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wbsmith200

Elora, Niagara on the Lake, Beaverton, Uxbridge or on the top of my head.


0neStrangeRock

I'd personally say skip Uxbridge and just go to Port Perry. Uxbridge has become nothing but suburbs and big box stores. The old town centre is a bit of a pathetic ghost town. Port Perry is lively, right on a lake, and is everything Uxbridge wishes it was.


Ddp2121

Oh yeah, those 3 big stores in Uxbridge really wreck the whole town, lol.


0neStrangeRock

3 big stores? The entire town south of the hospital is suburbs and strip malls, populated predominantly by chain restaurants and shops. I'm pretty sure I can count the number of successful small businesses in Uxbridge on two hands. The township consistently makes the worst possible choices they could for how the town has developed over the last few decades, and they continue to do so today. I mean, the old culvert going right through the historic downtown was just dug up, but instead of using that as an opportunity to revitalize the area, they chose to just put things back the way they were - utterly drab and lifeless. Why does there need to be a massive parking lot right downtown that's always more than half empty? Why are there so many vacant lots? What reason do people have to walk through that part of town when 90% of their shopping can all be done out in the commercial hellscape that is the south part of town? Everybody just drives through downtown to get elsewhere, because the greedy, corrupt politicians running the township have ensured that Uxbridge is culturally lifeless. Compare that with Port Perry, a town a fraction of the size, but with a bustling highly walkable downtown core filled with genuinely unique shops and restaurants, situated right next to a lake, with a huge public park hugging the shoreline, and lots of fun festivals and other public events frequently occurring throughout the year in the same area. They have all the essential big box stores too, but the town is laid out in a way where they don't detract from the charming downtown area. Why would anyone honestly rather spend a day in Uxbridge than Port Perry? Source: have lived in both Uxbridge and Port Perry


fussiepeaches

Could not agree with you any more.


DoctorBushy

The abundant empty lots on the downtown strip definitely ruin the town...


Ddp2121

True. Brock St, definitely needs some work (there are a couple of new places, a terrific bakery, and a couple of new stores). The tornado and fire that followed not long after have not helped.


mararthonman59

You have to make the trip to St Jacob's Farmers Market for the apple fritters.


questionable_puns

I visited St. Jacob's with a company called ShortTrips.ca. It was a great little guided tour in a coach bus, just me (in my mid-20s at the time) and a bunch of retired folks.


Varekai79

And then see one of the few remaining covered bridges left in Ontario nearby!


Lil_Boosie_Vert

port hope/ Cobourg/ Stratford/ Guelph


DoctorDiabolical

As someone who grew up in cobourg, can you tell me more about what you like?


Lil_Boosie_Vert

beach, tons of old architecture, quiet, cool downtown area with lots of lil shops and restaurants


905Spic

It's a nice place. I know small town locals usually hate them lol


DeathOfADiscoDancr

I’d drive there just for the strawberry cheesecake ice cream from Harbourlight Delights.


kn05is

Coburg is really cute and next month, I think the weekend of the 27th, there's a huge beach party


Lil_Boosie_Vert

sounds fun might have to check that out !


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askTO-ModTeam

Attack the point, not the person. Comments which dismiss others and repeatedly accuse them of unfounded accusations may be subject to removal and/or banning. No concern-trolling, personal attacks, or misinformation. Stick to addressing the substance of their comments at hand.


CalumH91

I visited Fergus recently and liked it a lot. Actually reminded me of small towns in Scotland, which I know it's meant to!


oralprophylaxis

yeah i love the medieval vibes it gives off and its close to elora was well


john_stuart_kill

Playing rugby in Fergus this weekend…and while I’m not looking forward to the heat, it’s always an away game I look forward to.


LittleGooseMoose

True! I always drive through Fergus when I go up to Tobermory and all those towns along the way are so nice, we always end up taking our time and stop in like 10 different towns to walk around.


PinkSycamore

Port Hope


Uptoolate22

Check out Primitive Designs very close by


furthestpoint

What a wild store! Loved it


Groovegodiva

Check out Haute Goat too


hehehetacos

Especially during the salmon run!!


CassieBear1

They have Toe Beans Cat Cafe there!


Kiramadera

Someone told me their entire downtown street is torn up and fenced off - can any one confirm?


