Looking to enjoy Ontario’s spring weather? Plan an outdoor adventure and explore the province while you take in arts, culture and history. From hiking trails with carved sculptures, to enjoying live music outdoors while sipping an Ontario craft beer, here are some must-see locations this spring!
Did you know that GoodLot Farm’s 30 acres of farmland is used to sustainably grow 8 different varieties of hops for their craft beer? Visit their outdoor stage at the Hop Bin venue where live performances are hosted Thursdays through Sundays. GoodLot’s upcoming events include a comedy night, trivia night, maker sesh, and much more!
If you’re planning on visiting the Art Gallery of Guelph, take a walk through the Donald Forster Sculpture Park! In two and a half acres outside the AGG, 41 permanent pieces are showcased. This makes it the largest sculpture park outside of a gallery in Canada.
Donald Forster Sculpture Park, photo courtesy of Kirsten Clarke
Bebamikawe Memorial Trail features 14km of trails varying from easy to difficult. Look for the scenic outlook points of the North Channel and Georgian Bay with signage that teaches about Anishinaabek history. Then admire the wooden sculptures along the trail.
Wood Sculptures on the Bebamikawe Memorial Trail, Photo credit Peter Baumgarten, Creative Island Photography
If you find yourself in Prince Edward County, Oeno Outdoor Gallery is waiting for you! The gallery collectively represents over 60 artists from Canada and the US who vary in mediums such as glass, bronze, steel, granite, wood, fibreglass and resin. Oeno Outdoor Gallery sees over 30,000 people visit their contemporary abstract and figurative works of art each year – and you could be one of them!
Oeno Outdoor Gallery, Photo Courtesy of Meaghan Froh Metcalfe
The St Catharines and Welland Canals Centre feature over 800,000 artifacts that tell the history of both cities. The permanent and temporary exhibits invite visitors to visit time and again. Outside the museum, you can stand on a platform over Lock 3, where you can watch real ships dock every 20 minutes (check the museum lobby for daily schedules).
Windsor’s Sculpture Park showcases over 31 permanent contemporary sculptures from world renowned artists. The park is a fully outdoor public park, and is open every day of the year, free of charge.
Windsor Sculpture Park, photo courtesy of Tourism Windsor-Essex
The Spirit Garden, created as part of Thunder Bay’s waterfront redevelopment project, incorporates Indigenous art and native vegetation. Visit the Celebration Circle, which hosts teaching, performance, celebration, and contemplation under a traditionally-made bentwood structure. It’s the perfect vantage point to see the Sleeping Giant across the lake from the Honouring Circle.
Celebration Circle at Prince Arthurs Landing, photo courtesy of Tourism Thunder Bay
As Hamilton’s Art scene continues to grow, as does its collection of larger-than-life murals. Create your own tour and visit as many as you can across the city. Or, wander around Hamilton and see how many you can find!
Alexander Bacon 21 Rebecca St, photo Courtesy of Tourism Hamilton
At Crawford Lake, you can hike multiple different trails and see some larger-than-life wood carvings of species at risk. The conservation area features three historic longhouses from a Wendat or Attawandaron village, rebuilt on the archaeological footprint of the originals. The longhouses teach visitors about programs, exhibits, gardens, and workshops at Crawford Lake.