Day Trips from Toronto to explore more of what this part of Canada has to offer.
Toronto is a great city, and I love writing about all the fun and unique things to do here. But if you’re visiting, especially if it’s your first time in the country, it’s worth dedicating a day to get outside of downtown. Within a few hours’ drive of Toronto, you can find yourself sunning on one of Canada’s best beaches, attending a world-class theatre festival, tasting famous local wines, or marvelling at a true natural wonder of the world.
Here are seven ideas for fantastic day trips from Toronto that you can do in one (long but great) day, and my tips on where to stay if you want to overnight.
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Table of Contents
Niagara Falls Day Trip
Niagara Falls Day Trip from Toronto
⭐️ Natural Wonder of the World
⭐️ Haunted Houses, Arcades and Fun
⭐️ Ziplining, Hiking and Biking
The number one day trip from Toronto is to Niagara Falls, for a good reason. The falls themselves are a wonder of the natural world – powerful, beautiful, majestic, and memorable. They’re open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and free. Although you can also spend lots of money to upgrade your experience there.
Start with a walk along the boardwalk, for panoramic views of all three falls: Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side, Bridal Falls and, well, American Falls, on the US side. At night they light up in colour, and in summer and select holidays there are fireworks. (Check the fireworks schedule here.)
To get up closer to the Falls you can take a boat tour on the Maid of the Mist, or “journey behind the falls” which brings you onto outdoor observation decks. One of my fave attractions in Niagara Falls is The Tunnel of a converted power plant, with stunning views and fascinating history. You may even splurge on a helicopter ride in Niagara Falls to see it all from above. Whichever way you choose to view them, you will feel the force of 2,800 cubic meters of water rushing over the brink every second at up to 65 kilometres per hour.
The city of Niagara Falls itself is like a giant amusement park. Walking distance from the falls you’ll find Lundy Lane with its chaos of haunted houses, the Niagara Skywheel, glow-in-the-dark mini putt and midway games. You can watch fudge being made in a candy factory or hit up one of two casinos. If it’s made for fun, they have it in Niagara Falls.
If outdoor adventure is more your speed, you can zip line near the falls and hike or bike along the waterfront trail.
How to get to Niagara Falls from Toronto?
Niagara Falls is approximately 125km from Toronto. Most people on day trips from Toronto to Niagara Falls pick an organized tour. Here are some recommended tours from Toronto:
Niagara Falls with Cruise and Journey Behind the Falls
Niagara Falls Night Tour with Dinner and Fireworks
Niagara Falls DIY Tour with Free Time and Cruise Add-Ons
The Go Train to Niagara Falls is an affordable public transport option to do-it-yourself. If driving, beware there are world-class-attraction-level parking prices near the Falls.
Where to stay in Niagara Falls?
If you want to overnight, you’ll find most major hotel chains here, although no boutique or five-star spot. Great Wolf Lodge is popular with families for its massive indoor waterpark, themed suites with bunk beds, and other child-friendly amenities. For a romantic fallsview room, some with jacuzzi tubs or fireplaces, check out the Sheraton or the Marriott. And on a budget The Holiday Inn or Travelodge are solid choices.
Want to visit Niagara Falls in winter? Read my detailed guide here!
Niagara-on-the-Lake Day Trip from Toronto
⭐️ World-class wineries
⭐️ Romantic Inns and Spas
⭐️ Military History
Niagara-on-the-Lake might sound like Niagara Falls, and the two popular tourist attractions are not far from each other, but they are very different.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is like the sophisticated older sister to Niagara Falls’ wild teenager, a quaint town best known for historic military sites, live theatre, and wine.
In fact, Niagara is Canada’s largest wine-producing region and touring one (or more!) of the 40 local wineries is the top activity for many visitors on day trips from Toronto. Local operators will organize and drive for you or renting a bicycle and using the scenic bike trails is an affordable way to create your own wine tasting tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Be sure to try Niagara’s famous ice wine — a sweet dessert wine produced from frozen grapes.