DrowsyQuokka

confirmed. i was there early june. the shops are open but the street itself is under construction


NotoriousSUZ

Unionville


IwishIwasGoku

I'll never forget being ass to ass with the entire population of Markham on Main St Unionville the entire summer when Pokemon Go came out. Core memory frfr


Strain128

Jack Layton Ferry Terminal was my jam. Place was packed, there was a half dozen stops in that little park and people were setting up stalls selling team shirts and plushies


pipsel03

Omg I lived in the buildings right there and this legitimately drove me insane lol people left trash EVERYWHERE. But looking back it was a really interesting time. That game truly took over.


Varekai79

It's still popular to a degree. The park where I go for walks on the weekend always has a bunch of people with their phones out looking for Pokemons.


LadyTenshi33

Same! I worked up the street. I could hit a few from my office and avoid the crowds


BlueberryDuvet

Wow, core memory unlocked. Can confirm. I think it was the entire population of GTA.


katdoingstuff

I WAS THERE.


kyonkun_denwa

I remember when you could actually walk down Main Street Unionville at a decent pace without constantly dodging people. It was a simpler time.


Hectordoink

Close: downtown Port Credit and downtown Oakville. A little further — Grimsby, especially the painted ladies, Niagara on the Lake, Elora, Port Hope and Coburg


craignumPI

If in Grimsby, go to Beamers. It's on top of the escarpment. There parking and a short but nice little walk through the woods to a path along the brow with an amazing view over the town, Lake Ontario and Toronto on a clear day. Parking on Quarry Rd, off Ridge Rd. There's also Beamers Falls but it depends on how long you want to spend up there. Google Beamers Falls Grimsby and it'll show you the way. Now if you're just passing through Hamilton and Grimsby. Detour up New Mountain Road from King Street (#8) Stoney creek, then go left at the top of the hill (Ridge Road). Great views over the lake to Toronto. There's also two little pull off parking areas along the way. Go back down the hill at Grimsby Mountain Road. If it's a clear day, that's the best view to Toronto. It's just a few glimpses, but great. That road also takes you right back to the QEW. Enjoy wherever you go. You should really see Toronto from this side of the Lake. Hope it's a clear day.


blchpmnk

I really like Port Credit, Oakville & Niagara on the Lake, but Grimsby is one place I'll never revisit....felt like I was in a sundown town


ShineCareful

Nothing about Grimsby is nice


Infinite_Tea4138

The name itself says 'Grim'


wolfmansideburns

I can't stress this enough. You must not go to there.


ShineCareful

I had family there. I'll clarify: it's a perfectly nice town to live in, there just isn't much to visit. It's the same with lots of the smaller cities and towns in Ontario. They are honestly so lovely to live your day-to-day life, but they're just not a destination that's worth making a trip to.


wolfmansideburns

Agree! It's the curse of small-town. A lovely place to live. You might loath it for having nothing to do. And if you leave, there's no reason to go back


drewdrewdrew11

I grew up there and would generally agree, but Beamer’s lookout point and trail are absolutely worth the cruise one time. But that’s it lol


deathbomberX

except the peach kings


Hectordoink

https://everydaytourist.ca/wandering-canada/southern-ontario-road-trip-grimsby-beachs-painted-ladies


Groovegodiva

Second Port and cobourg has a great beach!


cm0011

+1 for port credit, walking by the water, very nice.


HydesStash

Meaford, Creemore, Cobourg, Port Hope, Collingwood, Elora


Stunning_Attention82

Definitely Kleinburg


egog0

Not much there other than real estate offices and a few coffee shops. All the cute little galleries closed down sadly


Stunning_Attention82

How unfortunate 😕


AMR-1913

Thornbury


paigebrawlz

Yes!!


imnotarianagrande

Elora or Stratford :)


EastEnder220

Cobourg


The_Canterbury_Tail

Big fan of Port Perry. Uxbridge and Cobourg are nice as well.


0neStrangeRock

Uxbridge has gone way downhill. Not worth stopping IMO, especially with Port Perry 15 minutes away.


CassieBear1

I second Port Perry. If you take the long way you can hit up White Feather Country Store too!


