Winter in Ontario can feel long. The days are shorter, the air is sharper, and it’s tempting to stay inside until spring. But some of our favourite memories have happened when we chose to layer up and head outside instead of waiting for warmer weather.
There’s something about fresh snow under your boots and crisp air that makes winter feel different in the best way. If you’re looking for simple winter day trips in Ontario that are actually worth it, these are a few we genuinely enjoyed.
If we had to choose our favourite winter day trip idea, it would be a spa day. After visiting Thermea Spa Village Whitby, we understand why so many people love it.
The first thing that stood out to us was its design. The space feels modern but still warm, with dark tones, wood elements, and soft lighting. What makes it especially calming is that most of what you see around you is natural: wood, stone, subtle metallic details, trees, plants, and even little creeks outside.
The Spa Village itself is large. There are several hot baths ranging from 69 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as cold plunges at 39–59 degrees Fahrenheit.
The experience is built around the thermal cycle: moving from hot to cold and then resting before repeating the cycle. Moving through this rhythm, we could feel the energy shift within our bodies.
There are six saunas, two steam rooms, and hourly rituals throughout the day. We joined an Aufguss session, which is a guided sauna ritual. They combined heat, essential oils, and sound elements to create a unique and deeply relaxing meditation experience.
One of the highlights for us was the Kalla experience. It’s a saltwater bath where you float effortlessly due to high salinity, similar to the Dead Sea. Once you immerse yourself in the water, you hear healing sounds through the water itself, which was incredibly relaxing and unlike anything we’ve tried before.
The spa also includes heated domes and an A-frame rest area with a fireplace where guests can relax, read, or simply sit and observe nature. The entire space is phone-free, which creates a real sense of privacy and allows everyone to fully disconnect.
We arrived right at 8 a.m. and were lucky enough to catch the sunrise before the clouds filled the sky for the rest of the day.
Pro tip: Thermea Spa Village pairs perfectly with all our other suggestions below, so you can combine winter fun and relaxation to create the ultimate road trip.
Seeing a waterfall in winter is a completely different experience compared to visiting in the summer.
The walk to Tiffany Falls is short, about 10 minutes, and beginner-friendly. When we visited, the trail was fully covered in snow, and the whole area looked bright and quiet. Our boots crunched with every step, and the small creek beside the path was frozen on top while water continued flowing underneath.
Most of the waterfall was completely frozen, with only a small section of water still flowing down the rock. The amount of ice built up around it was impressive. We stood there for a minute just looking at it, fascinated by how powerful and massive it felt in person.
Parking is something to plan for. The lot is small, with space for about 10 to 15 cars, and it works on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is paid onsite and costs around CAD 12.
It’s one of the best frozen waterfalls in the area and is definitely worth the drive.
Snow tubing at Snow Valley in Barrie is one of those classic winter activities that’s just easy and nostalgic fun.
The tubing park has 14 different chutes and three lifts that bring you back up after each run. There are steeper, faster runs and some that are more relaxed, so you can choose what feels comfortable to you. We used the two-hour tubing pass, which gave us plenty of time to get around 10 runs in without feeling rushed.
Even though the slope looks steep from the top, there’s very little chance of the tube flipping over. After the first ride, any nerves disappear, and it just becomes pure fun.
There are heated areas and washrooms on-site, which make it easy to take short breaks between runs. It’s a great winter option if you’re visiting with friends.
This destination is a 40-minute drive from Thermea Spa Village Whitby—combine these experiences for the perfect day!
Haute Goat Farm was a winter stop we didn’t expect to enjoy as much as we did.
The tour starts by walking around with a group of small dwarf goats. These little creatures are friendly, curious, and don’t have horns, which makes them fun to be around without feeling intimidating.
During the walk, we made a stop near some arborvitae, which are apparently their favourite snack. We had lots of fun feeding it to them and taking pictures while they happily gathered around.
There were also alpacas, and we had to be careful not to stare at them too long since alpacas can spit if they feel uncomfortable. It actually spat at our guide once, which was very funny.
The farm also had little pigs and Icelandic horses. Both are very cute.
Spending a couple of hours walking with the animals in a quiet countryside setting was something we didn’t know we needed.
Winter feels different when you choose to step into it rather than avoid it. For us, these experiences make winter in Ontario a truly special time.
If you’re planning a winter day trip in the GTA, pairing your outdoor adventure with a visit to Thermea Spa Village Whitby is an easy way to make it even more memorable.
Written by Max & Alex, @across_continentss
As a 30 year-old living in Winnipeg, it can be easy to wrap up the workday at 5 p.m. and simply live for the weekend. But lately, I’ve been trying to romanticize my evenings a little more and find new ways to slow down, recharge, and do things that actually fill my cup during the week.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or constantly “on,” here’s why your brain and nervous system need regular breaks—and how to start.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or constantly “on,” here’s why your brain and nervous system need regular breaks—and how to start.
