25 Exciting Day Trips Near Toronto for Quick Getaways

Looking for some easy day trips from Toronto to get you out of the city? Ontario is an outdoor lover’s playground. Part of the charm of living in this province is to get in the car and look for farmer’s markets, conservation areas (there are 500 of them!), beaches, and parks along the Great Lakes.

We like to look for a section along the Bruce Trail that we haven’t explored yet, pack a lunch, and head outside! However, if you want to have some more concrete plans for your day trip ideas in Ontario, we’ve got you covered!

Easy Day Trips from Toronto

The other day, we suggested the best weekend getaways from Toronto, and today we want to share ideas for quick day trips from Toronto. Sometimes, you only have a day, and these trips will get you back to the city and tucked into your bed for a good night’s sleep.

Getting Around Ontario

Most day trips from Toronto require a car. Ontario is a very drivable province; however, if you want to reach some provincial and national parks, check out the Park Bus, which offers trips from downtown Toronto.

When we didn’t have wheels, we rented a car. You can check out rental prices here. To explore more of Toronto, check out these best Toronto day tours.

Milton – Perfect Day Trip for Nature Lovers

Our favorite day trip from Toronto is to Milton. Located just 40 minutes from the city, it is the perfect day trip for nature lovers with plenty of things to do. The Kelso Conservation area takes you into the Niagara Escarpment where there’s a great ski hill for snowboarding and snowshoeing in the winter months.

In the summer, Kelso turns into a fantastic place for mountain biking. You can park at the parking lot at the top so you don’t have to climb the ski hill to get started. (We did that rookie mistake our first time biking here)

Located on the Bruce Trail, it has great hiking too. The Lime Kiln trail allows no mountain bikes, so it’s a great choice.

• Milton is 40 minutes from Toronto

Rattlesnake Point and Mount Nemo

For rock climbers, nearby Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area and Mount Nemo have some of the best sport climbing routes near the city. Located just 10 minutes from each other, we have often checked out routes in Rattlesnake Point and moved on to Nemo after completing those within our limits. These are also very close to Milton.

If you don’t have lead climbing experience, consider taking a course with On The Rocks. We used them back in the day to first learn how to rappel and top rope.

• Rattlesnake Point is 45 minutes from Toronto

Hamilton Waterfalls

Who would have thought that Hamilton is filled with beautiful waterfalls? Hamilton has become one of the hottest day trips from Toronto for that reason.

Take a day to hike out to some of its waterfalls. Some of the more beautiful waterfalls in Hamilton are Webster Falls, Albion Falls, and Tews Falls. There are 100 waterfalls around the Hamilton area, so take the summer filled with day trips from Toronto to see them all!

• Hamilton is 1 hour from Toronto
• Since this lovely pandemic ruined a lot of outdoor activities, you now need to book appointments to hit the Ontario trails. In a way, this is a good thing because in recent years, the trails have been overcrowded. So if you do want to explore the waterfalls of Hamilton, be sure to book ahead of time here.

Spencer Gorge Conservation Area

Staying in the Hamilton area, Spencer Gorge Conservation Area is one of the best places in Ontario for fall colors, and most people know it. It is busy! But there is a reason for that the hike to Dundas Peak offers the best view in the area.

I know it is part of the Hamilton Waterfalls list, but it deserves its own slot. The Tews Falls side trail takes you along the Niagara Escarpment to Tews Falls and then up to Dundas Peak for views of Hamilton and Dundas. After your hike, spend some time exploring Dundas and Hamilton; there are plenty of things to do.

• Be sure to book your hiking slot here ahead of time.

Blue Mountain

It’s a bit of a drive at 2 hours from Toronto, but visiting Blue Mountain Village for just a day has become a favorite for many. In the winter, we snowboard the hills at Blue Mountain, and in the summer, there’s superb mountain biking and hiking. It’s nice to spend some time wandering Blue Mountain Village while enjoying an ice cream cone or some Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory treats.

Blue Mountain has a lot to keep you busy during the day with the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, a Zipline, and a golf course.