Other reasons to day trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake include the esteemed Shaw Festival, which presents new and classic plays from February to December. Military history buffs will want to explore Fort George National Historic Site for live musket demos, recreations, and music from the 41st Fife and Drum Corps.
How to get to Niagara-on-the-Lake from Toronto?
Niagara-on-the-Lake is approximately 130km from downtown Toronto and the best way to visit is with your own car. Alternatively, many travel operators offer organized day trips from Toronto with wine tastings included. Here are some recommended tours from Toronto:
Niagara Falls plus Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine and Cheese Half-Day Tour
Niagara-on-the-Lake Cycling and Winery Tour
For a budget option you can take the Go Train or local bus to Niagara Falls and then a shuttle to Niagara-on-the-Lake (shuttle runs May to October only).
Where to stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
Good overnight accommodations are limited to a few boutique hotels best for couples. For a romantic place to stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake The Pillar and Post Inn offers luxury and fine dining in a 19th century building with spa and outdoor pools; 124 on Queen Hotel and Spa has a highly rated water therapies circuit including a Salt Lounge and a unique “Snow Room.”
Stratford Theatre Festival
⭐️ Shakespeare on Stage
⭐️ Classic Musicals
⭐️ Boutiques and Art Galleries
Theatre lovers from around the world flock to this small city southwest of Toronto for the annual Stratford Festival, which runs April to October.
One of the biggest arts festivals in Canada, the Stratford Festival has a long history of mounting Shakespeare plays, but now produces a diverse programme of dramas and musicals in four interior theatres around town, each with their own architectural charms. Stratford is a creative community and while in town you can visit many small art galleries and craft boutiques.
Pop music fans will also recognize Stratford as the birthplace of Justin Bieber. Yes, there is a map of Bieber sites to visit.
How to get to Stratford from Toronto?
Stratford is 150 km from downtown Toronto. The best way to visit Stratford Festival from Toronto is their direct shuttle bus service. If you prefer to drive it takes about two hours.
Where to stay in Stratford?
This is very much a B&B type destination, but one excellent hotel option is the Parlor Inn.
Saugeen (Sauble) Beach Day Trip from Toronto
⭐️ Canadian Summer Vibes
⭐️ Outdoor Sports
⭐️ Ice Cream for Dinner
Is this Ontario’s most beautiful beach? The tens of thousands of visitors to this small community every summer weekend certainly think so.
Saugeen Beach (also known as Sauble Beach) is 11km of white sand and warm shallow waters—the second longest freshwater beach in the world. And every inch of it gets filled up on hot days with people of all ages swimming, sunbathing, or playing games like beach volleyball. You can pick up supplies like beach towels, sun shades and floatation devices at local businesses, and fast food favourites and ice cream are widely available within walking distance from shore.
(You may see either name because it’s just recently that the Saugeen First Nation won a court case to officially recognize the original name.)
How to get to Saugeen Beach from Toronto?
For day trips from Toronto you should probably have a car — it’s about 210km which takes approximately three hours although prepare for traffic delays on holidays and weekends in summer. But the reward for getting up early is scoring a prime beach spot to enjoy your day. You’ll want to stick around for the gorgeous sunset views too.
No car? There are a few options in the high season summer months: Check the schedules for FlixBus and Parkbus.
Where to stay in Sauble Beach?
Good hotels in Sauble Beach get booked up far in advance for weekends, charge high rates all summer, and may have minimum night stays. For a bougie retro aesthetic try June Motel or splurge on a great location at the upscale The Sands.
Hamilton Waterfalls Day Trip from Toronto
⭐️ Waterfalls and more Waterfalls
The city of Hamilton has two nicknames: “Steeltown” (for its main industry) and “City of Waterfalls,” because it boasts more than 100 natural waterfalls and cascades in and around the city.
