A new year means another year of statutory holidays to take advantage of and have an extra-long weekend – or if you decide to use a random vacation or personal day to extend your weekend, it’s easy to get away for a short trip to relax and rejuvenate. I love taking advantage of long weekends solely for traveling – road trips or quick getaways – just to fulfill my longing for adventure and make the most out of life, even if it is only for 3 days. I also feel that I need to travel somewhere at least once a month to feel “okay” but it isn’t always possible. Two months honestly feels like I’m pushing it sometimes and I am really grateful for those long weekends we get throughout the year.
And for my first long weekend getaway blog post, I thought I’d write it for Canadians from Toronto because that’s where I’m from and it would be a good departing location because I’ve taken a majority of these trips (sometimes more than 3 times) with the exception of a couple of places that are still on my list, and I’m familiar with the time frames and areas. These are also great for year-round long weekend getaways so you can’t go wrong with any of these options. I’ve also included the hours the locations are away from Toronto so you can determine for yourself which destination on the list is most comfortable for you to visit during your long weekend getaways.
Long Weekend Road Trip Getaways
Sometimes, the most you can do with a 3-day long weekend is to take a quick road trip. This is actually the perfect time to go to those nearby cities that take more than a 3-hour drive, where it may be too long to drive back and forth in one day but staying there for 2 to 3 days is a decent amount of time to explore, enjoy your time off, and be able to get back to start a new work week. To help you better prepare, here are 22 Vital Lessons Learned On My Summer Road Trips.
1 – Niagara Region including Niagara Falls and Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Hours From Toronto: 1.5 to 2 hours
I’ve mentioned a few of the Canadian destinations here including Niagara Falls and Niagara-On-The-Lake in The Best Winter Destinations To Visit In Canada blog post. These locations are actually great to visit year-round and are a popular choice for long weekend getaways especially if you’re from the Toronto area. As many times as you visit the Niagara region, you will always keep going back. It’s still pretty close to home, you get the amazing waterfalls, wine country vibes, the perfect romantic weekend, and family entertainment all in one.
Here is How To Plan Your Trip To Niagara Falls and an Itinerary For A 1 Night Wine Country Getaway In Niagara-On-The-Lake.
2 – Blue Mountains, Ontario
Hours From Toronto: 2 hours
I personally like visiting Blue Mountain slightly more during the summer and fall. Only because the Scenic Caves Nature Adventures is so much easier to visit as you hike through the caves and explore the trails. The Blue Mountain Village still has plenty to do and there are many outdoor activities to choose from in the area. Whenever you do plan to visit, it’s a good time to go and enjoy your weekends here. You can also get a pampering session at the Scandinave Spa for their outdoor thermal baths and spa treatments.
3 – Buffalo, New York
Hours From Toronto: 2 hours
I used to take road trips to Buffalo all the time when I was younger, especially when the Canadian and US dollar was par! That was years ago, unfortunately. But if you’re looking for some good shopping, head across the border through the Niagara area (hey that could be two trips in one!) and shop for better prices and items you can’t get in Canada! You can also spend some time at the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino too if you’re feeling risky.
4 – Muskoka and Muskoka-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Hours From Toronto: 2 to 2.5 hours
Muskoka is a great long weekend getaway option in cottage country where you can relax, enjoy nature, and take in beautiful lake views. It’s the perfect place to spend with friends and family for some bonding time. And, you can’t miss the Muskoka Beer Spa – you can opt to stay here overnight or purchase a day-use pass.
5 – Prince Edward County, Ontario
Hours From Toronto: 2 to 3 hours
Another popular wine country area to visit is Prince Edward County. And what’s even better is that they have beautiful sandy beaches with sand dunes at Sandbanks Provincial Park and several lavender fields.
Here is an Itinerary For A 3 Day Wine Country Getaway In Prince Edward County.
6 – Grand Bend, Ontario
Hours From Toronto: 2.5 to 3 hours
Trust me when I say Grand Bend is worth visiting! We rarely get good beaches in Ontario since we are surrounded by lakes, but Grand Bend offers those Miami Beach vibes as you start approaching the beach. And let me put a disclaimer out there, not the party scene of Miami Beach, but what the beach actually looks like with their long grassy walkways towards the water. I call it a fake Miami Beach, but honestly it might be the best we can do around here! If you’re looking for small-town vibes with local shops and beautiful beaches, this is where you should go in the summer.
7 – Perth, Ontario
Hours From Toronto: 3.5 to 4 hours
A hidden gem in Ontario, sort of in the middle of nowhere, is Perth. It’s a very quaint small town that offers European (Amsterdam) vibes with its popular bridge, small restaurants, and many family-owned boutiques. If you want a change of scenery, Perth is a great place to visit for your long weekend getaways.
