August 21, 2024
Oakville is an ideal town to visit and stay. With its unique attractions, diverse events, views of Lake Ontario, superb trail system and parks, and rich history there is plenty to do and see in Oakville. One of the key advantages to staying in Oakville is its close proximity to other must-see cities such as the Niagara Region, Toronto, and Stratford. With Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Stratford being an easy drive, it is convenient to stay in Oakville and day trip to these other cities. Oakville is also home to two Go Train station terminals and is a thirty minute drive from the Toronto Pearson International Airport making it easy to get to and to travel within.
This itinerary details three day trip options that you can take during your time in Oakville. Following this tour you can explore Niagara Region’s natural beauty, visit some of the top attractions in Toronto, or discover the art and culture scene in Stratford.
Before you arrive in Oakville, make sure you have booked your accommodations. Visit here to learn more about Oakville’s hotels and how to book your room.
Option 1-Niagara Falls & Niagara-on-The-Lake:
Explore Niagara’s Natural Beauty
Good morning! There is a lot to do and discover, so start your day with a big breakfast in Oakville at Narenj or Kerr Street Café in Kerr Village to fuel up for the fun day ahead of you. Once you have enjoyed your breakfast, it’s time to hit the road and discover what the Niagara Region has in store.
The first thing you must do in Niagara is visit Niagara Falls. This stunning waterfall can be seen from the sky, the water, and even from behind. Get your adrenalin pumping by taking a helicopter ride to see the city from above. Helicopter rides are 12 minutes in length and come with taped commentary available in 12 languages. Walk-ins are accepted, no prior reservations are necessary.
After you have made it back to solid ground, it’s time to take a Journey Behind the Falls. Here you can explore 130 year old tunnels, get a closer view of the falls from the observation deck, and look through viewing portals giving you a view of the falls from behind.
Fun fact: both the Journey Behind the Falls and the Niagara Helicopters operate during all four seasons.
After your visit to the Falls, wander up Clifton Hill, a street full of fun adventures that will make you feel like a kid again. Whether you are in the mood for miniature golf, go karting, or Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum, Clifton Hill has you covered.
After you have explored all that Clifton Hill has to offer, grab lunch at Table Rock House Restaurant. Enjoy your view of Niagara Falls while eating your locally sourced, Feast on Certified lunch. Reservations are recommended before arrival.
Next, take a short drive to the Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory. Explore the seasonal flowerbed displays before visiting the Butterfly Conservatory which is home to over 2,000 colourful butterflies!
After your eventful start to the day in Niagara Falls, it’s time to head to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
On your way to Niagara-on-the-Lake, stop by the Chocolate F/X and take a free 30-minute tour of the Chocolate factory. During the tour, you will learn about the Chocolate Factory’s history and will get to indulge in a tasting of some of their most popular items. Book your tour in advance here.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a quaint town located in the heart of wine country. Walk or take a horsedrawn carriage tour and discover the historic Queen Street, survey the local architecture, and window shop at the unique businesses and stores.
As the sun sets on your day in the Niagara Region, it’s time to make your way back to Oakville, but no trip to Niagara is complete until you’ve visited a winery. Have dinner at Megalomaniac Winery. Compliment your dinner with a breathtaking view of their vineyard from their dining room.
Option 2: Toronto
Visit Five of Toronto’s Top Attractions
Start your morning with breakfast in Bronte Village at El Spero before making your way to Toronto. Toronto is easily accessible from Oakville by car or train. Take the Go Train to Toronto to avoid the hassle of finding and paying for parking in the city. Visit here to view the Go Train’s schedule.
When you arrive in Toronto your first stop will be the Museum of Illusions. This mind-bending museum showcases over 70 exhibits featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms designed to trick your mind.
After you have visited the Museum of Illusions, visit St. James Park. This park is home to a food market themed playground, water fountain, flowerbeds, and an open-air pavilion. Burn off some extra energy and enjoy the peaceful green space before making your way to the St. Lawrence Market to pick up a light lunch. Visit here to see a list of all the vendors showcasing their products at the Market.
After your lunch, make your way to the Hockey Hall of Fame. With it’s exhibits, interactive experiences, and 3-D theatres, the Hockey Hall of Fame is a go-to place for sports enthusiasts. Along your way, be sure to stop at Berczy Park and take a photo of their unique dog water fountain.
Next, it’s time to visit Ripley’s Aquarium, home to over 80 aquatic species. Walk throughout the aquarium and view the animals in their terrariums or if you are interested in getting a closer look, try their stingray experience where you’ll get to interact with the stingrays in the water.
Once you have enjoyed the Aquarium, take a walk next door to the CN Tower for dinner. Book reservations before you arrive and enjoy a 360 view of Toronto from the Top of the Tower. The platform at the 360 restaurant will slowly rotate during your dinner so you will get a full view of Toronto from your table. Can you point out all the locations you have been to from above?
Helpful Hint: If you have dinner reservations, you do not need to purchase an additional ticket to see the rest of the Tower’s observation levels.
After you have enjoyed your dinner visit the Look Out and Glass Floor Levels before you leave.
The CN Tower is less than a 10-minute walk from Union Station. Take the Sky Way Path and you will be able to find your way back to Union Station in time to catch the train back to Oakville.
Option 3: Stratford
Immerse yourself in Stratford’s art and culture scene
Greet the day with a quick bite at Figaro Coffeehouse in downtown Oakville before heading off to Stratford.
Your first stop in Stratford is at the Stratford and Perth Museum. Explore their current exhibits such as the Railroad Century exhibit which tells the story of Stratford as a railway hub or the Justin Bieber: Steps to Stardom exhibit which showcases personal items donated to the museum by the Bieber family. Be sure to visit the Museum’s event page to see if they will be hosting any events during your visit.
Once you have explored the Museum make your way to Brch and Wyn. Along your way, stop at the Shakespearean Gardens. When this garden was first created only plants and flowers mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays were planted in this garden. Throughout the years the garden has expanded to include a more diverse range of plants. The garden is also home to a 65-foot chimney that was once attached to the Dufton Woolen Mill built in 1974. The mill burned down in 1919, but the chimney remains.
After you have explored Shakesperean Gardens have lunch at Brch and Wyn. Brch and Wyn is part café part wine bar. You can order from their brunch, lunch, or bar menu depending on what mood you are in.
Next, it’s time to catch a matinée at the Stratford Festival. Every season the Stratford Festival presents over ten productions in four distinctive venues. Visit their website to see what plays they have running during your visit.
Your last stop in Stratford is the Gallery Stratford located near Confederation Park. Visit the park and view the public art showcased in the park before entering the gallery to explore the museum’s current exhibits.
Wrap up your time in Stratford with dinner at the Blue Bird Restaurant and Bar. Reservations are recommended. You can make a reservation here. Blue Bird Restaurant and Bar is known for their bistronomy style menu that takes inspiration from Stratford’s agricultural landscape.
We hope you have enjoyed your day trips exploring Oakville’s surrounding cities! If you are looking for inspiration on how to spend the rest of your time in Oakville, visit our itinerary page here and be sure to visit our event calendar to see what Oakville events are happening during your stay!
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