Ontario is made for road trips, from scenic drives through cottage country to longer journeys along the shores of the Great Lakes and into Northern Ontario. Explore Niagara-on-the-Lake, Prince Edward County, Algonquin Park, Manitoulin Island, and the communities and landscapes along the way to Thunder Bay.
Our Ontario road trip guides include suggested routes, maps, distances, and the best places to stop along the way. Just a few hours from Toronto, these places are ready for you to explore.
Table of Contents
10 Best Ontario Road Trips
- Niagara-on-the-Lake – Historic Charm and World-Class Wineries
- Algonquin Park – Ontario’s Premier Hiking Destination
- Prince Edward County – Rolling Vineyards and Sand Dunes by the Lake
- Ottawa – Canada’s Engaging Capital
- Niagara Falls – Thundering Waters and Family Adventures
- Camping at Killbear Provincial Park – Lakeside Camping and Thrilling Cliff Jumps
- Rideau Canal Towns – Charming Towns Along a UNESCO Waterway
- Grey County Waterfalls – Cascades of the Niagara Escarpment
- Manitoulin Island – Waterfalls, Woodlands and Indigenous Culture
- Thunder Bay – A Northern Ontario Road Trip – An Epic Drive Through Ontario’s North
Map of the 10 Best Places to Visit in Ontario
These 10 road trip destinations are an easy drive from Toronto.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Duration: 2 Days
Niagara-on-the-Lake, one of Ontario’s most beautiful destinations, combines historic charm, Shaw Festival performances and world-class wineries.
Stroll through Old Town and discover flower-lined Queen Street with its heritage buildings housing unique shops and eateries. The district retains its original 18th-century grid layout and features landmarks like the Memorial Clock Tower, and the historic Niagara Apothecary.
A visit to this heritage downtown is not complete without indulging in afternoon tea at the historic Prince of Wales hotel. The dainty sandwiches and scones are delicious!
The area is the largest wine producing region in the Niagara Peninsula. Visit renowned Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries, sipping celebrated Ontario vintages. We highly recommend indulging in a gourmet dinner right at the vineyard.
History comes alive at Fort George. Witness live musket demonstrations and explore buildings rebuilt to the time of the War of 1812. In total, there are eight National Historic Sites in the area that reveal stories of early Canada, from military conflicts to the contributions of significant historical figures.
Plan your perfect weekend getaway with our detailed visitor’s guide to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Algonquin Park
Duration: 2 Days
Algonquin Park is a premier destination for hikers of all skill levels and the perfect playground for outdoor enthusiasts.
Algonquin Park is Ontario’s oldest and largest provincial park. The park’s mixture of forests, lakes, and wetlands creates perfect habitat for wildlife viewing, especially along the Parkway Corridor (Highway 60). Moose are often spotted along the corridor during May and June.
There are 15 hiking trails along the Parkway Corridor, ranging from easy walks on boardwalks to challenging ridge climbs. The 1.5-kilometer Spruce Bog Boardwalk is a short easy trail and great for everyone.
We spent the weekend hiking 6 amazing trails. Our favourite hike was the challenging 10-kilometer Centennial Ridges Trail. The spectacular lake views from the high ridges are well worth the effort.
Prince Edward County
Duration: 2 Days
Prince Edward County is a delightful summer destination, or weekend getaway, just 2 hours from Toronto. This scenic peninsula extends into Lake Ontario with beaches, sand dunes, and wineries.
The magnificent Sandbanks Provincial Park features three expansive white sandy beaches and unique barrier dunes. This popular park welcomes thousands of visitors each summer. Families enjoy camping near the beaches while hikers explore trails through the world’s largest baymouth barrier dune formation separating West Lake from Lake Ontario.
Wine enthusiasts flock to PEC Wineries for relaxing tasting tours. The region boasts more than 30 wineries scattered across the peninsula. The hardest part is choosing where to start, but each winery offers a distinct experience with locally produced wines reflecting the county’s unique terroir.
Craft beer lovers can unwind in the county’s thriving breweries. We highlight ten brewers operating in the County, many offering excellent food along with their beer selections. These breweries provide perfect spots to relax after a day of exploring beaches.
Plan your perfect weekend with practical information in our detailed visitor’s guide to The County.
Ottawa
Duration: 1 Day
Ottawa, Canada’s capital, offers a perfect day trip to discover its rich political and cultural heritage.
Explore Parliament Hill’s impressive neo-Gothic buildings and numerous monuments. The Peace Tower, 90 metres above, beautifully compliments parliament’s Central Block. Free guided tours allow visitors to witness Canada’s democratic institutions firsthand. Learn about how the circular Library of Parliament survived a devastating fire in 1916.
Ottawa boasts several world-class National Museums covering diverse topics. The National Gallery displays Canadian and European artwork, while the War Museum explores military history. The Museum of History in nearby Gatineau houses impressive exhibitions on Canadian heritage and a children’s museum.
Plan your perfect day in Canada’s capital using with our detailed walking tour covering all the downtown highlights.
Niagara Falls
Duration: 2 Days
A perfect weekend getaway destination, Niagara Falls offers visitors a spectacular natural wonder and entertaining, family-friendly attractions.
Seeing the powerful Horseshoe Falls is an unforgettable experience as water drops over 55 metres. View this impressive natural wonder from the Table Rock Welcome Centre. For an even closer experience, take the elevator down 38 metres on the thrilling Journey Behind the Falls experience.
