7 Cutest Small Towns In Ontario For 2025
Venture outside of Toronto and see Ontario's vast array of charming small towns this year. From lakeside villages to welcoming rural communities, there are many great options for a quick weekend escape throughout Canada's most populous province.
Join us as we take a look at 7 of the cutest communities in Ontario, prime spots for both residents and visitors alike. Check out the natural draws of Muskoka, explore the length of the Rideau Canal, or taste the season's harvest in the countryside; whatever you choose to do, the towns we will be covering today are sure to make long-lasting memories.
Tobermory
At the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula, Tobermory is the renowned gateway to both Fathom Five National Marine Park and Bruce Peninsula National Park, two of Ontario's most popular natural landmarks. Furthermore, the town's harbor faces the deep, clear waters of Georgian Bay, where shipwrecks and underwater formations have made the area one of Canada’s top freshwater diving destinations.
The quaint downtown area, centered around Little Tub Harbour, consists of wooden boardwalks, where amenities such as hotels and lakefront restaurants, as well as various excursion companies, can be found.
Glass-bottom boat tours leave regularly from the harbor for nearby Flowerpot Island, named for its natural rock pillars and home to historic light station ruins. The Chi-Cheemaun ferry, also accessible from Tobermory's docks, links this small town with Manitoulin Island, further reinforcing its role as a transit point within Ontario’s northern landscape.
Hikers love coming here too, as this region includes a portion of the Bruce Trail, known as Canada’s longest footpath. If you have your camera, definitely add The Grotto to your list of stops along the way. This lake cave is Bruce Peninsula's most iconic landmark, sitting within a steep cliff that is constantly being battered by Lake Huron's cold, deeply blue waters.
With all this considered, landscape photographers, hikers, cyclists, and scuba divers alike ought to make a point of checking out this cute, yet hugely popular, Ontario town if they haven't been before.
Elora
Situated along the Grand River in Wellington County, Elora charms its visitors with its distinctive limestone buildings and riverside setting, exemplified by the scenic Elora Gorge.
The Elora Gorge Conservation Area offers hiking trails, campsites, and unstructured views from cliffs rising over 22 meters above the riverbed. During summer, tubing through the gorge is a popular activity, drawing visitors from across southern Ontario looking for respite from the heat in a wonderfully picturesque environment.
On the other hand, the Elora Mill, now a boutique inn and spa, is perhaps the biggest manmade draw here, as it overlooks the river and has become a focal point for both preserving the community's heritage and its budding tourist industry.
Moreover, the downtown district includes a mix of art galleries, breweries, distilleries, and comfy eateries, many housed in restored buildings from past eras. Also, be sure to stop by the Elora Centre for the Arts, which supports a local artist community and frequently hosts exhibitions and events throughout the year.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Located at the mouth of the Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake is another one of Ontario’s best preserved historic towns. Its core is famous for how compact and walkable it is, with brick sidewalks, locally owned storefronts, and heritage homes dating back to the early 1800s. The town was once the first capital of Upper Canada and played a central role in the War of 1812. Sitting on the edge of Lake Ontario, nearby Fort George National Historic Site offers a clear link to its military past with tours and exhibits to explore.
Today, it primarily attracts visitors on their way to nearby Niagara Falls, although we'll dive into why Niagara-on-the-Lake is a must-visit attraction of its own.
Queen Street forms the heart of the downtown area, lined with bookstores, mom-and-pop shops, and world-class restaurants. On a hot summer day (or in the winter too, depending on how much you love ice cream), COWS Niagara-On-The-Lake is a local favorite to grab a cone.
If you're looking for a more adult treat, Niagara-on-the-Lake is also at the center of the famous Niagara wine growing region. Several tasting rooms are located in and around town, with two of the most popular options including the Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate and Two Sisters Vineyards. The surrounding farmland supports dozens more smaller wineries, many of which produce ice wine, a regional specialty.
Bala
Between Lake Muskoka and the Moon River, Bala originally developed in the latter half of the 19th century as a timber town, but has since evolved into a tourist hub in the heart of Ontario's cottage country. Today, it remains one of the most recognizable small towns in Muskoka, known for its public access to several lakes, cultural offerings, and, maybe most interestingly, its cranberry industry.
