If you can peel yourself away from the eye-watering sight of the CN Tower and the bumping hipster bars of King West for a couple of days, you can look to explore some of the true gems of south-eastern Canada. There are myriad spots within a few hundred clicks of the Ontario capital, from fairy-tale honeymoon towns haloed in wineries to rugged islands on the St Lawrence River to Francophone cities packed with bistros and beer halls. Along thousands of acres to explore and many more open-air activities, south-eastern Canada is one of the safest travel destinations these days. While planning your trip, chat with the Eddy Travels AI assistant and find a perfect hotel for your stay.
1. Niagara Falls – 128km away
Let's put this simply – don't miss the Niagara Falls! These are one of the great wonders of North America. Clocking up 167 feet in height across the US-Canada border, they're soaring cataracts and swirling mists that rarely fail to draw a gasp of amazement. The town of Niagara Falls is Canada's gateway to the wonder. Just 128km around the side of Lake Ontario from Toronto, it's the home of the famous Hornblower cruise beneath the water, panoramic lookout points, honeymoon hotels, and loads more. Niagara Falls is welcoming back guests by fulfilling the new safety standards and keeping all hygienic measures in place. Chat with Eddy Travels AI assistant to explore best options with disinfected hotel rooms around. Fancy to view the majestic beauty of the Falls from the air or have have a private group tour with 3-Course dinner? Explore local sightseeing options in Niagara Falls.
2. Collingwood – 159km away
Don the salopettes and wax down the skis, because Canada's third-largest winter resort the Blue Mountains sits under two hours' drive from Toronto's busy streets. It boasts 42 groomed alpine runs set over 220 meters of vertical drop, along with oodles of cosy après bars and timber-clad lodge hotels. Don't ditch it as an option in the summer, either: Hiking trails, wild swimming and mountain toboggans take over when the snow melts! By keeping the guests safety as the top priority, the Blue Mountains resort has implemented many additional safety measures.
3. Brockville – 338km away
Quaint little Brockville is the gateway to the wonderful Thousand Islands. It's also the stomping ground of grand and imposing Canadian mansions. Peel the eyes to see handsome Gothic-revival homes with Harry Potter-style turrets or babbling Baroque fountains dotting the plazas. Then, it's time to get out and about in nature, what with the kayak routes, hiking paths, and remote coves of the Thousand Islands National Park just on the doorstep. Before visiting Brockville, we recommend checking the latest government advice to make sure your trip will be as smooth and safe as possible.
4. Niagara-on-the-Lake – 132km away
Niagara-on-the-Lake is wedged between the winelands of south Ontario, the US-Canada border, and the sloshing waters of Lake Ontario. Charming doesn't quite do it justice. A chocolate-box town of Regency and Revival buildings fronted with blooms of flowers and wrought-iron balconies, it's long been a favourite with honeymooners looking for a romantic escape from the big city. But there's more, because Niagara touts the summertime Shaw Festival for literature lovers, historic forts, and oodles of cellar doors to boot. At the moment Niagara-on-the-Lake Town Council provides temporary regulations that require the wearing of face coverings in enclosed public spaces.
5. Huntsville – 220km away
Whizz out of the suburbs of Toronto to the north to immerse yourself in the region of the Muskoka Lakes. Quintessential Ontario, it's a patchwork of broadleaf forests and pine woods, reflective waters and gurgling canals. R&R should come easy in the lakefront cottages of Muskoka itself. But you can also get the adrenaline pumping with backcountry skiing, dog sledding and kayaking. All of that's just a tad over two hours from the city. Muskoka Tourism has been awarded the “#SafeTravels” stamp by World Travel & Tourism Council which means travellers can safely experience the best what Muskoka Lakes has to offer.
6. Kingston – 262km away
The 260-kilometer drive eastwards from Toronto to Kingston has enough to keep you entertained as you cruise out of the metropolis for that weekend break – it takes you past some of the most enticing pebble beaches and parks on northern Lake Ontario. Then you arrive at the famed Limestone City, where grand Kingston City Hall and the Italianate rises of handsome Bellevue House loom over boat-bobbing marinas. In short: It's a laid-back, culture-filled spot that can offer a much-needed recharge. To keep you safe, Kingston has implemented additional safety measures (check the latest government advice).
Photo by Amanda N Sherrington
7. Barrie – 110km away
If a city break within an hour drive from Toronto sounds like a good idea, Barrie should definitely go on the top of your list. A small Ontario town that invites you to have some peaceful time while strolling around in the Barrie Centennial Park, admire a beautiful sculpture of the Spirit Catcher or have some fun at the Fall Festive in the Chappel Farms. Prefer adventurous and fun activities? Visit Innisfil, a city nearby Barrie and spend a quality time with your friends or family at Indy Karting and relax at the Innisfil beach afterwards. To keep your mind at peace, get to know the local safety advice before you visit Barrie.
8. Ottawa – 402km away
Hit the Trans-Canada Highway eastbound and you can scoot down to the proud Canadian capital in just over 4 hours from Toronto. A weekend there is all about touring the prestigious complexes and chateaux-style buildings of Parliament Hill (the epicentre of the modern-day Canadian state). You'll also find the most-visited exhibition in the country at the Canadian Museum of History, which spins tales of First Nations people, folk culture, 19th-century colonial wars, and a whole load more. Follow the local government advice to stay safe during your visit to Ottawa.
9. Goderich – 225km away
Now completely restored after a particularly destructive tornado in 2011, Goderich is back to its original best, flaunting an 8-sided plaza topped with hulking trees and threaded with redbrick saloons and shops that date all the way back to the 1800s. Come here to check out what's surely one of the prettiest towns in Ontario, along with the gorgeous shores of Lake Huron and their glinting white sands and forest-backed swimming spots. To stay safe during your trip to Goderich, make sure to check the local safety measures.
10. Montreal – 541km away
Okay, so you might need to set aside a whopping five hours of driving time to get to the largest city in Québec province from Toronto, but boy is it worth it! Rising to the leafy ridges of Mount Royal and dipping down to the cobbled lanes and squat bouillabaisse eateries of Old Montreal, it's a fine introduction to the unique heritage and character of French Canada. It's also an electrifying metropolis, with science centres, rollicking beer bars, and fantastic summertime festivals. Montreal is welcoming its visitors back while keeping additional safety measures in place.
There are all sorts of places to explore outside of lively Toronto. Mountains, lakesides, and gushing waterfalls abound in the region, but so do charming towns and romantic honeymoon escapes… Enjoy the best what Toronto region has to offer and return home safely, refreshed and fulfilled with positive memories.
Ready to go? Chat with the Eddy Travels AI assistant and find the best hotel offers with disinfected rooms for your next weekend getaway from Toronto.