You're not a true Ontarian unless you've visited at least 7 of these 12 summery small towns
How many can you check off the list?
A beach town in Ontario. Right: A restaurant in Ontario.
Ontario boasts so many beautiful small towns to visit during the summer months. Whether it's sipping iced coffee on a sun-soaked patio, wandering along storybook main streets, or taking a dip in sparkling blue waters, these dreamy communities make for the perfect warm-weather escape.
Only true Ontarians can proudly say they’ve explored at least seven of these 11 popular summer gems, and if you haven't seen them all, there's still time to plan a getaway.
How many can you check off your list? Your next weekend road trip might just be waiting here.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Why You Need To Go: You'll feel like you've stepped into a European village at this enchanting Ontario destination. Niagara-on-the-Lake is a popular summer destination that offers a romantic atmosphere, dreamy spas, quaint shops and more.
You can pop into the boutiques, dine on flower-filled patios, and enjoy a show at the Shaw Festival Theatre for a dreamy summer outing.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is renowned for its wineries, so you can spend some time wandering through vineyards and enjoying boozy drinks in the sun.
Cobourg
Why You Need To Go: You'll feel like you've taken a summer trip to the tropics at this dreamy beach town. Located near Toronto, Cobourg will have you feeling like "you're sitting somewhere ocean-side in the Caribbean," according to the website.
Here you'll find sparkling waves, soft-sands shores, retro lifeguard stations and more.
Downtown Cobourg offers endless charm, shops, and eateries to enjoy. From museums to art galleries, there's no shortage of things to do.
Sauble Beach
Why You Need To Go: You don't have to leave Ontario to visit "Canada's best freshwater beach." Sauble Beach is a summer paradise boasting 11 kilometres of silky sand shores that have you feeling like you're in the Caribbean.
According to Destination Ontario, it's "perhaps the most luxurious white sand beach" in the province and "is one of Ontario's most highly sought-after beach destinations."
The town has an old-school, coastal feel and is home to beachside cafes, cozy shops and more.
Grand Bend
Why you need to go: If you're dreaming of white sand shores and endless beach vibes, Grand Bend is the place to be.
It's been dubbed "one of Canada's best beach towns," according to Lambton Shores, and is also known as "Florida North," so you can expect some tropical vibes here.
Downtown, you'll find restaurants, shops, and more to explore once you've had your beach fill.
The town is located minutes from Pinery Provincial Park, where you'll find more sandy beaches with rolling dunes, as well as scenic trails.
Picton
Why You Need To Go: You'll feel like you've stepped into a storybook at this enchanting small town in Ontario. Picton offers old-world streets lined with cozy cafes, local shops, and more to get lost in.
It's only a short drive from the iconic Sandbanks Provincial Park, where you'll find three dreamy white sand beaches as well as the "world’s largest baymouth barrier dune formation," according to the park's website.
With its rolling dunes and turquoise waters, it's a slice of summer paradise waiting to be explored.
Blue Mountain Village
Why You Need To Go: This dreamy pedestrian village is a beautiful spot to visit year-round, but summer brings a special kind of charm to the area.
You can relax on private beaches, enjoy film festivals, dig into meals on patios, and more. There is a range of attractions to enjoy, such as the gondola and mountain coaster.
The European-like streets are lined with cute shops, cafes, and more waiting to be explored.
Port Stanley
Why You Need To Go: This quaint Ontario harbour village feels like a slice of the East Coast without leaving the province.
Port Stanley boasts two stunning beaches where you can wander along soft-sand shores and relax in the sunshine. The Main Beach has warm, shallow water that is made for swimming.
According to Ontario's Southwest, it's "one of the finest stretches of sandy beach on Lake Erie's north shore.
Port Stanley's streets are lined with scenic patios, cute cafes, and local boutiques offering everything from clothing to ice cream.
Wasaga Beach
Why You Need To Go: With white sand shores and sparkling waves, Wasaga is a popular destination for summer escapes.
The town is home to "the world's longest freshwater beach" as well as "one of Ontario’s most unique coastal dune ecosystems," according to the website.
With 14 kilometres of velvety shores, shimmering blue waters and gorgeous views of South Georgian Bay, it's a warm-weather paradise.
The surrounding town offers restaurants and places where you can grab a treat by the water during your visit.
Tobermory
Why You Need To Go: This tiny town is straight off a postcard and is brimming with summer charm.
According to its website, the harbour town is "surrounded by crystal clear water, the majestic Niagara Escarpment and is home to Flowerpot Island along with two national parks."
You can swim in turquoise waters, dine on a waterside patio, wander through the cozy shops and explore breathtaking natural wonders at this spot.
Bracebridge
Why you need to go: Dubbed the "waterfall capital of Muskoka," Bracebridge is a scenic spot for a summer escape, with endless trails and outdoor adventures.
It's home to "three of the area's most beautiful cascades," according to Discover Muskoka, so you'll want to explore some of these breathtaking natural wonders.
The Main Street boutiques are lined with cozy boutiques to check out, and you can also head to the nearby Santa's Village for some holiday-themed fun.
Port Elgin
Why You Need To Go: Boasting dreamy white sand beaches and charming streets, this beach town has "summer" written all over it.
Port Elgin is renowned for its six beautiful white sand beaches, which are "one of Ontario's best-kept vacation secrets," according to the website.
There are kilometres of velvety shores to enjoy along Lake Huron, and the pristine waters are perfect for swimming.
The town is home to local shops as well as bakeries, cafes and more. The sunsets are a spectacular sight, so you'll want to stay late and have your camera ready.
Stratford
Why You Need To Go: While Stratford is technically a city, it's brimming with small-town charm and is worth adding to your bucket list.
The destination is renowned for its theatre scene, and, from April to October, you can enjoy some incredible shows during the annual Stratford Festival.
The downtown area is brimming with European vibes, and you can discover a range of restaurants, shops, parks and more.
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.