• Check out Things to do in Blue Mountain and Collingwood
• Blue Mountain is just over 2 hours from Toronto

Scenic Caves Collingwood

One of the first day trips we took from Toronto was to the Scenic Caves in Collingwood. You can take a self-guided tour or book an adventure with Scenic Caves Eco Adventures.

Getting to the scenic caves is half the fun, as you need to cross Ontario’s longest suspension bridge. If you book an adventure, you will be doing some ziplining too!

• Collingwood is 2 hours from Toronto

Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain

It’s worth going up to Collingwood for the Scandinave Spa alone. If you want a relaxing escape from the city, the Scandinave Spa offers an outdoor system of hot pools, saunas, steam rooms, and waterfalls. Spend the day at a spa surrounded by the Niagara Escarpment.

• Scandinave Spa is 2 hours from Toronto

Ganaraska Forest

If you are searching for an ideal day trip idea from Toronto, make your way to Ganaraska Forest to Trail Tours and take a dirt bike riding course. You don’t have to have any experience dirt biking, and by the end of the day, you’ll be jumping over logs and zipping through forests with ease.

• 1 hour and 10 minutes from Toronto

Ferris Provincial Park

If you just want a suspension bridge experience, a visit to the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge in Ferris Provincial Park near Campbellford is a good choice.

Spanning the Trent River, this suspension bridge is part of a 10 km network of trails, allowing you to see this beauty with fantastic views while enjoying a day out in nature. However, you can also access it in less than 1 km if you just want to see the bridge. Another trail lets you reach the bridge after an easy 3 km hike.

• 2 hours from Toronto

Canada’s Wonderland

I worked as a singer at Canada’s Wonderland for 3 seasons, and it was one of the best summers of my life. If you love roller coasters, Wonderland is filled with them, and this massive amusement park makes for the perfect day out from Toronto.

I’ve had friends who live in Toronto purchase season passes to the waterpark for an easy escape from the city to relax by the pool or enjoy Canada’s largest wave pool! It is a huge park, and many people in Toronto opt for a season pass for frequent escapes from the city.

• Canada’s Wonderland is 30 minutes from the GTA

Stratford

Stratford is home to the world-famous Stratford Festival. With three theatres in town featuring the works of Shakespeare, it attracts some of the best actors from Canada and the United States.

The festival has been running since 1953, and the town has taken advantage of the crowds and tour buses coming in. There are plenty of boutique shops, fine dining options, hotels, and museums to spend a delightful day exploring along the picturesque Avon River.

• Stratford is 1 hour and 40 minutes from Toronto

Niagara Falls

While it may be an obvious choice for a weekend getaway from Toronto, Niagara Falls can easily be enjoyed in a day as well. Just 90 minutes from Toronto, you can arrive at the falls for sunrise, and with an adventure pass in hand, you can see the top attractions in a day!

We’ve accomplished Niagara Falls in a day several times. Journey Behind the Falls, The Hornblower (formerly Maid of the Mist), Whitewater Walk, and Whirlpool Cable Car can all be enjoyed in a day. We’ve even included visits to a couple of wax museums and Nightmares on Clifton Hill during our day trip.

• Niagara Falls is 1 hour and 20 minutes from Toronto
• The best way to get to Niagara Falls is by car, but options also include bus, train, or organized tour
• An Uber to Niagara Falls will cost you approximately $200 CAD

Niagara-on-the-Lake

For a more laid-back Toronto day trip, Niagara-on-the-Lake is perfect for stocking up on Ontario wines. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, this picturesque town is rich in history. With fine dining, boutique shops, and lovely historic sites, it acts as a perfect escape from the GTA.

To add some excitement to your leisurely stroll around the heritage buildings of downtown, consider booking a trip on the Whirlpool Jet Boat. After that, you can visit the historic Fort George for some 1812 re-enactment fun.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is also home to the Shaw Festival, which is Niagara’s answer to Stratford. This professional theatre showcases the works of George Bernard Shaw and offers an excellent evening activity.

