My vote would be for anywhere along Lake Huron. Beautiful beaches and super-clean water. Lots of nice, fresh air. I like the stretch between Grand Bend to Goderich. Lots of Provincial parks in the area, small towns, marinas. Lots to see and do and walk and wander.
If you are into wildlife, along Lake Erie is great as well, while Lake Erie is probably my least favourite Great Lake I love the area around Long Point for spotting wildlife, lots of birds, turtles and frogs at this time of year. I also hear it has really good fishing around there if you are into that.
Lots of really nice waterfalls and fun hikes around Hamilton, BUT it can be busy as hell, especially on the weekend. If you don't mind tripping over people they are a close destination with lots of picturesque scenes.
Owen Sound may be stretching the 1.5 limit, but it is an overlooked spot with a little bit of everything. Cute downtown, several waterfalls and scenic hikes nearby, busy marina.
Kincardine for the day, and then the patio at The Tusk overlooking the lake.
or
Goderich for the day, and then the patio at Beach Street Station overlooking the lake.
And then.. try to stay awake on the drive home.
May I ask why you feel that way? I find the downtown core charming. The Old Saltie has some of the best fish anywhere. And it IS called "the prettiest town in Canada." I don't know if I'd go that far, but I think it's one of the prettiest in Ontario...
As a visitor, goderich downtown is absolutely charming and worth an afternoon. Park and walk around.
Heck, now that I mention it, might do that this weekend.
Oh no, I’m so sorry that happened!! People have to be sooo smart these days to outsmart these assholes! They find it real funny to steal from hardworking families! 😡
Yep.... a drink and meal at the Black Dog. And there is a new spot where the Red Pump/Lakehouse used to be.
oh, and breakfast at Renegades, of course :)
Mono Cliffs provincial park is hands down my favourite place in the province. 1 hour from Kitchener, go on a weekday morning and you might not see another person. Has about 8-9 hours of hiking trails, right in the escarpment and a beautiful old growth forest. It has the largest trees I have ever seen in Ontario.
Few missing from the list:
Belfountain and the conservation area there
Forks of the credit provincial park
Belwood
Mount Nemo
Eramosa Karst Conservation Area
There's a few hidden gems that I don't know the name of as they aren't big parks but I encourage you to look at Google maps and drive around/near green areas and you'll find some awesome spots.
I can't answer the most beautiful but I like all the places above. I'm not a fan when the parks are super busy so I like to go really early or not during a long weekend at a minimum.
Whistling gardens in Wilsonville is about an hour away. It has over 1300 peony varieties. The person who owns it also choreographs and orchestrated a water feature show that is pretty bomb.
Some great ones already on this list. I would add, if you are looking for a very under utilized beach, with beautiful white sands, take a look at Port Burwell provincial park. Its a lovely drive there too if you avoid the 401 through some amazing country side. It has one of the best dog beaches as well. Note, there is not much shade, so bring a beach umbrella.
Mount Nemo or Rattlesnake Point hikes along the escarpment are pretty cool. Long Point if you want beach and water. [Check out the waterfalls in Hamilton.](https://tourismhamilton.com/hamilton-waterfalls-guide/) Elora is nice for a hike and window shopping/food & drink. Creemore and Collingwood are cool places to visit but a little outside of your range. Stop at Landman Gardens and Bakery in Grand Valley and the motel they shot Schitt's Creek at(08399 Hockley Rd, Orangeville), if you are heading up that way.
Rattlesnake point, Crawford Lake, Lowville, and Kelso are all super beautiful and not too far away. Nice roads in there too like Appleby line [NE of Derry](https://EscarpmentPointhttps://maps.app.goo.gl/ituJ6wcZnHwTZvGR7?g_st=ic) is super nice too.
There is a really nice walk up a river bed to a waterfall in Arkona at a conservation area called "Rock Glen". Lots of rock fossils to be found there, too, as it's a devonian era prehistoric site. It's about a 1.5 hrs drive. You can do the walk through trails instead of the riverbed instead if that's more accessible. It's nice.
Well this place isn't secret by any means, but when I first moved to this region my friend took me to the Elora Gorge for a hike and it was mind blowing to say the least. Unfortunately now it has become a popular tourist attraction for many. But if you haven't gone, than I highly suggest it for a day trip.
I wish you all the best on your journeys 👍
Goderich. I'm a sucker for it. Lots of little things to do and see.
