July 2023

Things To Do in Ontario Before Summer Is Over

The Best Ontario Late-Summer ToDo List

Frank Sinatra said it best in his song Summer Winds, “Like painted kites, those days and nights they went flyin’ by”. Summer is probably the quickest season in Ontario. For that reason, we don’t want you to waste time trying to find the best things to do near you or when planning an Ontario staycation road trip. We want you to learn what are the best things to do and just get right ‘to-doing’ them.

Furthermore, while the kids are still home from school for a little bit longer, you might want to think about planning things to do in late-July or August. There are so many great things to do in summer in our great province that we’ve created a short ToDo list to help make it easier for you. The list is an essential part in planning weekend and summer vacations for couples, families or groups of friends.

What should you do in Ontario this summer? Where should go in Ontario this summer?

These are some of the top events, activities and experiences on our website that you’ll want to consider knocking off your fun-list before the summer is over. Using this list, you’ll find things to do in Elmvale, Parry Sound, Algonquin Park, Port Carling, Toronto, Midland and other great cities and towns in Ontario.

Fun Things ToDo in Ontario Before Summer Ends

Flower Fields and Kids Fun @ Rounds Ranch

Where: Elmvale

Family and kids ranch fun all day long. Enjoy over 25 activities to keep you and your family entertained for hours.
Sunflower Experience: August 1 – September 4 Enjoy a safe, outdoor farm experience in the midst of stunning sunflowers and gorgeous cut flowers.
Sunset Sunflower Experience: (same dates) – Hop on a tractor ride and journey to a breathtaking 10-acre sunflower field, where you can capture stunning photos during sunset and even pick your favourite bloom to take home.

Learn more: https://roundsranch.com/

Experience Georgian Bay with Island Queen Adventures

Where: Parry Sound

Relax and enjoy a sightseeing Georgian Bay adventure on a cruise. Or adventure experience to Huckleberry Island or Henry’s Fish and Chips. There are several great ways to take to the fresh waters of Georgian Bay on this Parry Sound cruise line.

Learn more: https://islandqueencruise.com/

Nature Activities at Algonquin Park South Gate

Where: Harcourt

Far removed from the bustling East and West gates we like to think of our local access as being a much more relaxing experience. Local partners are ready to accommodate you and invite you to stay, eat and play in the South Gate. Enjoy hiking, paddling, horseback riding and more fun activities for the whole family or your group of friends.

Learn more: https://www.algonquinsouthgate.com/

Learn About Muskoka History with Sunset Cruises

Where: Port Carling

Muskoka’s shimmering blue waters, its majestic green pines, its spectacular scenery all await your discovery aboard the Sunset Cruises-Peerless II. Choose from several cruises and start times and learn more about the history of Muskoka cottaging.

Learn more: http://www.sunsetcruises.ca/

Immerse Yourself at Immersive Disney Animation

Where: Toronto

Step into the art and legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios and celebrate the music, artistry and animation from the creators of Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Big Hero 6 and many more.

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Stay Cool in the Trees at Treetop Trekking

Where: Brampton, 1000 Islands, Barrie, Huntsville, Hamilton, Ganaraska, Stouffville

Plan an epic day at any of Treetop Trekking’s seven locations across Ontario. You can choose any fun adventure from Zipline & Aerial Game Treks, Discovery Kids courses, Treewalk Villages, UPLA and even Night Treks.

Learn more: https://treetoptrekking.com/

Learn Something New with a Wye Marsh Adventure or Workshop

Where: Midland

Wye Marsh offers a variety of guided programming, both drop-in & pre-registered, from guided walks to nature workshops. Bring you pups (on leash) for a nice trail walk. The Wye Marsh is family and child friendly. Be sure to check out the Birds of Prey exhibit.

