Let’s be real, summer in Ontario is pure gold, and you don’t need to spend much to enjoy it. With a little insider knowledge, and an appetite for adventure, you can fill your weekends with waterfalls, patios, concerts, pottery classes and some extremely good ice cream — all without blowing your budget.
Whether you’re coming from the big city, a small town, or somewhere in between, this guide is packed with budget-friendly destinations, quirky detours, and local gems that belong on your summer must-do list.
Day trips that feel like a mini vacation
Skip the long-haul drive and discover these local gems with postcard-worthy views and wallet-friendly entry fees:
- Webster Falls, Dundas (Hamilton): Experience front-row views of one of the most dramatic waterfalls in Ontario. Perfect for selfies, picnics or pretending you’re outdoorsy.
- Petroglyphs Provincial Park (Peterborough, Ont.): Explore ancient Indigenous rock carvings, crystal-clear lakes and lush trails.
- Ball’s Falls (Lincoln, Ont.): A peaceful, scenic spot with historic buildings, waterfalls and trails to wander.
- Scarborough Bluffs (ɫɫ): Towering cliffs, blue water and sandy beach access and it’s totally free.
- Glen Williams (Halton Hills, Ont.): Feels like a Hallmark movie set with art studios, riverside strolls and cozy cafes.
Ice cream that’s worth the trip
What’s summer without a scoop (or three)? Here’s where locals go to beat the heat:
- Hewitt’s Dairy Bar (Hagersville, Ont.): Old-school charm, roadside cones starting at $3.50, and a nostalgic vibe you can’t fake.
- Central Smith (Peterborough): Once a farmer’s co-op churning out butter and cheese, now it’s all about the ice cream, milkshakes and all the good stuff — and all served with small-town charm.
- Avondale Dairy Bar (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.): Family-friendly, playground-adjacent and affordable since forever.
- Bang Bang Ice Cream (ɫɫ): Known for wild flavours and epic cookie sandwiches, this place is definitely a must visit.
- Pom Pom Treat Hut (Meaford and Thornbury, Ont.): A delightfully tiny lakeside hut featuring bright colors and family-friendly vibes. Offers a full menu of scoops and vegan options.
Unexpected food & drink finds worth the detour
From food trucks to patios, here’s where hunger meets good taste, without draining your wallet.
- Galaxy Burger Food Truck (Hamilton): Found at 423 Barton St. in the Stoney Creek area, with rotating pop-ups, this family-run truck is a local favourite. Burgers are smash-seared, stacked high and made fresh daily, juicy, flavour-packed and full of heart.
- Bridgette Bar at The Well (ɫɫ): Design-forward, mood-lit and made for the “just one drink” that turns into three. This downtown stunner has one of the most stylish happy hour menus in the city, think $8 cocktails, chic snacks and a playlist that keeps the vibe high from 5 p.m. to late.
- Publican House Brewery (Peterborough): A red-brick brewery with craft beer flights and wood-fired pizza that rivals any city spot. Grab a seat under the string lights and settle in. The beer is cold, the food is hot, and the crowd is laid-back.
- Souk Tabule (ɫɫ): A hidden Middle Eastern gem with several city locations. The mezze here is fresh, flavourful and surprisingly affordable. The space? Peaceful, with just the right amount of buzz.
- Arabella Park Beer Bar (Kitchener, Ont.): A rotating tap list with serious craft cred, house-made bar snacks, and a laid-back vibe that feels more ɫɫ West than Kitchener-Waterloo. Settle into the cozy booths or leafy patio and pair your pint with Korean fried chicken or crispy cauliflower. Stylish, chill and surprisingly affordable.
- Daan Go Cake Lab (Scarborough and ɫɫ): Cakes that look like cartoons, and macarons you almost don’t want to eat (but you will). From MasterChef Canada winner Christopher Siu, this sweet shop is like stepping into a pastel dream.
- Provisions Food Company (Niagara-on-the-Lake): A quiet garden cafe with gourmet sandwiches and lavender lemonade. Nestled inside a charming market just off the main strip, this spot feels like a secret.
Outdoor movie nights. Free, magical, and memorable
Grab a blanket, a few snacks and settle in for an outdoor movie experience at these great spots:
- When We Were Young, Corktown Common in ɫɫ: Features new and old coming-of-age classics, including movies from the past decade.
- Peterborough Movies at the Park: Bring the kids, the dog and the bug spray.
- Outdoor Movie Nights at the Outlet Collection at Niagara: You can even enjoy themed entertainment for each movie.
- Movies in the Park — Waterloo Park Bandshell: Bring a blanket or your favourite hoodie.
Surprisingly cool and creative activities
Because summer isn’t just patios and parks.
- Creative Insight Pottery (Waterdown, Ont.): Paint-your-own pottery with serious style. Book a session for a relaxing creative escape.
- Best Western Fantasy Suites (Kingston): Sleep inside a Rolls-Royce–shaped bed, blast off in the Tranquility Base Suite, or cozy up in a private Polynesian hideaway. It’s delightfully kitschy, totally nostalgic, and unlike anywhere you’ve stayed before.
- Riverdale Farm (ɫɫ): Urban farm with animals, gardens and no admission cost.
- THEMUSEUM After Dark (Kitchener): Fusing art, tech, science and sometimes cocktails. It delivers interactive installations and special evening events that feel anything but ordinary.
- NEOB Lavender, Pick Your Own Lavender (Niagara on the Lake): Escape to fields of fragrant lavender and gather your own fresh bundles at this charming farm. It’s a peaceful, hands-on experience that feels like a mini retreat, perfect for a low-cost day surrounded by stunning purple blooms.
