Ontario is home to all sorts of tourist destinations and vacation spots that make it an ideal place to take a vacation while on a budget. Big family vacations tend to cost quite the hefty penny, which is why vacationing in some of Ontario’s best locations is a great alternative. Whether you are looking for a week-long adventure vacation with the family or a weekend getaway with friends at the cottage, there are countless vacation spots all over Ontario that you can visit – regardless of season or budget.

Why spend an arm and a leg on an extravagant vacation when you can go on one right in one of Canada’s best provinces – and create invaluable memories doing it?

Here are some of the best vacation spots in Ontario.

Tobermory

Located on the Bruce Peninsula, Tobermory has some of the most beautiful waters and scenic landscapes in all of Ontario. This small harbor village is a sight to see for photographers and adventurers. With shipwreck sites, 19th-century lighthouses, breathtaking scenery, jaw-dropping cliffs off the Niagara Escarpment, and pristine turquoise water, Tobermory is a hidden relic that will make you feel like you’re on a paradise island far, far away. Tobermory is also considered the scuba diving capital of Canada, so if you’re looking for a great underwater adventure in waters you won’t be able to find anywhere else in Ontario, Tobermory is the ideal vacation spot for you. This quaint village is also full of antique shops, restaurants, art galleries, and more.

Wasaga Beach

The world’s longest freshwater beach, Wasaga Beach has a famous boardwalk with trendy clothing shops and restaurants, shallow waters, and all sorts of lakeside activities. You can enjoy the day at the beach, go fishing or boating, or relax at the cottage. Considered one of the premier tourist destinations in all of Ontario, the sandy shores of Wasaga Beach offer 14 kilometers of beautiful white sands and warm, shallow waters. There are endless options for hiking, cross country skiing, and everything in between.

Muskoka

A list of some of the best vacation spots in Ontario simply isn’t complete without an honourable mention to Muskoka. Considered one of the best places to visit in Canada, Muskoka has everything you need: from fishing, cottaging, zip lining, to all sorts of fun winter activities like ice skating and dog sledding, Muskoka has something to do all year round. With beautiful forestry, thousands of cottages, and over 1700 lakes, Muskoka is a place everyone should visit at least once in their lives.

The Kawartha Lakes

The Kawartha Lakes are a chain of lakes along the Trent Severn water ways. The area is one of the most popular cottage and vacation spots in Ontario, with plenty of Kawartha cottage resorts to stay at on your vacation. The Kawartha Lakes ar located much closer to Toronto than other cottage destinations in Ontario, making it a prime vacation destination for those looking to get out of the city for a weekend or more.

Some other notable mentions include:

  • Niagara falls
  • Ottawa
  • The CN Tower
  • Lake of the Woods
  • Blue Mountain
  • Stratford