It’s all in the name! Ontario has some undeniably beautiful towns and villages to explore, but sometimes it’s the name that draws you in, not the landmarks! From Bath to Stinking Creek – these 8 Ontario small towns have names that will make you look twice.

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Bath

Bath, Ontario is a village near Kingston and according to its website, it is one of the oldest communities in the province!

The town was first settled by the United Empire Loyalists in 1784.

I wonder how people react when locals say they live in [the] Bath…

Tiny

The small town of Tiny, how cute!

Tiny’s name may be adorable but this town has lots to offer including beautiful trails and public beaches located in the southern region of gorgeous Georgian Bay.

Emo

Welcome to the town of Emo, don’t worry it isn’t as sad as it sounds.

Emo is in Ontario’s far north, found 180 km away from Kenora! The town was settled in the early 1880s by pioneers who arrived to free homesteads.

“The settlers were confronted by many hardships and hard work in the undomesticated country.” Hardships? Maybe that’s why it’s called Emo!

Pickle Lake

If you were picturing a lake filled with brine-y delicious pickles, sorry to disappoint.

Pickle Lake is a town that has another claim to fame other than its name.

This spot is Ontario’s most northerly community, 530 km north of Thunder Bay aka the last stop along Highway 599.

Wawa

Okay this name is kinda cute and I’m not sure why.

Wawa is near Lake Superior National Park in northern Ontario and while it’s well known for the breathtaking views of Lake Superior it is also known for the giant goose monument found in town.

Where: Wawa, ON

Moonbeam

We’re sticking in northern Ontario where apparently the town names are ***unique***.

Moonbeam is near Timmins, Ontario and they take their name pretty seriously as you will find a giant “fly saucer” when you enter the area.

Crotch Lake

Not really sure what to say other than yes, this is a real place.

Crotch Lake is a popular spot – one of the largest and most accessible lakes in the North Frontenac Park Lands Program!

The area is about two hours by car from Ottawa.

Paris

This town will have you looking twice at the name because no, it isn’t the European spot you’re imagining.

Paris is quite the sight though! This Ontario town is known for being one of the “prettiest” in the whole country so, close enough!

Have you ever visited any of these Ontario towns?!

Taylor Lucas

Associate Editor – Taylor is a Toronto-based journalist with a passion for storytelling. Whether chasing a story, writing, or editing, she brings a creative spin to the media world and has a blast doing it. Taylor brings years of journalism experience in sports, local/national news, and entertainment. In her spare time, you can typically find Taylor trying out a new restaurant or cocktail bar, cooking, golfing or binge-watching true crime documentaries.

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