To be fair, Hamilton can’t compete with Niagara Falls or other world-famous falls. But they make up for it in quantity. With so many to choose from you can easily create a day trip visiting several waterfalls in a few hours. Some are easily accessible with lookouts very close to a parking area, while others are reached by more rigorous hiking trails. Cycling is another great way to get around this area. Some of the most picturesque waterfalls in Hamilton are the cascading Albion Falls, the Devil’s Punchbowl gorge and Webster Falls, the largest in this region.
How to get to Hamilton from Toronto?
Hamilton is easily accessible from Toronto by Go Transit trains and buses, or a 1-hour drive. Most waterfalls are also within a 20-minute drive from John C. Munro International Airport, so an easy way to enjoy some Canadian nature before or after your flight.
Where to stay in Hamilton?
If you just want to see the waterfalls it’s easy to get back to Toronto in the same day but if you prefer to check out some local restaurants or live bands, hotels here are relatively affordable: perhaps the Hampton Inn downtown or The Sandman Hotel—a Canadian-owned hotel chain.
Caledon Road Trip from Toronto
⭐️ Autumn Colours
⭐️ Bruce Trail Hikes
⭐️ Luxury Spa Hotels
Autumn in Ontario is a kaleidoscope of colour as the tree leaves change from green to golden yellow, blazing orange and fiery red. So if you’re visiting in fall, taking a road trip through the countryside makes for a perfect day.
Caledon is one of the best places to see fall colours near Toronto. The region, approximately 60km from downtown Toronto, is made up of several rural townships connected by winding, undulating roads that show off the area’s natural beauty. One unique attraction is the Cheltenham Badlands, a Mars-like terrain that dates back 450 million years. Equestrian enthusiasts can catch free show jumping competitions on Saturdays featuring some of Canada’s top horse riders. And Forks of the Credit Provincial Park is the place for hiking part of the famous Bruce Trail. But a leisurely drive is also a great day trip from Toronto.
How to get to Caledon from Toronto?
This one is really a road trip, so you need a car. You can try the Parkbus, which sometimes runs day trips to the Forks of the Credit park for hiking.
Where to stay in Caledon?
Two of Ontario’s best luxury hotels with Nordic Spas await you in Caledon. Read my full review of Milton Inn and Spa. I also highly recommend The Liberty Inn, an historic property that offers a private spa experience exclusive to guests.
Elora Day Trips from Toronto
⭐️ Inner Tubing and Swimming
⭐️ Hiking and Canoeing
⭐️ Small Town Main Street
Does the idea of floating in an inner tube down river rapids surrounded by spectacular 22-metre high cliffs sound like a rush? Head to Elora Gorge, just 110km from Toronto. This part of the Grand River Valley conservation area offers a variety of outdoor experiences, including hiking, canoeing and kayaking, fishing and cycling. But most people visit for the tubing, so reserve a spot on-line in advance before you go.
For more even adventure, you can sign up with local tour companies offering zip-lining or mountain biking.
The village of Elora itself is a lovely place to wander, eat, and shop. On the walkable Main Street you’ll find artist studios, gourmet coffee, comforting pubs and ice cream. For fine dining with seasonal, local ingredients visit the restaurant at Elora Mill Hotel and Spa, which also offers romantic overnight accommodations in a historic mill built in 1832. One of Ontario’s best small music festivals is Riverfest, held in Elora in August.
Whatever activity you choose on your day trip to Elora, you can’t miss the river that runs through it, and be sure to stop for views of the beautiful waterfall.
How to get to Elora from Toronto?
Elora is 115km west of Toronto and annoying not serviced by transit. So a car is needed. If you don’t have a car, Parkbus offers seasonal day trips to Elora Gorge, which is also a great way for solo travellers to meet like-minded adventurers.
Where to stay in Elora?
For a really special overnight stay, consider the Elora Mill, a historic property with on-site spa and fine dining. A more affordable option is The Village Inn.
Be sure to add some of these fun day trips from Toronto to your to-do list for your next visit Southern Ontario!
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