You can seamlessly combine a trip to Niagara Falls with Niagara-on-the-Lake as they are only 20 minutes apart. You can book day tours to Niagara-on-the-Lake to see its top sights.

• (1 hour and 20 minutes from downtown Toronto)

Muskoka

We love visiting Muskoka, located just two hours north of Toronto. This vibrant area is an excellent day trip for an outdoor adventure. With 1,600 lakes, forests, and hills, it serves as a photographer’s paradise. Muskoka attracts thousands of visitors each autumn to admire the fall colors.

There are urban areas to explore as well! The towns of Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, and the Townships of Lake of Bays, Georgian Bay, and Muskoka Lakes all offer places for boutique shopping, dining, and sightseeing.

• Muskoka is two hours from Toronto

Elora

Elora is a fantastic day trip from the city. In high school, this was a popular spot to head to during a spare afternoon to chill out at the Elora Quarry. Today, it has transformed into a picturesque town featuring a charming pedestrian square, the Elora Mews, where you can do some shopping and grab a coffee as you stroll through the streets.

The star attraction is the Elora Gorge, which offers hiking trails along the cliffs for scenic views of the Grand River. The Grand has become one of the premier locations in Ontario for tubing and kayaking. Moreover, the Elora Quarry has been featured in many Hollywood movies, most notably Stephen King’s IT.

• Elora is 1 hour and 20 minutes from Toronto

Paris

We recently moved to this small town of Paris, and it wasn’t until living here that we realized how much there is to do. Located on the Grand River, we regularly paddleboard and kayak along its shores. After a day of paddling, enjoy lunch at Stillwaters on the Grand and browse the only street of shopping. You can also bring your bike, as the bike trails here are exceptional. We can ride all the way to Ancaster along the bike trails through Brantford and the hubs of Ontario.

Be sure to visit the Quincy Mills Market to stock up on cheese and jams, and from there, walk to Lion’s Park for a lovely view over the Nith River.

• Paris is 1 hour and 10 minutes from Toronto – Come say hello, we live here!

Brantford

Speaking of Brantford, it’s evolving into a notable tourist destination in Ontario. You can visit the Bell Homestead, where Alexander Graham Bell made his first phone call. This historic site was home to the Bell family and is located on the Grand River. Additionally, you can enjoy tubing and kayaking along the beautiful river, and Brantford even has a casino! I recommend combining visits to Paris and Brantford in one trip.

• Brantford is 1 hour and 10 minutes from downtown

Hardwood Hills

For awesome mountain biking in Ontario, make your way to Hardwood Hills. We spent many a day off at Hardwood Hills; it’s the ultimate mountain biking destination. You can easily spend the day here, starting with an easy green run to warm up, and then working your way to some of the single-track black diamond trails. They also have a cafeteria to replenish your energy and offer mountain bike rentals and lessons if you lack experience.

• Hardwood Hills is 90 minutes from Toronto

Caledon

Caledon has gained popularity, thanks to the Instagram-worthy photographs of the Cheltenham Badlands. While you’re out there, be sure to stock up on cider at the Spirit Tree Cidery and get a bushel of apples for the season (I can scarf down a bushel of apples in a couple of weeks).

The area offers cycling and mountain biking opportunities. Our favorite spot is Albion Hills Conservation, about 15 minutes from Caledon. There are great trails for hiking and biking, and camping facilities if you wish to extend your stay away from Toronto.

• Caledon is 45 minutes from Toronto

Kitchener Waterloo

Kitchener Waterloo is another city located on the Grand River, making it an easy trip from Toronto. We’ve been frequenting Kitchener often, and it is definitely worth leaving the city to explore.

Waterloo has quickly established itself as a major tech hub in Ontario, with companies like Google and Blackberry having offices in the area, along with 500 tech start-ups. Therefore, the Kitchener Waterloo cities feature chic cafés, vegan restaurants, and farmers markets within the downtown core.

• Kitchener-Waterloo is 1 hour and 15 minutes from Toronto

St. Jacob’s Farmers Market

A key attraction in the region is St. Jacob’s Farmers Market, the largest year-round farmer’s market in Canada. The Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is an indoor tropical garden filled with butterflies fluttering around.

