Southern Ontario has some incredible spots to visit! Whether you live in Milton, Hamilton, or somewhere in between, these 15 places are perfect for fun day trips from anywhere in the West GTA.

1. Hamilton Waterfalls

Part of the Niagara Escarpment, Hamilton is home to over 100 waterfalls. You’ll find them tucked in beautiful forests along hiking trails and conservation areas. Albion Falls and Spencer Gorge are two of the largest and most popular destinations.

2. Spencer Gorge Conservation Area

Spencer Gorge includes Tew Falls, Dundas Peak and Webster Falls. This beautiful natural area exhibits all the characteristics that have made the Niagara Escarpment one of Ontario’s most famous geological formations. It’s the perfect place for a hike and a picnic.

3. Royal Botanical Gardens

With over 27 KMs of nature trails and 300 acres of cultivated plants, RBG is Canada’s largest botanical garden. The gardens are home to over 1,000 varieties of plants, including the world’s most extensive collection of lilacs. These beautifully maintained gardens  (both indoors and out) are a must-see for any plant lovers.

4. St. Jacob’s Market

 A short drive from the West GTA is St. Jacob’s Farmers Market in Woolwich – Canada’s largest year-round farmers’ and flea market. Hundreds of vendors are selling everything from local fresh produce and home-cooked treats to art, collectibles, and handmade gifts.

5. Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is one of Canada’s most well-known tourist attractions and is only about an hour from Hamilton. You can view the falls, take a cruise along the water, get a helicopter ride, zipline, or Journey Behind the Falls. Clifton Hill offers plenty of restaurants, shopping, shows, and attractions, or pop into Fallsview casino.

6. African Lion Safari

A drive-thru wildlife park between Hamilton and Cambridge, African Lion Safari lets you get close to lions, giraffes, elephants, and monkeys! While it’s known for its animals, the park has an incredible playground and splash pad for the kids. Open from May to September, you can drive through the game reserve (or take the tour bus), go on the African Queen Boat Cruise, or take the Nature Boy Scenic Railway.

7. Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area

Operated by Conservation Halton, Rattlesnake Point is a beautiful, ecologically diverse park. You can hike the trails, climb up the escarpment, or enjoy the spectacular views. With turkey vultures soaring through the air, thousand-year-old cedars, and stunning rock faces, there’s so much to see at this incredible park.

8. Niagara-on-the-Lake

A quaint little spot for a wine tour or dinner, Niagara–on-the-Lake is just a short drive from the Halton Region and the perfect place for a day trip with your spouse or a girl’s weekend away. The downtown core is filled with unique boutiques, upscale dining, and cozy cafes – the perfect place to have lunch, wander and window-shop. The Niagara Wine Region is home to over 50 wineries, so you’re sure to find one you love.

9. Bruce Trail

For all the hikers out there, The Bruce Trail is a must! Running from the Niagara River to the tip of Tobermory, the main trail is more than 890 km, with another 400 km of side trails. 70% of the Bruce Trail is within a protected natural corridor and offers incredible views of diverse plants and wildlife.

10. Kelso Conservation in Milton

Open all year round, Kelso has an extensive network of trails for hikers and mountain bikers and operates as a ski and snowboard hill in the winter at Glen Eden. You can hike the trails, stroll the boardwalk, take in the lake views, or head to the water in a kayak or paddleboard in the warmer months.

11. Royal Ontario Museum

Driving into Toronto to visit the ROM, have lunch, and wander downtown is a beautiful day trip from the West GTA. The museum showcases art, culture, and nature from around the world. Canada’s largest museum, the ROM, is home to over 13 million artworks, history specimens and cultural objects.

12. Horseshoe Valley

Head a few hours north, and you can visit Horseshoe Valley Resort. You may know it as a ski resort, but it offers fun activities year-round! You can ski, snowboard, sled, or tube in the winter. It also offers hiking, biking, golfing, and tree-top trekking in spring, summer, and fall. The newly opened Vetta Spa offers saunas, steam rooms, cold plunge pools, and massage for a Nordic Spa experience.

13. Port Colborne

When you want a day at the beach, Port Colborne is the perfect spot! About an hour from Hamilton, you’ll find Nickel Beach, a laid-back, beautiful, sandy beach at the south end of the Welland Canal. The area is popular with scuba divers searching for Lake Erie shipwrecks.

14. Burlington Waterfront  

Spend the day in downtown Burlington along the waterfront. For spectacular views, walk along the Burlington Pier, which extends 137 metres over Lake Ontario. A beach, park, and splash pad are perfect for keeping the kids entertained in warmer months. You’re also close to local shops and some of the area’s top restaurants.

15. Glen Abbey Golf Course

Located in Oakville, the Glen Abbey Golf Course is one of the country’s favourite courses. Designed by golf great Jack Nicklaus, Glen Abbey has hosted the Canadian Open 28 times. It is home to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and houses an incredible onsite restaurant called Eighteen. The perfect place for a golfer to spend the day!

This is just the beginning – the West GTA is full of incredible spots to explore. Please share your favourites with us!

For more ideas on great places to visit in the West GTA, check out these posts:

Family Attractions in Burlington

20 Places to Visit in Oakville

West GTA Hiking Trails