With the excitement of the Canada 150 celebrations many 416ers and 905ers (and yes even you 6-47s) will be road tripping towards our Nation’s Capital for the biggest and best party in the country. So on your way to the big dance on Parliament Hill, we’ve accumulated a weekend worth of sensational foodie and fun pit stops that will turn Hwy 401 into a Great Canadian Road Trip along the Highway 4-0-fun!
Oshawa (Breakfast): Berry Hill
Power through the highway craze of the Toronto area and make your first stop at Berry Hill for a not so lite breakfast. Be sure to check out popular items like their Caramelized Banana French Toast and an assortment of buttery ‘Benny’s’ to give you a strong base for the drive ahead.
Bowmanville (Fun): Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Do you have the need… the need for speed? If so, park it here for a spell and watch as others reach top speeds on the Grand Prix track or push your skills to the limits on their driver development track.
Port Hope (Lunch): Jim’s Pizzeria & Spaghetti House
If fast times got your hunger motor running you’d be remiss to not stop at this essential stop along Hwy 2.
Colborne (Kid Friendly): The Big Apple
You really can’t miss it, nor should you: a giant apple that can be seen from the highway. Venture inside the apple for the experience but stay for the baked goods (apple bread), candy and petting zoo.
Brighton (Photo Op): Presqu’ile Provincial Park
Kick back on the wide beaches and camp grounds that Presqu’ile offers up. Pro-tip: this is a great spot for the avid bird watcher.
Belleville (Treats): Reid’s Dairy Company
If you’re looking for a different kind of chill that can’t be found in the serenity of nature, may we suggest you make way to Reid’s for a scoop of birthday cake ice cream or one of their famous super thick milkshakes.
Prince Edward County/Picton (ADULT BREAK):
Kingston (Culture and Supplies):
Kingston is the unofficial halfway mark of this trip so it’s a great place to stock up for the home stretch of your adventure. Before going for a walk along their beautiful waterfront, stop in at Pan Chancho, a sweet little shop pumping out amazing breakfast options, coffee (to help with that wine headache) and baked goodies for the ride. Before leaving town be sure to visit Fort Henry for your daily dose of Canadian history, and walk the beautiful campus of Queen’s University one of Canada’s most prestigious educational institutions.
Gananoque (Sightseeing): Gananoque Boat Lines
Finally, before jumping on the Hwy 416 north to Ottawa, stop off in Gananoque home to the Thousand Islands. While the boat tour doesn’t necessarily take you to every one of the 1000 islands, it does offer stops at Boldt Castle as you ride the wild waters of the St. Lawrence seaway.
What an incredible road trip. Here is a beautiful bookmark collection featuring all of our stops to make your journey extra easy, and if you’re thinking cross-Canada here are Yelp’s Great Canadian Road Trips along Nova Scotia’s South Shore, from Edmonton to Banff, and Montreal to Quebec City along the Chemin du Roy.
We know we’re not the only drivers. We’d love to see your road trip pictures and hear your stories! Add your biz, park, and snack photos to Yelp as you go! The tiny spots between big cities love to get a little love from rock star road tripping Yelpers. Tag us on social with #YelpingAcrossCanada so we can follow and share in your adventures.