Learn more: https://www.wyemarsh.com/Summer-Events

Taste the Region with Midland Food Tours

Where: Midland

Join the hundreds of Simcoe County residents, Toronto day-trippers and international visitors who have discovered the area’s history, culture, architecture and delicious food hotspots. You can enjoy a guided walking tour downtown Midland, a self guided

Learn more:

There is always some ToDo at Blue

Where: The Blue Mountains

Whether you’re strolling, shopping and eating your way through Blue Mountain Village, or enjoying the trails and mountain activities, Blue has something ToDo all the time, for all kinds of people. August events includes weekly Subary Movie Under the Stars and Mountain Music Series. Discover the hottest musical performances all Summer long with over 100 concert dates, two stages, and both new and returning artists, experience the Village vibe, only at Blue Mountain.

Learn more: https://bluemountainvillage.ca/

Discover the Best of Toronto on a Black Lab Tour

Where: Toronto

Join your Toronto knowledge-filled guide to discover some of the most amazing and amusing stories of Canada’s largest city

Learn more: https://blacklabtours.com/

Of course these are just a few suggestions of things to do near you this summer. You can find more ideas in our events and activities suggestions section of the website.

All these fun things to do are great for day trips, but if you’re looking to stretch things out, check out some of these great Ontario getaway packages and make it a last minute summer vacation filled with wonderful memories.

July 23, 2023 Algonquin Park, Almaguin Highlands, Muskoka & Parry Sound, Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay & Lake Simcoe, Greater Toronto Area, Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley, Hamilton, Halton & Brant, Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington, Kawartha Northumberland, Niagara Falls, Northeastern Ontario, Northwest Ontario, Ottawa & Countryside, Sault Ste. Marie - Algoma, South Eastern Ontario, Southwest Ontario, York, Durham, Headwaters

Top 5 things ToDo in Muskoka This Summer

Enjoy exclusive experiences at JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa in Muskoka all summer long.

1. Stay in luxury while you play in nature.

After a long day of exploring, hiking and biking around Muskoka, you need a cozy place to lay your head. Book a luxurious 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom suites with balcony and water view for ultimate luxury in the lap of nature.

2. Patio dining with a view of the lake.

Enjoy every meal outdoors soaking up the view and the sunshine! Start with a hearty breakfast at Cottages patio, followed by a sumptuous lunch at the Deck patio. For dinner, you can savour exquisite nosh and champagne at the Veuve Terrace or indulge in a lavish “themed” dinner buffet at Cottages.

3. Get your adrenaline rush with motorized watersports by SWS Muskoka.

Experience the thrill of riding a jet ski! Go tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and wake surfing. You can also enjoy a serene boat our or a fishing trip. For the little ones, an inflatable waterpark is open all day.

4. Rejuvenate at Hydrospa Muskoka.

Heal your body with the “Hot-Cold-Relaxation Outdoor Water Circuit” and the “Relaxing Indoor Circuit”.

Hydrospa Muskoka also offers a range of indulgent, rejuvenuating and pampering rituals – body wraps, massages and hydrotherapy treatments.

5. Mindful Moments in nature.

The resort has transformed little nooks into havens of relaxation – specifically designed to help you have mindful moments in nature. Take a walk in our JW Garden, sit at the JW Serene Space. Your mind, body and spirit will thank you. You will emerge relaxed and with a deep sense of wellbeing.

Book your Muskoka Getaway NOW!

Check out the ToDoOntario Events Calendar for more events and experiences in Ontario.

July 14, 2023 Algonquin Park, Almaguin Highlands, Muskoka & Parry Sound

Wye Marsh Announces Free Trail Access for Indigenous People

Big News! On Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), Friends of Wye Marsh announced free trail access for Indigenous people – First Nations, Métis and Inuit can now visit 362 days a year to walk the trails free of charge. This is part of a greater Diversity & Inclusion initiative on which they have been working in partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada. They are excited to be able to allow free land access once again to those who walked here first.

