This charming Ontario town with European vibes is home to Canada's 'largest' freshwater pool

It's a peaceful summer escape.

A historic street with flowers. Right: A person standing by a swimming hole.

A small town in Ontario. Right: A waterpark in Ontario.

Lead Writer, Travel

European charm, old-world streets and a dreamy swimming hole await in this small Ontario town. With its picturesque downtown and serene riverbank views, this spot is a summer gem where you can unwind and soak up some sun.

If you're looking for a warm-weather day trip or weekend getaway, it's worth having this destination on your radar.

St. Marys is a charming small town perched along the shores of the Thames River. Lined with historic stone buildings that will transport you to Europe, the village has earned the nickname "The Stonetown."

It's one of Ontario's oldest communities, offering a quaint downtown area brimming with local shops, cafes, and restaurants to enjoy.

During the summer months, you can head to St. Marys Quarry, where you can take a dip in a dreamy swimming hole. Known as "Canada's largest outdoor freshwater swimming pool," the former limestone quarry is a popular spot to cool off, offering activities such as cliff jumping, a water trampoline, picnic areas, and more.

The quarry is also home to a Super Splash Waterpark, where you can enjoy obstacles like the 14-foot-tall Ice Tower and giant slide.

If you want to visit the waterpark, you'll need to purchase a separate ticket. Admission to the quarry and the waterpark can be purchased online or in person.

A ticket to the quarry costs $7.50 per adult, while tickets to Super Splash start at $20.

With its quaint downtown and epic swimming hole, St. Marys is a beautiful spot to explore this summer.

St. Marys Tourism Website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Lead Writer

    Madeline Forsyth is a Toronto-based Lead Writer for Narcity Media. After earning her B.A. (Hons) at Queen's University, she spent a year travelling much of the world as a flight attendant. Now, she uses her experience in the travel industry and passion for writing to share stories about buzzworthy events and adventures across Canada and the globe. Madeline has been published in PopSugar and has interviewed sports and entertainment personalities for Narcity. She has covered and photographed restaurant openings as well as event launches such as the world premiere of the Dr. Seuss Experience. Some of her favourite things to write about include charming small towns and anything to do with Harry Potter.

8 beautiful vacation spots in Ontario that aren't Niagara Falls

There are so many beautiful places to visit in the province!

You're not a true Ontarian unless you've been to at least 5 of these 12 natural wonders

How many of these have you crossed off your Ontario bucket list?

Ontario's weather forecast for March reveals there'll be snow, rain and warmth on these days

You can expect snow even after the spring season starts! ❄️🌷

Canadian father detained by ICE for months says he got 1 frozen waffle in 24 hours

He's been a permanent resident of the U.S. for nearly 30 years.