Summer Activities in Southern Ontario

Summer is by far my favourite season, especially because I live in Southern Ontario and our best weather is during the summer. Because of this, I try to fit as many fun activities into my summer as I can, even if it’s something simple. Most of my recommendations are in the Greater Toronto Area since that is where I live, but I also love visiting different areas of Southern Ontario in the summer. I hope you enjoy my guide to summer activities in Southern Ontario!

ENJOY THE WATERFRONT

The Greater Toronto Area is situated along Lake Ontario and I try to appreciate it as much as I can. Whether it’s day or night, find some waterfront to walk along and enjoy! My favourite waterfront areas are Bronte Harbour, Downtown Burlington, and Humber Bay Shores in Toronto.

summer activities ontario — *Sunnyside Beach, Toronto*

humber bay shores — *Humber Bay Shores, Toronto*

GET ICE CREAM

It might sound silly but getting an ice cream in the summertime is so simple and always puts a smile on my face. If you can enjoy it while walking along the waterfront – even better! My favorite ice cream/gelato spots are The Flavour Fox in Bronte, Lola’s Gelato in Humber Bay Shores, Tom’s Dairy Freeze in Etobicoke, RC’S in Burlington, Nina Gelateria in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Rosie’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Bayfield, and Slickers in Picton.

bayfield ontario — *Rosie’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Bayfield*

tom's dairy freeze — *Tom’s Dairy Freeze, Toronto*

GO ON A HIKE

If you’ve visited my blog before, you know I love hiking in Southern Ontario, and a summer hike is my favourite way to get active. There are so many amazing hiking trails to explore in Southern Ontario!

To read my blog post, “10 Great Hiking Spots in Southern Ontario,” click here.

To read my blog post, “5 Hidden Gem Hiking Spots in Southern Ontario,” click here.

To read my blog post, “10 Beautiful Hiking Trail Views in Southern Ontario,” click here.

crawford lake — *Crawford Lake Conservation Area, Milton*

scarborough bluffs — *Scarborough Bluffs*

HAVE A PICNIC

A great way to relax at any time of day during the summer is to have a picnic at a beautiful location. My favourite picnic spots in Southern Ontario are Lowville Park in Burlington, Humber Bay Shores Park in Toronto, Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park in Oakville, Spencer Smith Park in Burlington, Webster Falls in Hamilton, Pioneer Park in Bayfield, and any beach! Grab your favourite shareable snacks, a blanket, and a book and discover your favourite summer picnic spots!

RELAX ON A BEACH

Nothing says summer like hitting the beach! I absolutely love enjoying the sun, sand and water. My favourite beaches in Southern Ontario are Grand Bend Beach, Bayfield Beach, Turkey Point Beach, Sandbanks Provincial Park Beach in Prince Edward County, Centre Island Beach on Toronto Island, and Sunnyside Beach in Toronto. Wasaga Beach and Sauble Beach are also very popular but I have never been.

VISIT A FARM

Southern Ontario has beautiful countryside with several charming farms that I love to visit in the summer. Whether it’s produce, flowers, or farm animals, Southern Ontario farms have it all!

To read my blog post, “10 Charming Farms in Southern Ontario,” click here.

PICK YOUR OWN FRUIT

Something that I did as a kid and still love to do is pick my own fruit in the summer. Fresh Ontario berries are absolutely delicious! My favorite farm with PYO fruit in the summer is Andrews Farm in Milton.

More information: https://www.andrewsscenicacres.com/

PICK YOUR OWN FLOWERS

Did you know that you can pick your own flowers at Lochland Botanicals in Milton? I absolutely loved visiting Lochland Botanicals and picking my own bouquet. The grounds are stunning – so many photo ops!

More information: https://lochlandbotanicals.com/plan-your-visit/

VISIT A WINERY

Southern Ontario is home to two well known winery areas: Niagara and Prince Edward County. One of my favourite things to do all year round is visit wineries.

To read my blog post, “The Most Instagrammable Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries,” click here.

To read my blog post, “8 Great Wineries & Breweries in Prince Edward County,” click here.

Coming soon: 7 Charming Wineries in Niagara, Ontario

GO BIKING/ROLLERBLADING

Something that I love to do and need to do more often is bike riding and rollerblading in the summer. In Southern Ontario, we are lucky to have the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. My favourite stretch is along Lake Ontario from Bronte to Hamilton.

More information: https://waterfronttrail.org/the-trail/

TAKE A DAY TRIP

If I get bored of my own neighbourhood, I love taking summer day trips to other places in Southern Ontario. My favourite day trips are to the Niagara Region, the Toronto Islands, Elora, Bayfield and Cambridge.

To read my blog post, “A Guide to the Toronto Islands,” click here.

To read my blog post, “What to Do in Niagara-on-the-Lake,” click here.

To read my blog post, “A Guide to Niagara Falls, Ontario,” click here.

To read my blog post, “A Guide to Bayfield, Ontario,” click here.

Coming soon: A Guide to Elora, Ontario

Coming soon: A Day Trip to Cambridge, Ontario

GO TO A COTTAGE

Most Southern Ontarians long to leave the major cities behind and head towards small towns and country roads in the summer. My favourite areas in Southern Ontario to visit or rent a cottage are the District of Muskoka, Bayfield or Huron County along Lake Huron, Bruce County along Lake Huron, Haliburton County, and Bancroft, but there are many more!