On your next Wye Marsh visit you may also notice some new signage, both in the Display Hall and on the trails, translated into not only French, but also Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) and Michif (the Ontario Métis language). We are grateful to our translators, Mitch Akerman (Anishinaabemowin) and René Laurin (French/Michif), both shown in the photo below, for their assistance with this initiative.

They are also introducing new Indigenous-led workshops (look for beading, moose hair tufting, and moccasin workshops in the fall); newly-designed camp programming (new stories, games, crafts, lessons and activities with an Indigenous focus have been added this year); and revamped educational programming (a return to Marsh School in September!); and they are in the early stages of shaping an Indigenous Advisory Committee to support us moving forward on decisions about programming and environmental stewardship.

For more information visit https://www.wyemarsh.com/

July 10, 2023 Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay & Lake Simcoe

Where To Find A Private Beach In Ontario This Summer

How You Can Enjoy An Ontario Beach Without the Crowds

Ontario’s Favourite Summer Thing To Do – Beach Fun

Welcome summer vacation time in Ontario!

Ontario Beaches range from white sand shores and crystal clear waters, to beautiful rock shoal beaches being lapped by freshwater lakes and bays. They can be found in cities, towns, and national and provincial parks for day use and the cost is usually the associated parking or day-use fee.

Time To Find Resorts With A Beach

BEACH RESORTS are the answer for anyone looking to find hidden beaches. Hotels and resorts in Ontario often have swimming pools, but only a handful have a beautiful sand beach amenity included with your relaxing vacation. Often secluded and with friendly staff, the added bonus is most definitely the added luxury of the excellent service Ontario accommodators are known for.

Soaking up summer on a private resort beach means most of your planning and preparing is taken care of and is worry-free. Being on a private property might also bring the added bonus of a pool bar. Most public beaches do not permit alcohol. If there is a bar, there is food – so that means your beach fun is likely going to have some pretty tasty snacks.

If laying around on the beach is not your thing, remember that reading isn’t the only thing you can do at the beach. Many resorts offer beach use of canoes, kayaks, stand up paddleboards and other fun sport or activity toys. Lots of resorts also have beach volleyball and other fun games easy to play in the sand. Resort beaches are often secluded, very private and are extremely well maintained.

Top Ontario Resorts With A Beach

Here is a short list of awesome resorts in Ontario with a beach:

Bayview Wildwood Resort
Severn Bridge

Footprints Resort *adult only
Bancroft

JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka
Minett

Ahmic Lake Resort
Magnetawan

Severn Lodge
Port Severn

Sherwood Inn
Port Carling

Cedar Grove Lodge
Huntsville

Pine Vista Resort
Douro-Dummer

Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Centre
Haliburton

Deerhurst Resort
Huntsville

Buttermilk Falls Resort
Haliburton

Sunbeam Bungalows Family & Fishing Resort
Callander

Inspire Beach Resort
Coboconk

Top Ontario Airbnbs With A Beach

View On Airbnb Highview Beach House South Bruce Peninsula

View On Airbnb Warm & Cozy Cottage by lake – Relaxing Getaway!

Visit the above PACKAGES page for more details and available packages. Have a wonderful time on the beach!

July 4, 2023 Algonquin Park, Almaguin Highlands, Muskoka & Parry Sound, Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay & Lake Simcoe, Greater Toronto Area, Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley, Hamilton, Halton & Brant, Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington, Kawartha Northumberland, Niagara Falls, Northeastern Ontario, Northwest Ontario, Ottawa & Countryside, Sault Ste. Marie - Algoma, South Eastern Ontario, Southwest Ontario, York, Durham, Headwaters

Where Are the Best Small Wedding Venues in Ontario?

The vastness and rustic beauty of Ontario and its small wedding venues will blow you away. There are so many options for you to choose from that you might be a bit overwhelmed. Planning a micro-wedding should be something that is fun and not stressful.

If your wedding plans need more room, space and services check out the full list of ToDoOntario wedding venues here. Otherwise, keep on reading!

