From Path to Desk: Epic Outside Experiences & Native Eats for Adventurers & Foodies
On the subject of outside journey, two Ontario locations stand out from the pack with epic hikes, water sports activities and surroundings that leaves little to be desired. When you’re there although, the place do you eat? In York-Durham-Headwaters and Thunder Bay, the choices are fairly darn infinite. So, skip the quick meals joints and massive chain eating places.
Swap them out for locally-sourced picnics by the water, lake-fresh fish and farm to desk fare celebrating the perfect Ontario has to supply. So, what are you ready for? Begin planning your summer time escape now!
Don’t really feel like studying the entire thing? Skip forward by vacation spot.
On the subject of the thrills, York-Durham-Headwaters (YDH) gives up some large ones. Whether or not you wish to take pleasure in a path hike, make the large catch with deep water fishing or strive your arms at wake browsing, you’ve obtained choices. We paired every of those adventures with implausible eats so maintain studying. Skip forward by your journey of selection.
Path Hub: Mountain climbing, Biking and Bites
The place: 722 Chalk Lake Rd, Uxbridge, ON (View Map)
Get shifting at Path Hub in Uxbridge— an occasions and recreation vacation spot surrounded by 240 km of trails for mountain biking, mountaineering and leisurely walks below an hour from Toronto. Whether or not you kind your self out with a day go or a season’s go (single or household charges out there), you may benefit from the thrill of being outside and on well-groomed trails. Seize your bike, your loved ones, associates and even your canine for an exciting day.
Keen for more information? Take a look at their web site.
Once you’re finished, it’s time to refuel! Path Hub is Feast On® licensed, which means we audited them to show they’re sourcing Ontario grown and raised components. Cease by The Nest, their on-site farm-to-table restaurant for contemporary, seasonal eats like sumac-roasted Ontario heirloom carrots, a wheel of Feast On® licensed Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese Brigid’s Brie coated in wildflower honey from Rosewood Estates or a pan roasted duck from Ontario’s personal King Cole Geese.
On the lookout for a faster choice and keen to remain outside? Handlebar Grill operates out of a meals truck trailside so you may maintain having fun with these contemporary Ontario components in every thing from a pint of Muskoka Brewery beer to a Kawartha Dairy ice cream cone.
Sizzling Tip: On June twenty first, Path Hub is internet hosting The Entire Enchilada— a path operating occasion with race choices starting from 1km for youths as much as 50km!
Hit the Greens + Seize a Brew or Two
Osprey Valley is ideal for many who take their {golfing} significantly. Host of this yr’s 2025 Canadian Open and residential to three of Canada’s High 100 Programs, this spot must be on any eager golfer’s Bucket Listing. We suggest hitting the inexperienced within the morning (select from three totally different programs) and when lunch time rolls round…properly, let’s simply say, we’ve got concepts.
That after all begins by visiting the on-site restaurant, Two Brothers, for some rattling scrumptious eats. Assume every thing from rooster wings tossed in Osprey’s personal bourbon-BBQ sauce to Montréal-style smoked brisket on house-made sourdough. Drooling but?
Two Brothers additionally brews a choice of their very own beers like juicy IPAs and crisp,mild lagers. Should you’re tremendous eager, take a look at their Brewmaster’s Dinner collection to dive into the craft beer scene of the native space.
Wish to maintain exploring that aforementioned craft beer scene? Close by choices embody Feast On® licensed Goodlot Brewing, dwelling to an natural hop farm and photo voltaic powered brewery churning out a few of Ontario’s tastiest ales like Mellow Gold— and simple going blonde ale— and Nation Darkish, a German-style Dunkel made with Ontario all-Ontario noble hops.
Additionally close by, Sonnen Hill Brewery celebrates a familial custom of brewing that dates again to 1822! Attempt their Flower City saison aged on dandelions from their discipline and chamomile from their backyard for further funk or the Pils for a clear end and that pretty malt palette.
Hockley Valley Resort: Mountain Biking + Dome Eating
The place: 793522 third Line EHS, Mono, ON (View Map)
Come summer time, Hockley Valley is bursting with good greens, operating streams and the sounds of birds within the air. Why not e-book a keep at Hockley Valley Resort to essentially soak all of it in? Whereas they’re identified for his or her ski hills within the winter, summer time boasts the right alternative to benefit from the contemporary air and seasonal eating.
