It can certainly be tempting to cozy up inside and hibernate during the winter months, but Ontario has so many beautiful places to explore that are worth braving the chilly weather for.
I recently came across Expedia's in-app travel planning experience powered by ChatGPT and decided to put it to the test for Ontario adventures.
The tool first launched in April 2023 and allows you to "start an open-ended conversation in the Expedia app and get recommendations on places to go, where to stay, how to get around, and what to see and do based on the chat," according to a press release.
The tool also saves hotels mentioned in the chat to a "trip" in the app, helping to organize your adventure.
Given that the chilly weather has arrived in Ontario, I asked the chatbot to plan a 3-day winter road trip in the province, along with hotel and restaurant suggestions.
The tool came up with a pretty epic winter itinerary, and here's where the road trip takes you.
Day 1
Expedia's ChatGPT assistant suggested beginning the day in Collingwood by checking into Blue Mountain Resort. According to the website, it's "Ontario's only year-round mountain resort and spa" and boasts tons of exciting winter activities.
The assistant recommended skiing, snowboarding and trying out some of the other winter activities around the resort.
There are endless things to enjoy so you can easily spend a day at this destination.
Aside from skiing and snowboarding, there are attractions like snow tubing and snowshoeing to enjoy. You can also play hockey or race through a frosty forest on the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster.
The Woodview Mountaintop Skating is a magical winter experience to take part in. Nestled atop a mountain, the 1.1-kilometre ice skating loop winds through snow-covered trees and features incredible views of the Niagara Escarpment. The activity is even more magical at night, when you can glide through thousands of interactive lights.
You'll also want to save some time to explore Blue Mountain Village. The quaint pedestrian village has major European vibes and tons of cute shops and eateries to enjoy.
From clothing stores to cozy cafes, you can browse through a range of unique boutiques and more.
I asked the AI assistant to give me some restaurant suggestions for Blue Mountain Resort, and it came up with the Oliver & Bonacini Café Grill.
According to the website, the upscale eatery is "custom-built for mountain dining" and has a "diverse choice of appetizers, seafood, steaks, chops, ribs, pasta, fire-roasted pizza and gourmand burgers, complemented by a well-chosen wine list."
The Blue Mountain Resort has several different lodging options, including resort homes, village suites, an inn and more. Whether you're travelling solo or with friends or family, there are rooms for everyone.
Day 2
The Expedia AI chatbot planned a trip to Niagara Falls for day two of the adventure. While the city is typically a warm-weather destination, it can be truly surreal during the winter months. You can gaze across the frozen falls and enjoy snowy views that are straight out of Narnia. The drive to Niagara is just under three hours so you'll want to get an early start to the day.
There are many winter attractions to enjoy while in the Niagara area. According to the Niagara Falls Tourism website, a winter trip to the viewing platform at Journey Behind the Falls is an "absolute must."
You'll travel down 125 feet and get an epic view of the frosty falls from two observation decks.
You can also take in some incredible scenery from above on the Niagara Skywheel. The climate-controlled experience brings you soaring above the city and offers a unique view of the falls.
If you'd rather stay warm and cozy indoors, you can head to the Butterfly Conservatory and wander through a tropical garden filled with colourful butterflies. Or, explore Bird Kingdom, the "World's Largest Free-Flying Indoor Aviary."
If you have time, it's worth popping over to the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Expedia's AI assistant recommended a wine tasting experience at one of the many beautiful wineries in the area.
The 10Below Icewine Lounge at Peller Estates lets you sip "liquid gold" in a magical lounge made of ice.
The chatbot suggested dining at Peller Estates Winery Restaurant, which offers "farm-to-table wine country cuisine" and "sweeping vineyard views." You can indulge in dishes like pan seared salmon, white chocolate cheesecake and Peller Estates wines.
When bedtime rolls around, the AI assistant recommended heading to the Prince of Wales Hotel. The Victorian-era retreat is located in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake and offers a spa, restaurant and more.
Day 3
For the final day of the winter road trip, Expedia's AI suggested a trip to Algonquin Provincial Park for a snowshoeing adventure. The park features endless lakes, lush forests and snow-covered trails that will totally immerse you in a winter wonderland. It is, however, four hours away from Niagara-on-the-Lake, so you'd have to get an early start.
The chatbot also suggested visiting Deerhurst Resort, although this might be tight considering the four hour drive from Niagara-on-the-Lake and snowshoeing experience. Also, unless you plan on staying at the resort, it might be worth finding winter activities in the surrounding area, as some experiences may only be available for guests.
When asked about where to eat, the AI chatbot suggested Bartlett Lodge in Algonquin Provincial Park. The fine-dining restaurant focuses on sustainable farming and local ingredients and can be reached by water taxi or footpath.
The final road trip destination is JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort and Spa. The venue offers a variety of rooms as well as activities to enjoy during the winter months.
You can visit the Crystal Head Icebar for a boozy cold-weather drink or rejuvenate in the HydroSpa.
All in all, the trip planner tool put together a pretty epic winter road trip itinerary. From outdoor activities to drool-worthy restaurants and relaxing spas, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
The biggest issue with this road trip is the distance between destinations. It would make more sense to start the adventure in Niagara-on-the-Lake, then travel to Blue Mountain Village and continue on to Algonquin for the final day.
There are also a lot of activities packed into each day, but you could always pick and choose your favourite ones.
So, if you're looking for some snowy-weather adventures, this 3-day road trip might be worth scraping your car off for.
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.