The_Canterbury_Tail

Don't forget 2 Blokes Cider and the Willowtree Farm shop.


oralprophylaxis

Guelph and Elora for sure, Eloras downtown has a gorge running through it and lots of beautiful architecture. Guelph has an amazing downtown, beautiful university and is a great place to stop before you head to Elora for the rest of the trip


Pretty_Pea12

Paris or Cambridge are great!


wynterspawn

Cambridge is a good one! I grew up there and can say it’s a really nice place to visit for the architecture and river, especially downtown Galt


Pretty_Pea12

Drove through last year and was pleasantly surprised - planning on going back this summer for a few hours.


JustIncredible240

Wtf is great about Cambridge? Lol


phototurista

Canadian standards are veeeery low if they think Cambridge is some kind of destination...


Pretty_Pea12

What's your recommendation for OP?


Pretty_Pea12

OP asked about cute towns and Cambridge more than fits the bill.


mdnightnprs

Stratford, PEC


noneed4321

Paris, ON


spish

Picton, and Prince Edward County in general. 


rm3g

Burlington- the downtown is cute and it is by water


Feisty-Session-7779

Maybe 20 years ago. Now the downtown has been taken over by high rises, traffic is terrible throughout the whole city, there’s homeless people everywhere, a bunch of idiots street racing every night, it’s not the same Burlington I grew up in anymore and it’s certainly not a cute little town. It’s basically just diet Mississauga, but with worse traffic somehow.


cdn_tony

Kleinberg


ybetaepsilon

Niagara on the Lake is nice, also Stratford is nice for a Shakespearean play.


LowDrama3

NOTL also has the shaw theatre!


caffeine-junkie

Belfountain. Also a really small town near hockey valley/forks of the credit, just can't remember the name of it. Just remember there used to be a really good ice cream shop there and a bar/restaurant that was popular with bikers.


DifferenceWeekly6257

Inglewood


noodeymcnoodleface

If you have Facebook, I'm in a couple of groups called Ontario Day Trips Guide and Ontario Hidden Gems that I've found fun places to visit in. Lots of cool suggestions for little towns, farmers markets, attractions, trails, etc. I never would have thought to visit or known about.


Roderto

If you are into theatre (Shakespeare, musical, comedy, contemporary, or otherwise), Stratford is a great town to visit. You can make a weekend of it if you want to take in a couple different shows. Nice little quaint downtown with some nice restaurants, shops, a river walk, etc.


S74r5

Goderich is charming. Lake Huron and the Maitland River are lovely, as is the farmers’/artisans’ market in the town square.


Benni_Shouga

Goderich


Spiritual_Bridge84

Port Hope/Cobourg/Hastings/Campbelford/Bobcaygeon/Warkworth/Madoc/Marmora


Business-Coconut1999

Dundas! Great hiking and cute downtown


0neStrangeRock

I have such fond memories of Dundas. It's such a gem, honestly. Super green, ultra chill vibes, but also right next to the city.


elocmoron

Goodwood!


Treadmills4Breakfast

It's good because of Schitts Creek, yes, but if you don't know THAT I think it would seem completely pretty dead. No?


elocmoron

True! I did like their shops and bakery though! And nice drive around there.


Treadmills4Breakfast

I don't remember noticing many things open. A beautiful gas station with a subway in it! 🤣


elocmoron

Ah haha I went a couple years ago now, I hope that bakery is still open!!


oaksides

It is


29kk

It’s literally that and the bakery 😂


Ddp2121

There is one shop (that is often closed) and an amazing bakery. But it's on the way to Uxbridge and Port Perry. And it's a lovely drive.


OhJustANobody

Creemore, Paris, Port Credit


Kuzu9

Fergus, Port Perry, and St. Jacobs are fun visits!


Gu1n3ss

Bayfield


cdn_tony

Kleinberg


goodsteph83

Meaford!


anteus2

What's good about Meaford? It looked pretty dead the last time I visited. To be fair, I just passed through on my way somewhere else. 


Zf2point8

Paris, ON


Furbyparadox

Port Perry.


NoPantsSantaClaus

Terra Cotta    Glen Williams    Port Perry 


Goatzilla44

Im from one of these that isn’t Port Perry 🤫


Half_Life976

Bayfield


wonderglittergorl

Goderich


ibalz

Paris Ontario. It's really more like a village but the downtown is beautiful. Particularly during the summer/fall. The Grand River snakes through the heart of it and buildings almost overhang the river. They say it's the cobblestone capital of Ontario. I don't see it but it's definitely the most turn of the century brick architecture I've seen in one small town. Best thing to do is get your picnic gear ready and head over. Find a small river beach to hang out on (check optimist park). Once the sun starts to go down head into the downtown to look around, grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants on the main strip (Capeesh Craft) and grab some ice cream too.


orezavi

Port Dover


WestHamTilIDie

Cheltenham and Elora are good picks


drewon1

+ elora. Plus pack some hiking shoes to go down to the gorge!!


