10 amazing day trips from Toronto that are perfect for spring

Apr 26 2018, 11:09 pm

Now that it’s finally starting to feel like spring, it’s time to venture out of the city for a serious dose of fresh air.

And with warm weather in the forecast, there’s no better time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful sights and attractions that our fine province has to offer.

Luckily Toronto is a short drive from a number of destinations that are bursting with activities, making them the ultimate spots for spring day trips.

From wine tasting in Beamsville to taking in the beautiful tulip festival in Ottawa – there’s a lot to experience that’s just a quick drive away.

And don’t worry, Toronto will still be here when you get back.

Haliburton Highlands

Just under three hours from downtown Toronto, you’ll find some of the most picturesque lake views in the province. And what could be more quintessentially Canadian than spending an afternoon canoeing on a peaceful lake? In the Haliburton Highlands, you’ll find a series of lakes, many of which don’t allow motorized boats, which are the perfect setting for perfecting your paddle.

Point Peele National Park

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Located just about four hours southwest of Toronto, Point Pelee National Park is the southernmost tip of mainland Canada. It also happens to be home to incredible wildlife and scenic views, and visitors can take advantage of canoeing, hiking, bird watching, or relaxing on the beach.

Algonquin Provincial Park

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While Algonquin is an ideal spot to go camping in the warmer summer months, it’s definitely worthy of a spring day trip. Complete with panoramic views of the wild Algonquin landscape, this vast park is a great place to spend an afternoon canoeing, hiking, fishing, and bird watching.

Prince Edward Country Taste Trail

There’s seriously no better way to spend a sunny spring day that to eat and drink your way through Prince Edward County. Just two hours east of Toronto, you’ll find some delicious local eats and plenty of indulgences.  You can cycle or drive the country backroads, and stop at the many restaurants, artisanal food vendors, wineries, and more.

Collingwood Caves

If you drive just over two hours north of the city, you’ll find one of the province’s beautiful caves. Located in Collingwood, Scenic Caves features a serious of caves, caverns and rocky terrain for those looking for an afternoon adventure. We recommend wearing a pair of hiking boots and leaving your Yeezy’s in the city if you plan on visiting.

Flowerpot Island

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Flowerpot Island is one of those places that you’ll see photos of and not believe it’s located in Ontario, let alone so close to Toronto. Located off the coast of Tobermory, Flowerpot Island is one of Canada’s most fascinating natural attractions. Accessible only by boat, this island is home to plenty of campsites and hiking trails and is a great place to spend the day exploring the island, viewing the scenery, picnicking or swimming.

Ottawa – Canadian Tulip Festival

If you don’t mind sitting in the car for a few hours, make your way to the heart of the country’s capital and check out the 66th annual Canadian Tulip Festival. The tulip festival is much more than just beautiful scenery and Instagram-worthy views. It’s almost two weeks of events, activities, workshops, music, fireworks, shows and entertainment for the entire family. If you were thinking of visiting Ottawa, spring is definitely the perfect occasion.

Beamsville

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If you’ve already visited a number of the wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake, we recommend checking out some of the wineries in Beamsville. Located just over an hour from Toronto, Beamsville is perfect for day trips. Not only is the landscape beautiful in the spring, but the tasting experience at the local wineries is both educational and fun. It’s also a great place to cycle, should you want to park the car and ride your bike to and from each winery.

Halton

Halton is one of those regions in Ontario that gets more beautiful with each season. It also happens to be a great place to spend an afternoon biking, hiking, swimming or enjoying a picnic amongst the scenic views. Just under an hour from Toronto, you’ll find a variety of conservation parks that will truly bring spring’s beauty to life.

Hamilton

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Located roughly one hour southwest of Toronto, you’ll find Hamilton – the City of Waterfalls. While Hamilton isn’t all that pretty from the highway, it’s actually home to over 100 waterfalls along the Bruce Trail and the Niagara Escarpment. On the next sunny day, pack a picnic and head to Hamilton and spend the day hiking to one of the most beautiful waterfalls outside of Niagara.

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