Whether you’re looking to stay local in Ontario or take a last-minute long weekend adventure to the U.S., these are some of the best weekend getaways from Toronto to take this year.
Long weekends in Canada
There are plenty of opportunities to take a long weekend getaway from Toronto throughout the year. To help you plan your next trip, here’s a list of Ontario’s statutory holidays for 2023.
Ontario’s statutory holidays 2023
- Victoria Day: Monday, May 22nd
- Canada Day: Saturday, July 1st
- Civic Holiday: Monday, August 7th
- Labour Day: Monday, September 4th
- Thanksgiving Day: Monday, October 9th
Top weekend trips from Toronto
For your next long weekend, you just need to decide whether you want to be surrounded by city lights or sandy beaches. From 3-day weekend city escapes to inspiring staycations, here are some popular destinations for fun weekend getaways from Toronto to take this year.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
An ideal weekend getaway from Toronto to explore southern Ontario
An hour and a half drive from Toronto and about 30 minutes from Niagara Falls is the centre of Ontario’s stunning wine region, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Mix relaxation, wine, history, and amazing views for a fun getaway to discover the charm of southern Ontario. You can spend the weekend dining (and wining) while enjoying the great outdoors. Schedule an outdoor picnic at the historic McFarland House before checking out the Fort George National Historic Site. Want to indulge in some culture for the evening? The Shaw Festival runs theatre productions and more throughout the season, both indoor and outdoor.
Headed to Niagara-on-the-Lake in the wintertime? Come for the Icewine Festival in January. Other notable wineries that can be visited throughout the year include Peller Estates, Inniskillin Wines, Jackson-Triggs Estate, and Wayne Gretsky Estates (yes, The Great One).
Where to stay: The Hilton Garden Inn Niagara-on-the-Lake offers great value and is just a quick drive to all the main wineries and attractions.
Guelph, Ontario
Spend your weekend getaway enjoying Guelph’s architecture and parks
Rated one of Canada’s most livable cities, Guelph is an underrated destination in Ontario that you should consider for your next weekend getaway from Toronto. The city is located about an hour drive west of the GTA, making it an ideal option for last-minute weekend getaways from Toronto. Architecture and history buffs are sure to appreciate the limestone architecture and many national historical properties throughout the city. Plus, Guelph has plenty of activities to amuse kids and entertain parents.
Explore the towering limestone cliffs and caves at the Rockwood Conservation, which is open year-round and offers plenty of activities for all. Wander through McCrae House, the childhood home of John McCrae, writer of the poem In Flanders Fields.
For more things to do on your weekend trip, take the kiddos to the interactive Royal City Families Gallery at the Guelph Civic Museum. Animal lovers of all ages will want to flock to the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, about a 15-minute drive from downtown Guelph. Hungry? Head downtown and warm up with a bowl of homemade ramen at Crafty Ramen on Macdonell St. For something unique check out Miijidaa, whose menu draws inspiration from First Nations, French, and British cuisines.
Downtown Guelph is easily walkable, so if you’re looking for weekend getaways from Toronto without a car, Guelph is a solid option.
Where to stay: About ten minutes from Guelph University, Norfolk Guest House Inn is a beautiful bed and breakfast that’s perfect for a romantic getaway.
Prince Edward County
Sip the weekend away at wineries and soak in the sunshine of The County
Take a two-hour drive east along Lake Ontario from Toronto and you’ll hit Canada’s new favourite staycation destination, Prince Edward County. Locally referred to as “The County”, you can discover relaxing vistas of natural beauty, award-winning wineries, and culinary offerings that will tantalize your taste buds.
Taste your way through the region by sampling cheese at Fifth Town Artisan Cheese and different types of vinegars and wine at Black Prince Winery. Prince Edward County has some of the best wine in all of Canada, so booking a wine tour beforehand is highly recommended.
There’s no shortage of culinary delights in The County, making this one of the best weekend trips from Toronto for food lovers. Swing by the Blue Sail for some fresh seafood (try their tartare) and don’t forget to check out their seafood market.