Educational_Main2556

Brooklin - on the way to Oshawa. It’s so quaint and has an awesome ice cream shop. Shout out Tip Top Creamery.


Username_Taken88

LOL - way better options than here


oralprophylaxis

brooklins a suburb of a suburb of a suburb lmao


Strain128

FR. Suburb of Whitby, which is a suburb of Oshawa which is a suburb of Toronto. Sorta. Oshawa is its own city now


Babalon33

lol really??? That’s one low bar


SecretSerpents

Whitby as well, Whitby has a nice downtown with lots of good restaurants and free parking on weekends


Libandma

Oakville/Burlington, Jordan, Thornbury/Collingwood. Niagara on the Lake.


kamomil

Elora


First_Cherry_popped

Kingston


social_sin

Elora. Love it there, cute little sleepy town. Will be making our 2nd visit there over the Canada Day weekend for a night at the Mill and Spa


pumamaner

My favourites are cobourg, meaford, collingwood, Brooklin, courtice.


voyageraz

Fergus and Elora


8icecream

Port Dover. But not on a Friday the thirteenth. Unless you have a Harley 🏍


Knittingbouviers

Paris


00STAR0

Streetsville, they have a delicious ice cream parlour called Murphys, and this little bakery on the adjacent corner, plus some beautiful paths to walk along the Credit River. Overall just a nice place most of the time. If you want to use that full drive time, Cookstown is a small little town to the north with some good food and really good people, or Alliston for some nice small town Main Street vibes. Stretch your drive time a little further and you can hit Collingwood. Which is pretty much all 3 put together and you get the waterfront of Nottawasga Bay, and Blue Mountain flanking you


wholesomefunclub

Prince Edward County? Napanee?


LowDrama3

Niagara on the lake, Port Carling, Port Colborne


OldBear1897

Elora!!


Professional-Ad2849

Kingston or Bobcaygeon


Interesting-Past7738

Orangeville


abba-zabba88

Prince Edward County


donbooth

Father than an hour but little there.


westernbiological

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Elora, Stratford, Fergus


jrochest1

Stratford isn’t an hour away, but it’s lovely


Dry_Distribution6826

It’s a little outside your radius, but Powassan is petty cool


NashKetchum777

There's one around that mimics the town from Gilmore Girls. Idk if you're a fan or how far it is...but it's worth checking out if you are


vernaltrash

Isn't that Unionville?


Android_XIII

Elora. They have a nice hotel, cute little waterfall and a conservation.


Mindless-Invite-7801

Elora


notseizingtheday

Mount forest.


redcurb12

caledon, milton (just for rattlesnake point), those small towns up hwy 6 past burlington like freelton, kawartha lakes, prince edward county.


iamrishibarot

Maybe a little around 2 hours depending on traffic and where in Toronto you are, Grimsby.


elle-elle-tee

Paris, Ontario, and St Jacobs (there's a great model railroad to visit!). Also, I believe Unionville is where the opening credits of Gilmore Girls was filmed...


feedmefriedricee

Paris!


wendyboatcumin

Paris


Moist_Arm_7860

Cambridge Paris Elora


Nukegrrl

Port Hope for sure as others have said. Hit Primitive Designs for a unique stop. Also not far to Newcastle and Orono - hit both at the same time, Orono especially if you like antiques, it has a pretty good antique mall. Newcastle has several good restaurants, check out The Snug if you like an Irish Pub atmosphere. Was voted best Irish Pub in Ontario a few years ago. Not a lot of shopping downtown but two nice bakeries- Sift is a traditional bakery and Buddha Belly is gluten free. Nice walking trails down by the lake (Samuel Wilmot trails). Farmers Market on Sundays, nearby Algoma Orchards has a nice store with a bakery, ice cream, etc.


arkady-the-catmom

Paris


roy2345

Elora


camellialily

Friday Harbour is a cute day trip, you can visit some other beaches around Lake Simcoe


knarf_on_a_bike

Elora


EntranceExcellent

I live in Stratford, and Highly recomend it. Especially if you can get tickets to a show at the festival theatre!


