Sometimes a day trip is not quite enough. You want to stay for dinner, wake up somewhere different, and take your time with a place instead of watching the clock. That is where weekend getaways come in, and Ottawa happens to be surrounded by some of the best overnight escape options in Ontario.
Eastern Ontario's weekend getaway appeal lies in its variety. You can spend a Friday night at a heritage inn in Perth, browsing antique shops and walking along the Tay Canal. You can drive to Prince Edward County for wine tastings and farm-to-table dining. You can head north to a lakeside cabin in the Gatineau Hills and spend two days doing nothing but reading on a dock. The options are plentiful, and most destinations sit within two hours of the capital.
The Appeal of a Short Getaway
There is a particular pleasure in a weekend trip that does not require a flight or a long highway drive. You leave Ottawa after work on Friday, arrive at your destination before dinner, and have a full Saturday and Sunday morning to explore. By Sunday afternoon you are home, rested and refreshed, without the travel fatigue that comes with longer trips.
The towns in this region understand weekend visitors well. You will find good restaurants, comfortable inns, and enough to do without feeling overwhelmed. These are places designed for slowing down, not speeding up.
Best Seasons for Weekend Escapes
Fall is peak weekend getaway season in Eastern Ontario. The colours are extraordinary, the air is crisp, and every small town seems to have a harvest festival or a farm market. Summer is wonderful for lake destinations and riverside patios. Spring brings maple syrup season and the first long weekends of the year. Winter is quieter, but cross-country skiing, cozy inns, and uncrowded towns have their own charm.
Explore our guides below to find the right weekend escape for your pace and interests.