Hockley Valley Resort is ideal for amping up the outside enjoyable. Get in a spherical of golf on their 18-hole course, pump up your adrenaline with 8km of mountain biking trails or maintain issues a bit extra chill with garden video games like badminton, spike ball or big jenga. It’s vacay in any case! The most effective half? You possibly can recuperate post-adventure at their on-site spa.
On the subject of eating, Hockley Valley Resort leaves little to be desired by any foodie. Recent produce from the resort’s two-acre natural farm shines in each dish and an on-site vineyard makes pairing simple breezy. We suggest beginning at one among two on-site eating places to soak within the magic.
Cabin 1865 boasts dishes like Adamo Property Vineyard cured and dry aged speck, beef quick rib croquettes and spaghettini with Ontario buffalo mozzarella. Barro, their different restaurant, boasts native dishes like Wellington County dry-aged steak, mista platters with meat and cheese and matcha panna cotta with stewed melon— yum!
Wish to strive one thing much more thrilling? Their geodesic domes imply you get private-dining in your personal see-through dome so you may really feel such as you’re consuming el fresco however with slightly extra privateness. Cool, eh?
Mansfield Outside Centre + Maple Grove Farm & Market
The place: Mansfield Outside Centre, 937365 Airport Rd, Mulmur, ON (View Map) and Maple Grove Farm Market, 936215 Airport Rd, Mansfield, ON (View Map)
9-minute drive, 35-minute cycle
Mansfield Outside Centre boasts a great deal of choices, whether or not you’re searching for a brand new problem or a leisurely day outside with the household. For these trying to kick issues into excessive gear, go for a path with gentle, sandy, and dry soil—excellent in your sneakers or soak up 30 kms of single observe or double observe XC Mountain Biking Trails. The oldsters at Mansfield have curated the paths with pure and man-made challenges designed to thrill each rider.
Extra into the contemporary air and a easy hike? How a couple of wee swim? Take pleasure in one of many simpler on-site path loops, excellent for bringing the entire household in order for you, after which chill with a picnic riverside alongside the Pine River. It’s an ideal spot to chill off within the water (don’t overlook to pack a washing swimsuit!) after which chill to absorb the view. Ahhhh.
Wish to fill up for that aforementioned picnic? Nice concept. Maple Grove Market is the right spot to do exactly that. Simply an 8-minute drive away, Maple Grove boasts a complete lot of flavour come summer time.
Assume juicy strawberries proper from the sector (and the choice to pick-your-own when in season), baked items that includes seasonal produce like raspberry scones and blueberry cinnamon buns, snacks from Ontario producers like Miller’s Dairy Ice Cream and kettle popcorn from Wild Kernel Co. Wash all of it down with Ontario-made drinks like Feast On® licensed Sapsucker or skip the grocery store for his or her signature pizza made with seasonal eats like contemporary asparagus, native meats and extra!
Deepwater Fishing in Whitby + Waterfront Eating
Do you like to go after the freshest catch? Are you all about that lake life? Whitby in Durham Area gives a number of outfitters who can take you out onto Lake Ontario to trace down the large one!
Head out at dawn and luxuriate in lake views for miles as you strive your hand at catching every thing from Brown Trout and Coho Salmon to Steelhead Trout, Chinook Salmon and extra. Whether or not you wish to do the soiled work your self or head out with a constitution who will bait the hooks for you, you’ll discover loads of choices to fit your fishing type.
When the fishing day is completed, wash up and head out for some nice eats overlooking the water! About 20 minutes from Whitby, PORT Restaurant in Pickering gives sweeping views of Frenchman’s Bay from each the eating room and patio. In the summertime months take pleasure in pleasant do-it-yourself pastas and contemporary salads price writing dwelling about alongside among the locally-caught fish.
On the lookout for one thing slightly extra informal? City Pumphouse is a City Brewery pop-up on the waterfront of Whitby open solely in the course of the summer time months. Sip on their house-made craft brews (We love their Straightforward Tiger non-alc lager), strive one of many pizzas the parents at Feast On® licensed Lowlands Fireplace Meals are slinging and even go for a dip! It’s summer time in any case.