8 – Ottawa, Ontario
Hours From Toronto: 4 to 4.5 hours
Canada’s capital city will of course make it to this list. With its many historical buildings and antiquated past, you can find plenty to do in Ottawa – and learn a lot while you’re at it. Don’t forget, you can also tack this destination onto another that’s on the way for you to really make it an adventurous long weekend.
Here’s an Itinerary For A 1 Night Stay In Ottawa.
9 – Chelsea, Quebec
Hours From Toronto: 4 to 4.5 hours
Chelsea is a hidden gem that I highly recommend visiting. I stayed at the best bed and breakfast ever at Auberge Tom B&B and this was the biggest reason why our 3 days in Chelsea, Quebec was so amazing. I found this B&B on Hotels.com but if you choose to stay at this spectacular B&B, book on their website at Auberge Tom B&B and let them know that DANA was your referral for your stay when you book! You also get privileged client status as a returning guest and can get free in-room snack service every day and a free night after the 10th night on a minimum 2-night stay. Not only do you get amazing accommodations and farm-to-table foods, but you can also visit Parc Omega – a safari park where animals are in their own habitat. This is definitely one of the best road trips I’ve had!
Here is an Itinerary For 3 Days In Chelsea, Quebec.
10 – Bruce Peninsula, Ontario
Hours From Toronto: 4 to 5 hours
Bruce Peninsula is one of the best long weekend getaways from Toronto. Personally, I’ve only visited Bruce Peninsula on day trips and have not stayed overnight yet even though it is a long drive to and from Toronto in one day. But it’s absolutely worth the breathtaking views, turquoise blue waters, and enormous walk-in cave (The Grotto) that is rare to find in the Toronto area, or Ontario in general. I do recommend staying overnight because a lot of people probably don’t want to do that 10-hour drive roundtrip in one day. Plus, you’ll be hiking or doing other activities that require a lot of energy.
Here is a Guide To The Great Tobermory Outdoors
11 – Montréal, Quebec
Hours From Toronto: 5.5 hours
I always love heading to Quebec since I love that I feel like I’m in a different country sometimes, the delicious authentic food, and even the nature they have that Toronto doesn’t. Although it may be helpful to know some French here, you can get by decently well with just English. They have buildings with amazing architecture and are National Historic Sites of Montréal that you have to visit including St. Joseph’s Oratory and the Notre-Dame Basilica.
Here is an Itinerary For A 1 Night Stay In Montréal.
12 – Quebec City, Quebec
Hours From Toronto: 8 to 9 hours
If you want to feel like you’re visiting Europe and really be immersed in the Quebec culture, the art of food, the cobblestone streets, and historical buildings, Quebec City is a must for your long weekend getaways. Although the drive is long, it is very much worth it. I actually drove 9 hours straight with only 2 stops for gas on the way back to Toronto one time. It’s the closest thing we Torontonians can get to leaving the country without leaving the country if you know what I mean! And the farther you drive into Quebec, the more you can see for yourself how different it is from Ontario. It really feels like a vacation when visiting this province and there is so much to see and explore.
Here is an Itinerary For A 2 Night 3 Day Stay In Quebec City.
Long Weekend Getaways That Require A Short Flight
Now, if you really like to make the most out of your long weekend and don’t mind early days and long nights, get on a plane! Even if you’re only spending 3 days away, these quick long weekend getaways are well worth it for that change of scenery. Obviously, I would try to push it past 3 days if you can, but the locations listed below are able to be visited within that time frame, assuming that you get a direct flight, plan out your exact itinerary, or if you don’t mind – just go with the flow and have fun.
13 – Burlington or Stowe, Vermont
Hours From Toronto: Under 1.5 hours
Just south of the Canadian border, Vermont is known for its natural beauty, scenic hikes, and creative food. Burlington shares an active arts scene and year-round entertainment for travelers in general or family fun. You can choose to partake in many activities, or just take it slow with their beautiful scenery.
If Burlington is a little too busy for you, visit the beautiful small mountain village of Stowe, especially during the fall to catch the leaves changing colors. They have great food with local ingredients and offer activities such as hiking, time on the lake, hot air balloon rides, or ski slopes. Their chalets and steeple-top churches will bring you all the right vibes for a long weekend getaway.
14 – New York City, New York
Hours From Toronto: Under 2 hours
One of the most popular long weekend getaways for Canadians is none other than New York City. You can take in all the live entertainment, iconic buildings, world-famous museums, luxurious shopping opportunities, and mouth-watering food all in one weekend – and more! That’s why we’ll keep coming back.
15 – Bar Harbor, Maine
Hours From Toronto: Under 2 hours
One of the most popular tourist destinations on the East Coast, this New England state has a beautiful coastal feel with fresh seafood and historical charm all around. And it is also right by the stunning Acadia National Park.
