Escape the everyday: Daytrips for refreshing breaks

Credit to Author: Canadian Immigrant| Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2024 16:14:17 +0000

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a cultural connoisseur, daytripping has something to offer everyone, no matter your budget.

The affordability crisis is a rude reality facing many today. It seems like everything from rentals to food to gasoline is at a premium. And this this leaves little wiggle room for other things like extended trips during the summer.

Fortunately, no matter where in Canada you’re situated, a plethora of day trips await! As a country we are blessed with a rich tapestry of small town charm, bountiful nature experiences and cultural diversity. And these experiences are often just a short drive or bus ride away; perfect for daytripping.

For the uninitiated, daytripping—sometimes called “daycations”—is simply leaving the town where you live and exploring a new place, returning home the same day. The trips are short but they provide a nice break from the daily grind and city life, while offering a chance to experience a slice of small town living, get close to nature or perhaps dip into a cultural experience outside your comfort zone.

There’s something very freeing about day trips. They’re this easy, low-stakes way just to go somewhere and find inspiration from your new surroundings.

Here are a few options which might pique your interest.

From Toronto

Starting close to home, one of our favourite getaways is the town of Elora. Located a mere 90 minute drive from Toronto, Elora has been a destination for people wanting to escape the city for decades. Its startling centerpiece, The Elora Mill (eloramill.ca), which was taken over and given a major facelift by Pearle Hospitality in 2018,  has since become the anchor for the community of 7000.

 Located at the junction where the Grand and Irvine rivers meet, Elora is also home to a plethora of distinct artist studios offering everything from glassware to ceramics and everything in between. In July The town echoes with the lilting sounds of classical music from guest virtuosos from around the globe. It’s all part of the famous three-week Elora Festival which is followed in late August, by the rollicking rocking sounds offered by Riverfest, which has become a signature end-of-summer event. For a village this small, the range of events and activities is nothing short of breathtaking.

And don’t forget to take in the incredible views while hiking the 2.5 km stretch of the Elora Gorge.

From Montreal

Moving further east, Quebec is unquestionably one of the most scenic of all the Canadian provinces, and there’s innumerable places to explore. But one place stands out above the rest: Quebec City (https://www.quebec-cite.com/en). With its mix of cobblestone streets and French colonial and Victorian architecture, the walled city  is certainly the most European of all cities in North America.

After exploring The Plains of Abraham or taking in the exhibits at the Musee national des beaux-arts, be sure to check out the hub of Quebec nightlife: La Grande Allée. With its pulsing nightclubs, sidewalk patios and exquisite restaurants, this is the place to take a break and experience some fine cuisine. If you happen to be visiting on New Year’s Eve, the entire street shuts down for pedestrian-only revellers. After dinner take in some spectacular scenery near the Fairmont Château Frontenac which overlooks the mighty St. Lawrence River.

From Calgary

Only a 90-minute drive from Calgary, Banff has long been a destination for outdoor enthusiasts and has a breathtaking range of excursions to choose from. One place we’ve loved is Sulphur Mountain (banffjaspercollection.com) in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. A gondola takes you up the east side to the summit ridge where you can take in spectacular views of the Bow Valley, Mount Rundle and the Sundance Ridge. Indulge in one of three restaurants or explore multiple observation decks. Be sure to check out the meteorological observatory built in 1903. Additionally, two hot springs have been commercially developed: The Banff Upper Hot Springs and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site are both worth the visit. Intrepid explorers might want to head to the hot springs after hiking down the 5.4 km switchback trail which takes about three hours to complete. Be sure to bring water and sunscreen with you and wear good shoes.

These are but a few of the incredible range of daytripping options to choose from. They are nearby, natural, affordable.  Before going always be sure to research the site online and plan accordingly. Certain times of year might see your destination flooded with tourists or shut down because of special events. Good planning can make all the difference to enjoying a new experience. And once you’ve sampled the exhaustive range of incredible daytrip offerings, you’ll be hard pressed to stop.

Carter Hammett is a Toronto-based writer, social worker and trainer.

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