10 Places Within One Hour From Toronto To Explore
There are days where you want to get into a car and explore. Yet, you only want to do a day trip from Toronto. What are the places within one hour from Toronto to explore?
We’ve done many one-day trips from our hometown of Burlington that anybody in the Toronto area can do as well. Although there’s traffic during the day, if you’re heading out early in the morning to these destinations, you’ll have a quick drive.
Top List of Places Within One Hour From Toronto For Day Trips
Based on our experiences, I’m sharing a list of favourite places within one hour from Toronto for day trips. We’ve visited these places several times over the years and have seen some changes in how many tourists check them out.
Our best tips are to head out early in the morning. Pack something to eat and drink. And wear the right footwear. Prepare to be outdoors! And finally, pack your patience if it’s crowded. It’s still worth the effort getting there and exploring!
1. Hendrie Valley – Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG), Burlington
Grab your comfortable walking shoes, binoculars or telephoto lenses for the DSLR camera. Check out the many birds, small animals, amphibians and insects that call this sheltered valley home.
Hendrie Valley has a boardwalk around the marshy areas. As well, it has a trail that runs around the slopes with old growth trees. This is a spot where you can pause and wait silently for the wildlife to show up. Nuthatches love to nibble seed off your hands.
Trails here are fairly easy and you may want to head over to Cootes Paradise close by for more exploration. Or you can explore Burlington’s downtown core or the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Cost: Free to enter; paid parking lot.
Directions: Major access points are along Plains Rd, Hamilton and include RBG Centre and Cherry Hill Gate. For more information check out the RBG.
2. Canadian Art At The McMichael Canadian Art Collection
One of my favourite places within one hour from Toronto is the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
Situated just about an hour’s drive north of Toronto in Kleinburg, the McMichael gallery is the best place to see any of the Group of Seven’s paintings, and the works of my favourite painter, Emily Carr. Other art on exhibit is First Nations and Inuit art, and modern, contemporary Canadian works.
If inspired by the paintings to get closer to nature, check out the many trails on the conservation lands (about 100 acres) by the East Humber Valley right next to the gallery. The Kortright Conservation Centre is right next to it if you are desiring a longer walk.
See the McMichael Art Gallery website for up-to-date information on times and tickets.
Directions: Take Hwy. 400 north to Major Mackenzie Drive. Turn left (west) on Major Mackenzie Drive to Islington Avenue. Turn right (north) on Islington Avenue into the village of Kleinburg. Try the Art Bus service, which offers transportation from downtown Toronto to the gallery.
3. Spend An Afternoon Or Evening In Port Credit, Mississauga
If you haven’t visited Port Credit recently, you may be surprised by the revitalization the area is undergoing. This area, and particularly the waterfront, will make you wish downtown Toronto had the same look and feel.
About an hour’s drive from downtown Toronto, take the QEW to Cawthra Rd or Hurontario Rd. Head south and you will find yourself in the heart of a vibrant community.
There are so many things to do in Mississauga. Dining, walking along the marina and lighthouse or grabbing an ice cream on a hot day are just a few things.
Walk along the waterfront. If you head east of the Port Credit Harbour Marina you’ll reach Adamson Estate, one of the historic buildings in Mississauga. Heading west, you will pass through lovely J C Saddington Park and Rhododendron Gardens.
In the evening, check out the nightlife at one of the many bars and lounges. It’s much easier to enjoy the evening here, than in downtown Toronto.
Port Credit parking: paid parking along Hurontario and some side streets. There’s a huge lot by the Port Credit library (entrance to the parking lot is via Stavebank Road, north of Lakeshore, first street on the left at High Street).
4. Hike At Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
You’d think it was much farther, but if you’re up early, Mono Cliffs is one of the places within one hour from Toronto that takes you into nature.
Probably one of the quieter hiking trails this close to Toronto, Mono Hills is lush and green during the summer period.
Bring good hiking shoes with treads, insect repellent and lots of water with you. The trails at the 750-hectare Mono Cliffs Provincial Park take you into woods, swampy areas and up steep hills that I like to call “Heartbreak Ridges”. This park is part of the Niagara Escarpment. It features a limestone plain, rock crevices and a meadow full of wild plants and flowers.
There are many trails at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park offering several hours worth of wandering. Views from the top of the cliff lookouts are pretty on a clear day.
Directions from Toronto: take Airport Road to Mono Centre Road (Dufferin County Road 8), and then go west to 3rd Line E.H.S., and then north one km on 3rd Line E.H.S.
Cost: parking – for one hour $3.00; 2 hours $5.00; full day $11.00.
For more information about Mono Hills, check out the write up on hiking at Mono Hill in the winter on Outdoor Adventurers.
| Related: Top Day Trips From Toronto
5. Check Out The Waterfalls In Hamilton
Hamilton has over 126 waterfalls. Yes, you read that correctly. Some of the most spectacular ones are Tews Falls, Webster Falls, Albion Falls, and Sherman Falls. A smaller location with an amazing waterfall is Tiffany Falls.