Water Spots and Eating in Georgina
On the subject of getting out on the water, no one gives the fun of Lake Simcoe the best way Georgina, Ontario does! Not solely is Georgina dwelling to 3 waterfront parks that supply the chance to take a dip and benefit from the water anytime, however in addition they boast skilled guides who can take you out for a day of waterskiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing and extra!
Wish to strive one thing new? Teams like Simcoe Wake Sports activities supply classes in wakesurfing, wakeboarding and waterskiing with the choice so as to add on slightly tubing for enjoyable! Already seasoned and simply wish to deal with discovering an excellent rental? There are a great deal of choices for that! From boards and boats to jetskis, your enjoyable on the water is simply starting.
Because the day winds down and also you’ve certainly labored up an urge for food, Nook Home Bistro gives up surf and turf, contemporary eats like marinated beet salad and burrata and crispy phyllo-wrapped chèvre, paired with candied pecans— yum!
This summer time, journey is ready for you in Thunder Bay. Whether or not you wish to hike Sleeping Large, dip your toes in Lake Superior or climb the sting of a rock face, there are many locations to gasoline up or refuel afterwards. Allow us to information the best way.
Gasoline Your Hike at Sleeping Large
The place: Items & Co. 251 Pink River Rd, Thunder Bay, ON (View Map)
The High of the Large hike at Sleeping Large Provincial Park is a bucket listing hike for a lot of summer time adventurers. This 22km hike (spherical journey) will deliver you to one among Ontario’s steepest vertical drops and among the most breathtaking views you’ve ever seen.
These trying to pace up the time it takes are in a position to cycle the primary 6 km in and the final 6km out with spots to lock up your bike alongside the best way. Must lease? Take a look at Rollin’ Thunder Bike and Ski in downtown Thunder Bay.
As a result of this hike will take up most of your day, we suggest attending to Thunder Bay the day earlier than and stocking up on some picnic necessities at Items and Co. This downtown market is made up of a great deal of native distributors promoting every thing from farm contemporary produce and locally-tapped maple syrup to full meals like jollof rice and veggie protein bowls.
It’s additionally an excellent spot to fill up on souvenirs on the finish of your journey (suppose native paintings, sauna necessities and extra) or seize a cocktail! Simply keep in mind that no matter you herald must also come out with you!
Bonus Sizzling Tip: When the day of the hike strikes, we suggest getting your caffeine repair downtown at St Paul Roastery! This native espresso roaster makes a imply cappuccino and when you’re mountaineering Wednesday-Saturday, scoot subsequent door to seize a fast baked good (no judgement) from Swell Bakery. Significantly, don’t sleep on this!
Submit Swim Beers + Pizza at a Native Brewery
The place: Lakehead Beer/Tomlin Subdivision, 206 Park Ave, Thunder Bay, ON (View Map)
Lake Superior: she’s large, she’s breathtaking and yeah, she’s a wee bit chilly. There’s no one fairly like her! By floor space, Lake Superior is the most important freshwater lake on the earth and so it’s no marvel that swimmers flock to her shores each summer time to take a dip, strive their hand at paddle boarding or take a crack at different thrilling adventures like wakeboarding or kite browsing.
Should you’re a kind of nautical fiends, Thunder Bay gained’t disappoint. A number of seashores within the metropolis correct and surrounding areas supply an excellent place to chill within the sand or dip your toes in! Personally, we suggest trying out Wild Goose Seaside for family-friendly swims or bounce into the waters at Sandy Seaside in Chippewa Park!
After a day within the solar, nothing hits the spot like beer and pizza. Are we proper or are we proper? Head to Lakehead Beer proper within the coronary heart of downtown Thunder Bay (walkable from most motels) and order up a pint of one among three basic brews: a pilsner, an IPA or a light-weight lager. There’s no playing around right here, simply clear, easy beer straight from the intense tank and served on the optimum temperature.
Should you’re feeling peckish, Tomlin Subdivision is in the identical constructing and serves up unreal Detroit-style pizzas with these crunchy tacky edges, a set of basic subs (strive the shawarma tofu sub for us, will ya?) and a bunch of sharable snacks like deep fried pickles, mozza sticks and even pork stomach.
