Summer day trip destinations close to Toronto
Summer days are for exploring what the Greater Toronto Area has to offer, from lounging at the Scarborough Bluffs to touring the wineries of Niagara-On-The-Lake. You’ll discover outdoor adventures in kayaking, swimming, antiquing, arting and more. Pack your sunscreen and slip on your favorite summer shades, its time to start planning your next summer day trip getaway. [Image credit: iStock.com/wundervisuals]
Bluffers Park
1 Brimley Rd S, Scarborough, ON M1M 1T9The Scarborough Bluffs are a stretch of escarpment along Lake Ontario. The Bluffs extend from the Beaches to East Point Park and are made up of several different outdoor spaces. Bluffers Park is the only park with public access to the lake, boasting a sandy beach, a picnic area and a series of lookouts. It’s a great spot for fishing and swimming, since it forms an inlet from the lake of gentle, clear water. To boot, there’s an upper meadow section with a view of sandstone cliffs and the beach section of the park.
Design Annex Art Gallery of Hamilton
118 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2K7You’ve heard it before: Hamilton is to Toronto what Brooklyn is to Manhattan. Start your tour of the notoriously cool James Street North at the Art Gallery of Hamilton’s. Design Annex. The Design Annex is a creativity lab hosting experimental exhibitions and performances in a restored heritage building. Take a stroll over to the White Elephant for local and international accessories, paper, ceramics and more. Stop for lunch at the Earth to Table Bread Bar for seasonally inspired, local eats. On James Street North, you’re guaranteed to enjoy a day of seriously cute cafés, boutique shopping, and Canadian art.
Toronto Zoo
Meadowvale Rd, Scarborough, ON M1B 5K7The Toronto Zoo is more than a typical zoo, it’s an educational action centre dedicated to inspiring people to love and protect wildlife. There’s a lot to see at the zoo, with over 5,000 animals representing 500 species. Divided into seven zoological regions, Indo-Malaya, Africa, the Americas, Eurasia, Canadian Domain and the Tundra, visitors can view animals in indoor and outdoor pavilions and natural spaces. Don’t forget: until spring 2018 you can catch two super cute giant pandas, Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue, in their temporary home at the Toronto Zoo.
Canada's Wonderland
1 Canada's Wonderland Dr, Vaughan, ON L6A 1S6Canada’s premier theme park is just a stone’s throw from Toronto and is equipped for all your thrill-seeking needs. Roller coasters Behemoth and Leviathan will propel you through the air at speeds topping 125 and 148 km/hr. Cool down in the Splash Works water park on some steep water slides. Don’t forget to grab yourself everyone’s essential Wonderland treat, a funnel cake.
Grand River Conservation Authority
Elora, Elora, ON N0B 1S0The Elora Gorge is a stretch of the Grand River flanked by natural 22-metre limestone cliffs. There are riverside trails and scenic outlooks that provide hikers with incredible vantage points over the river. The conservation area is an amazing site for outdoor activities like fishing, picnicking, tubing, cycling, kayaking and canoeing. With its gorgeous scenic views and excellent hiking trails, this day trip is an accessible option for outdoorsy types of all ages.
Pacific Mall Developments Inc
4300 Steeles Ave E, Markham, ON L3R 0Y5Credited as the largest Chinese indoor mall in North America, the Pacific Mall is a sprawling building in Markham, housing shops of all kind. You’ll find house wares, accessories, spices, clothing, electronics and much, much more among its vendors and retailers. Been waiting to splurge on cute socks? Need a new phone case that screams your personality? The Pacific Mall is the shopping experience you’ve been waiting for. Don’t forget to swing by the food court for some of the best dumplings, barbeque pork, egg waffles and bubble tea ever.