If you’re visiting Sandbanks Provincial Park be sure to visit the seasonal seafood shack, Sand and Pearl, which is minutes from the beach. Stella’s Eatery and the Drake Devonshire are popular options if you’re looking to enjoy a leisurely afternoon enjoying some nibbles and drinks on a patio. Want to watch a movie the old school way? Check out The County’s popular Mustang drive-in theatre.
There’s no public transport in The County, so we recommend bringing a car and make this a little road trip adventure.
Where to stay: A ten-minute walk to Lake Ontario, the Picton Harbour Inn offers comfortable rooms for the whole family.
Quebec City
Spend a romantic long weekend enjoying Quebec’s unique history, culture, and food
Looking for romantic getaways from Toronto? Or just need a fun-filled long weekend escape? The quaint capital city of the province of Quebec has so much to see and do. Boasting some noteworthy natural sights and plenty of historical landmarks to fill your days, a weekend getaway to Quebec City might just be for you. Spend your Canada Day weekend or Civic Holiday here, when the weather is warm and sunny and you can dine on a restaurant patio on the cobblestone streets of Vieux-Québec.
From the Citadel to the Plains of Abraham, the world-class Museum of Civilization and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Fortifications; the only preserved walled city of its kind in all of Canada and the U.S., French colonial history of North America tells its story here in Quebec City. Be sure to spend a few hours wandering the Quartier Petit Champlain in Old Quebec. Just a short drive north of downtown is the nearby Montmorency Falls, one of the top natural sights in Quebec City. Towering at 83 metres, these falls are higher than the ones in Niagara Falls.
Check out Le Grand Marché and get some of the freshest produce, meats, and cheese from local farmers. If you’re looking for some authentic French Canadian fare, try the Buffet de L’Antiquaire, which serves classic Québecois dishes.
Vieux-Québec is very walkable and a lot of the major sights in Quebec City are within close proximity to each other. The RTC is the city’s public transportation system which connects the main neighbourhoods and main attractions. You can get a day pass for $9.00 and single fares are $3.75.
Where to stay: To be near the heart of the action, rent a romantic loft at the Lofts St-Joseph.
New York City
Experience New York’s museums, parks, shopping, and food for an exciting weekend getaway
World-class shopping, sights, architecture and food, New York City is consistently an excellent destination for a long weekend getaway from Toronto. Just hop on a short flight to one of NYC’s three main airports and you’ll be on your way to adventure.
New York City’s many parks are inspiring and easy to explore, especially during the fall and spring months. Central Park, Battery Park, and Prospect Park are some of the most popular choices. Splurge on your long weekend getaway and go shopping (or just window shop) at the many boutiques along Fifth Avenue. With some of the best museums in the world, no trip to the Big Apple is complete without a visit to at least one of New York’s museums. Some unmissable museums include The MET, the MoMa, The Morgan Library & Museum, and The Whitney.
If you want some of the best food that Big Apple has to offer, head downtown to Katz’s Deli for some classic deli food in this New York establishment. For a splurge, there’s Gramercy Tavern, which is consistently one of New York City’s top-rated restaurants. Or you can head completely Uptown to Harlem and experience the Red Rooster for classic American fare, live music, and inventive cocktails.
The five New York City boroughs are accessible by public transport: from the MTA and the Staten Island Ferry. You can purchase a 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard for easy access to the New York City subway system and discounts on numerous New York City attractions. New York City’s three major airports; JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia, all have shuttle services that take passengers from the airport into Manhattan.
Where to stay: The Wyndham Garden Brooklyn is right next to Sunset Park and a few blocks from the subway, so you’ll be able to easily get around all weekend.
Boston
Boston offers so many kid-friendly activities, historical walks, and architecture to fill a weekend getaway
Often overlooked by other destinations along the East Coast, Boston is a beautiful city just waiting to be explored. Fill your time in Boston with historic walks, visits to outdoor markets, picturesque neighbourhoods, and indulge in some excellent food. There’s also plenty of kid-friendly activities in Boston if you’re planning a family vacation.
A Boston attraction (or a series of attractions, really) that will take you the entire day is the Freedom Trail. Stretching 4 kilometres, this outdoor history museum experience passes through Boston’s oldest neighbourhoods. The Boston Public Garden is a beautiful place to explore, especially during the spring months when the tulips are in bloom. Take the kids to the Boston Children’s Museum, complete with a toddler play area, a science playground, and an art studio. The hands-on exhibits are sure to keep everyone entertained (and educated!) for at least a few hours.
