Summer in Ontario
Next Summer Adventure Is Closer
Katherine Palumbo is the storyteller behind @explore.ontario, one of Ontario’s leading travel-focused content creators. With a passion for showcasing local experiences, hidden gems, and seasonal adventures, Katherine has built a trusted community of Ontario travelers seeking inspiration close to home.
What are some of your favourite summer activities that people can enjoy across Ontario?
The possibilities are endless when it comes to summer travel in Ontario. My favourite ways to spend a weekend are exploring small towns (Perth, Stratford, and Elora are my top spots) and visiting a seasonal flower farm; preferably a pick-your-own farm. Laura’s Farm Stand and Valhaven Farm are lovely options that showcase a variety of blooms. I’m also a huge fan of kayaking, but since I don’t own a kayak, I rely upon businesses and parks that offer rentals. Illuminated Escapes takes it one step further and offers
glow-in-the-dark kayak rentals with locations in Toronto and the GTA.
Can you share a few hidden-gem summer spots in Ontario that deserve more attention?
The small town of St. Marys is truly underrated! Just a short distance from Stratford, St. Marys has a gorgeous downtown and waterfront walking trail that’s best explored in summer. They even offer a free kayak rental program via their local library! Located in St. Marys is also Canada’s largest fresh water swimming pool — the St. Marys Quarry. It’s the best way to cool off on a hot summer day.
Why Kivi Park Belongs on Your Ontario Summer Bucket List
Discover a different side of Northern Ontario through scenic trails, Crowley Lake adventures, and family-friendly outdoor experiences.
Ontario summers have a special way of calling us outside. They invite road trips, packed coolers, new memories, and the search for new adventures with our loved ones. And while some destinations have become seasonal staples, there’s much more to discover beyond Ontario’s familiar summer hotspots. Located on the edge of Greater Sudbury, Kivi Park is a Northern Ontario oasis that provides the best of what summer has to offer. Spanning more than 480 acres of forests, lakes, and rugged Canadian Shield landscape, the park has become a go-to destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone looking to connect with nature.
How Ontario Winemaker Built Perfect Summer Tasting Experience
One of Niagara-on-The-Lake’s first wine makers, this winery is a ‘must see’ on every Ontarians’ summer bucket list this year.
There are few feelings better than that of enjoying a warm Ontario summer day with a crisp glass (or bottle) of wine. Offering just that, Niagara-on-the-Lake welcomes over 3.5 million visitors annually. The Ontario wine region has become well-respected, not only within the Canadian wine-scene, but internationally.
The Reif Family Winery was established in 1982, making it one of Niagara-on-theLake’s founding family wineries. Nestled amongst the vines and bordering the stunning shores of Lake Ontario, the winery spans over 125-acres and remains deeply rooted in the region’s history having planted its first vineyard in 1977. In a country notorious for its winter climate, the winery takes advantage of the Niagara River’s sub-appellation micro-climate,
leading to warmer growing conditions that favour a longer growing season and produces rich, full-bodied wines.
Experiencing the best of wine country
Over the years, Reif Family Winery has grown to become one of the most sophisticated tasting experiences in Niagara-on-the-Lake, offering visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in Ontario winemaking. Now carried forward by its 13th generation wine maker Klaus W. Reif, the winery remains dedicated to crafting wines that represent the region, each telling their own unique story. From themed tasting fl ights to curated food pairings, tastings offer a glimpse into the region — and winery’s- storied histories.
From May to October, the winery becomes an immersive outdoor experi-
Visitors can explore an extensive network of hiking and biking trails designed for a variety of ages and skill levels, from easy family outings to more adventurous terrain. Accessible crusher dust trails also help ensure that more people can comfortably experience the outdoors.
Many of Kivi Park’s most memorable happen on the water at Crowley Lake. Spend an afternoon canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or fishing while taking in the surroundings. Add in playgrounds, picnic areas, and plenty of room to roam, and Kivi Park offers something increasingly valuable: the chance to spend quality time together outdoors.
Written by Emily Hellam
ence with its unique Sensory Garden dining, a patio and outdoor kitchen that offers visitors the perfect space to enjoy a classic Ontario summer day. Guests are invited to soak in the winery’s stunning vineyard views, all while enjoying award-winning varieties and fresh, locally-inspired dishes.
A visit to The Reif Family Winery is more than just a wine-tasting experience; it’s the chance to experience Ontario wine country's hospitality and innovation at its best.
Written by Sonya Friesen
Don’t Fly to a World-Class Trail. You’re Already Here.
It’s already been a long morning hike when I crest the hill at the northern edge of Northumberland County Forest and am struck by the glacier-carved beauty of the Oak Ridges Moraine. I watch two ospreys circle high over the sunlit waters of Rice Lake. After a moment, I shake the dew from my shoes and press on, towards Alderville First Nation and the village of Roseneath, where I’ll gorge on butter tarts and other local food gems from the incredible rural eateries that remain Ontario’s best-kept secrets.
I feel I could keep walking for days, and on the Oak Ridges Trail you can. “The Oak Ridges Trail is 268 kilometers of scenic hiking paths spanning the Moraine,” says Ed McDonnell, CEO of the Greenbelt Foundation. “The Oak Ridges Moraine is a key feature of Ontario’s Greenbelt. It provides essential ecological services to us, such as fi ltering our water, valuable habitat for plants and animals, while also offering Ontarians easy access to horseback riding, walking, and
cycling. Having these ecological resources and recreational opportunities right next to the largest urbanized area in the country is really incredible.”
Greenbelt’s beating heart
The Greenbelt encompasses 2 million acres of protected farmland, forests, trails, wetlands, rivers, and lakes surrounding the highly developed Greater Golden Horseshoe. And the Moraine I walk through is the Greenbelt’s beating heart. “This remarkable geology, with its huge sand and gravel hills and its deep aquifers, feeds the Rouge and the Don and most of Southern Ontario’s other major waterways,” says Karen Graham, President of the Oak Ridges Trail Association. “We have to protect it. It’s a refuge not only for nature, but for us.”
It’s a reminder that no matter how disconnected from the natural world we might sometimes feel, we remain inseparable from it. “These are very sensitive natural spaces that require a strong conservation lens,” says McDonnell. “But we also know how to
create sustainable recreational opportunities with minimal negative impact. If we do it right, we can have access to nature while also protecting it.”
That balance is part of what makes the Greenbelt so remarkable. Here, access to nature isn't an afterthought.
Rural culture, food, and adventure
In addition to unrivalled natural beauty, the Greenbelt is also home to countless vibrant rural communities, each with its own character and charm. “Public transit can drop you off at a trailhead and pick you up at a trailhead,” says Graham. “Last year we offered 270 guided hikes. Nothing is more special to me than a brand new hiker experiencing the Moraine for the first time.”
It’s not my first time here, I grew up in the Moraine. In the decades since moving away, I’ve hiked through Spain, Japan, Mexico, Greece, and Alaska. Still, I find these trails I grew up walking and cycling, a stone’s throw from my childhood home, remain the equal of them all. And with new connections, improved access, and a growing appreciation for the landscapes on our doorstep, Ontario’s trail networks continue to evolve.
Written by D.F. McCourt
To discover Ontario’s Greenbelt, visit greenbelt.ca/ explore This article is sponsored by Greenbelt Foundation
Ed McDonnell CEO, Greenbelt Foundation
Karen Graham President, Oak Ridges Trail Association