Hello travellers! Over the past two years I have spent a lot of time exploring locally here in Ontario. During that time, I’ve found some incredible gems here in Ontario that I want to share with you. In this post I’m sharing some weekend getaways that you can do in if you’re looking to stay local or visit this beautiful province, specifically in Eastern Ontario.
Since I live near Toronto, all of these cities and attractions are within a reasonable driving distance from the GTA and in this post I’m covering five of the weekend getaways you can take in Eastern Ontario – but there are so many great options to choose from depending on what you like to see and do!
I’ve linked to some videos in my Ontario series below if you prefer to watch and learn about these Eastern Ontario cities. I hope you enjoy these 6 Eastern Ontario Weekend Getaways you can take during any season!
Port Hope
The first town on my list for a weekend getaway is Port Hope. Port Hope is a charming little town located approximately 90 minutes from Toronto on the northern shore of lake Ontario. We didn’t stay overnight in Port Hope, but we’ve done various day trips to the town in every season and there are some historic hotels located right in the downtown area if you plan to stay over night. It is also only a short drive from Cobourg, Ontario, famous for the Cobourg Beach, so you could easily make this a Port Hope and Cobourg weekend trip. Otherwise, you probably only need a day trip or 1-night in Port Hope.
The summer is particularly lovely here, but the changing autumn leaves also make this a pretty town to explore. The downtown area has a variety of shops and restaurants, there’s a beautiful river, and some historical landmarks also located around town. If you’re into antiquing, boutique shops, and charming bakeries, this is a great city to spend some time.
A big Hollywood movie was filmed here as well – Stephen King’s movie It. So you can do a walking tour around town and see some of the filming locations. Or spend some time at the beach!
Check out my video 12 Things to do in Port Hope for more info below.
Kingston
The second city on my list for weekend getaways is Kingston. Kingston is located approximately 3 hours from Toronto and 2 hours from Ottawa and near the 1000 islands border crossing from upstate New York. There’s definitely a lot to see and do with 19 museums and historic sites and 2 art galleries, among other fantastic attractions in the city.
We spent 2 nights in the city and were able to see a lot of the attractions in that time. On our visit we did the an extended tour of the Kingston Penitentiary. This was one of the main highlights for us because we got to go into the prison, see what it was like for prisoners and employees there, and also hear about some of the interesting stories. This penitentiary had a few notable riots, and held some of Canada’s most notoriously heinous criminals.
We also made a stop at Fort Henry National Historic Site which was another step back in time. This historic fort was built during the War of 1812 and is a prominent fort in Canadian history. The current day fort is open for tours, but it’s quite different from the original built in the 1800s due to all of the restorations. We also sampled our way through some of the popular downtown restaurants and of course we had to try some of the local breweries.
Kingston is a waterfront city located where Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence river meet. There are great waterfront walking trails, and if you visit in the summer you can even rent kayaks and paddle boards to enjoy some time on the water. During the winter I think a weekend is plenty of time to see this city.
Check out my video with 15 things to do in Kingston for more details on what we got up to.
1000 Islands & Gananoque
The third weekend getaway is a visit to Gananoque and the 1000 Islands. Located along the border between northern New York State and southeastern Ontario – there are 1,864 islands making up the thousand islands. And for over 150 years these islands have been a vacationer’s paradise. And it’s only about 3 hours from Toronto Ontario and about the same distance from Montreal, Quebec.
We did a 1000 Islands Cruise and loved the experience. Something I really enjoyed about our cruise was the narration that shared historical facts and information on the islands as we cruised. We learned that these waters are cruised by cottagers, boat enthusiasts and tourists to enjoy the scenery and island life. And as history would note, these waterways were once used by pirates and prohibition bootleggers. There are plenty of cottage rentals so you could easily book an island getaway – some of the cottages are even on their own private island.
When borders are open you can even explore Boldt Castle on the US side of the river. In town there are various hotels to choose from, history museums, a cute downtown area with shops, restaurants and I even noticed a craft brewery. I’d recommend a weekend in this cute town, especially if you’re looking for a relaxing weekend with some hiking at the national park.
Check out my full video of our cruise and visit below!
Bobcaygeon
Bobcaygeon, Ontario is the fourth weekend getaway on my list of recommendations. The town of Bobcaygeon is located about 2-hours northeast of Toronto, and about 3 hours northwest from Kingston in the Kawartha Lakes area. It’s right between Sturgeon and Pigeon Lakes which connect by the historic canals and locks of the Trent-Severn waterway. It has a bustling downtown area and is a popular hub in cottage country.
In the town centre you will find a main street with shops, restaurants, and other amenities like a pharmacy and grocery store. This is the part of town where I suggest spending the most amount of time, since this is where most of the attractions are. Nearby you’ll be ably to find the famous Swing Bridge, Lock 32, the museum, and a brewery is located a short walk away. You could easily spend a weekend in the area enjoying the water, nature, and the small town atmosphere.
Check out my video below for top attraction and things to do in Bobcaygeon for more!
Ottawa
The fifth weekend getaway on my list is Ottawa, Ontario. Ottawa is Canada’s capital city, located on the south bank of the Ottawa river bordering Quebec. The city has a long history, is the political centre of Canada and home to our parliament and Prime Minister. The drive from Toronto can be long at 4.5 hours, but there are plenty of great places to stop along the way.
I’d definitely recommend making this a few nights getaway to make the drive worth it. But if you’re coming from a different area, like Montreal, Upstate New York, or cottage country, it might not be that bad of a drive. Ottawa is a fantastic city to visit at any time of the year. Most of these attractions are great to see no matter the season! There are museums, monuments, and historical buildings to see in the area. Plus, the famous Rideau Canal is definitely another attraction to add to your itinerary if you visit. We really enjoyed sightseeing around the city! Byward Market was a big hit for me with all of the restaurants, shops and artisans selling their work.
If you’re looking for attraction ideas, check out my list of things to do in Ottawa Ontario below.
Prince Edward County
And the sixth weekend getaway on my list is a trip to Prince Edward County. This area of Ontario is a popular antiquing, art and wine destination. Plus it’s located only 2 and a half hours from Toronto. As of 2021 there are 40 wineries across the region! It’s perfect for weekend getaways because there are numerous Airbnbs, bed and breakfasts, inns, and small boutique hotels. You could easily spend 2 nights in the area and not see all it has to offer.
Prince Edward county has an arts trail that leads to various artists who sell their work in the area. And there’s also a food and wine trail to follow! We’ve been to the area to visit the wineries, breweries, and distillery and have never had a bad time. You can also go camping or visit Sandbanks provincial park for the day to enjoy some hiking or beach time. But if you aren’t a beach person, this area is also famous for antique shopping and cute downtown shopping areas. We also recently visited one of the Lavender farms in the area and sampled some of the mead.
Check out my video Things to do in Prince Edward County to see more of what it has to offer.
Eastern Ontario Weekend Getaways Summary
And that’s it – a few suggestions on weekend getaways you can take in Eastern Ontario. Or, you could easily string all of these locations together for an amazing week-long road trip.
What other weekend getaways would you recommend in the Eastern Ontario region? Share them in the comments below!