But the research you will do for your special day will be well worth it. Since the average Canadian wedding has around 120 people, these small wedding venues will be ideal for you to host your nuptials.

That’s why we have created this list for you, so you will be able to see the top choices for wedding venues in Ontario, for a small-ish wedding. Read on to see which top Ontario wedding venue piques your interest.

Romance can be found everywhere in Ontario. Couples have learned to plan the coolest of weddings following a rough couple of years.

Ontario Has Venues for Both Indoor and Outdoor Weddings

Depending on your preference and the season that your wedding is going to be taking place in, you might opt for an indoor or an outdoor wedding. Either way, Ontario is filled with great options for both kinds of weddings.

Elope at Eco-Bay Chalet

For intimate elopements and micro weddings , Eco Bay Chalet is the ultimate destination for the romantic wedding of your dreams . Escape the ordinary and immerse yourself in a realm of unmatched sophistication nestled on a protected bay in the heart of Muskoka. Indulge in the extraordinary, for you deserve nothing less.

Voyageur Quest in Algonquin Park

If you’ve always dreamed about having your wedding in a rustic cabin somewhere in the woods, then Voyageur Quest is for you. There are 4 unique wilderness cabins that you can rent at this venue for a truly intimate wedding.

Each cabin has a different view, one with a lake view, another overlooking the forest, and also an island retreat. There’s something for everyone here.

Glen Oro Farm

At Glen Oro you can let your imagination run free. Working closely with a venue facilitator and planning staff, they have created a Wedding Day Experience that will stay with you and your guests for the rest of time. With an emphasis on impeccable service from an elite team Glen Oro strives to not only fulfill all of your dreams on your wedding day, but also elevate the needs of your guests to a position where they feel as if this day was theirs too – everyone here is special. Glen Oro works with award winning international hospitality agencies to curate our events here, so together let them tap into their shared creative energy and make some real magic happen.

There are three different wedding packages to choose from which consist of either the Farm Elopement (up to 12 guests), Micro-Wedding (up to 30 guests), and the Grand Wedding (up to 180 guests). Both the Farm Elopements and the Micro-Weddings are offered as a fully inclusive experience with additional options for further customization.

Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve Ltd

Haliburton Forest is 100,000 acres, which has 100 lakes and millions of trees. In short, it’s an outdoor lover’s paradise. It has a research center and an education center.

With a sustainable viewpoint, Haliburton Forest will ensure your special day is both beautiful and eco-friendly. No one wants to imagine that their special day would be an environmental no-no.

You and your guests can avail yourself of all their activities, like snowmobiling, dog sledding, and more. You can also observe wolves in their natural habitat. It is going to be a unique wedding adventure to beat them all.

Rounds Ranch

Hold your big day at a rustic, beautiful ranch. Country weddings are becoming more and more popular, and you may dream about the day you say “I do” at the perfect rustic venue. If you are looking for a spot that hosts country weddings in the Barrie, Ontario area, look no further than Rounds Ranch.

Footprints Resorts (Adults Only)

You might have had an experience where a wedding was overrun with children, and babies, all afoot and all making a ruckus. Maybe you decided then that your wedding would be children and babies free.

If that is the case, Footprints Resort is for you. It’s a private retreat located a few hours from Toronto in the Hastings Highland on the southern tip of Algonquin Park. There’s a private lake which you can sunbathe on or canoe around in.

This will be that romantic, intimate, and quiet wedding that you’ve been searching for all along.

Sherwood Inn

Sherwood Inn is the perfect location to host friends & family while you say your I do’s and the resort can be yours…exclusively. With no other guests on property, your special day turns into an entire Muskoka resort wedding getaway for everyone. Sherwood Inn is one of the most romantic resorts in Ontario and the ultimate Muskoka wedding venue. A truly unforgettable Muskoka resort wedding may be more affordable than you might imagine as Sherwood Inn offers special resort wedding packages to suit almost every couples budget.

