 Church Street, Picton
🦙 Alpaca Lane Farm is a peaceful farm escape where you can meet friendly alpacas or join an Alpaca Trekking tour.
🚗 The Mustang Drive-In is a summer must for families, couples, and anyone with four wheels.
More Small Ontario Towns Worth Checking Out
Huron County: 2.5 hours from Toronto 🌊
Goderich, Bayfield, and Grand Bend conjure up visions of blue skies and charming lakeside villages. But just a stone’s throw away, in the neighbouring counties of Brussels, Blyth, and Wingham, there are foodie destinations worth a stop, or three.
Pack your cooler with ice and drop in at Capella Meadows for small-batch organic goat cheese (left), a farm tour with Pickle the Pig at Meeting Place Farm (centre). Last stop, Green’s Meat Market for local cuts and top-notch butchery. Read about Huron County here.
Looking to spread out for a weekend? The Kiwi Motel is a fan favourite for its courtyard pool and breezy access.
Niagara Falls: 1.5 hours from Toronto 🌈
If you think you know everything about Niagara Falls, think again. A journey beyond the falls (and also quite literally, at Niagara Parks‘ new virtual ride) is an easy getaway that most Ontarians have made many times. But there’s a lot more to this town than just the falls. Museums, world-class dining and other-worldly natural attractions make the Niagara region worth repeating.
Particularly unique vistas include the historic Whirlpool Aero Car. Hovering in a suspended car 200ft above category six rapids makes for an invigorating afternoon. Also on deck is the significantly more tame Butterfly Conservatory. Grab a season’s pass and hit up as many uplifting and educational experiences, only a short jaunt from the city. Or better yet, book a room with the best views of the falls at the Hyatt Regency Niagara Falls Fallsview.
Local award-winning wineries and Michelin-recognized restaurants dot the map between destinations. A few to check out include the brand-new Stone Eagle and Rosewood Wineries. Fat Rabbit has expanded in St Catherines, and its sister seafood project, bar Les Incompetents are both creating major food buzz this side of the skyway.
Read our guide to Beamsville, Ontario here.
Yours to Discover: Picture- Perfect Small Ontario Towns
Elora: 2 hours from Toronto 💦
Very few small Ontario towns can compete with Elora, a culinary destination that also features unparalleled natural surroundings. The Elora gorge is a spectacular natural lazy-ish river, and renting tubes to trek down is a perfect way to witness this majestic landscape. Nearby, boutique stays such as the Kat Florence Hotel make for cushy sleeps.
The culinary scene is positively cooking here, too. Tony’s Sourdough Pizzeria is a must-stop, and come August 1st, a new concept is opening, dubbed Foxy’s from Michelin-trained Chef Miles Pundsack-Poe.
Stratford: 2 hours from Toronto 🎭
Stratford, just west of Toronto, is a destination all summer long for theatre lovers, but a look beyond the curtains reveals more than just a flair for the dramatics. Cozy cocktail bars and world-class restaurants dot this historic town, which is also home to the tiniest movie theatre, too. Check out The Starlight for clever cocktails and top-notch dining.
Stay in town at The Bruce Hotel. We love the on-demand room service cookie delivery, and luxurious rooms, ours with a walkout to beautifully kept grounds. Don’t forget your bathing suit!
Southampton: 3 hours from Toronto 🏖️
Perched on the shores of Lake Huron, Southampton is a picturesque escape where sandy beaches and breathtaking sunsets steal the show night after night. Book a staycation at The Beach Motel or the South Beach Boutique Motel, both short strolls from the beach and main drag. Check out The Walker House for happy hour patio drinks or Duffy’s for late-night romps.
Like most small Ontario towns, Southampton is surrounded by daytrip-worthy destinations, like Port Elgin and Sauble Beach. Bring some bikes and make a plan for local adventures.
All images by Libby Roach, unless otherwise noted.