The three hour getaway from Toronto allows you to leave city life completely for backwoods adventures and islands retreats. There's a ton of gems across Ontario -- both hidden and well-known -- within this driving distance. From geocaching to voyageuring to just plain relaxing, weekend escapes abound when you're willing to put the city in the distance.
Here are my picks for the top weekend getaways three hours from Toronto.
Get back to nature at Algonquin Provincial Park
Detox the metropolis out of your system by spending a week at this Ontario gem. Algonquin offers a variety of experiences, from backwoods camping and canoe trips, to ranger cabin rentals and even car camping for those feeling less adventurous. This is the rugged northern landscape at its finest, where almost every vista looks like a Group of Seven painting.
Go geocaching in Bayfield
Charm and historic status aren't the only things going for this small town off the coast of Lake Huron. It's also known for its geocaching -- which, for those who don't know, is a complex but fun sort of modern-day treasure hunt. This is one of Ontario's hotbeds for the activity, which requires a GPS system to track down a hidden cache left by other players.
Sail and scuba at Amherst Island
This little island on Lake Ontario just east of Kingston is a great place to spend a day or weekend on the water. Sail around the island and stop at its many ports (the hamlet of Stella is, according to some, one of the prettiest towns in the country), or explore underwater (there's a shipwreck graveyard off the island's south shore). There are a host of picturesque bed & breakfasts at which to stay.
Be a voyageur in French River
It is, after all, called "the land of the voyageurs." Rent a trailer or cottage or pack a tent and retreat to this scenic spot that's far enough north to feel rugged and completely removed from urban life. Explore the water, and stop by the French River Trading Post, one of the country's oldest gift shops. Camping is a good bet, but so too are cottage rentals.
Press your internal refresh button at Gail Springs
This holistic wellness retreat centre is located in an old, ivy-covered, castle-like estate near Bancroft that'll win your heart before you even step inside. They offer three- to 22-day retreats with various goals, like the "Body Detox Cleanse," the "Energy Regeneration," and even the hefty "Life Transformation."
Thanks to the Subaru 2015 XV Crosstrek for sponsoring our weekend getaway adventures.
What did I miss? Add your favourite getaways three or so hours from Toronto in the comments.
Photo of an Algonquin ranger cabin by Kevin Morris
by Amanda Storey via blogTO
No comments:
Post a Comment