Ontario Off the Beaten Path: 8 Must-Visit Hidden Gems
Ontario has many popular tourist destinations and attractions, but sometimes you want to find a place that takes you off the beaten path and away from the tourist crowds. Thankfully, when you step away from the tourist spots, you won’t have to look far for gems that will delight you.
Just as Bonus.ca has reviewed online casinos in Ontario to find the best options for you, here we’ll do the same with Ontario’s must-visit hidden gems so that you can plan a memorable trip.
1. Bonnechere Caves, Eganville
In the small town of Eganville, which sits just over an hour outside of Ottawa, are the Bonnechere Caves. The underground caves are a little-known gem that takes visitors on a journey into what feels like another world. The site has many fossils of sea flora and fauna that pre-date dinosaurs, displaying evidence that the region was once a tropical sea.
The only way to see the caves is through a guided tour, and although it’s a journey underground, the site is set up to accommodate people of all ages. It’s a site that’s worth trekking off the beaten path to.
2. Elora
Just an hour and a half outside of Toronto is a charming small town that delights those who stumble upon it, Elora. The town’s downtown is small, easily walkable, and filled with small shops, art, restaurants, and one of the most prominent buildings in the town, the Elora Mill. The mill has become the hub of Elora since it was converted into a spa, hotel, and fine dining restaurant, drawing residents from neighbouring towns and cities through its front doors for a quiet getaway.
The Elora Gorge is another draw for locals, who venture down the gorge’s Grand River in inner tubes. The tubing ride starts as a daring adventure in white water rapids and then calms to a gently flowing lazy river ride. The Elora Gorge is in a conservation area, and within the grounds, visitors can hike through the three-kilometre trail.
3. Almonte
Almonte is a mill town turned hidden gem just 40 minutes outside Ottawa. It has become an elegant town with B&Bs, inns, antique shops, galleries, enjoyable dining, and museums that invite you to slow down and enjoy yourself with life’s simple pleasures.
Fans of Hallmark Christmas movies might recognise parts of the town since it has been the filming location for more than a dozen of these movies. The town leans into the cheesy Hallmark-Christmas look in winter, decking itself out in lights and decorations.
4. Agawa Canyon
Agawa Canyon, found in the Algoma region, is a breathtaking place to enjoy the natural landscape of Ontario. Despite its beauty, links to the famous Group of Seven, and being featured in National Geographic, Agawa Canyon remains relatively unknown, making it an ideal off-the-beaten-path experience.
Though remote, you won’t be lost in the Canadian wilderness if you venture there. Instead, you’ll find well-maintained trails, waterfalls, and stunning views. One of the best ways to get to Agawa Canyon is through the Agawa Canyon Tour Train, but whether you drive, canoe, or take the train in, you’ll be taken with the beauty of Northern Ontario and Lake Superior Provincial Park.
5. Wawa
Another place found in the Algoma region is the township of Wawa. The town is known for its giant goose that greets you as you drive in from the Trans-Canada Highway, and it’s the perfect place to experience the beauty of the region and Lake Superior while enjoying comfortable, relaxing amenities.
Wawa is close to many hiking trails, waterfalls, and beaches and is a destination for hunters and anglers. The town also puts on festivals and events throughout the year for its residents and visitors, including a Blueberry Fall Fair, Ice Candle Celebration, and Festival of Lights.
6. Flowerpot Island
Flowerpot Island earned its name from the sea stacks that have formed there in shapes reminiscent of planters or flowerpots. The island is only accessible by boat, truly giving visitors the feeling of getting off the beaten path and discovering a seldom-seen destination.
Once you arrive on the island, you’ll find no shortage of outdoor adventures and picturesque scenes.
The place is teeming with hiking trails and caves, places to swim, and rare plants that budding botanists and plant enthusiasts will appreciate.
The island also provides a campground, motel, and cottages, so visitors can shape their experience of the great outdoors here according to their budget or preferences.
7. Prince Edward County
Prince Edward County, primarily known for its wineries, is a picturesque region with something for everyone. Aside from the many wineries, there are vineyards, art galleries, an old-school drive-in theatre, waterfront views, and a provincial park. It’s the perfect place to tour wineries and connect with nature in a memorable way.
Meanwhile, Sandbanks Provincial Park, is a gem worth visiting in its own right because of its beaches, which are reminiscent of tropical getaways thanks to the crystal blue water and soft, light sand beaches.
8. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, Toronto
Sometimes, the best-hidden gems you can find are amid all the exciting tourist draws, and this Toronto library is the perfect example. It’s part of the University of Toronto and houses rare books, papers, and manuscripts from around the world, with some from as early as the 11th century.
Among these rarities, visitors can see Margaret Atwood’s hand-written first draft of The Handmaid’s Tale, first editions of works by Charles Darwin, and a vast selection of primary resources from Canada’s history. The library itself is also an interesting piece of post-modern architecture, with four floors filled with books and documents. It might fly under the radar, but it is, without a doubt, a gem you need to visit.
Conclusion
Whether you’re drawn to natural wonders, charming small towns, or places filled with history, stepping off the beaten path in Ontario will deliver exactly what you’re looking for. All you have to do is figure out which place to visit first.