The popular Boston restaurant Fire and Ice takes an interactive concept to the dining experience, where you can pick your ingredients buffet-style and the chefs grill your food in front of your eyes on a large circular grill area! The Boston Public Market on Hanover St. has a huge selection of local food including produce, meats, fish, cheese, and some gourmet snacks.
The major sights in Boston are very walkable, so book a hotel in the city to be close to your favourite Boston attractions. The MBTA or “the T” is Boston’s public transportation system which connects the city and metro area by subway, train, bus, and ferry. Rent a car and explore the surrounding area of Boston and some of the country’s top universities: Harvard and MIT are just a short drive away from Boston’s city centre.
Where to stay: The Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport is complete with an outdoor pool and a fitness centre.
Miami
Miami is home to beautiful beaches, art, and culture and makes for a great long weekend getaway from Toronto
With stylish beaches along its shores to a booming art scene, Miami is the closest you can get to paradise on a long weekend getaway from Toronto. When things start to cool down in Toronto, head to Miami for a quick weekend escape or take a long weekend beach getaway over your winter break.
The Wynwood Arts District in the north of Miami features the Wynwood Walls, an outdoor museum home to the works of some of the world’s top graffiti and street artists. Wander and admire the art all day, and all for free! For some outdoor experiences, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden offers free admission and is a beautiful space to explore for a few hours.
Travelling with kids? Head to the Miami Children’s Museum where you can spend the day enjoying interactive exhibits like Cruise Ship, Castle of Dreams, and the Construction Zone. And of course, you should leave space in the itinerary for Miami’s many beaches. Head to Miami Beach and head south until the infamous South Beach.
A top-rated Miami restaurant is the Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, which serves some of the best soul food in the city. For some excellent Cuban cuisine in a classy setting, try the Versailles Restaurant along the popular Calle 8. And if you just can’t get enough, the real Havana is less than an hour flight away.
Worried about getting around? The Miami Trolley is free and an easy way to get around major attractions and tourist areas in the city.
Where to stay: The Novotel Miami Brickell is an affordable and stylish option close to downtown Miami.
Washington D.C.
Fill your getaway to D.C. with visits to free museums, walkable outdoor sights, and excellent food
From alternative neighbourhoods to world-class museums, the U.S. capital might surprise you! This city is filled to the brim with sights that can easily fill a long weekend vacation with friends, your partner, or a fun trip with the kids. Washington D.C.’s weather is comfortable throughout the year, but the most popular time to visit is in the spring to see the cherry blossoms.
There are 11 Smithsonian Museums located in the National Mall area of D.C., most notably the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of American History with exhibits of the best of American pop culture and politics, and the Air and Space Museum. There’s an IMAX theatre close by if you want to keep the kids extra entertained. The National Mall from the U.S. Capitol Building to the memorial lawns of the Vietnam and Korean wars to the Lincoln Memorial were designed to be walked and wandered through day or night.
For excellent food options and atmosphere, head to the neighbourhood of Georgetown. Along Wisconsin Avenue, you can choose between establishments like Martin’s Tavern or head south to Chaia Tacos Georgetown for some tasty vegetarian and vegan tacos made with homemade corn tortillas.
The main areas and attractions of Washington D.C. are easily accessible by the city’s metro system. The National Mall is one of the most walkable sights in the country, so bring comfortable shoes and get exploring.
Where to stay: The State Plaza Hotel is a great option within walking distance to D.C.’s main attractions, including the Kennedy Center.
Best weekend getaways from Toronto: FAQs
For a short weekend trip from Toronto, some other popular options include Niagara Falls and Buffalo, New York.
If you’re looking to fly from Toronto, then Boston, New York City, and Chicago are always fun options for weekend trips to the U.S.. For a weekend road trip from Toronto (when the land borders open), try Rochester and Lake Placid in New York and Ann Arbor and Erie in Michigan.
Depending on where you live, there are lots of options for amazing weekend getaways in Canada. Try Montreal, Victoria, Toronto, Winnipeg, Halifax, Muskoka, Edmonton, Calgary, and Saskatoon.
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