Remember the good old days of travelling? When a simple day or a weekend trip somewhere in Ontario was just a casual thing to do? We miss those days. Like, a lot. But instead of looking back, we’re choosing to look forward. There are brighter days ahead, when we’ll be able to travel once again. We’re crossing our fingers and doing our part to ensure that day is sooner than later. But in the meantime, while we’re stuck at home, we’re dreaming up our perfect post-pandemic vacation.
To reiterate, these are post-pandemic dream destinations. Please be sure to follow all of Ontario’s COVID-19 guidelines. You can find up-to-date health measures and official restrictions at COVID-19.Ontario.ca.
Here are 13 Ontario places we wish we could visit right now.
PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
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This Ontario location is known as one of the prettiest in the province. The cluster of small hamlets and villages that make up Prince Edward County have loads of amazing shops, restaurants, cafés, and scenery. They’ve got beaches, artisans, wineries, and provincials parks that are yours to discover when you visit. There’s no end to the good times here!
BRUCE PENINSULA
Looking for a more outdoorsy vibe? Hit the Bruce Peninsula. As the home of some of the prettiest hikes and trails this province has got, this spot attracts tons of visitors every year. Well, in regular years it does anyway. You can enjoy camping, cliffs jumping, and the beautiful waters of the Georgian Bay next time you stop by.
NIAGARA FALLS
Of course, we can’t not mention this tourist hotspot. For a classic Ontario getaway, head on over to Niagara Falls. This destination is mainstream for good reason. There’s loads of great stuff to explore! From the museums and restaurants along the main strip to the iconic falls themselves, you’ll never be bored here. Maybe once the world is safe you can even venture over to the American side… What a wild thought.
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
The more low-key destination when it comes to Niagara is the gorgeous town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. This beautiful strip has a warm and welcoming small-town vibe. There are tons of unique shops and smaller, independent restaurants to try. Plus, beautiful wineries a hop, skip and jump away. If Niagara Falls were a shot of tequila, Niagara-on-the-Lake would be a class of Pinot Noir.
BAY OF QUINTE
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Right smack in the middle of Toronto and Ottawa, you’ll find an Ontario destination too good to miss. Yes, we’re talking about the Bay of Quinte. You can read though, so you already knew that. This gorgeous spot is only 2-3 hours from three major cities: Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. So no matter where you’re coming from, it’s a great escape. They’ve got lots of hikes, wildlife, and award-winning restaurants to check out.
MUSKOKA
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Speaking of the great outdoors, next, we’re scooting over to cottage country. Muskoka may well be the most famous destination when it comes to summertime in Ontario. It’s home to tons of great smaller towns and a load of attractions. Whether you own a second home here or are just visiting, this post-pandemic trip is a classic.
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THE KAWARTHAS
This next spot is like the lesser-known cool younger sibling of Muskoka. It’s a great destination for summer cottaging and it’s only a couple hours’ drive from Toronto! When you visit here (post-pandemic, of course) you’ll be met with hiking trails, vineyards, restaurants, and more. Oh, and loads of the famous Kawartha ice cream.
OTTAWA
Our country’s capital always made for a great weekend destination. A trip to Ottawa means a trip to visit top-notch attractions like Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, the National Gallery of Canada, and more. During this time in a regular year, we’d be gearing up to check out the famous Tulip Festival! Well, once the pandemic passes, we’ll be able to enjoy it all and more with a trip here.
SAUBLE BEACH
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With just a three-hour drive outside of Toronto, you can be enmeshed in the cool summer vibes of Sauble Beach. We definitely recommend a stay at the June Motel when you visit here. The spot is decked out in cool, retro 70s vibes, which will have you feeling like you’ve jumped right into an old-time movie. Oh, and there are some killer restaurants and boutique shops in the area too.
BLUE MOUNTAIN
Blue Mountain is a prime destination no matter what the season. In the winter, it’s one of the most popular spots for skiing, snowshoeing, and other outdoor spots. In the summer, Blue Mountain Resort pulls out all the stops on attractions. There are high ropes, hikes, water sports, the famous Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, and loads more. It’s a great spot for getting out and getting active. BRB… booking our post-pandemic stay ASAP.
SAULT STE MARIE
This northern Ontario destination is full of adventure. It’s quite the trek away from the city, so you’re really in for an escape when you head here. The spot is known for its many beaches, cycling trails, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, climbing, and the famous Agawa Canyon Train. You’ll see some seriously beautiful nature sights at this outdoorsy spot. We definitely recommend checking out this spot during autumn. Just look at those bright and beautiful colours!
THOUSAND ISLANDS
Nestled in the St Lawrence Seaway, you’ll find a tourist destination too good to miss. The Thousand Islands are definitely an Ontario spot you’ve got to see at least once. They’ve got years of history and culture backing them, loads of attractions like golfing, hiking, water sports, and more, plus tons of great restaurants to try. We recommend checking out the castle and cruises for fairytale sights unlike any other or exploring the area by boat. Oh, and they’ve got great salad dressing here too ;).
STRATFORD
Last but not least, we’ve got the town of Stratford. This understated spot is most famous for the theatrical festival that goes on every year. We don’t need to tell you that live performances aren’t quite the same as they used to be. But once this pandemic says goodbye, we’ll be sure to nab a spot in the audience in one of these great shows. The town has also got loads of restaurants and shops to stop by while you’re there.
So grab a pen and paper and start planning for the epic post-pandemic trips you’ve got in store. Any one of these amazing Ontario places would make for a great getaway destination. Or go all out and plan a trip to them every single one. After the year we’ve had, you deserve it.
Happy post-pandemic planning, everyone! We can’t wait until these dreams become reality.
