mickj

Hello there,

As the summer months are just round the corner, i thought people might want to share where they consider to be the nice places to hang out with the family on a day trip during the simmer months and during the fall.

In Ontario where we live ( West of Toronto ) we like to explore what is around us, and here are a few areas we enjoy from time to time.

1. Elora Gorge

2. Owen Sound

3. Sable beach

4. Fergus


What areas do you suggest to visit in your part of canada where you are?

The pic below is from our trip to Inglis Fall last year, how beautiful is that?

oceanMDX

Good suggestions Mick. Have you ever been to the caves in the Blue Mountain area just west of Collingwood? There's a resort there - costs about $8/per person - that lets you explore these caves. The Indians used to use them to store their meat because, even in the summer, they're very cool. While in the area, check out the "Nottawasaga Lookout". You get a fabulous view of Nottawasaga Bay - the southern part of Georgian Bay. That area also has a lot of apple orchards - miles and miles of them.

The Niagara Falls area is enjoying a renaissance with $2 billion dollars in new investments. The centerpiece is a huge new casino, but other attractions are being built. Lots of new restaurants are opening up. Perhaps Niagara-On-The-Lake is the prettiest village in North America.

mickj

Hello there,

Sounds like fun....that is definitely the sort of thing that we like to do. I know what you mean about the Niagara area, we love it so much, i proposed to my wife there, not by the falls, but acros the road where they is a fountain and its all lit up at night, she didn't see it coming


Niagara-on-the-lake is our favourite village, and enjoy a show at the prince of wales theatre there. I go nuts for the fudge and all the vineyards round there, illiskillin being my wife's favourite. The butterfly conservatory round there is a must see, and how beautiful is that floral clock? Not forgetting that buddhist temple of course.

The first time i ever came to canada as a tourist and went to NOTL, i just couldn't believe how beautiful it was, i just fell in love with it straight away.

oceanMDX

My brother (and his daughter) went with me to those caves in the Blue Mountain area. Both he and his daughter went through places that were only about ~15 inches wide to go deeper down into the bowels of these caves, while I chickened out. It can be a little claustrophobic in there - but a nice adventure in Southern Ontario.

There are numerous waterfalls along the Niagara Escarpment that are worth seeing. They are at their best in the spring, so best be planning a trip right now.

oceanMDX

Has anyone checked out the Conestoga Lake area and its campgrounds? We used to go there a lot when I was a kid. Haven't been there for decades.

Another good place to be - on a hot summer day - is Grand Bend on Lake Huron. It has a pretty decent beach.

Then there is Wasaga Beach. I understand that Wasaga has the longest beach in the world on a freshwater lake!

http://www.wasagabeach.biz/

http://www2.georgian.net/%7Enancyisland/

mickj

Come on folks, there must be places in your neck of the woods that you will like to share with people here, places you hang out at during the summer/spring Kind of like a family day out kind of thing. I know we are looking forward to visiting some new places as of April


Cheers

oceanMDX

Has any one of you been to Port Stanley lately? The last time I was there was more than 35 years ago. What's it like now?

flashman

We like to tour Prince Edward County (http://www.pec.on.ca/Welcome.html) especially picnic at Sandbanks Provincial Park (http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/sand.html).

souls canuck

how about Bala?

cant say that I have spent loads of time there, but someone mentioned port stanley..

bala also get some pretty decent live music at the Key to Bala.. never been but someday...

going to the Bruce's Mill maple syrup festival this weekend.. why wait for spring? it'll be here soon enough..

Bowmanville will have theirs on May 1st.. I went last year.. they closed the street off and had some rides for the kids, a band playing.. pancakes all day.. and maple beans.. that sort of thing.. it was fun enough. I am sure a lot of small towns have that sort of thing.. if you are out looking for it, you'll find it. and even if it sounds corny, its a good time.

there are some lovely little lakes around gravenhurst and bracebridge.. just take a drive .. check out the map.. and find one.. pack a picnic lunch and settle in.. even the little beach in gravenhurst might work for ya..

and speaking of fudge.. ugh!! love it.. however, the best fudge I ever had was pumpkin fudge.. bought it in Midland on thanksgiving weekend.. of course its a seasonal thing and cant find it anywhere now.. but I still look

casa loma in toronto has a candlelight walking tour.. we may do that this weekend also.. been there many times since I was a kid.. but this is the first they have had candlelight and there are also some rooms open that are normally closed.. might make for a romantic time..

what else?? I like edwards gardens in don mills.. a nice spot, and packed with brides in the summer.. their flowers are very nice..

take a walk on the boardwalk in downtown toronto.. lots of people watching.. then saunter over to the beach for a bite to eat.

mickj

Hey,

Casa Loma and the boardwalk is something me and the missus love doing all the time. Also skating at the ice rink is free, they will charge for that if it was the UK


Best fudge though, it has niagara on the lake. A shop in niagara falls has some that are not bad either, buy one get one free. The store is across the road from the WWE wrestling thingy store, you actually can see them make the fudge.

mickj

First day of spring is here, but its not looking like it at the moment. Places to go, things to see and all that. We are sure looking forward to our easter break trip to Montreal from Ontario here, should be a lovely drive, it always is whenever we go there, stopping at the nearest Timmy Ho, to get my english fudge cappuccino and blueberry fritter

Here is a pic of that popular quebec / ontario border Témiscaming
:

Spongebob

Brrr. That looks cold. 13 c here in Victoria and sunny as could be. Give me the West coast any day.

flashman

But not the place with the clearest skies according to


http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/weather/winners/intro-e.html

Spongebob

True, but we win in the most comfortable weather catergory though.

oceanMDX

There is no such category.