{"id":1541,"date":"2018-01-15T20:31:30","date_gmt":"2018-01-15T20:31:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/?p=1541"},"modified":"2025-10-21T18:07:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T18:07:26","slug":"vacation-ideas-for-summer-2018-plan-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/vacation-ideas-for-summer-2018-plan-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Vacation ideas for Summer 2018 \u2013 Plan NOW"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"b12171e95ca29a06569361a76d0dc3e3\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:10px 0 10px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<script data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6144103376590397\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1542\" src=\"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Screen-Shot-2018-01-15-at-3.15.57-PM-300x186.png\" alt=\"trent severn waterway\" width=\"300\" height=\"186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Screen-Shot-2018-01-15-at-3.15.57-PM-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Screen-Shot-2018-01-15-at-3.15.57-PM.png 795w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In the dead of winter, the last thing you think about is what you\u2019re going to be doing for your summer holidays, but trust us, now is the best time to plan. Use some of those dreary winter days to do your research and explore your options; some places even have winter specials to entice you to commit early. When planning, we tend to think of the biggies\u2026Toronto, Ottawa and Niagara Falls. But there are so many great regions to discover that may not yet be on your list. You can see loads more here: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/discover-ontario-places-to-explore.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/discover-ontario-places-to-explore.html<\/a>\u00a0 but we\u2019ve started you off with 6 just to prove that it is time to venture out of your comfort zone!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1543 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/article1_jan122018.jpg\" alt=\"Irish Festival in Quinte West\" width=\"257\" height=\"141\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quintewest.ca\/en\/index.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Quinte West<\/a> \u2013 Eastern ON<\/h2>\n<p>Quinte West is located on the shores of the Bay of Quinte &#8212; gateway to the world-famous <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pc.gc.ca\/en\/lhn-nhs\/on\/trentsevern\/index\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Trent Severn Waterway<\/a>. In addition to being the home of the famous <a href=\"http:\/\/www.trentonscottishirish.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Trenton Scottish Irish Festival<\/a>, it has loads more to offer. Learn about its historical and military roots, enjoy the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.quinteribfest.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Quinte Ribfest<\/a>, shop in its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quintewest.ca\/en\/visit-discover\/farmersmarket.asp?_mid_=13551\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">farmers\u2019 market<\/a> with local fare, boat or fish in its inland waterways or just enjoy the warm and friendly people.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1544\" src=\"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/article2_jan122018.jpg\" alt=\"Port Colborne Lake Erie\" width=\"257\" height=\"141\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/portcolborne.ca\/page\/attractions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Port Colborne<\/a>\u00a0 &#8211; Niagara<\/h2>\n<p>Located on the N shore of Lake Erie, along the historic <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thoroldtourism.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Welland Canal<\/a>, Port Colborne is steeped in marine heritage. With the Canal, and ample beachfront, it is also a scenic place to visit. Learn about the Canal at the <a href=\"http:\/\/portcolborne.ca\/page\/museum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum<\/a> and watch ships pass through one of the longest canal locks in the world. Bring locally grown foods home from the century-old <a href=\"http:\/\/portcolborne.ca\/page\/farmers_market\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Port Colborne Farmers&#8217; Market<\/a>. Scuba dive in the waters of Lake Erie, where you can explore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.eriewrecks.com\/eriewrecks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">20 marine wrecks<\/a> within a 20 mile radius. Or celebrate <a href=\"http:\/\/www.portcolborne.ca\/page\/canal_days\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Canal Days<\/a>, the area\u2019s signature event.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1545 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/article3_jan122018.jpg\" alt=\"Kincardine Scottish Festival\" width=\"257\" height=\"141\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/visitkincardine.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Kincardine<\/a> \u2013 SW ON<\/h2>\n<p>Kincardine\u2019s Scottish roots are what led to its Kilt-focused advertising tag line: \u201cPants optional. Leave your pants at home and embrace the Scottish lifestyle\u201d. The signature event celebrating that heritage is the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kincardinescottishfestival.