Bala's Museum, which focuses on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1922 visit, occupies a former boarding house and maintains its charming period character. Another must-see landmark here, the Kee to Bala, a dance hall established in the 1940s, still hosts live music events and connects the town to a longer tradition of cottage country entertainment.
In terms of natural landmarks, Bala Falls, where the Moon River exits Lake Muskoka, continues to be a defining natural feature and provides a direct connection between town and water. Just steps away will land you in Windsor Park, a cozy little greenspace along the waterfront with a dock for swimmers, picnic tables, and an expansive lawn to chill out while soaking in the views over Lake Muskoka.
Each October, Bala hosts a cranberry festival that draws thousands to try various treats made with the fruit, along with educational exhibits, live music, and more fun for the whole family. Simply being in this region of Ontario in the fall season is a good idea, as the surrounding forests begin to change color, and the cooler temperatures make way for more comfortable hiking experiences.
Port Perry
Situated on the shores of Lake Scugog, Port Perry functions as a regional service center for surrounding rural communities and has a defined downtown district with a high concentration of historic buildings.
The town even has a bit of a skyline, which comes in the shape of a restored grain elevator near the water's edge. Built in 1873, it remains a visible landmark on the shoreline and is occasionally used for various community events. Another old-school landmark worth checking out is the Town Hall Theatre, which operates out of a former courthouse and hosts regular performances.
Its proximity to the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine also means Port Perry is situated in quite a beautiful natural area, full of parks and other green spaces. Durham Regional Forest and Glen Major Forest, located about a 15-minute drive away, are both great places to go for a walk through their heavily wooded trails. And for those arriving in the winter, the nearby Dagmar Ski Resort is one of the only proper ski hills in the province.
With direct access to the waterfront via Palmer Park and the Port Perry Marina, Port Perry is also a popular spot for boaters across the province.
Merrickville
Positioned along the Rideau Canal, Merrickville is often cited for its intact streetscapes dating back to the 1800s, as well as its concentration of historic landmarks. In fact, the canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and runs right through town. Continuing to operate with manually operated locks, this functional attraction draws boaters and sightseers from May to October.
St. Lawrence Street, the main thoroughfare in Merrickville, includes a row of meticulously preserved stone and old storefronts housing anything from galleries and glassblowing studios to cafés and antique shops. If you're walking around the area, the Merrickville Blockhouse is a top attraction, particularly for history buffs. Constructed in 1832 to defend the canal, it remains a key historic site and museum. Several nearby mills have also been repurposed while retaining original features, such as exposed timber beams and stonework, making Merrickville an ideal spot for a mix of street/landscape photography, too.
Despite its proximity to Ottawa, Merrickville has avoided overdevelopment and has kept the appearance and rhythm of a small 19th-century canal town.
Creemore
Creemore sits in a narrow river valley on the eastern edge of the Niagara Escarpment, surrounded by verdant farmland and rolling hills. The village developed along Mill Street in the mid-1800s, and most of the buildings still standing here date to that period.
Points of interest include Creemore Springs Brewery, which operates tours and tastings seven days a week, and the restored log cabin maintained by the local heritage society. On the other hand, the Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Centre, located in a former retail building, holds rotating exhibits featuring regional artists. Moreover, the nearby public library and Station on the Green, both located within a short walk of Mill Street, serve as event venues throughout the year.
There are no traffic lights in Creemore, and few commercial chains. Most businesses close by early evening. The scale is small, but the town is active, functional, and highly scenic inside and out.
Outside the core, you will be able to access roadside farm markets throughout the warmer months, cycling routes, and several Bruce Trail access points within a short drive. Top-notch parks in the area are plentiful as well, including Noisy River Provincial Park and a little further north, the Pretty River Valley Provincial Park.
Explore these Scenic Towns in Ontario
Each of these small communities stand out for thier picturesque settings and abundance of things to see and do. Whether you simply need a place to escape the big city for a day or two, are looking to go for a gorgeous hike to embark on, or even want to try your hand at scuba diving, the options for Ontarians are numerous and closer than you think.
From Toronto, each of these spots is easily reachable, taking a few hours at most to get to (with Tobermory sitting just under 4 hours away). So, use this article to build up your itinerary, and get out to see something new this year in Canada's capital province.
