6 Overlooked Towns In Ontario Worth Visiting

Ontario is Canada's most populous province, acting as the country's financial hub, quite literally sitting at the center of the nation. Boasting a number of major cities, namely Toronto and Canada's capital, Ottawa, Ontario fills the rest of its extensive borders with numerous small towns spread throughout its diverse landscapes. From the Great Lakes region to the Quebec border and the vast northern woodlands, here are six quiet communities that have much to offer outside of the more popular tourist areas.

Almonte

Nestled along Ontario's Mississippi River, just 40 minutes west of Ottawa, Almonte stands as one of the province's most underappreciated gems. Once a bustling 19th-century textile center powered by the river's falls, this former mill town, originally named Ramsayville, faced decline after the industry's collapse in the early 20th century.

Today, its preserved Victorian-era buildings and cobblestone streets still tell of its former industrial days, yet it evades the tourist crowds that often flock to nearby hotspots like Kingston. If you do decide to pay a visit, attractions like the Almonte Riverwalk, a scenic 2-km trail tracing the waterway's edge, offer educational plaques on local ecology and Indigenous history, including info about the Algonquin people's traditional lands. Stroll over to Mill Street for its boutique shopping areas, galleries, and even a few murals depicting the town's legacy, particularly its woolen mill, once Canada's largest. In fact, the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum highlights this unique past right beside the aptly named Mill Falls, a must-see locale of its own.

Try visiting in autumn to witness the region's spectacular foliage, or come in the summer to dip your toes in the cool waters of the river. Regardless of when you come, a lack of crowds is almost guaranteed in Almonte.

Perth

Founded in 1816 as a military installation, Perth today is a compact heritage town located along the Tay River in eastern Ontario. Its limestone buildings, old courtyards, and intact layout dating back to its original inception make it one of the province’s most historically complete small towns.

The downtown area centers on Gore Street, where several preserved facades now house local bakeries, bookstores, and other mom-and-pop businesses. At nearby Stewart Park, landscaped lawns and stone bridges line the river, offering easy public access to a peaceful green space, all clustered within walking distance. Furthermore, landmarks such as the Perth Museum and the Perth Town Hall highlight the town's history as a prominent administrative center.

Perth also serves as a gateway to a number of nearby natural destinations, including Murphy’s Point Provincial Park, known for its hiking trails and lengthy shoreline along Big Rideau Lake. The Perth Wildlife Reserve also sits just a few minutes south, an expansive wetland/woodland with a network of easy-to-navigate footpaths. Given the sheer amount of leafy forests in and around Perth, it too is a great location to visit this fall.

Elora

Tucked in Wellington County, Elora is a picturesque village often overshadowed by Ontario’s larger riverfront destinations like Niagara-on-the-Lake or Ottawa. Founded in 1832, this former milltown along the Grand River retains much of its limestone architecture from the 1800s. With that, it has earned a place among Canada’s most beautiful small towns, yet it still remains a quiet escape from major cities like Toronto, which lies only about 70 miles east.

Elora’s charm rests in its blend of natural beauty and a mix of old-timey and modern cultural attractions. For one, the Elora Quarry, a stunning limestone swimming hole surrounded by cliffs, draws adventurers for summer swimming and hiking trails. Moreover, the Elora Gorge, cutting through town, is a notably deep canyon for southern Ontario, with interpretive signs detailing its geological formation and its significance to both Canadian settlers and the native Attawandaron people.

Downtown, the Elora Mill, a restored 1830s-era gristmill, now houses a boutique hotel and gourmet restaurant, while a plethora of nearby shops sell local pottery and other handcrafted goods. The Elora Festival, a long-running summer music event, is another must-see, featuring classical, jazz, and folk music. Finally, be sure to visit the Elora Centre for the Arts to connect with the town's cultural heartbeat.

Goderich

Perched on Lake Huron’s eastern shoreline, Goderich is sometimes described as one of Ontario’s Great Lakes towns, but it often flies under the radar when compared to others, like Tobermory, Niagara Falls, or Thunder Bay.

This community’s early prosperity came from its harbor and salt mining operations, both of which still shape the local economy today. In 1827, it was designed around a distinctive octagonal town square that remains the civic and commercial center. Historic buildings such as the Huron Historic Gaol (a historic prison) and the Huron County Museum are reminders of the town’s administrative importance in the 19th century.

It is a true summer town, as Goderich’s waterfront has three public beaches, St. Christopher's Beach, Main Beach, and Rotary Cove Beach, connected by trails that follow the bluffs and overlook the lake. These trails also link to the Maitland River Valley, where former railway lines have been converted into recreational paths.

Although it does feature the amenities of a summer resort, Goderich retains the pace of a working town, avoiding the crowd that other similar cities and towns across Ontario often attract.

Merrickville

Situated along the UNESCO-listed Rideau Canal in Leeds and Grenville Counties, Merrickville is a charming village for those interested in exploring this historically important waterway. This village was founded by Loyalist William Merrick after the American Revolution, and like in many Ontario settlements at the time, he harnessed the local river for milling. The town eventually boomed with the canal's 1832 completion, facilitating both trade and defense amid British colonial fears of American invasion.

Merrickville's appeal these days lies in its living historical landmarks and serene waterways. The nearby Rideau Canal locks, an engineering marvel, host several viewpoints for boat-watching, along with panels on the locks' military origins and Indigenous Anishinaabe connections. Then head over to Merrickville Blockhouse Museum, open seasonally during the summer, which details the area's War of 1812 fortifications.

With its deep rural setting, there are tons of great little restaurants, cafes, and bars to be found in Merrickville, too. Grab a bite at the fan favorite The Goose & Gridiron, then go for a cold one (and maybe even pick up some locally made glassware while you're at it) at the Gather Brewery and Glassworks after a day of adventure.

Cobourg

Cobourg, a town sitting on Lake Ontario, midway between Toronto and Kingston, grew from being another shipping port community into a place well known for its civic architecture and public spaces. Its history can be seen up close at Victoria Hall, an imposing Palladian-style structure that has served as the town’s administrative and cultural anchor for more than 150 years. The surrounding district includes restored storefronts, small museums, like the Canadian Fire Fighters Museum or the Cobourg & Area Museum, and other fun attractions.

Along the lakefront, Cobourg Beach and its adjacent parklands form one of the most accessible stretches of public shoreline in Ontario. Aside from that, the local harbor still functions as a marina, supporting various boating and summer events that draw visitors from across the province.

If you need a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of big city life next summer, definitely give Cobourg a go, whether you want to spend an afternoon exploring museums or lounging on a clean, sandy beach.

See Another Side of Ontario in These Welcoming Towns

Ontario’s numerous selection of overlooked towns each reveal a side of the province that far too few people have experienced. Each of the recommendations above offers a self-contained look at Ontario’s development, from early settlement and industry to modern preservation efforts, while also providing other fun attractions, like parks, beaches, museums, delicious locally owned restaurants, and much more.

A visit to any of these towns will give you something that is often lost in larger cities, so for travelers interested in a mix of outdoor adventure, history, and authentic small-town life, give the smaller communities in Ontario like this a chance during your next road trip.