There are great bike trails; we’ve cycled from Paris to Kitchener Waterloo along the Grand, plus you can enjoy some paddling and tubing on the river. As part of the Tri-Cities—Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo—it’s a great destination for a road trip. Don’t miss the picturesque town of Galt as well.

• St. Jacob’s Farmer’s Market is 90 minutes from Toronto

Wasaga Beach

Toronto boasts some great beaches on Toronto Island, in the Beaches area, and at the Scarborough Bluffs. However, if you’re looking for a day trip out of the city, check out Wasaga Beach. It offers some of the warmest waters in the province, while the 14 km stretch of beach is the longest freshwater beach in the world.

• Wasaga Beach is 1 hour and 40 minutes from Toronto

Port Dover

Dave and I used to drive from Toronto just to get a hot dog at the Arbor, but Port Dover is a lovely town to visit for a day away from Toronto. You can take a pleasant stroll out to the lighthouse pier, walk along the main street shopping, and enjoy a bit of sunshine on its sandy beach. It’s a great starting point to drive along Lake Erie to Turkey Point and Port Burwell while stopping at wineries and brew pubs along the way to stock up your home bar.

• Port Dover is 90 minutes from Toronto

Peterborough and the Kawarthas

Heading out to cottage country makes for a great day any day! Peterborough is situated in the heart of cottage country and has numerous day trip ideas to offer. Start at Lock 21, a National Historic Site known as the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world. You can also take a tour of the Canadian Canoe Museum, grab some art at the Whetung Ojibwa Arts and Crafts Center supporting local artists, and visit the Reptile Museum. Finish the day with dinner at the Publian House Brewery.

• Peterborough and the Kawarthas are 90 minutes from Toronto

Prince Edward County

It’s a short jaunt from Toronto to wine country. The sunflower and lavender flower fields have become popular draws in recent years. However, it’s important to be respectful and take photos from afar to avoid ruining the crops!

Presqu’ile and Sandbanks Provincial Park are popular for their sandy beaches and the sand dunes of Sandbanks Provincial Park. Additionally, vineyard hopping to explore the local wineries is a must-do! We always love touring Ontario wine country to fill our wine rack and discover new vineyards.

• Prince Edward County is 2 hours and 10 minutes from Downtown Toronto

Algonquin Provincial Park

Although it might be a bit farther for a day trip from Toronto, if you’re looking for a good long drive, Algonquin Provincial Park is truly beautiful. Algonquin Outfitters offers one-day guided tours of Oxtongue Lake providing a glimpse of what a multi-day trip through Algonquin Park would be like.

Algonquin is known as one of the best places in the world to spot moose in the wild. This provincial park is stunning, and once you’ve experienced it for a day, you’ll likely find yourself returning again and again for longer weekend getaways.

• Algonquin Park is 3 hours from Toronto

Bruce Peninsula National Park

While it may be just a bit too far to be considered one of the best day trips (as we suggest an overnight stay), the Bruce Peninsula is an amazing place to spend some time outside the city. Outdoor lovers flock to this region of Ontario, located on the Bruce Peninsula of Lake Huron, where you can find plenty of campsites to serve as a base for rock climbing at Lions Head or exploring the famous Grotto of Tobermory.

• The Bruce Peninsula is 3 1/2 hours from Toronto

Before we leave you, let’s answer a few questions about the best day trips in Toronto.

What cities are two hours from Toronto or less from our list of best Toronto Day trips? They are Hamilton, Milton, Collingwood, Stratford, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Elora, Paris, Brantford, and Port Dover.

Is Tobermory a day trip from Toronto? Not really. We have it on the list and have done it as a day trip to go scuba diving (only), but it is nearly a four-hour drive from Toronto, so you will need to wake up early and stay out late.

These are our favorite day trips from Toronto. There are many places to visit in Ontario that are just a couple of hours from the city. Where have you gone on a day trip that you love? Let us know; we’re building our list for the future!