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Summary

This 20 min VIA Rail trip from Toronto takes you to a 'hidden gem' town with shining waters

You don't need to go far to find some small town charm.

A person standing by a building. Right: A person sitting on a patio by the water.

A person in a small Ontario town. Right: A restaurant in a small Ontario town.

Lead Writer, Travel

You don't need to go far in order to enjoy some small town charm. This quick VIA Rail trip from Toronto takes you to a dreamy waterfront village where you can spend a day exploring local shops, digging into delicious food and more.

The train trip from Toronto takes about 20 minutes, meaning you can easily go there and back in one day.

The area boasts rich history, natural beauty, award-winning restaurants and unique shops, so there's no shortage of things to do.

Whether you're visiting for a day or enjoying a weekend getaway, this quaint small town is a beautiful spot to enjoy.

Oakville is a picturesque town located along Lake Ontario. According to Visit Oakville, the town is a "hidden gem" and is known for its "picturesque harbours, vibrant shopping districts, active arts community and some of the best dining options in the Greater Toronto Area."

You can visit attractions like The Oakville Museum or Oakville Galleries, explore some of the town's 200 kilometres of trails, browse through the shops in Downtown Oakville and wander along the waterfront.

You can also head to Gairloch Gardens to enjoy trails of flowers and shining lake views.

When it comes to restaurants, places like Maro's Bistro, Hexagon Restaurant and The Bronte Boathouse are some delicious options.

Enjoy some small town charm just outside Toronto at this spot!

VIA Rail Toronto to Oakville

Price: $20 + one-way

Visit Oakville 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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