8 Small Towns In Ontario To Visit From Toronto

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I love a picturesque small town – charming buildings, scenic vistas and cute independent shops. And since I’ve spent a lot of time in Southern Ontario visiting family over the years, today I’m rounding up some of the best small towns in Ontario you have to visit if you’re around the Toronto area.

These towns are perfect as day trips or overnight stays. Although, they certainly have a bit more charm than downtown Toronto so consider getting away from the city for a night at least. Slow the pace down, find an adorable B&B and kick back into a more country-esque life.

Why do people like small towns?

Whenever I travel I seek out small towns. Because while a city is cool and everything, I like nothing more than wandering quaint streets and discovering yummy bakeries. And everyone knows small towns have the best bakeries.

There’s something about a small town though. Getting away from the busy traffic filled streets of the city, and being transported back to a place that looks like it hasn’t changed in a hundred years. Small towns feel safe and friendly. I recently swapped city living for small town life and I couldn’t be happier – so it’s no doubt people want to feel a piece of that when they travel.

Adorable small towns in Ontario

Ontario is a big province. Like, really big. Therefore it would be presumptuous to think I’ve been all of the best small towns in Ontario. But since visitors to this wonderful province typically find themselves near Toronto at some point, I wanted to round up some great options from there that I’ve discovered. These are some cute places you can visit easily from Toronto.

I recommend renting a car while you’re there to really give you the most freedom. But remember to plan ahead at traffic around Toronto is notoriously bad – some early mornings might save you long traffic waits. However you won’t regret getting onto the road once you visit some of these absolute gems, and some of the loveliest small towns in Ontario.

Niagara-On-The-Lake

Not to be confused with the lively town of Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake could not be more different. Where Niagara Falls has all the subtlety of Las Vegas, Niagara-on-the-Lake is everything you’d want in a romantic weekend getaway. Wine tasting, horse and carriage rides, and of course Bed & Breakfasts.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is basically the B&B capital of Canada and the only real way to stay with the exception of perhaps one place. The ultra-luxurious Prince of Wales Hotel.

Spend some time walking around the historic Old Town, looking at the pretty buildings, before visiting Fort George National Historic Site. Then make the most of being in wine country with a tour of the local wineries. Book a wine tasting tour or a driver for the day. That way you can sample the local delights without having to nominate a designated driver.

Paris

You didn’t read that wrong, Ontario has it’s very own Paris. It’s a lot smaller and lot less French than its European namesake. But the town of Paris is a nice place to spend an afternoon. Stroll along the main street, Grand River St N, and check out some local shops. Then load up on goodies at the Paris Bakery (the cheesecake crumble squares are to die for).

To walk it off, wander over the William Street bridge taking in views down the Grand River. And if you’re feeling adventurous book a canoe or kayaking tour along the Grand River. Visit the Paris Beer Company for a local craft brewery experience, and top it off with dinner at Stillwaters where you can sample some amazing Canadian cuisine – complete with riverside patio seating.

Stratford

Another one of the best small towns in Ontario that might have you scratching your head as to whether you’ve accidentally hopped over the pond. The town of Stratford, on the Avon River just like it’s English counterpart, also hosts it’s very own Shakespeare Festival.

As fangirl towns go, Stratford, Ontario takes the crown. Almost everything you can think of has a Shakespearean name or connection. But the town is a lovely place to visit. Take plenty of photos of the striking Victorian buildings around the town, and visit the magnificent Shakespearean Gardens. If that isn’t enough, then why not take a relaxing pedal boat ride on the river (only $25/hr).

St Jacobs

St Jacobs is a Mennonite community near Waterloo. A wander around the town will lead you from cute shop to cute shop, and you’re bound to pass a horse and buggy or two on your way. The quaint downtown area also has a museum, some history on Mennonites in the area, and a brewery.

Personally St Jacobs is one of my favorite small towns in Ontario, mostly because of the huge Farmers’ Market on the edge of town. Featuring delicious homemade jams and preserves, meats and cheeses, baked goods and more. There are also local crafts to buy and antiques. A visit to St Jacobs will definitely keep you busy for an afternoon, but don’t rush off before taking a nice walk along the river and admiring the pretty views.

Elora

One of the prettiest small towns in Ontario you’re likely to find is Elora. Colorful flowers adorn colorful buildings and each house you pass will be your new dream home. Elora Ontario has dozens of cute shops with unique items for sale, and a number of lovely cafes and places to grab a coffee and people watch.

When you need a break from all the adorableness of the town’s picturesque streets, head to Victoria Park and take the Elora Gorge lookout trail. A short trail gives incredible views of Elora’s scenic gorge and you can walk down the steps to the river for a better view. Plan to spend an afternoon hiking some of the trails around Elora Gorge Conservation Area then back to the town for some riverside walks.

Colborne

While the tiny village of Colborne won’t keep you busy for long, it’s actually the largest place in the township of Cramahe. There’s a lovely little park with some older buildings surrounding it, like the town hall. And there are a few shops such as antique stores.

But the main reason you’ll be near Colborne is if you’re paying a visit to the nearby Big Apple just off the highway. The Big Apple is a roadside attraction – a 40ft tall red apple to be exact. But it also includes a bakery that cannot be missed. Featuring delicious baked goods made with, you guessed it, apples! Their apple bread is phenomenal, as are the apple donuts and of course the apple pies.

Cobourg

There are a lot of small towns in Ontario near the water, due to the proximity of the Great Lakes. Cobourg is one of them. As well as a beautiful little town, there’s also a really nice waterside walk around the marina with views of a lighthouse. Walk a little further to Cobourg Beach and spend an afternoon on the sand watching the world go by.

Along Cobourg’s main street are a number of amazing places to eat like the King St. Kitchen & Bar. Get the pear and brie sandwich, it’s incredible. The town also has some fantastic architecture like that of the Victoria Hall which serves as the town hall as well as a concert venue. Allow a day in Cobourg to enjoy the town as well as relaxing along the waterside area.

Port Perry

On the shores of Lake Scugog is the tiny town of Port Perry. One of my favorite small towns in Ontario due to the variety of independent shops and the unbeatable location. Make sure to spend some time here soaking up the sun in Palmer Park watching the boats go by. In fact, pack a little picnic with some cheese and crackers from The Port Cheese Co and some dessert from Hank’s Pastries across the street.

Port Perry has a wonderful brewery, Old Flame, so stop by their taphouse for a flight of delicious local beer before you leave. And if you feel lucky, head over to the casino just a few minutes drive from the town itself. Port Perry has charm like you wouldn’t believe, and is worth planning a day trip from Toronto at least.

Small towns in Ontario you don’t want to miss

With endless charm and an overwhelming number of Bed & Breakfasts, these are some small towns you shouldn’t miss on your Ontario road trip. Plan to spend a couple of days exploring Toronto, but then get outside of the city and see what these small towns in Ontario really have to offer.

Get ready to eat your weight in wildly decadent baked goods and lose yourself in these historical towns. These places look like they were modeled after the quaint English towns original settlers may have come from. So you may often feel like you’re exploring Europe rather than Canada. The only thing that matters though is that these scenic towns make it to your travel itinerary as they really are some of the nicest places you’ll find in Ontario.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Which of these small towns in Ontario would you like to visit? Which others would you add to this list?