Exploring the waterfalls in Hamilton has become one of the most popular day trips from Toronto. Thanks to posts like ours from several years ago to big online magazines such as Narcity, people searching for day trip destinations have figured this one out.
Why is it so popular to go waterfall chasing? If you need to hear the rush of water and to see something other than grimy glass condos, this is the place for you to get a big dose of nature. Remember to bring your hiking boots/shoes if you want to get up close. Flip flops are just a stupid thing to wear on trails around the falls (stones can get slick and you need good soles that grip the rocks).
Make sure you check the details regarding parking on the Hamilton Conservation site. Some of the waterfalls are so busy that they require off-site parking.
NOTE: As of 2017, not all waterfalls are easily accessible. Respect the warnings as many have fallen to their deaths or have sustained great injuries over the past few years.
Travel time from downtown Toronto on a Saturday morning: 1 to 1-1/2 hours, possibly 2 hours, depending on which falls you are visiting.
6. Rattray Marsh In Mississauga
You’re probably wondering why this place is on my list of close day trips from Toronto. It seems unexciting, but if you like extremely quiet places early in the morning, this one is right up there.
Right along the shores of Lake Ontario, you can enjoy an oasis of wildlife, nestled among the suburban streets of southern Mississauga. We love Rattray Marsh for early morning walks.
If you plan to plan to spend the day in Mississauga, head east to Port Credit for brunch, a walk along the marina and shopping.
Travel time from downtown Toronto (early on Saturday morning): 45 minutes to 1 hour.
| Related: Top Camping Sites Near Toronto
7. Royal Botanical Gardens – Burlington/Hamilton
Fancy a walk amid the flowers? Have a new camera that you want to test out for some beautiful photos of blossoms in bloom?
At the border of Burlington and Hamilton is the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG for short) that are worth the drive west. Take the QEW to Hwy 403 (Hamilton). Exit at Waterdown Road and go south for about 800 metres to Plains Road West. Go about 2 km. The entrance to the RBG will be on the left.
Even if it’s raining, the RBG is a cool spot to explore, even if it’s for lunch.
While in Burlington, explore the small downtown core by Lake Ontario including Spencer Smith Park and the many places to dine and shop.
Travel time from downtown Toronto early in the morning 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
8. Mountsberg Raptor Centre And Conservation Area
This is one of my favourite places within one hour from Toronto to visit for a number of reasons.
Fan of dangerous birds? Want to see a Bald Eagle up close and personal? Love owls?
The Raptor Centre at Mountsberg Conversation Area, just west of Milton, is a must-visit for a walk among over 15 species of birds. Check out the reservoir to view nesting Osprey birds.
There’s a farm on-site for little kids, so this is an ideal place to visit for families. And don’t let cooler Fall weather deter you from a visit. Mountsberg is one our favourite Conservation Areas in the Greater Toronto Area for Fall hikes as well.
Note: Leave your dog at home if visiting here. Pets, even on a leash, aren’t allowed anywhere near the raptor cage areas.
Travel time from downtown Toronto on a Saturday morning: 1 hour.
9. Bellwood Lake Conservation Area
A bit farther from Toronto, but still worthy of a day trip is Bellwood Lake Conservation Area. Located near Guelph, Bellwood Lake is a reservoir that’s a perfect spot to dip your toes on a hot day, have a picnic and do a bit of fishing.
Travel time from downtown Toronto on an early Saturday morning: 1-1/2 hours to 1 hour 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
10. Forks of the Credit River / Belfountain Conservation Area
Just over an hour away from Toronto by highway, is Belfountain Conservation Area and the nearby Forks of the Credit River. The trails here take you along waterways, with bridges, hills and lush woods. Belfountain is a shorter walk, while those who want to really stretch their legs can try the Forks of the Credit.
Aside from hiking, the winding roads in this area are a popular spot for a drive on a sunny day.
Check Out These Hiking Spots
If hiking is your thing, check out these great spots:
- Mount Nemo Conservation Area (great for early morning hikes and photography)
- Mountsberg Conservation Area Trails And Things To Do
- Riverwood Trails In Mississauga
Longer Day Trips Are Doable
For those with an adventurous spirit, there are many more destinations in Southern Ontario that are a short day trip away from the GTA. You can even successfully do a day trip to Tobermory!
Check out these destinations for longer day trips (we did these!):
- Exploring Port Stanley Along Lake Erie
- Doing A Drive Along Lake Erie’s North Short: Things To See And Do
- Walking The Tiger Dunlop Heritage Trail In Goderich
- Visiting Point Pelee Provincial Park
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QUESTION: Have any other places within one hour from Toronto? If you have any other recommendations for places to visit or things to do, we look forward to your comments!
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