I have recently moved to St. Catharines from Halifax and am looking forward to Spring and Summer in Ontario. I have done a lot of research on local tourist attractions but would like some input on scenic drives and quaint towns. I enjoy visiting small towns with unique shops and farmers markets. I have already been to the Falls and NOTL, St. Jacob's and the Markets in downtown London and Hamilton. I LOVED St. Jacob's and NOTL!! Are there any other great little towns such as these? I've heard the Port Dover area is nice...P.S. I've already done the TO thing as well...

Hi Judi:<BR><BR>Welcome!<BR>The St Catharines area has lots of wonderful things for you to experience come the end of winter (not much of a winter by Ontario standards but still..)In the spring check out some (all) of the local wineries. Some have great restaurants, some put on jazz, and other musical concerts for a great afternoon out. Take a trip along the country roads to some of the "bench" wineries. The Sunday brunch at Eastdell Estates is lovely with a great view out from the escarpment over Lake Ontario.<BR>My eldest daughter is living in St Catharines now but grew up in Midland where we still live.The Midland area has lots to offer so if you want a weekend away a bit further afield check out the Georgian Bay area. Lots of history, water, lovely historical towns, outdoor things etc. <BR>Enjoy Spring and summer in Ontario.<BR>Regards<BR>Lynn<BR>

I just moved away from Ontario after spending my whole life there. I suggest that you visit some of the wineries in your area. Don't forget hiking the Bruce Trail - it starts in Niagara on the Lake, and goes all the way to Tobermory. Pick up a guide in the bookstore. If you liked St. Jacobs, you should try Elora. In the summer, make sure to go to the beach. You can try beaches on Lake Huron for swimming and sand, or go to the Muskokas for rocky shores and fantastic scenery. One other thing to consider - a canoe trip in Kilarney Park. This is a true Canadian experience and can't be beat! Have fun!

Oakville is a lovely town. It has nice shops and restaurants. Is on the lake.<BR>Make sure you do Jordan Station and Vineland Estates.

Prince Edward County area is nice - there are nice little towns (Picton, Wellington, etc.). Also nice beaches at Sandbanks.

Judi - Go West young lady!... For the summer plan a trip to the Stratford Theatre Festival along with Kitchener... you'll find the same charm as in NOTL and great theatre and dining... also Kitchener is known for it's Octoberfest celebration...

If you can find my book, it will help you out. Apparnetly the publisher is reissuing it this spring.<BR><BR>Look for Going to Town: architectural walking tours of ten Ontario towns, by Katherine Ashenberg. I took the pictures.<BR><BR>But even without the book, the towns are worth seeing:<BR>Goderich, St. Marys, Stratford, Paris to the west. Niagara on the Lake.<BR><BR>Cobourg and Port Hope, Picton, Perth, and Merrickville to the east.<BR><BR>Not in the book, but worth a vist, are Gananoque (if it had been eleven towns this might have been the one) and Kingston.<BR><BR>From St. Catherines, Port Hope and Cobourg would be a one-weeked package; Perth and Merrickville another one; Kingston, Gananoque and Picton would be one (and take a cruise on the St. Lawrence)<BR><BR>Going the other way, St. Marys and Stratford could be one weekend; it's quite a way to Goderich, so this might be worth a weekend in itself, making time to see more of the shore of Lake Huron.<BR><BR>Paris is doable in one day there and back from St. Catherines.<BR><BR>Enjoy your summer. And don't forget about Toronto. It can be broken down by neighborhoods, so you could come to town, vist only one part, and return home the same day. the Beaches, Bloor West Village, Yorkville, Little Italy, Kensington Market, the St. lawrence Market Area are all worth a day's exploring each, skipping the big-deal tourist things (which are worth visiting, too)<BR><BR>BAK<BR><BR>

There are some excellent suggestions in the above notes. My wife and I love Prince Edward County, take the Glenora free ferry across from near Picton and drive on to Kingston. You might also like to drive to Owen Sound for a day. The boat trip from Parry Sound is great in the summer.<BR><BR>Welcome to Ontario!

I'm just back from Cookstown. It would be worth two hours on a summer afternoon, but not much more.<BR><BR>It's on the way from Toronto to Barrie on highway 27.<BR><BR>BAK