Refuel After Your Paddle with Epic Burgers
The place: The Eddy Restaurant, 4744 ON-11 #17, Kakabeka Falls, ON (View Map); Dawson Common Retailer, 3130 Dawson Rd, Thunder Bay, ON (View Map); or Tomlin, 202 1/2 Pink River Rd, Thunder Bay, ON (View Map)
Seize your paddle and hit the open waterways surrounding Thunder Bay if a day canoeing or kayaking sounds proper up your alley.
Thought-about the final word launchpad for a few of Ontario’s most epic paddling routes, Thunder Bay is a dream for anybody who likes to canoe or kayak. Whether or not you’re in it for a breezy afternoon float or a multi-day backcountry journey, the choices are infinite—and so is the satisfaction of that well-earned post-paddle feast.
Critical paddlers, get able to dip your paddles into the pristine waters of Sleeping Large Provincial Park or tackle the legendary 2,000+ lakes of Quetico Provincial Park, the place backcountry canoeing isn’t simply an exercise—it’s a ceremony of passage.
Desire a extra laid-back paddle? No drawback! Keep proper within the metropolis and float via historical past at Fort William Historic Park (bonus: you may even paddle an genuine birch bark canoe!) or take in the surroundings at Boulevard Lake.
Talking of that post-paddle feast, we predict a burger could be the right cherry (or perhaps pickle) on prime of a day of paddling, don’t you? You’ve obtained choices. In your method again into town, uncover road-side burgers at The Eddy or Dawson Common Retailer.
The Eddy is all about doing issues from scratch and doing them properly. Begin with their signature Eddy Burger (we suggest some candy potato fries on the aspect) which includes a do-it-yourself toasted bun and a 5oz pressed-in-house floor beef patty topped with lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles. Slather than in ketchup and mustard? Match made in heaven.
Over at Dawson Common Retailer you’ll be met with simply that— a common retailer. Don’t be fooled although! THis operation is dwelling to top-of-the-line dang burgers we’ve tasted. With two do-it-yourself patties smashed proper on the grill and popped right into a freshly-baked-that-day bun, they maintain it easy and scrumptious. Subsequent, the burger is topped with slide dill pickles, candy onions, melty cheese and their very own home made secret burger sauce.
Lastly, when you occur to seek out your self in Thunder Bay on a Tuesday, that’s burger night time at Tomlin Restaurant downtown! This farm to desk restaurant will certainly have a line out the door so present up early and prepare to feast on an excellent burger (ideally paired up with a craft cocktail).
Have fun a Nice Rock Climb with Margs and Tacos
The place: Norteños Cantina, 235 Pink River Rd, Thunder Bay, ON (View Map)
Summer season is the right time to tackle a brand new problem, and nothing says problem like scaling a rock face. Are we proper, or are we proper? For starters, Thunder Bay boasts among the continent’s finest granite for climbing (it’s outdated and it’s exhausting), and while you attain the highest? The views take your breath away.
Should you’re new to climbing, we suggest heading out on a guided climb with The Alpine Membership of Canada or Outside Abilities and Thrills. Should you’re a newbie, they’ll actually present you the ropes, and regardless of your talent degree, they’ll information you thru a secure and thrilling climb.
As if the views weren’t sufficient, we predict you’ve earned a post-climb margarita! In any case, why not throw in a taco or two? Downtown, simply steps from Items & Co., Norteños Cantina serves up contemporary Mexican-style eats in a shiny and enjoyable ambiance, excellent for celebrating.
Dive headfirst into the Birria tacos, served with a beef dip so good you’ll wish to bathe in it, or go for the alitas—fried lil’ items of rooster wing goodness tossed in chipotle honey sauce. In the meantime, if crispy pork stomach is extra your type, strive the chicarrones. Actually, you may’t go flawed.
Now let’s speak margs. We’re large followers of the Frida Marghalo, a mixture of Blanco tequila, cherry brandy, watermelon-mint shrub, lime, agave syrup, and pink Himalayan sea salt. However who wouldn’t be? Desire a basic? No worries—they’ve obtained that too. Or, give the Tropical Thunder a go for a pineapple twist.
Cheers to extra adventures like this one!
Wish to maintain exploring?
Nice concept. Take a look at this web page for extra scrumptious itineraries from throughout Ontario!