From Pop-Up weddings to one-day elopement packages, Sherwood Inn suits all kinds of couples looking for small or, even really smaller weddings, but want them to be extra-special too.

Deerhurst Resort

You’ve always dreamt of having your wedding in the posh beauty of Muskoka and with Deerhurst Resort, you can finally make that dream come true.

Not only are their accommodations and venue newly refreshed, but they have a wide variety of activities to suit everyone. Treetop trekking anyone? How about a round of golf at two 18-hole courses? You and your guests will never run out of things to do.

They also have an outstanding live stage show every evening, to liven up any gathering. It seems like they have taken care of every possible desire you might have for your intimate wedding. Small wedding venues for the win!!

Adamo Estate Winery

Did your ears perk up at the word ‘winery’? Imagine a wedding at an award-winning boutique winery with over 28,000 vines. Tour the winery, taste the wine and have your wedding in a beautiful setting made to entice.

It’s a wine-lovers dream come true. Not only do they have outdoor spaces overlooking the vines, and indoor spaces luxuriously furnished, but they also have a dinner/event area in the cellar. How cozy and unique would that be!

Sunset Cruises Muskoka

Whether from a public dock, resort dock or your private dock Sunset Cruises Muskoka offers smaller intimate cruises. This historic boat combined with the rugged beauty of Muskoka will ensure a very romantic small wedding.

Blue Mountain Resort

Blue Mountain Resort isn’t only about ski hills, even though everyone seems to think of it that way. They are open all year-round and have a wide variety of activities to suit everyone.

This is another venue for the outdoor lover. The adventurer in you and your guests will be pleased. In the winter, there’s skiing and plenty of après activities. In the summer, there’s golf, hiking, and more.

Explore the great outdoors, and get even closer to all your guests. In the evening, relax in a hot tub while you look out at the twinkling lights of the mountains, and enjoy some decadent hot cocoa.

There are also more than 50 unique restaurants for you to entice your taste buds with.

Craigleith Manor Boutique Bed and Breakfast

Nestled between Georgian Bay and the Blue Mountains sits Craigleith Manor. Twice named by TripAdvisor as one of the TOP 25 B&B/Inns in Canada, this award-winning boutique bed and breakfast has long been the perfect location for couples seeking privacy, in luxury surroundings. With only three guest rooms, each with private ensuite, they can provide the personal touches that you would expect in a five-star accommodation. Additional accommodation, beyond our capacity of 6 overnight guests is available locally.

The Waring House

Make your special day one to remember. The Waring House is the perfect venue for both weddings and wedding receptions. You have unique hopes and expectations for your day, and The Waring House will work with you to plan the wedding experience of your dreams.

Cobble Beach Resort

Choosing the right location for your dream wedding can make all the difference! If you’re searching for a picture-perfect backdrop, make sure to choose Cobble Beach Resort – It’s not just a location; it’s a destination! Imagine saying your vows overlooking the pristine Georgian Bay shoreline, celebrating under a clear blue sky, and capturing those beautiful moments with the iconic lighthouse in the background.

Small Wedding Venues to Suit Every Need

As seen above, there are small wedding venues in Ontario to suit every need, desire, and dream that a person planning their wedding could have.

If you are holding a small or micro wedding, you might have imagined that it would be hard to find a venue that suffices, but there are options enough to suit everyone.

The only thing left to do is pick one from the list and plan out your special day. Good luck!

If you are still unsure and want more options:

See All Wedding Venues

July 2, 2023 Algonquin Park, Almaguin Highlands, Muskoka & Parry Sound, Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay & Lake Simcoe, Featured, Greater Toronto Area, Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley, Hamilton, Halton & Brant, Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington, Kawartha Northumberland, Niagara Falls, Northeastern Ontario, Northwest Ontario, Ottawa & Countryside, Sault Ste. Marie - Algoma, South Eastern Ontario, Southwest Ontario, York, Durham, Headwaters