Elora Ontario: The Prettiest Small Town Near Toronto

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Southern Ontario is not lacking in pretty small towns. You know the kind – white picket fences around quaint, colorful houses and a main street full of the cutest shops just a short walk from a picturesque view or two. That description describes Elora, Ontario to a tee. It’s no wonder so many people love to explore the tiny town and the surrounding area. But, despite how picture-perfect it is, you won’t always have to battle the crowds as there are plenty of different things to do.

Where is Elora, Ontario?

For anyone visiting Ontario you might be staying nearer to Toronto. And while Canada’s biggest city will always keep you busy, it’s worth getting out of the big smoke for a day or two. Elora, Ontario is about a 90-minute drive west of Toronto.

Since the traffic around Toronto can be crazy I recommend getting an early start. We were on the road by 6:30 to arrive by 8am. That way we got to explore the town while it was relatively quiet – and saved ourselves a traffic headache. Plus, more time in this adorable place that will make you want to sell up and move here right away.

Is Elora Ontario just another pretty town?

It is and it isn’t. Elora, Ontario is the place Instagram dreams are made – every window box has bright and colorful flowers, every house has a different color trim, and every café serves something a food photographer would kill to snap a picture of. But Elora is so much more.

Announcing where my chosen destination for the day was, I could almost hear my boyfriend roll his eyes. Anticipating the day would end with him dragging his feet while I took “just one more photo”. But he loved Elora, and there were enough things to keep us both happy for the day. Keep reading to see my best picks.

Top 8 activities in Elora, Ontario

Elora has a good mix of typical small town activities and unique outdoor places to explore. Because of that, it’ll be a hit for anyone. But if you’ve got this far I’m sure you want to know what’s in store for you at Southern Ontario’s prettiest small town.

Pick your dream house

Spoiled for choice doesn’t even scratch the surface of how you’ll feel while admiring the myriad of photogenic homes in Elora, Ontario. Start your trip off by taking a walk up and down every little street and find some of the nicest houses your heart can barely handle.

Imagine each one with a warm fruit pie cooling on the window-sill and the ultimate reading spot on one of the many rocking-chair laden front porches where you can sit sipping freshly made lemonade. Even if you can’t afford to move here, many of these glorious abodes have been turned into tiny little B&Bs.

Victoria Park

There are lots of lovely outdoor areas in and around Elora. But for an easy walk to incredible view ratio, head to Victoria Park. It’s here you can walk the short trail overlooking the Grand River and the famous Elora Gorge. Spectacular scenic views emerge from nowhere through the trees as the tall bridge in the background frames the picture.

From Victoria Park there is access to Irvine Creek where you can really feel like you’ve left civilization. The trails along the creek will get you even closer to the river views. When you’re done, Victoria is a nice quiet spot to read a book and watch the world go by on a sunny summer morning.

Elora Gorge Conservation Area

Enamored by the riverside views and the sneak peak of Elora Gorge? Make an afternoon of it and visit the Elora Gorge Conservation area. There’s a fee to visit for the day, but it’s less than $7 CAD for an adult and $3 CAD for children. Plus that money goes towards the costs of keeping the park open and maintained.

Spend some time hiking the short trails for incredible up close views of the gorge. There’s even a spectacular waterfall. The loop trail is not very difficult so kids will enjoy it too. Spend a little longer and camp in the area or enjoy some more exhilarating activities (see below).

Get on the water

Plan to go tubing along the Grand River if you want an exhilarating ride along the white water rapids. The perfect way to cool down in the summer heat. Rentals are available but check in advance for rules and availability. You can also try your hand at white water rafting through Elora Raft Rides.

If you’re not big on the fast rides and prefer something a little slower paced, how about a gondola ride down the river? It’s not just Venice that offers relaxing boat rides, Elora offers Punting rides. Learn to do it yourself or just sit back and let someone else guide you.

Grab a drink and relax

Talking about all these outdoor activities has made me thirsty. While Elora has a lot of great places to order a coffee and do some people watching, it’s the brewery that has my vote. That or the Elora Distilling Co. The delicious beers at Elora Brewing Co. are one thing, but the brewery also has a fantastic food menu. So why not make this your lunch stop for the day?

Try the Elora Borealis citra pale ale or pick up a pack of their seasonal offerings if you can’t stay for long. With an outdoor street-side patio it’s also perfect for enjoying watching the world go by in this lovely small town. If you’re not a beer fan the distillery has some pretty yummy cocktails on their menu.

Buy some antiques

Finding unique shops in small towns is one of the best activities in my opinion. But if you can also find an antique shop or two it’s a lot more interesting. Delving into a store full of hidden gems is exciting because it’s not just the cookie cutter items you might find in other shops.

That said I love antique looking things too, especially anything using old maps. And Elora has a wonderful store with some fun antique looking travel items. You can find journals, storage boxes and paperweights featuring maps and local newspapers at Mermaid in Elora.

Seek out some local sculptures and street art

Elora has some interesting artwork scattered around the town. From the uplifting Tree of Life painted on the side of one of the buildings in town, to twisted rusted metal sculptures. But one of my favorites was a carefully crafted clock tower, which aside from displaying the intricate inner workings of the clock, was also surrounded by beautifully written quotes about Time.

Stay for dinner

There are no shortage of places to eat in Elora, so plan your day accordingly. Don’t fill up too much on the fresh bread from the Elora Bread Trading Co. or yummy treats from the Lost & Found Cafe. Make room for some good food from The Evelyn, the majestic purple painted restaurant along the main street. They even have their own Hot Dog section of the menu featuring elevated versions of a classic favorite.

Exploring Elora Ontario

Don’t rush your visit just because Elora seems like a small place. Plan an activity or two, but mostly just enjoy the slower pace of life in a beautiful small town. Spend the night if you can, and get outside as much as possible. Eat some delicious local food then top it all off with an evening stroll near the river.

They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but with Elora I think you have to do just that. The cover is pretty amazing and the contents are even better. If you’re searching for the prettiest town in Southern Ontario, look no further, this might just be it.

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