16 – Boston, Massachusetts
Hours From Toronto: Under 2 hours
Home to many museums, Harvard University, and a world-class food scene, Boston is also full of rich history. You’ll find plenty to do here while enjoying the beautiful architecture and gorgeous ocean views. There were a lot of firsts in Boston – having the country’s first public beach, America’s first subway, the first chocolate factory, the first American lighthouse, and much more. Boston has even been called many times the most beautiful state capital.
17 – Providence, Rhode Island
Hours From Toronto: Under 2 hours
Known as the Ocean State with its long coastline and dozens of white sand beaches, historic landmarks, and national parks, we’re taking cottage getaways to the next level. And if you like the spooky stuff, this island has quite some interesting haunted tales. It is also one of the oldest cities in the US.
18 – Chicago, Illinois
Hours From Toronto: 2 hours
With stunning skyscrapers, world-class museums, and award-winning restaurants, this urban jungle is full of places to explore. They also have a booming live music scene, amazing shopping opportunities, and gorgeous city views by the water. There’s also a lot of sightseeing that can be done without even spending a dime and there is no shortage of things to do in this vibrant city.
19 – Charleston, South Carolina
Hours From Toronto: 2 hours
For history lovers, you can really see their Southern roots and how they’re shaped by their past in this city with its architectural designs, cuisine, houses-turned-museums, and more. Charleston is one of the oldest cities in the US and now they not only have something for art and food lovers but the Old World Southern Charm for a perfect long weekend getaway.
20 – Outer Banks, North Carolina
Hours From Toronto: 1.5 hours, then 45 min car ride from Raleigh
For water lovers and coastal long weekend getaways, Outer Banks is the perfect location. Not only is it not too far from Toronto, but you can indulge in water activities like kiteboarding, windsurfing, diving, surfing, parasailing, kayaking, dolphin excursions, fishing, and more. If a pirate like Blackbeard had taken a liking to this location, so will you!
21 – St. Augustine, Florida
Hours From Toronto: 2.5 hours
The oldest city in the nation, it was founded in 1565 and is also home to the oldest house, oldest school-house, and oldest maritime port in the US. This very well-preserved city has pristine beaches, a great history to explore with many historical sites, horse-drawn carriages, and a European feel.
22 – Orlando, Florida
Hours From Toronto: 3 hours
Known for Disney World and Universal Studios, you can definitely spend a long weekend here. Although if you have the time and money, I’d definitely advise staying longer. If it’s just purely for a long weekend getaway, you may need to choose one or the other and go park-hopping.
Here are some tips for Visiting Disney World And My Theme Park Bag Essentials.
23 – West Palm Beach, Florida
Hours From Toronto: Under 3.5 hours
From their magnificent mansions to their upscale boutiques to the white sand beaches and fine dining, if you want glamorous long weekend getaways, West Palm Beach is it! They have great entertainment and nightlife as well as ritzy shopping areas, and great fishing spots.
24 – Miami, Florida
Hours From Toronto: 3.5 hours
Also my second home – Miami is absolutely doable for a long weekend getaway and I’ve done it many times. Known for its beautiful beaches, crazy nightlife, reggaeton music, and Latin food, you’re bound to have a blast in Miami. See the links below for more details on how to explore Miami like a local.
Here are the Best Beaches In Miami, Florida That Are Not South Beach, The Best Things To Do In Miami, and The Best Restaurants To Visit In Miami.
25 – Exuma, Bahamas (or Nassau or Paradise Island, Bahamas)
Hours From Toronto: 3.5 hours
For a relaxing long weekend getaway, Exuma exceeds expectations with its sapphire blue waters visible from outer space, white sand beaches, and famous swimming pigs. With exclusive island resorts and island-hopping opportunities, this is a real paradise vacation.
For a livelier long weekend getaway, Nassau or Paradise Island is also a popular option as its always bustling with visitors and has a great party scene, dozens of beaches, and you can even embark on many outdoor adventures including scuba diving, buggy tours, and jet skiing. And not to mention, you can even spend the majority of your time at the Atlantis Resort since they have the Aquaventure Water Park, a casino, tour the marine exhibits, Dolphin Cay, a robe bridge, manta ray feedings, and much more!
26 – Las Vegas, Nevada
Hours From Toronto: 5 hours
I know Las Vegas is the farthest destination for this long weekend getaway, but it’s absolutely doable. Sin City is the perfect destination to let loose, have some fun, and then get back to real life once the long weekend is over. Nights are long and days are slow, but if you want some excitement even for a short period of time, Las Vegas is the place to go.
For more travel inspiration and itineraries, read more in Destinations.