Outdoor & Road Trip

Fun Things To Do In Durham Region

There’s an uncounted list of fun things to do in Durham Region. Explore the region during its fall season, bursting in reds, oranges and golden hues or get your winter warmers on and throne out to discover Durham’s snowy period –– if you dare. Located east of popping Toronto lies the Durham Region, the economic centre of Ontario. Also, part of the Golden Horseshoe extends from Oshawa to the famous Niagara Falls. 

It’s an zone with quaint towns, trappy countryside, rolling hills and a series of major lakes. From heady things to do in Oshawa and Pickering to Beaverton and Uxbridge, you’ll find an variety of activities to enjoy. 

Things To Do In Durham Region

Head off on an world or pumpkin-picking venture in the fall, or find hiking and cycling trails through lush forests. This region boasts plenty of conservation areas and waterside activities to explore. 

Durham has eight municipalities, each with something unique and heady to discover. Let’s squint at some tomfool places in the Durham Region and what to do there.

The Top Durham Region Activities

Explore the Durham Regional Forest, Uxbridge

One of the top things to do in Uxbridge, Ontario, is to visit the Durham Regional Forest. It’s located at the top of the Oak Ridges Moraine and consists of 1,473 acres (596 ha) of plantation forests established over 90 years ago. 

The forest is renowned for its outdoor activities, such as cross-country skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding throughout the Oak Ridges Moraine. Immerse yourself in nature and embark on a moderate 6-mile (10.1 km) hiking route through the woods to explore these trappy surroundings.

Visit the Applewood Sublet & Winery, Scugog

The Applewood Sublet and Winery has produced wines and ciders for over 20 years in Scugog. It’s moreover a unconfined place to escape to the countryside, explore the farm, and enjoy seasonal pickings such as Apple Picking.

Visit the sublet during fall in mid-September, pick your very own pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, and create your Jack-O-Lantern. There’s moreover a small unprepossessing barn, wagon rides, and playhouses for your little ones. And, if you’re keen on pickings, strawberry and mulberry picking opportunities are misogynist here too.

apple picking ontario

Challenge Yourself at Treetop Eco-Adventure Park, Oshawa

The Treetop Eco-Adventure Park is perfect for outdoor lovers and adrenalin enthusiasts. If you’re trying to icon out what to do in Oshawa, Ontario, why not get a blood-pumping rush as you sweep through the treetop’s zip lining? Or rencontre yourself on one of the various obstacle courses. 

From wobbly swings to Tarzan ropes and suspension bridges to swinging logs, there is something for the whole family to enjoy at this park.

durham region activities - treetop eco-adventure park

 Walk or Ride on the Waterfront Trail, Oshawa

The Waterfront Trail stretches from Niagara-on-the-lake to Brockville and passes through Oshawa. If you’re an voracious walker or cyclist, grab your water bottles and hit the trail. 

The extending pathway hugs the edges of Lake Ontario, and parts of the trail wilt off-road past the city. You’ll find a few car parks and washrooms withal the way. There are moreover two lookout points withal the way. This part of the trail falls on one of the most significant wetlands in the area, the Second Marsh. 

The Second Marsh is the largest remaining coastal wetland between Niagara and Presqu’ile. Here you’ll see well-healed fauna and flora species from the viewing decks. The wetland is particularly important for the vast number of migratory and tastefulness birds using it as a stopover.

oshawa activities - waterfront trail

Trek Through the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve, Oshawa

The McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve boasts 4.3 miles (7 km) of walking and cycling trails. There are 11 offbeat treks to segregate from, and withal the way, you’ll find paths of all sorts, from gravel, wood, and grass-mowed paths. There are three entry points into the reserve. You’ll moreover find viewpoints and picnic areas to relax and enjoy within the reserve. It’s the perfect space for families, friends, solo travellers and nature enthusiasts.

Discover the Darlington Provincial Park, Oshawa

Located east of Oshawa, on Lake Ontario, Darlington Provincial Park is a small park that attracts visitors from far and wide. Gentle hills and trappy panoramas dominate the park. It’s teeming with wildlife, including white-tailed deer, grey wolves, coyotes, and trappy monarch butterflies. There are so many butterflies in the park that it’s part of a conservation program. 