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Kincardine Scottish Festival<\/a> &amp; Highland Games, but that wonderful event is not the only reason to visit Kincardine.\u00a0Hike, bike, &amp; explore &gt;30km of scenic, winding trails and lakeside boardwalks and relax on beautiful beaches. Visit the historic 1880\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.brucecoastlighthouses.com\/lighthouses\/kincardine-lighthouse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Lighthouse<\/a> &amp; so much more.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1546\" src=\"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/article4_jan122018.jpg\" alt=\"article4_jan122018\" width=\"257\" height=\"141\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.clarington.net\/en\/index.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Clarington<\/a> \u2013 GTA<\/h2>\n<p>45 minutes east of Toronto along the shore of Lake Ontario is the municipality of Clarington, which might be small, but is also mighty! It boasts a world-class race track (<a href=\"http:\/\/canadiantiremotorsportpark.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Canadian Tire Motorsport Park<\/a>), the <a href=\"https:\/\/brimacombe.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Brimacombe<\/a> Ski Hill, awesome fishing, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.junglecatworld.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Jungle Cat World<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/treetoptrekking.com\/en\/ganaraska\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Tree Top Trekking Ganaraska<\/a> plus sandy beaches, cool events, and more. With 400 working farms, it also offers a unique mix of rural and urban that is hard to find anywhere else.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1547\" src=\"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/article5_jan122018.jpg\" alt=\"Cobourg beaches\" width=\"257\" height=\"141\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cobourgtourism.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Cobourg<\/a> \u2013 Central ON<\/h2>\n<p>If you are looking for a beachy getaway, you don\u2019t need to visit an island. Cobourg \u2013 an hour east of Toronto, has soft sand, a clean shoreline, clear water &amp; a firm sandy bottom that stays shallow a long distance from shore, making it perfect for water fun! And it has lifeguards during prime swimming hours. Even its Summer Festivals are beachy, like the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cobourgtourism.ca\/sandcastle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Sandcastle Festival<\/a>, where amateurs &amp; master sculptors create sand masterpieces. Biking, hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking, SUP, horseback riding, skiing, &amp; snowshoeing make this area a four season destination.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1548\" src=\"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/article6_jan122018.jpg\" alt=\"Thunder Bay \" width=\"257\" height=\"141\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thunderbay.ca\/visiting.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Thunder Bay<\/a> \u2013 Northern ON<\/h2>\n<p>Thunder Bay is known as an \u201cOutdoor City\u201d for good reason. It has the world&#8217;s largest fresh water lake, the boreal forest and the Nor&#8217;Wester Mountain range, so outdoor adventure is Thunder Bay\u2019s middle name. Get sweaty paddling,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/eaglecanyonadventures.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">zip lining,\u00a0rock climbing<\/a>\u00a0or <a href=\"http:\/\/tbaycc.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">mountain biking<\/a>, reel in a big fish, take a canoe trip or walk across Canada&#8217;s longest suspension bridge at Eagle Canyon. Take a boat tour of the Thunder Bay Harbour or get a bird\u2019s eye tour on a DeHavilland Otter or Beaver float plane. Access to nature is a big draw but don\u2019t forget to check out Thunder Bay\u2019s year-round food, music, dance, film fests or First Nations and sporting <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thunderbay.ca\/Visiting\/Events.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">events<\/a> too. Especially the memorable <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theag.ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Thunder Bay Art Gallery<\/a>, with its awe-inspiring Indegenous art.<\/p>\n<p>Enjoy exploring all that Ontario has to offer!<\/p>\n<p>Find more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/\">Things to do &amp; Places to stay in Ontario<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Shari &amp; Elisa, Publishers \u2013 Summer Fun Guide<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; margin: 0; padding: 0; clear: both;\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; In the dead of winter, the last thing you think about is what you\u2019re going to be doing for your summer holidays, but trust us, now is the best time to plan. Use some of those dreary winter days to do your research and explore your options; some places even have winter specials to&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[134],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ontario-region"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1541","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1541"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1541\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3623,"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1541\/revisions\/3623"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}