6 Scenic Road Trips From Toronto You Need to Experience
- Emily Fata
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
Discover the best road trips from Toronto, from Goodwood to Manitoulin and beyond. Explore beaches, cliffs, small towns, and filming spots perfect for a getaway.
There’s something magical about packing up the car, queuing your favourite playlist, and rolling out of the city in search of adventure. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, small-town charm, or a dose of cinematic nostalgia, Ontario delivers some pretty incredible escapes.
From family-filled visits to scenic drives and heartwarming nostalgia, these are some of my favourite road trips from Toronto, all easy to reach and well worth the drive.
Visiting Algoma: One of the Road Trips from Toronto You Can’t Miss
Algoma Region will always feel like a home away from home for me. I’ve been visiting family there since I was born, and every trip feels like a love letter to the rugged beauty of Northern Ontario. The drive itself is part of the adventure: long stretches of open highway give way to postcard views of Lake Superior and towering evergreens that seem to touch the sky.
The main stop is always Elliot Lake, a small northern Ontario city surrounded by sparkling lakes, dense forest, and endless outdoor adventure.
Once known for its mining roots, it’s now a peaceful retreat for hiking, fishing, and kayaking. The Fire Tower Lookout offers panoramic views that make the climb worthwhile, especially in autumn when the hills burst with colour. It’s the perfect stop to unwind during a northern road trip and reconnect with nature.
You can also stop at the Agawa Rock Pictographs inside Lake Superior Provincial Park and trace the ancient red ochre markings that tell stories older than Canada itself. Once in Sault Ste. Marie, the waterfront boardwalk is perfect for a stroll and a breath of crisp northern air. For a meal with a view, try one of the restaurants overlooking the St. Marys River and watch ships slip through the locks.
If you time your trip right, the fall colours in Algoma are breathtaking; they’re a fiery mix of gold, orange, and scarlet across the horizon. And while you’re there, make sure to explore the region’s hiking trails, especially Robertson Cliffs, which reward you with sweeping views that make the climb more than worth it.
This Toronto to Algoma road trip is one of the best road trips Ontario has to offer, especially if you crave that perfect mix of nature and nostalgia.
Toronto to Manitoulin Island: Big Island, Bigger Memories
Manitoulin Island has this incredible way of slowing life down. It’s the world’s largest freshwater island, yet somehow it still feels like a hidden secret. Reaching it by car is an adventure in itself, either by taking the ferry from Tobermory or crossing the swing bridge at Little Current (which is what I did during a trip to Algoma). Whichever you pick, either route sets the tone for the island’s relaxed rhythm!
The beaches here are some of the most beautiful in Ontario. Providence Bay, with its long stretch of sand and wooden boardwalk, is perfect for a quiet morning walk or a sunset picnic. I love wandering through tiny local shops in Kagawong and stopping at Bridal Veil Falls to feel the mist on my face. It’s impossible not to feel totally at peace here.
The island’s Indigenous culture adds depth to every visit. You can learn about the area’s history at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, or take part in a local festival celebrating community and tradition. When evening rolls around, the night sky on Manitoulin feels endless, sparkling with stars that seem close enough to touch.
For anyone craving a road trip that blends natural beauty with heartfelt simplicity, Toronto to Manitoulin Island is a route you’ll never forget. It’s one of those weekend getaways from Toronto that brings pure joy and a lot of adventure.
Schitt’s Creek Filming Locations in Ontario: A Trip for True Fans
If you’re anything like me and my cousin—who recently flew into Toronto from Edmonton for a long-overdue visit—you probably can’t hear “Ew, David” without cracking a smile.
When she arrived, we decided to live out our mutual obsession with Schitt’s Creek by doing a self-guided tour of its filming locations around Ontario. It’s a day trip from Toronto that is super fun and can be enjoyed by Canadian TV show buffs.
We started in Mono, which doubles as the motel’s scenic backdrop. The rolling hills looked like they were plucked straight from the opening credits. We couldn’t resist snapping photos outside the Schitt’s Creek Rosebud Motel. There’s something incredibly charming about driving between these spots with the soundtrack playing through the car speakers.
Inside The Goodwood Mercantile (Rose Apothecary) on the left, and outside the shop on the right.
From there, we headed over to Goodwood, the small town where most of the magic was filmed. Walking past Café Tropical and Rose Apothecary felt surreal, like stepping into the show itself. Locals are used to visitors and often share fun behind-the-scenes tidbits.
“Rose Apothecary” (the real store name is called The Goodwood Mercantile) is a super cute shop that has tons of handmade local items, including Schitt’s Creek souvenirs. While visiting, the shopkeeper at Rose Apothecary excitedly pointed out spots from the show in the shop and even let us take a picture behind the till!
We ended the afternoon with a pastry from a nearby bakery and a full camera roll of memories.
