The Best Weekend Getaway In Canada
Canada Travel || Tags: Canada, Nova Scotia, Ontario ||Summer is on it’s way, and one of my favourite ways to enjoy summer is to do a weekend getaway to a small town. I teamed up with a few other bloggers to share our favourite weekend getaways in Canada. From coast to coast we have a beautiful country filled with hidden gems to explore!
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Lunenburg Nova Scotia
One of my most favourite places in my home province of Nova Scotia, the small town of Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s the perfect place for a weekend getaway, only about an hour from Halifax, you’ll find lots to do and eat! Park downtown on the waterfront and enjoy walking around, taking in the ocean air and checking out the beautiful and unique little shops. The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic is interesting, and if you’re lucky the Bluenose II boat may be docked (the original Bluenose is featured on the Canadian dime)! If you’re into seafood, you’re in luck here.
Read More About What To Do In Lunenburg
There are so many restaurants to choose from, I really don’t think you could go wrong. No matter where you eat dinner, wander up to Sweet Treasures for homemade ice-cream and waffle cones for dessert. You’re also a short drive away from many of Nova Scotia’s beautiful beaches. It’s the perfect place to spend a lazy weekend enjoying what this province has to offer.
See What Else To Do In Nova Scotia
Victoria, British Columbia
Hands down, one of the prettiest cities in the world. And for a weekend getaway, it’s perfect – not big enough to leave you feeling like you missed a lot of things, but enough fun activities to occupy 2-3 days easily. To start off, you can take an adorable little ferry to get there, it’s on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. If that’s not enough cuteness for you, there are bushels of flowers on every lamp post, and polished horses casually strutting through the charmingly clean streets. Victoria also boasts the NARROWEST alley in all of Canada, one of the prettiest man made gardens, a castle from X-men, the oldest Chinatown in Canada, and the chance for high tea at a legendary hotel.
There are also nearby waterfalls, beaches, and mountains for hiking. There’s something for everyone and literally everything is freakin beautiful and belongs in a Home Living magazine. If you need a quick Canadian weekend vacation, especially romantic getaways or girls trips, Victoria is at the top of the list.
Tobermory, Ontario
Tobermory is located about 4 hours north of Toronto on the Bruce Peninsula and is one of the best summer weekend getaways you can do in Canada. If you’ve never seen pictures of Tobermory before, picture crystal blue water like in the Caribbean and you will quickly figure out why this spot is so popular. There’s a ton to see and do in the area. A highlight for sure is the Fathom Five National Marine Park to which the famed Flowerpot Island belongs.
To get there you’ll have to take a ferry which passes over a few sunken ships which because of the very clear water you can see! There’s also virtually no light pollution around so the area is a great spot for star gazing! And if all that wasn’t enough, Bruce Peninsula National Park is located in the area as well and offers a ton of hiking and nature to explore. Tobermory has something to offer everybody and it’s a perfect summer trip with hiking, beaches, water and so much more.
Liliane
My Toronto My World
Kingston, Ontario
Spending your summertime weekend getaway in Kingston is a great idea if you are looking for a historic city with loads of food, culture, and nature. As the former capital of Canada way back when, the “Limestone City” is rich with buildings, stories, and people from Canada’s past. It’s also conveniently located between Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.
There is plenty to do in Kingston – from walking along the paths by Lake Ontario to shopping on Princess Street in the historic centre. Springer Market Square is always bustling with flea markets on weekends. Kingston is also said to have the most restaurants per capita in Canada so you’ll never go hungry!
With live music venues and patio bars to suit everyone’s drink needs, Kingston nightlife on weekends is not to be missed! Be sure to check out Stone City for local craft beer. You can even get away from the centre by taking the ferry to Wolfe Island, discovering Fort Henry, or renting a bike and heading to Lemoine Point Conservation Area (pictured above). Oh, and don’t forget White Mountain for that perfect summertime ice cream by the pier!
Eric and Lisa
Penguin And Pia
Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia
Just 40 minutes away from Sydney, Nova Scotia, is the Cabot Trail, a 185-mile loop around Breton Island. There are historic activities, like exploring Scottish Heritage and the home of Alexander Graham Bell, as well as educational stops like the Whale Interpretation Center. But the real draw is enjoying the beauty of the Cape Breton Highlands. We camped for three nights and hiked the Skyline Trail, watching for moose and picking wild berries. One night we camped along a great ocean cliff, and I sat outside watching seals hunt in the water. Pilot whales and dolphins are common in the summer, and in Englishtown, you can take a boat tour with a guarantee to see puffins. The Cabot Trail is definitely off the beaten path – despite our visit being in peak summer, none of the stops were crowded.
Niagara On The Lake, Ontario
Niagara-On-The-Lake is the ultimate Canadian weekend getaway. ‘NOTL’, as the locals call it, is known for its wine, spas, and restaurants. What more could you want for a relaxing weekend away? Bicycle vineyard tours are popular in the summer, and a great way to explore this beautiful part of Canada. Be sure to stop in for a bite to eat at some of the fabulous restaurants in the region. Our favourite is Ravine, where you can enjoy a 5-star dining experience overlooking the beautiful vineyards. In summer, check out some big names in entertainment at the Jackson-Triggs summer concert series. And if you’re looking to feel pampered, the Pillar and Post hotel is the perfect spot for a spa treatment (or two!). It’s no wonder this is our favourite place to relax from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a quiet weekend getaway.
Kate
Tear Free Travel
Quebec City, Quebec
Quebec City makes an awesome summer getaway! It’s a small city that can be seen on a weekend for sure and it’s a beautiful place to be.
During summer, the temperatures are high and the crowds are huge but it’s so very worth it!
Stroll along the walls of the walled city, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site, try out some delicious maple toffee on ice (they’re everywhere!), watch the buskers on the square, and, of course, don’t miss the Citadel.
Really take your time to walk around, as it’s stunning!
Enjoy the shades of the trees in any of the parks, the air conditioning of the shops, and the view.
If you have the time, visit Erico and their perfect chocolate heaven and Poutineville for some personalized poutine! Well, and Queue de Castor (or Beavertails!), of course!
Thais Saito
World Trip Diaries
Final Thoughts
There are so many great places to spend a weekend in Canada! Did we miss your favourite spot for a weekend getaway? Let me know what it is in the comments!
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Canada has so much to see- and I plan on trying to visit all of these areas that I haven’t yet!