5 Ontario travel ideas for Father’s Day
June is here, which means our days are getting longer, the sun is shining, those pesky bugs are back in full force, and Father’s Day is just around the corner. This year, instead of giving him the typical gift of a patterned necktie or a “World's best dad” mug, try showing your dad how much you care by spending some time together instead. You don't have to explore the whole country; there is so much to do and see in Ontario that you hardly need to travel too far to find some adventure. No two dads are the same, so here are 5 different Father’s Day ideas to please any dad on his special day.
1. Niagara-on-the-Lake
Nothing says, “Thanks dad,” quite like a weekend tasting some amazing VQA wines with the beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake as a backdrop. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to over 30 of Canada’s best wineries, including Inniskillin, Jackson Triggs, and Rancort. Aside from the wineries, Niagara-on-the-Lake offers a multitude of dinning options and unique shopping experiences. And, if dad is a history buff, Fort George, a historic 1812 site, is a must see.
2. Elora Gorge Conservation Area
Elora, Ontario, is just 25km north of Guelph, and is where you can find the Elora Gorge Conservation Area. Flowing through the bottom of the gorge’s 72-foot tall limestone cliffs is the Grand River. Aside from this stunning view, Elora Gorge offers family-friendly actives such as camping, hiking, kayaking, water tubing, and is a great place to take dad for a little outdoor adventure. If you are looking for even more to do in the area, located right next door is the Elora Quarry Conservation Area, home to a swimming hole that is surrounded by 39-foot high cliffs.
3. Discovery Harbor
If your dad enjoys history, Discovery Harbor in Penetanguishene is a great destination for him. Originally dubbed "His Majesty's Naval Establishment on Lake Huron," Discovery Harbor was a British Navel Military base and housed ships to supply the British posts in the Northwest. In present day 2017, Discovery Harbor offers tours of the historical site and on deck activities upon replicas of the historic ships, H.M.S. Bee and H.M.S. Tecumseth, as well as seasonal activities and waterside dining.
4. Lake Simcoe
Lake Simcoe, located in Southern Ontario, is the fourth largest lake in the province. In the winter Lake Simcoe can be found covered with ice and ice huts, as it is a prime destination for ice fishing. The spring and summer months also see tons of action from fishermen who travel to the area to catch lake trout, whitefish, small mouth bass, northern pike, and more. If dad enjoys the peace and quite of the lake, pack up the boat and some sandwiches and try to catch that nights dinner. Even if you don’t have a boat, there are tons of places along the shore to fish from. Just be sure to get a fishing license ahead of time!
5. Stratford Festival
If your dad enjoys a more cultured outing, try getting tickets to a show at the Stratford Festival. Yes, most people now know Stratford as the hometown of one Mr. Justin Bieber; however in 1952, long before “The Biebs,” Stratford was already known for the “Stratford Shakespearean, Shakespeare Festival” (before it had changed to it’s current name). Internationally recognized, the Stratford Company puts on numerous shows every year between the months of April and October. Varying from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to JM Barrie’sPeter Pan to more contemporary works, there is destined to be a show for dad.
If you decide to head out of the province, just remember to pick up some travel insurance before heading out.