This summer, I’ve been trying to get out of Toronto to see the beautiful and historic Ontario towns just a stone’s throw from the city. We recently took a day trip to Elora to see the town and swim at the Elora Quarry. Despite poor weather, we had a great time exploring and I would highly recommend a day trip to the charming village of Elora.
Swimming at the Elora Quarry
The Elora Quarry is a tiny paradise away from the city. With gemstone waters, a sheer rock face, and verdant forest all around, it’s easy to see why people flock here in the summer. Until the 1930s, the quarry was used to source lime for construction purposes. However, when the limestone was deemed impure and the company ceased operations, the quarry filled with water. People began to use the area for swimming and the Elora Quarry is now part of a conservation area. If you are planning a day trip to the Elora Quarry, it’s important to book a timeslot in advance (morning and afternoon four-hour slots are available). The water was the perfect temperature for swimming and the beach didn’t get too crowded, though we were there on a rainy day.
The Town of Elora
Located under two hours from Toronto, the town of Elora is perfect for a day trip. The quaint village was founded in the 1830s by a War of 1812 veteran. He had hoped to harness the power of the rushing waters of the Grand River. Today, the town is full of cute boutique shops, a variety of restaurants, art galleries and glass studios, and of course, ice cream vendors. Since the weather was poor, we decided to stop in for an afternoon snack at The Tartlet. I was a bit hesitant to pay $9 for a lemon meringue croissant, but it did not disappoint! I simply wish I’d been able to sample all their pastries, they looked so good. Walking around Elora, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular day trip destination in Ontario. The beautiful 19th century architecture makes you feel you’ve stepped back in time. Even in the rain, we had fun exploring the streets and looking at the historic homes in the area.
Fergus, Just Down the Road from Elora
After your day trip to Elora, you can drive just down the road to the town of Fergus. Pride in Scottish heritage is immediately evident and we learned that they’ll be having a Scottish Festival and Highland Games from August 11-13, 2023. We might have to go back to check it out!
