Welcome to DayTrippen.ca. On this site, you’ll find short stories of the many DayTrippen travels across Ontario. Reviews and honest opinions on every destination I visited. Please check it out because some are very unique places in Ontario…and, ‘close to home.’
- American Picker Mike Wolfe once said: You don’t need to book a flight to take a vacation. Explore the small towns in your own backyard. Get lost in the local lore, take in the sights, walk the main street, & find your new favorite daytrippen getaway.
- “Close to home. “Easy on the wallet.” Personal review: whether it’s worth your time and money.”
A day trip should be fun, affordable, and close enough that you can still be home in time for supper. My goal is to introduce you to interesting places that you and the whole family can enjoy without breaking the bank.
Every DayTrippen Adventure is written from my own experience or in some cases, suggestions. I will tell you honestly the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly, so you know what to expect before you go.
Did you know that HMCS Haida, Canada’s most famous Tribal-class destroyer, is docked in Hamilton Harbour and welcomes visitors each summer? It’s just one of many hidden gems waiting to be explored, and the price is right… free for this summer.
As the author of the DayTrippen Adventures series, I’ve discovered that within a two-hour drive of the Kitchener-Waterloo area, you’ll find:
- More than 100 public beaches.
- Over 30 conservation area beaches where you can safely swim, hike, picnic, or camp.
- More than 700 museums and cultural heritage sites across Ontario.
- Numerous pioneer villages and living history museums that bring Ontario’s past to life. And these are only some of the attractions.
Here are just a few of my favorite historic destinations:
- The Village at Black Creek (Toronto) – A recreation of rural Ontario during the 1800s.
- Doon Heritage Village (Kitchener) – Experience everyday life in Waterloo Region as it was in 1914.
- Upper Canada Village (Morrisburg) – Step back into rural Canada in 1866.
- Fanshawe Pioneer Village (London) – Discover local history from 1820 to 1920.
- Westfield Heritage Village (Rockton) – More than 30 historic buildings representing early Ontario.
- Lang Pioneer Village (Keene) – Showcasing the history of Peterborough County from the 1820s onward.
- Kawartha Settlers’ Village (Bobcaygeon) – Preserving pioneer life in the Kawarthas.
- O’Hara Mill Homestead (Madoc) – A fascinating look at early settler and milling history.
- Scugog Shores Heritage Village (Port Perry) – Historic buildings and Indigenous heritage.
- Country Heritage Park (Milton) – Celebrating Ontario’s agricultural history.
Please note: Admission prices and operating hours can change, so it’s always a good idea to phone ahead or check the attraction’s website before visiting.
- Did you know: Ontario is also home to charming historic communities such as Elora, Paris, and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Many offer guided walking tours, unique shops, excellent restaurants, and world-class wineries.
When summer arrives, there’s an endless calendar of classic car shows, antique festivals, steam shows, fairs, and community events. Many cost around $10 to attend, making them affordable outings for families and anyone who enjoys a trip down memory lane.
A Little Bit of Wisdom
Many years ago, a bank manager gave me some simple advice: > “After a hard week at work, always reward yourself.” That’s where the Daytrippen adventures begin in Ontario.
I’ve never forgotten those words.
Not everyone can afford to fly away to a tropical destination every year, but almost everyone can enjoy what their own community has to offer. Free concerts, Canada Day celebrations, festivals, museums, farmers’ markets, and local attractions are often right in our own backyard.
And don’t forget Canada’s winters!
Ontario offers more than 50 downhill ski areas and resorts, many within a two-hour drive of central Ontario. There’s also the excitement of the Kearney Dog Sled Races, snowmobile events, winter festivals, and one of the world’s largest skating trails along the Rideau Canal in Ottawa.
If you’ve never watched snowmobile “puddle jumping,” you’re in for a laugh. Competitors race across open water, hoping to make it to the other side before sinking. Personally, I still think snowmobiles belong on snow, but that’s just me.
Whether it’s summer or winter, Ontario offers an endless list of DayTrippen Adventures.
Come along as I explore these destinations with me and I’ll share my honest reviews. I’ll let you know whether an attraction is truly worth your time and your hard-earned money.
If you have suggestions for places you’d like me to visit, I’d love to hear from you.
Who knows? My next adventure might be the Justin Bieber Museum in Stratford, or perhaps a relaxing cruise along the Grand River.
Thank you for visiting DayTrippen.ca.
I hope my adventures inspire you and your family to get out, explore Ontario, and create memories of your own.
“Close to home. Easy on the wallet. Worth the trip. What’s not to like?”
Did you know that the famous CNE Canadian National Exhibition will be upon us for only 10 days, and that is always an exciting and fun experience for young and old.
**Final Note
If you enjoy my articles and would like to support my travels by becoming a sponsor or making a contribution, your generosity would be sincerely appreciated.
Thank you for helping keep DayTrippen Adventures on the road!
