[PRESENTED BY ONTARIO TOURISM]

Images courtesy of Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation

In the lazy days of August, people can find themselves with time on their side and an inclination to go for a drive to explore beautiful Ontario. Here are some truly unique destination ideas.

Beaches of Lake Huron

It has been a blazing summer and the beaches are packed – or are they? Beyond the long stretch of white sand at Wasaga Beach, the east coast of Lake Huron offers beautiful scenery, charming, historic towns with equally charming accommodations, and ages ago the receding glaciers left us all a present of one sandy beach after another. One such sandy stretch is located at Inverhuron Provincial Park, just south of the beaches and bike trails at McGregor Point Provincial Park and north of the dunes of the gorgeous Pinery Provincial Park, home to a wondrous array of indigenous flora and fauna.

Rideau Canal Heritage Route

The Rideau Canal, completed in 1832, was built to link the rivers and lakes between Kingston, Canada’s first capital, and Ottawa, where the capital is currently located. Now a UNESCO-designated World Heritage site, the span of the Rideau takes in history, nature, activities, architecture, festivals and events. Start with a visit to Kingston’s redoubt, Fort Henry, and finish near the very steps of Canada’s Parliament.

Amherstburg

What comes to mind when you think of a picture-postcard pretty Ontario town that is close to wineries, is filled with charm and history, and even has its own fort to guard against the Americans? No, Niagara-on-the-Lake is not the subject here. Amherstburg, just south of Detroit, is a gem you may not be familiar with. A drive along Lake Erie’s north shore towards Amherstburg will take you past Point Pelee, past Carolinian forests, wineries, festivals,
Lots of tasty food, and more than a few beaches.

Tobermory

Pointing like a finger to mystic Manitoulin, the world’s largest freshwater island, is the nature-filled wonderment known as the Bruce Peninsula with Tobermory at its tip. The waters of Georgian Bay are like azure glass and they hold over nineteen historic shipwrecks, clearly visible from the glass-bottomed boat you can tour Fathom Five National Park in. Bruce Peninsula National Park is filled with wildlife and geological oddities like the Blue Grotto, and if you pass by Blue Mountains on the way up, don’t forget to check out the ziplines, treetop trek, festivals and events.

Fashion History Museum, Cambridge

Located in north Cambridge (minutes from the 401), this little jewel-box of a museum is profiling, until September, one of the largest known collections of Ken dolls. That’s right: Barbie’s boyfriend and all his cultural baggage have been literally curated into a charming, amusing and insightful observation about eras, fashion, culture and innocence. You may also wish to visit the FHM’s permanent collection of over ten thousand fashion artifacts dating from the 17th to the 20th century, open between noon and 5 pm. And if that doesn’t make you feel special, lunch, dinner or Afternoon Tea at the splendid Langdon Hall will really put the cherry on top. Reservations recommended.

For Ontario’s best road trip itineraries or an online concierge that helps you pack your online suitcase for your own destinations, consult http://www.ontariotravel.net , #DiscoverON, or call 1-800-ONTARIO