The lively Clifton Hill district provides entertainment for all ages with attractions including wax museums, arcades, and souvenir shops. Kids enjoy Dinosaur Adventure Park’s mini-golf course and the Niagara Speedway go-cart track. Be sure to take the SkyWheel for great views of the Falls and the city.
Discover all 12 must-see attractions in our complete guide to Niagara Falls.
Ontario Camping at Killbear Provincial Park
Duration: 2 Days
Killbear Provincial Park on Georgian Bay, just 3 hours north of Toronto, is an exceptional camping experience with over 1,000 campsites. While the park is known for its beaches, the 2-kilometre, horseshoe-shaped beach at Kilcoursie Bay is the best and most popular.
The park’s four distinct hiking trails show Killbear’s diverse landscapes through forests, across bedrock ridges, and along sandy beaches with stunning views of Georgian Bay. Kids enjoy the easy 800-metre Lighthouse Point Trail hike to the shore.
For the adventurous, cliff jumping at Harold Point provides an exhilarating experience with jumps over 10 metres into Georgian Bay. Lower ledges are available for less daring jumpers. This activity isn’t officially endorsed by park staff, so participants jump at their own risk but find it especially enjoyable on hot summer days.
Plan your perfect camping trip with reservation tips and campground insights in our detailed Killbear guide.
Rideau Canal Towns
Duration: 2 Days
The historic Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, winds through charming small towns between Kingston and Ottawa. The canal connects lakes, rivers, and man-made channels in an engineering marvel built as a military supply route in the 1800s.
This 200-kilometre waterway features 47 locks across 24 lockstations, most still operated by hand-cranking as they have been since 1832. It can be explored by car, boat, or along walking trails that showcase Ontario’s picturesque countryside.
Explore delightful historic towns like Perth with its beautiful heritages buildings. Visit Smiths Falls two sets of locks and several museums. Wander the heritage village of Merrickville and grab a tasty ice cream.
Explore the Rideau Canal by road with our complete guide.
Grey County Waterfalls
Duration: 1 Day
Grey County offers some of Ontario’s most beautiful waterfalls along the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO Biosphere. The waterfalls are best viewed in spring when water levels peak, though autumn’s colours and winter’s ice formations provide unique experiences.
The tallest waterfall in the county, Eugenia Falls, drops 30 metres into the steep-sided Cuckoo Valley gorge. The site has historical significance as the location of one of Ontario’s earliest hydroelectric plants.
Considered the most impressive of Grey County’s waterfalls, Inglis Falls features the Sydenham River cascading 18 metres over limestone shelves. The Inglis family operated mills here for 87 years, with only two millstones remaining as evidence of this industrial past.
Discover all 8 stunning waterfalls in our complete guide to Grey County’s natural wonders.
Manitoulin Island
Duration: 2 Days
From hiking trails to sandy beaches, Manitoulin Island provides diverse experiences that showcase both its Indigenous roots and pioneer history.
Walk behind the captivating Bridal Veil Falls, an 11-metre cascade. Called Gaagigewang by Indigenous residents, meaning “where falling water throws a mist”, this spiritual place offers a refreshing stop along the drive.
Another must-do activity on the island is the Cup and Saucer Trail. This can be a challenging hike. However, you are rewarded with stunning vistas over Lake Manitou and beyond, once you get to the top.
Discover the island’s character through its many interesting towns. From Little Current with its historic swing bridge to Manitowaning, the first European settlement, each community preserves a piece of island heritage. Gore Bay’s museums, Providence Bay’s sandy beaches, and Kagawong’s old mill showcase the island’s diverse attractions.
Get the full story behind Manitoulin’s natural and cultural highlights in our detailed visitor guide.
Thunder Bay – A Northern Ontario Road Trip
Duration: 2 Weeks
A Northern Ontario road trip to Thunder Bay reveals stunning landscapes along Highway 17. The journey showcases the beauty of the Canadian Shield and offers natural experiences with small-town hospitality.
The Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie segment passes through forested countryside along Lake Huron’s northern coast. Chutes Provincial Park has a short hike to view beautiful waterfalls. Historic mining and forestry towns like Blind River and Bruce Mines provide glimpses into Northern Ontario’s industrial heritage.
The route from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay follows Lake Superior’s rugged shoreline. Lake Superior Provincial Park features ancient Ojibwe pictographs painted on lakeside rock faces. The town of Wawa, with its famous giant goose monument, makes an ideal overnight stop on this scenic drive.
Plan your perfect road trip with our complete Northern Ontario guide with stops, maps and routes.
Explore All of our Ontario Travel Guides
Discover our complete series of detailed Ontario guides to help you plan your perfect road trip from Niagara to Lake Superior.
Main Article: Ontario Destinations (You’re reading this guide now!)
Part 1: Niagara Falls – Horseshoe Falls and Niagara River cruises
Part 2: Niagara-on-the-Lake – Wine country, Shaw Festival, and tree-lined streets
Part 3: Prince Edward County – Sandbanks dunes, wineries, and farm-to-table food
Part 4: Rideau Canal Towns – Historic locks, heritage canal, and small Ontario towns
Part 5: Ottawa – Parliament Hill, national museums, and Byward Market
Part 6: Algonquin Park – Ontario hiking paradise
Part 7: Grey County Waterfalls – Cascades along the Niagara Escarpment and Bruce Trail
Part 8: Killbear Provincial Park – Hiking, canoeing and cliff jumping
Part 9: Manitoulin Island – Freshwater island, steep cliffs, waterfalls, and Indigenous heritage
Part 10: Northern Ontario Road Trips – Three road trip routes through Canadian shield
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