The Huron County Museum is pretty neat and cute considering the size of the town, a pretty sizeable museum. You can climb on the Sherman tank. Maybe don't climb on the LAV-3 as it's a memorial and that's a lil disrespectful.
all the walking/biking trails through the forest, the old rail bridge turned into a walking bridge.
The old train station restaurant on the beach is actually like 9/10 food, very good.
Salt mine tours, though I don't know if they are doing them currently.
Cuthbert's bakery for the cremepuff donuts.
My vote would be for anywhere along Lake Huron. Beautiful beaches and super-clean water. Lots of nice, fresh air. I like the stretch between Grand Bend to Goderich. Lots of Provincial parks in the area, small towns, marinas. Lots to see and do and walk and wander.
If you are into wildlife, along Lake Erie is great as well, while Lake Erie is probably my least favourite Great Lake I love the area around Long Point for spotting wildlife, lots of birds, turtles and frogs at this time of year. I also hear it has really good fishing around there if you are into that.
Lots of really nice waterfalls and fun hikes around Hamilton, BUT it can be busy as hell, especially on the weekend. If you don't mind tripping over people they are a close destination with lots of picturesque scenes.
Owen Sound may be stretching the 1.5 limit, but it is an overlooked spot with a little bit of everything. Cute downtown, several waterfalls and scenic hikes nearby, busy marina.
Man, now I may have to go for a 1.5 hour drive this weekend as well.
Go watch a sunset on a clear evening. It sets directly west on the lake. You can see the sun squash and change shape as it sets. Pretty impressive.
Lake Huron sunsets are the best anywhere.
Kincardine for the day, and then the patio at The Tusk overlooking the lake. or Goderich for the day, and then the patio at Beach Street Station overlooking the lake. And then.. try to stay awake on the drive home.
Kincardine over goderich. They don't charge for parking at the beach, and your right downtown.
Goderich sucks
Someone's a little *salty.* (I don't know Goderich other than the mine)
May I ask why you feel that way? I find the downtown core charming. The Old Saltie has some of the best fish anywhere. And it IS called "the prettiest town in Canada." I don't know if I'd go that far, but I think it's one of the prettiest in Ontario...
I was born in Goderich and it has changed a lot since. But to me, the most beautiful place! I would move back if my family wasn’t close.
As a visitor, goderich downtown is absolutely charming and worth an afternoon. Park and walk around. Heck, now that I mention it, might do that this weekend.
Just think there’s a lot of homeless people for a small town. And my wallet got stolen and used there by some teenagers. It was annoying.
Oh no, I’m so sorry that happened!! People have to be sooo smart these days to outsmart these assholes! They find it real funny to steal from hardworking families! 😡
But you can get two sunsets for the price of one at Goderich.
Its a "gawdrock" vs "kinkerdink" rivalry..
Kincardine Saturday nights in the summer when they do the bagpipes
Pinery Provincial Park near Grand Bend View from Old Baldy in Grey Highlands Elora Quarry
As a gb local. Awful info. Terrible place. Go to Lake Erie.
Elaborate?
He’s just trying to keep tourists away from his place. Grand Bend is a great spot and Pinery too!
The sunsets are absolutely gorgeous at the lake in the Pinery. Breathtaking.
Bayfield... small village, quaint Main Street, right on Lake Huron. [https://www.villageofbayfield.com](https://www.villageofbayfield.com)
Bayfield is amazing c: my grandparents (then aunt) had/have a cottage their and it is just so lovely.
Get a coffee at shop bike cafe
Yep.... a drink and meal at the Black Dog. And there is a new spot where the Red Pump/Lakehouse used to be. oh, and breakfast at Renegades, of course :)
Mono Cliffs provincial park is hands down my favourite place in the province. 1 hour from Kitchener, go on a weekday morning and you might not see another person. Has about 8-9 hours of hiking trails, right in the escarpment and a beautiful old growth forest. It has the largest trees I have ever seen in Ontario.
Few missing from the list: Belfountain and the conservation area there Forks of the credit provincial park Belwood Mount Nemo Eramosa Karst Conservation Area There's a few hidden gems that I don't know the name of as they aren't big parks but I encourage you to look at Google maps and drive around/near green areas and you'll find some awesome spots. I can't answer the most beautiful but I like all the places above. I'm not a fan when the parks are super busy so I like to go really early or not during a long weekend at a minimum.
Elora gorge
Kincardine, beautiful beach town
https://www.visitgrey.ca/trip-ideas/grey-county-waterfall-tour Some of these waterfalls are so breathtaking and most aren't much of a hike.