If you’re keen on spending increasingly time here, the park offers three campground areas. There’s moreover a beach, picnic facilities, and hiking trails available.

cool places in durham region - Darlington Provincial Park

Visit Lakeview Park Beach, Oshawa

Suppose you’re looking for some fun Oshawa activities; what largest place than to throne to Lakeview Park Waterfront on a sunny day? Spend your day frolicking in the waters of Lake Ontario, or have a delightful picnic at the designated area. There are washrooms misogynist and lifeguards on duty between 11:30 am to 6:30 pm during the summer months. 

Some fun nearby facilities include the pier overlooking the Oshawa Harbor, the splash pad, the Jubilee Pavilion, and the Oshawa Museum. It’s the perfect getaway for solo travellers, romantic couples, and families looking for relaxation in the sun. 

Go Bird Watching in Altona Forest, Pickering

The Altona Forest is a large urban forest in the Municipality of Pickering and forms part of the Petticoat Creek watershed. 

It boasts over 100 bird species, 130 wildflowers, and 35 unshared vegetation varieties dotted throughout the 102 acres (53 ha) area. It’s an Environmentally Significant Zone due to its historical and ecological importance. 

The Altona Forest provides visitors 2.6 miles (4.24 km) of scenic trails. It comprises two loop trails in the north and one leading to Strouds Lane. Explore hardwood forests, wetlands, and meadows as you trek through this trappy untried space. 

things to do pickering - bird watching

Frenchman’s Bay East Beach, Pickering

If you’re into fun things in Pickering, visit Frenchman’s Bay East Beach. It’s one of the most popular places to visit in the Durham Region and the perfect spot to soak up some sun and swim in Lake Ontario. The waterfront is a hot spot for families and includes a splash pad, washrooms, and a fountain. 

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, supplies trucks, an ice surf parlour and shops are misogynist withal the beach. If you’re keen on fishing, Hydro Marsh sits north of the waterfront and is unconfined for angling fanatics.

Cultural Things To Do In Durham Region This Weekend

The zone between Lake Ontario, Lake Scugog and Lake Simcoe offers many attractions, including versifier studios, galleries, music venues, and museums. There is no single cultural part-way but an variety of unique, self-sustaining establishments.

Art Galleries

Station Gallery, Whitby

SG is a creative hub, public art gallery and a registered soft-heartedness in the polity showing art exhibitions of emerging, mid-career and established artists. In addition, they bring art and culture to kids, youth, adults and families of all month and skills through programs, classes and workshops, performances and special events.

They have four main gallery spaces. The Jill Dyall Polity Gallery is reserved for polity exhibitions, while the other three may full-length a single versifier or group collection.

Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG), Oshawa

In 1967, William Caldwell of Oshawa saw a need for a permanent home for the arts. So with the help of technie Hugh Allward of Allward & Gouinlock, Ewart McLaughlin and his wife Margaret (painter Alexandra Luke), put their money together withal with works from their private collection.

This led to the construction of the RMG, an impressive, 6000-foot square, stone, modernist building. It unliable for exhibition areas, storage, and offices. Since then, it has wilt a landmark of the Municipality of Oshawa.

The Visual Arts Centre Of Clarington (VAC), Bowmanville

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, a public art gallery and educational institution, has been serving the Clarington Polity and surrounding areas since its incorporation in 1976.

The VAC is a not-for-profit organization devoted to providing trendy art to the public and connecting people of all month and backgrounds to the creative world of artmaking and learning.

Scugog Arts, Port Perry

Over at one of our favourite little corners of Durham, the beautiful and quaint town of Port Perry. you’ll find Scugog Arts.

Scugog Arts host monthly exhibitions, workshops for artists and visitors, and meet-up space for gatherings. They moreover organize and hold various cultural events, literary programs, festivals, and tours throughout the year.

META4 Gallery, Port Perry

META4 Gallery is moreover located in the heart of Port Perry and is considered the area’s top source of incredible artwork and heady studio courses for people of all ages.

Since 2005, the establishment has been run by three enterprising artists: Jennifer Hardie, Birgitta MacLeod and Bonnie Thomson.

Final Thoughts on Things to do in Durham, Ontario

Your list is uncounted when you’re on the venery for Durham Region things to do. You’ll find many recreational trails and activities dotted throughout the region.

It’s home to the trappy panoramas of the Oak Ridge Moraine, diverse municipality parks with incredible paths, and iconic conservation areas. There’s no shortage of spectacular getaways in this trappy part of Ontario.