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Summary

This Ontario destination with cozy waterfront towns is one of Canada's best summer vacay spots

Quaint streets and hidden beaches await.

A person standing in a blue lake. Right: A person standing in front of an ice cream parlour.

A lake in Ontario. Right: A town in Ontario.

Lead Writer, Travel

Waterfront towns, hidden beaches and endless nature adventures await in this Ontario destination. If you're looking for summer vacation inspiration, this might be the place to go.

In a post on Narcity Canada's Facebook page, we asked readers for the best summer vacation spots in Canada, and this Ontario region was one of the recommended destinations.

Kawartha Lakes is a scenic area just under two hours from Toronto, making it a convenient spot for a summer escape.

It boasts over 250 lakes with 15 dreamy beaches, so you can enjoy some sun-filled days by the water.

It's also home to cozy villages and communities that come alive during the warmer months. You can explore the dreamy downtown of Bobcaygeon, visit the quaint streets of Lindsay and enjoy water views in Fenlon Falls for a magical summer escape.

If you want to spend some time outdoors, the Victoria Rail Trail is worth exploring. It features 85 kilometres of scenery and links several of Kawartha Lake's communities.

You can also visit a few of the six farmers' markets in the area, where you can find baked goods, artisan items, local produce, and more.

Other popular attractions include Balsam Lake Provincial Park, the Kawartha Settlers' Village and The Grove Theatre.

With shimmering waterways, sandy beaches and cute waterside towns, this Ontario destination is one of Canada's top spots for a summer getaway, according to locals.

Kawartha Lakes 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.

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    • 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.

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