Here are 5 of the most romantic towns in Ontario

Those without plans yet this Valentine’s Day could take a road trip to one of Ontario’s most romantic towns.

A day trip can be a fun and spontaneous way to spend time with your special someone. Whether it’s a trip to wine country, a scenic spot for a winter stroll or a beautiful heritage downtown — Ontario has many options.

There are several lists out there, including Explore Ontario’s romantic getaways list, travel website Trip Advisor has a list of couples resorts and there is a new list of romantic towns from digital real estate platform Wahi.

A romanic destination means different things to different people. It could be “a great activity during the day and a glass of wine and a fire going in the fireplace in the evening,” Shawn Woof sales representative and senior vice president at Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, told Wahi.

But there are some classic romantic towns that appear on many people’s lists.

Here are five of the most romantic towns in Ontario:

Niagara-on-the-lake

Niagara-on-the-lake tops most lists as a romantic town with Canada’s honeymoon capital, Niagara Falls, next door. There are unique boutiques, restaurants and plenty of wineries nearby. Peller Estates Winery and Restaurant is open year-round and Wayne Gretzky Estates has an ice rink. Trius Winery offers tours through the winter.

Stratford

Set on the on the Avon River, Stratford is technically a city but it appears on many romantic destinations lists. Known for its annual theatre festival from April to October, this place has more to offer.  In the winter, the town’s charming downtown glows with colourful lights, creating a perfect romantic backdrop for a weekend getaway.

There’s no shortage of great places to eat in Stratford, Explore Ontario notes, including Cafe Bouffon, Bluebird Restaurant and Bar and Mercer Kitchen. The city also has a self-guided “chocolate trail” tour.

Almonte

Known as the “Hallmark Capital”, Almonte is a picturesque destination for couples. The New York Times wrote an article about the number of movies, including Hallmark Christmas movies, filmed in this eastern Ontario town.

The former mill town has boutique shopping, art galleries and a tribute to the inventor of basketball, the Naismith Museum and Hall of Fame.

Elora

A.J. Casson, one of the famous Group of Seven painters once called Elora “Ontario’s most beautiful village.” This town, near Guelph, is well known for its 19th-century limestone architecture. There are many shops and galleries in the historic downtown.

Perched high on the edge of a spectacular gorge and the Grand River, this area is also a great spot to soak in nature. There are hiking trails nearby for a romantic walk. There is even a kissing stone nearby.

Bracebridge

Set in the heart of Muskoka, this quaint town is the backdrop for summer getaways but it is also charming in the winter. The town is built around a waterfall on the Muskoka River and there are many other scenic spots nearby.

Couples can “wine and dine” and browse shops year-round, Wahi notes. From the Wabora, a Japanese fusion restaurant, to the historic Inn at the Falls, there are plenty of places to sit down for a good meal.

Lead photo: @visitniagaraonthelake