A summer vacation is the perfect time to get away and explore new places. With so many options in Ontario, it can be overwhelming to choose where you want to go. If you are looking for a destination that will offer plenty of activities for all ages, then you should consider visiting London! The city has something for everyone with some great parks and museums as well as loads of outdoor adventure opportunities like kayaking or biking through one of the many nature trails. You won’t regret spending your days exploring this wonderful city!
London also offers easy access to a plethora of other fantastic getaway options! The following list will highlight some of the top attractions within a reasonable distance from one of Ontario’s most popular cities.
1. Grand Bend, ON
Grand Bend is a great summer getaway because it’s on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron. You can enjoy fishing and exploring the water for some new fish species or just go for a nice walk on the beach. This town has a number of restaurants and stores to explore as well!
Cottages are a great option if you’re looking for a summer getaway that’s close to Grand Bend. There are three main types of cottage rentals in the area, so you can choose the right one for you and your family’s needs. For example, if you’re looking to get away from it all, but still want access to all of Grand Bend has to offer, you might prefer a secluded cottage on the outskirts of town. Cottage rentals in this area are located just outside of town, and they provide an incredible escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Grand Bend offers a variety of shopping and dining options, which is great for people who are spending time on the water. Visit stores and galleries that offer items from West Coast native art to sculptures by local metalsmiths. When you need a break, stop in at one of the many restaurants to grab a bite or take in some live music. Throughout the summer, there are a number of festivals held at Grand Bend Park, including The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup and Sandcastle Days.
2. Point Pelee National Park
Point Pelee is a great summer getaway because it’s right in Amherstburg, Ontario! Here you can see the beautiful migration of Monarch Butterflies and other species making their homes here, which attracts hundreds of thousands of butterflies for visitors to marvel at. You can do some incredible bird watching too! This park also has four trails ranging from 1-5 km long for hiking or biking and numerous beaches with 20 kilometres of beach available to the public to enjoy.
Point Pelee National Park offers a variety of camping options that will be suitable for all your needs. The park offers both campsites and backcountry sites, and there is no need to worry about the bugs because there are no leeches! There is also a group campground with showers, restrooms, water and electricity to enjoy. Point Pelee also has some cottages available for rent for those who don’t like to “rough it” quite so much, and these might also be an excellent choice if you have pets or want a more spacious option.
The city has something for everyone with some great parks and museums as well as loads of outdoor adventure opportunities like kayaking or biking through one of the many nature trails. You won’t regret spending your days exploring this wonderful city!
3. Elora Gorge Conservation
Elora Gorge is a bit farther away but well worth the drive to see. This conservation area has a beautiful gorge with great trails and amazing waterfalls. You can also bring your dogs here, so if you’re looking for an adventure this is it!
Elora Gorge offers visitors a number of opportunities for outdoor activities. The Lazy River is one of the most popular, as it attracts hundreds of thousands of people at its peak in the summer months. The water is cool and refreshing and it’s surrounded by lush green trees. There are also rock gardens with flowers that give you a little bit of variety. You can’t go wrong with an hour or two floating down the Lazy River!
Hiking is also very popular; there are two trails available for visitors that range from 1-5 kilometres. Beaches are another great place to explore, with 20 kilometres of beach available to the public. The rock quarry in Elora Gorge offers many opportunities for exploration including climbing and bouldering areas as well as an underground mineshaft and several caverns.
The city of Elora has something for everyone with some great parks and museums as well as loads of outdoor adventure opportunities like kayaking or biking through one of the many nature trails. You won’t regret spending your days exploring this wonderful city!
4. Niagara-On-The-Lake
Niagara-On-The-Lake is a great place to explore during the summer because there’s tons to do in this historic town. You can go wine tasting, visit the Shaw Festival Theatre and Fort George, or shop for local artisans at the market! There are also more trails here than you could see in a week, too!
Niagara-On-The-Lake is home to many hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds. When choosing which accommodation best suits your needs, the most important thing to consider is how you want to experience Niagara-On-The-Lake. Do you want to stay in town? Or stay outside of town but still close enough for day trips? There are many options that can be customized based on your preferences.
5. Cedar Point County Park, Lorne, ON
Cedar Point is a great place to go camping for a few nights or just visit for the day! There’s something here for everyone including hiking trails, nature walks, fishing spots, and even a beach! You can also have a bonfire or cookout if you want! The park has cabins available on site as well if you wanted to stay overnight.
Just down the road from this beautiful campsite is Gibraltar Rock. This rock is an amazing landmark that overlooks Lake Erie and is definitely worth the visit if you’re looking for an outdoor adventure spot. But don’t fret; seeing as this is Ontario we are talking about, there’s no need to worry about any sharks circling under your feet while scuba diving.
Cedar Point Beach is a beautiful place to spend the morning, or afternoon for that matter! It’s got soft sand and clear water. The beach is also close enough to the campground so you don’t have to walk too far with your stuff! The cabins are pretty close by as well, which makes this one of the top spots in Ontario.
6. Scuba the Ontario Wrecks
Ontario is known for its beautiful waterways. With 320 lakes and over 2,500 rivers you may be wondering: if this place is so great, why are they trying to sink it? Dive deep into the depths of Lake Huron and explore some of the best shipwrecks in Ontario waters!
The Empress was built back in 1910 and this was quite the sight back in her day. Unfortunately she was sunk by a storm in 1915, so now I guess we can say that she is beyond beautiful! She also offers many different excursions for you to choose from ranging from full-day trips to underwater photography workshops.
Other popular dives include the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, and the Chi Chi. The Chi-Chi was a fishing boat that sank in 1986 after colliding with another ship; the Robert Asp. Unfortunately, there were two fatalities during this accident, but it didn’t stop divers from diving to see what treasures lay deep below!
7. Adolphustown, ON
Located in Prince Edward County, this historic village is best known for its incredible views of the Thousand Islands! This area has been talked about since 1784 and subsequent generations have lived here until today. It was voted as one of Ontario’s most picturesque villages in 2013 as well as one of the most beautiful in Canada.
Adolphustown is known for its snow-white cottages, century-old buildings, and historic sites! The village has a lot to offer including festivals, antiques shops and art galleries. There is also an amazing golf course called “Trillium Links” that is located right next to the village.
There are several restaurants and cafes in town that serve homemade meals, farm-to-table dishes and famous Canadian bagels! There is also a great festival held here in August called ‘Muskoka Mad Tea Party’ where you can enjoy music, food, craft beer and wine. This island town is definitely a great place to visit!
Summer is a time to relax and enjoy some quality family time. Whether you’re looking for something close by or you want to escape on vacation, the summer getaways near London will help you get your mind off of work and onto what matters most: spending more time with friends and family! From Point Pelee National Park in Amherstburg to Cedar Point County Park in Lorne, there’s plenty of nature trails, beaches and activities that are perfect for getting away from it all this season. What do these conservation areas have in common? They offer an incredible escape from the hustle-and-bustle of city life while providing endless opportunities to explore new things at every turn.