For fans of the show, exploring the Schitt’s Creek filming locations Ontario offers up turns an ordinary drive into an incredible road trip. It's one that feels personal and familiar at the same time.
Plus, doing it in the autumn makes it all the more beautiful to enjoy!
Scarborough Bluffs: Toronto’s Coastal Escape
It’s almost embarrassing to admit that I grew up in Toronto and only recently made it to the Scarborough Bluffs for the first time this fall. Better late than never, right?
My cousin, mom, and I decided to make a day of it, grabbing lunch at a pub along the harbour before heading over to the beach area to explore. The water shimmered in the sunlight, even in the dull overcast weather that day, and seagulls swooped overhead as we walked along the sandbar and talked about everything and nothing.
The Bluffs are among the most stunning spots within the city. Towering cliffs frame the turquoise lake, giving off serious coastal vibes that make you forget you’re still in the GTA. Bluffer’s Park offers the best panoramic views, and if you wander down to the beach, you’ll find plenty of space to relax or skip stones across the water.
There’s a walking trail that winds through the park, and every turn gives you a new perspective of the cliffs and the lake below. It’s a great place for a picnic, a photo session, or an easy afternoon escape.
The best part? You don’t have to drive far to feel like you’ve travelled somewhere entirely new.
Now that I’ve finally experienced it, I understand why people rave about this spot. The Scarborough Bluffs are proof that sometimes the most memorable adventures are right in your own backyard.
Pro tip: Save this spot for a sunny day. While it was still beautiful in the drizzle, it would have been infinitely more stunning with blue skies and clear weather.
Elora: Small-Town Charm and Big-Time Beauty
Elora is the kind of place that makes you fall in love with Ontario all over again.
Its stone buildings, boutique shops, and riverside cafés create a postcard-perfect setting that feels made for wandering. The Elora Gorge is the showstopper here; a deep canyon carved by the Grand River, with trails that lead to jaw-dropping lookout points.
You can rent an inner tube and float down the river during summer, or simply follow the sound of rushing water until you reach a scenic overlook. The suspension bridge offers some of the best views in town, and yes, it’s as thrilling as it looks.
The town of Elora (left; photo by Jason Simon) and the Elora Gorge (right; photo by Andrea Richer-Simon).
Downtown Elora is packed with charm: you’ll find art galleries, cozy restaurants, and a few pubs where locals gather to unwind.
I always recommend stopping at the Elora Mill for a bite to eat or even an overnight stay if you want to treat yourself. The spa views alone are worth the trip. Whether you come for a day or a weekend, Elora has this rare ability to make time slow down; it’s one of those places where every corner feels like it belongs on a postcard.
If you’re looking for romance, relaxation, or simply a new corner of Ontario to explore, Elora delivers on all fronts, easily one of the most rewarding day trips around.
Kingston: History, Waterfronts, and Student Energy
A weekend in Kingston will always hold a soft spot in my heart. I visited when my cousin was in teacher’s college at Queen’s University, and the weekend turned into a mix of history, food, nature, and spooky stories. The city feels like a blend of old-world charm and university-town energy, where cobblestone streets lead to lively patios, and historic limestone buildings line the waterfront.
Start your visit at the Kingston Waterfront, where you can walk along the shore, grab ice cream, or hop on a sunset cruise. The views over Lake Ontario are stunning, especially when the sky turns pink in the evening.
Downtown Kingston is full of shops and restaurants, from local breweries to chic bistros. I still dream about the brunch I had at a café tucked inside one of those old buildings.
History buffs will love exploring Fort Henry and the Kingston Penitentiary Tour, both fascinating and slightly eerie (bonus points if you go on a nighttime haunted bus tour, like we did!).
If you prefer something more relaxing, head to Lemoine Point Conservation Area for a peaceful hike through forest and fields, and experience nature first-hand by feeding birds and little critters. It’s a refreshing break from city life and makes you appreciate how much nature surrounds this small city.
Kingston perfectly captures the spirit of weekend getaways from Toronto. It’s close enough to drive in an afternoon, yet full of experiences that make it feel like a true escape.
All in All
There’s something incredibly freeing about exploring beyond the city limits. Whether it’s a long haul north to visit scenic Algoma, a peaceful weekend on Manitoulin Island, or a fan-filled adventure through Schitt’s Creek country, each destination holds a different kind of magic.
You can picnic with your loved ones by the water at the Bluffs, lose track of time in Elora’s stone-walled streets, or relive university memories in Kingston, all without needing a plane ticket.
The beauty of these trips lies in their variety. Some are perfect for spontaneous afternoons, others call for a full weekend itinerary, but every single one brings a new appreciation for the province we call home. These drives remind you that the journey is just as memorable as the destination itself.
Fill up your tank, grab your best travel buddy, and see where the road takes you next. Ontario is full of stories waiting to be written, and yours could be the next great one.
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