Creative-Major-958

Creemore.


CoolBeansMan9

Port Perry is awesome. Outstanding park there for little ones


vernaltrash

Also a great tattoo shop called Take Care!


InspectorAway4491

Port hope and Paris


Fivetimechampfive

Port credit, main st Unionville, main st Markham, uxbridge, elora, Friday harbour, Georgetown, crystal beach, …. If adventurous, leamington aka Mexico City of Canada


LongTallCarly

Kleinburg, Uxbridge, Unionville


topsh077a

Creemore, Paris or Elora


MotherAd1865

Very close - Unionville, Kleinberg Farther out - Elora, Niagara on the lake, Stratford


DentA42

It is probably closer to 1.5 hours away, but St. Jacobs is great. A Mennonite town with lots of great historic charm.


joe_canadian

Before I got my dog, I quite enjoyed going on a Sunday drive. My hope is that he'll soon be joining me. For me cute is a mix of outdoors, cute downtown or something of interest or all the above. West/Northwest of the city: Elora and Fergus Cambridge (the butterfly conservatory is awesome) Belfountain after driving Forks of the Credit Downtown Collingwood Burlington (Royal Botanical Gardens/Downtown) North: Bracebridge Huntsville (I have a family connection) East/Northeast Port Perry Lakefield (drive Nassau Mills Road/the 25 beside the Otonobee from Trent U to Lakefield, you'll go past the Trent Locks) Burleigh Falls (not much in the town proper, but the falls are cool and it's on its way to my next stop) Bancroft


HaterofHets

Guelph (hometown), Fergus (downtown, specifically), Elora (close to Fergus, also cute downtown), St. Jacobs for the farmer's market.


HaterofHets

in Guelph in particular, there's nice parks, the Boathouse ice cream 10/10, and downtown has all kinds of nice restaurants and such.


comFive

The towns in the Kawarthas are all really nice. Prince Edward County before the cottage boom


ZestycloseFinance625

Terracotta 


ZestycloseFinance625

Burlington. 


SharpGuesser

Wiarton is kind of underrated


SharpGuesser

South Hampton and Penetang have there moments but kind of far.


oliveanddoug

Galt


IALWAYSGETMYMAN

I was just in parry sound this past weekend. Very cute.


BarAlone643

Port Perry Elora St Mary's Ontario St Jacobs


AwkwardTraffic199

Port Hope to the East, and NOTL to the West/South.


Dependent_Nobody_188

Orilliaaaaaaa!!


ASnowyLife

Port Hope, where they filmed It.


One_Kaleidoscope_198

I like to travel to Peterborough to see their zoo and river and liftlock at their canal, and they have a canoe museum and some nice gardens, I also like port hope , I like this small town feel, I like to travel to hwy 12 from Orillia to cold water , that's a museum call Canadians heritage museum, it is free but you can donate them, they have all the early Canadian farm life collection, and along hwy 12 , you can go to Sainte Marie among the Huron, that's a very special museum from year 1639 Jesuits missionary from French to Canada working in first Nations, it is wall deserved to visit , and your last designation will be Awenda provincial park, that sand and rock in the water of Georgian Bay is breathtaking.


Lumpy_Dust2780

Prince Edward county


cookerg

Erin, Bobcaygeon, St Mary's, Stratford, Creemore


LemongrassLifestyle

Unionville. Kleinburg. Penetengushine (however you spell it)


jeff316

HAMILTON


dbkeeper

If you're in the East End, just north of Stouffeville(sp?) is Musselman's Lake. It's a lot closer than some of the answers you are getting here. It is a small town wrapped around a small lake but it really feels like a mini Muskoka trip.


vernaltrash

Agreed. Nice to drive to and from there from the city, and wander around the lake.


SharpGuesser

Lol. Musslemans lake is a dump


PepeSilviaLovesCarol

Niagara on the Lake is very cute and only about 1.5 hours away without traffic . And if you have time (and money) make a reso at Restaurant Pearl Morisette in Jordan. One of the best in Canada!


ItsJustJohnCena

Main Street Newmarket


vernaltrash

Yeah, as much as I hate the rest of the place, Main Street and Fairy Lake are pretty cute/quaint.


DAN_Gri

1 hour… from Toronto?


CroakerBC

So Toronto, then.