Top Ontario Spring Escapes

Essex County - between Amherstburg and Kingsville

Well, it seems like we are finally out of the woods. With the snow and cold behind us we know you are looking to find your next weekend destination. I mean what better way to relax and recharge than discovering a new cafe on a great main street, or unwinding on the patio of a winery. Well lucky for you, you don’t have to go far as Ontario has that and so much more. We make staying local easy with our list of top Ontario Spring escape destinations.

Sandbanks Provincial Park

Prince Edward County winery

1. Prince Edward County

An Ontario summer favourite, why not take advantage before the crowds hit? Before things heat up, book a stay at one of the County’s boutique hotels. The Royal and the Drake are longtime favourites, with newcomers The Merill House and the Claramount Club rounding out some bougie options. On a past trip, we enjoyed our stay at the Lakeside Motel. The location in Wellington was great and the heated pool made Spring swimming possible. 

You have probably heard of the County’s high end food scene. There are several options but our favourite is Bocado in Picton. The famous Sandbanks Winery has a great patio area with live music.

Oxley winery

CREW winery

Oxley winery

2. Essex County

The lesser known “County” is about 3 hours south west of Toronto. With a few charming towns, Essex County also includes several under the radar wineries. We have enjoyed Oxley, CREW and Coopers Hawk.

Town of Amerstburg

STRY boutique hotel

Ure's Mini Putt

Ure's Mini Putt

The town of Amherstburg is not to be missed. With a main street set directly against the Detroit River, it is a wonderful spot to visit or stay in. The relatively new STRY boutique hotel is full of character with stylish modern rooms. If your competitive juices are flowing head to Ure’s Mini Putt in Malden for a round and ice cream.

Town of Goodrich

Beach in Bayfield

The Little Inn of Bayfield

3. Ontario’s “West Coast”

If you want to get close to the Caribbean without leaving the country then head to the shores of Lake Huron. The towns of Goderich and Bayfield offer spectacular views of emerald waters and Goderich and Grand Bend have world class freshwater beaches. The Little Inn of Bayfield provides a historic ambiance with an upscale restaurant and cute pub area. The sunsets in this area rival any in the world.

Beach in Bayfield

Town of Bayfield main street

famous Bayfield sunsets

4. Caledon Hills

For those of us based in the Greater Toronto Area, the Caledon Hills are a great day trip option. Rolling across Niagara Escarpment terrain, both Forks of the Credit and Mono Cliffs Provincial Parks provide excellent hiking options for all levels. The region’s culinary scene is well developed with multiple options. We have had great coffees and pastries at Gather Café in Alton Village, Coywolf in Inglewood, and Greystones Café in Orangeville. The Mono Cliffs Inn has an upscale dining room on the top floor, but hidden downstairs is a traditional pub which will transport you to the British Isles. As mentioned before on this blog the TPC Toronto Golf facility is in the area, which features 3 golf courses, and excellent dining and accommodation options. 

TPC Toronto Ospry Valley

TPC Toronto accommodations

TPC Toronto Fescue restaurant

We hope you are inspired to explore Ontario this spring. Remember that our Made In Canada sweats and hoodies are the perfect attire for any local adventure.

Kamila and Dale