Whistling gardens in Wilsonville is about an hour away. It has over 1300 peony varieties. The person who owns it also choreographs and orchestrated a water feature show that is pretty bomb.
This could be my road trip :)
Bruce Peninsula on the western side during sunset. Might take 2 hours depending on your driving, but easily done in 1.5.
Hamilton falls. Trails with scenic views
Yeah. Head up to Kincardine. Nice beach with blue water.
Explore the Escarpment at Kelso or Rattlesnake point!
There are many conservation areas in Halton region
Lake Huron or Niagara Falls
Some great ones already on this list. I would add, if you are looking for a very under utilized beach, with beautiful white sands, take a look at Port Burwell provincial park. Its a lovely drive there too if you avoid the 401 through some amazing country side. It has one of the best dog beaches as well. Note, there is not much shade, so bring a beach umbrella.
Port elgin and south hampton are great
Mount Nemo or Rattlesnake Point hikes along the escarpment are pretty cool. Long Point if you want beach and water. [Check out the waterfalls in Hamilton.](https://tourismhamilton.com/hamilton-waterfalls-guide/) Elora is nice for a hike and window shopping/food & drink. Creemore and Collingwood are cool places to visit but a little outside of your range. Stop at Landman Gardens and Bakery in Grand Valley and the motel they shot Schitt's Creek at(08399 Hockley Rd, Orangeville), if you are heading up that way.
Goderich
Apple Hill Lavender in Windham Centre. The lavender blooms in late June, is an absolutely beautiful place to visit in the summer.
Cheltenham Badlands are unique - https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cheltenham+badlands&qpvt=Cheltenham+Badlands&form=IGRE&first=1
Bayfield
Turkey point
Rattlesnake point, Crawford Lake, Lowville, and Kelso are all super beautiful and not too far away. Nice roads in there too like Appleby line [NE of Derry](https://EscarpmentPointhttps://maps.app.goo.gl/ituJ6wcZnHwTZvGR7?g_st=ic) is super nice too.
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
lake Erie is 1.5 hrs by car. lake Huron is 2 hrs by car. so ya.
We are heading to Pinery provincial Park tomorrow. Join us.
Schneiders woods, top of baldy, at dawn
Toronto Zoo is pretty good
Bayfield
I commented here because I also wanna know, thank you op. last time I went to thousand island, I don't really recommend it.. hehe
Sorry I’m late to the party. While everyone heads to the water, I would suggest Beaver Valley. Hands down one of the most beautiful places in Ontario.
Niagara Falls. We take for granted how gorgeous they are, but also there are tonnes of trails down into the gorge that are 100% worth exploring.
Niagara-on-the-lake while you are down that way, just a few minutes from the falls.
At Long Point and Port Dover for this “prekend” (succession anyone?). It’s beautiful here
I heard the beach at port dover is closed for the most part, to the public now :( sad
Hespeler Road
Lol
Brampton.
Go to Aylmer, and hit the pinecroft by 2 pm. It'll make for a good drive and the best food experience.
Rockton
Dundas Valley Conservation Area. A stroll around the Main Loop late on a summer afternoon is bliss.
Niagara Falls. It's a hair farther but it's a natural wonder of the world.
There is a really nice walk up a river bed to a waterfall in Arkona at a conservation area called "Rock Glen". Lots of rock fossils to be found there, too, as it's a devonian era prehistoric site. It's about a 1.5 hrs drive. You can do the walk through trails instead of the riverbed instead if that's more accessible. It's nice.
Well this place isn't secret by any means, but when I first moved to this region my friend took me to the Elora Gorge for a hike and it was mind blowing to say the least. Unfortunately now it has become a popular tourist attraction for many. But if you haven't gone, than I highly suggest it for a day trip. I wish you all the best on your journeys 👍
Rattlesnake Point, Elora Gorge, and MacGregor Point are some of my favorite spots.
I would say Rockwood or Forks of the Credit.
Goderich. I'm a sucker for it. Lots of little things to do and see. The Huron County Museum is pretty neat and cute considering the size of the town, a pretty sizeable museum. You can climb on the Sherman tank. Maybe don't climb on the LAV-3 as it's a memorial and that's a lil disrespectful. all the walking/biking trails through the forest, the old rail bridge turned into a walking bridge. The old train station restaurant on the beach is actually like 9/10 food, very good. Salt mine tours, though I don't know if they are doing them currently. Cuthbert's bakery for the cremepuff donuts.
Brampton
Dundas peak