Table of Contents
Considering a day of adventure or a weekend getaway close to Toronto? Explore these exciting trip ideas that immerse you in the great outdoors, letting you experience the rugged beauty of Ontario’s prime vacation spots across all seasons!
Affordable Outdoor Adventure with Parkbus
Getting out of the city has never been easier, especially if driving or renting a car isn’t your preference. Since its inception in 2010, Parkbus has facilitated outdoor adventures for both tourists and Toronto locals to Ontario’s provincial and national parks. They simplify your travel plans by providing a direct bus service to some of Ontario’s most breathtaking parks.
Parkbus offers both day and weekend travel options throughout the year, including popular winter, spring, and fall excursions. With convenient downtown pick-up locations and helpful links for local outfitter rentals on their website, planning your outdoor adventure is a breeze.
Simply visit the Parkbus website, select your destination, book a seat, and head to the designated pick-up location on the day of departure. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself wandering nature trails amidst towering trees, babbling brooks, and the serene scents of the countryside.
Their trips range from a popular day trip to Rouge Park, just on the northeastern edge of Toronto, to full weekend adventures in the northern reaches of Ontario.
Elora Gorge Day Trip
A top Parkbus day trip destination is the stunning town of Elora, about an hour and a half northwest of Toronto. This charming village boasts beautiful craft shops, tantalizing eateries, and thrilling outdoor adventures. Enjoy a hike along the Grand River, marveling at the 22-meter-high cliffs above the rapids, or spend an afternoon tubing down the river.
Tubing the Grand is an exhilarating experience, best suited for strong swimmers and older children due to its natural gorge setting and powerful currents. We recommend wearing water shoes (not flip-flops) and leaving behind valuables like sunglasses and phones to avoid losing them in the rapids.
A Wintery Wonderland Day Trip to Arrowhead Provincial Park
Another Parkbus favorite is a winter day trip to Arrowhead Provincial Park, a spot beloved by Toronto residents and featured on Instagram for its picturesque ice-skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing trails. Travel and Leisure Magazine highlighted it as one of the world’s most stunning natural skating rinks. Skating through a snowy forest, surrounded by towering trees and gently falling snowflakes, epitomizes the Canadian winter experience.
Adventure Getaways to Algonquin Park
For a weekend immersed in Ontario’s wilderness, Algonquin Park is our top choice. This vast and beautiful national park offers everything from basic camping to rustic luxury lodges.
Voyageur Quest’s Lodge Cabin Adventures provides an all-inclusive off-the-grid weekend adventure. They offer pickups from downtown hotels or the York Mills subway, leading to a weekend free from Wi-Fi and electricity, but rich in gourmet food and guided activities.
Winter is an especially magical time to visit, offering activities like dog sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and evening torch-lit skating. Voyageur Quest ensures comfort with cozy fires, gourmet meals, and warm sleeping bags for the chilly nights.
For those who prefer warmer weather, Voyageur Quest also offers a variety of summer adventures. Options include staying in a lodge with other guests, booking a private cabin, or paddling to a secluded island retreat. Whether it’s the cold thrill of winter or the warm embrace of summer, these adventures promise unforgettable experiences in Ontario’s great outdoors.
