Where to go outside of Toronto and Ottawa?
 

We want to see the "Best of Ontario" -- but outside of Toronto and Ottawa. We like to drive and stay at a different place every night. We can have two or more weeks. Your suggestions, please?

Niagara -- vineyards, Niagara Falls, Butterfly Conservatory, lots of touristy things <BR> <BR>St. Jacobs, Elmira -- Mennoite area <BR> <BR>1000 Islands, Kingston <BR> <BR>Huntsville, Algonquin Park <BR> <BR>Sudbury -- Although Sudbury itself is not a wonderful city, if you should end up there, Science North is a great place to spend a day <BR> <BR>Barry's Bay, Madawaska Valley -- especially nice in the fall <BR> <BR> <BR>

Thanks for the suggestions. <BR> <BR>Is there anything scenic or unique west and north of Thunder Bay?

If you are into outdoors and experiencing the great outdoors there are amazing hiking trails etc. Check out Orangeville, only an hour out of Toronto, it is a beautiful small town with a great conservation area and hiking trails. Just outside the park there is a little bar with great food and drinks or step upstairs and dine in more luxury. Or you can step on part of the Bruce Trail, a long preserved trail that extends along the escarpment. Niagara-on-the -Lake is considered one of Canada's most beautiful towns, go on the scenic park way. Take in some shopping or go to the Shaw Festival Theatre for an evening of wonderful live theatre. May I suggest the play "the man who came to dinner" a helarious comedy. Etc and so on. There is soooo many great things to do. Want more just ask.

North and West of Thunder Bay is the legendary 'North Woods' country of thousands upon thousands of lakes and rugged, rocky heavily forested low hills with a very low population density. The drive from Sault Ste Marie to Thunder Bay has marvelous views of Lake Superior while the drive from Thunder Bay to the Manitoba border can be fairly monotonous between Kakabecka Falls and Kenora, (Lake of the Woods).

Let me a add another place to my list. This weekend I went to Prince Edward County for the first time. This is the section of the land the juts out into Lake Ontario near Trenton and Belleville. I went with a friend for the weekend -- we had arranged with a B&B that offered a package for 2 nights accomodation and a day of sailing. It was excellent. If you're interested in that specifically, they are at www.pec.on.ca/sail. We loved both the B&B and the sailing. <BR> <BR>However, the whole of Prince Edward County is great. It very pretty. Reminds me of the Niagara region but not nearly as crowded. We stayed right in Bloomfield but Picton, Wellington, etc are all close by. There is even a winery there now. <BR> <BR>I will definitely be making a return trip to the area to see more than I was able to in this short trip.

I'm not certain of your "starting" point, but assuming that it's either Toronto or Ottawa, even getting to Thunder Bay is a very long, sometimes tedious drive from both cities. Former posters have given excellent advice. I would highly recommend the obligatory viewing of the falls if you haven't seen Niagara, but then exploring Prince Edward County and the Rideau Valley, the Kawartha/Haliburton region, perhaps Stratford/St. Jacob's/ Elora? If you haven't checked yet Ontario Tourism has a great site and will send all kinds of info upon request. You can call 1 - 800 - ONTARIO URL is www.ontariotravel.net but it's often difficult to access in busy periods.

Southwestern Ontario can be flat, but you might want to hit Point Pelee, (the southernmost point of Canada), a rather pretty view of Lake Erie. Stratford to take in a play and just wander around the town. Grand Bend for excellent beaches, The Bruce Peninsula, Sault Ste. Marie and the Agawa Canyon Train Ride. Lots to do. Have Fun

Stratford, Ontario - Shakespeare Festival goes from late April to mid-November. It is celebrating it's 50th anniverary this year. Many B&Bs and inns. Three excellent restaurants - Rundles, The Church, The Old Prune. Rundles is considered one of the best restaurants in Canada. Presentation is like an art gallery for food...but incredible food backs up the presentation.

Bruce peninsula - there is a gorgeous national park near Tobermory

Guess I better stick up for my end of the province, considering it takes up two-thirds of the land mass. If you like to drive and love nature, take a drive past the Soo. If you are going at the beginning of September, the fall colours are breathtaking. Thunder Bay is the most populated city (125,000) and has lots to see and do, especially if you are outdoorsy. Check out Old Fort William, the Charity Casino and our award-winning cheese farm.Try Bistro One Restaurant -- superb food, attentive service. If you go west from there, the road past Dryden is less tedious than the one through Atikokan. However, the road also goes through Quetico, which is camping at it's best and most real. Kenora's population explodes in the summer with people from Winnipeg -- it's a great resort town. <BR><BR>Drive times? Nine hours from the Soo to Thunder Bay, another five hours or so to Kenora. Quetico, Dryden, Atikokan are all in between. <BR><BR>Yeah, Northwestern Ontario is relatively isolated, but it does get a bum rap sometimes, even from me. I find tourists enjoy it more than those who live here!<BR><BR>Me? I'm going to Toronto tomorrow!! Yeah!