4 fun summer adventures less than an hour outside Toronto

What’s on your summer bucket list? With the season fast approaching, it’s time to start planning out your adventures. And the good news is you don’t have to go far when there’s so much fun to be had just outside Toronto.

Durham Region is bursting with attractions and activities year-round, and the Open Skies discovery guide is full of ideas for you to build your own adventure. Wondering where to begin? Here are four themed itineraries to get you started.

Historic sites and starry nights

If you fancy yourself a history buff, then you’ll want to check out Parkwood National Historic Site. The Parkwood Estate was originally home to R.S. McLaughlin, founder of General Motors of Canada, and is one of Canada’s last remaining grand estates. The art, architecture, landscaping, and original furnishings have all been preserved, and you can enjoy high tea in their expansive gardens.

Follow your chill afternoon of tea and museums with the exact opposite — a concert! Venues like BOND|ST Event Centre and Biltmore Theatre host live music, drag shows, film sing-alongs, and more. Consider it a lively way to end a cultural day.

Adventurous days and dinner dates

What’s summer without some lakeside activities? Strong Roots Yoga & Paddle Boarding offers daytime and sunset stand-up paddleboard yoga on Lake Simcoe throughout the summer, and the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail has plenty of routes that can span from a daytime stroll to a multi-day cycling adventure.

All that physical activity is sure to work up an appetite, and there is no shortage of fantastic restaurants to choose from for the perfect date night. Whether your vibe is a globally inspired menu like Marwan’s Global Bistro in Port Perry, deluxe grilled cheese sandwiches at Gangster Cheese in Uxbridge, or authentic Mexican cuisine at Chúuk in Pickering, there’s something delicious in every town.

Local brews and lakeside views

With 14 historic downtown areas across the vast Durham Region, you can explore the sights and stores endlessly. Feel free to do a little retail therapy — you are supporting local businesses, after all!

For dinner, head on down to the Town Brewery Pump House, a waterfront beer garden located on the shores of Lake Ontario in Whitby. This family-friendly (dogs included) space has good vibes, delicious bites by Lowland’s Fire Food, and perhaps one of the best dining views in the region.

Festival days and cozy cafés

Consider planning your trip around a festival! There are so many to choose from, like Convergence, Home Sweet Home Festival, or one of the events happening at the flower farms throughout the region, like Tranquillity Trails Lavender & Elderberry Farm in Pickering or The Sunflower Farm in Beaverton.

There’s certainly no shortage of caffeine fixes to fuel up for your festival day, no matter where in Durham you are! Skip the drive-thru in favour of checking out a local café like Bean & Basket in Ajax, Canter Coffee in Brock, or Roam Coffee in Bowmanville.

Turn any of these ideas into a weekend getaway by booking a unique overnight accommodation. Start planning the perfect itinerary for your summer getaway in Durham Region by checking out the Open Skies discovery guide online. Adventure awaits!

Kendall Bistretzan

Branded Content Writer

Kendall Bistretzan is a Calgary-based writer, reporter, and coffee enthusiast. In her spare time, she loves to read, have dinner with friends, and sing in her car. She is currently querying her debut fiction novel. You can find her on Instagram @kendallbistwrites.

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