Backroads Of Ontario

Explore Ontario's historic roads, each with unexpected side trips and a fascinating story. In his relentless quest for the unusual in a world of the mundane, modern-day explorer Ron Brown has traveled nearly every backroad in Ontario. This guidebook features 22 trips, each illustrated with photographs and accompanied by an easy-to-follow map. These trips range in length from afternoon outings to weekend excursions. And all lead to fascinating out-of-the-way places within easy driving distance of major cities in Ontario. Backroads of Ontario features: Ghost towns Charming villages Century-old mills and farmhouses Architectural curiosities Prime picnic spots An amethyst mine, and more. This completely revised and updated edition mixes new information with the old, including new attractions and new information on existing attractions as well as the most current routes and directions. It reveals an Ontario many of us scarcely know exists.

Comprising Canada’s southernmost limb, the southern reaches of Ontario contain the vibrant, cosmopolitan heart of Canada, boasting the populous city of Toronto, the sights of Niagara Falls, other major cities like London and Hamilton, plus natural attractions like Wasaga Beach, the world’s largest freshwater beach. Our southern Ontario backcountry map book guides your way through the region, including the Greater Toronto Area plus Ontario’s largest established trail network. In addition to urban attractions in Toronto, London, Hamilton and beyond, and the natural wonder that is Niagara Falls, southern Ontario provides a range of outdoor recreation activities. Features - Map Key & Legend - Topographic Maps - Detailed Adventure Section >> Backroad Attractions, Fishing Locations, Hunting Areas, Paddling Routes, Parks & Campsites, Trail Systems, ATV Routes,Snowmobile Areas, Wildlife Viewing, Winter Recreation, Service Directory, Accommodations, Sales & Services, Tours & Guides, Index, Adventure Index, Map Index, Trip Planning Tools,

An outdoor recreational guide to Ontario Cottage Country. Includes GPS compatible outdoor recreational maps and information on the outdoor recreational opportunities available in the area. Covers the area of Ontario from Lake Ontario north to the Ottawa River, North Bay, Lake Nipissing, Sturgeon Falls, French River Provincial Park, and Burwash, and from Georgian Bay, Stayner, Shelburne, Orangeville, and Brampton east to Deep River, Barrys Bay, Bancroft, and Belleville. It includes Muskoka, the Kawarthas and Haliburton areas, Lake Simcoe, Algonquin Provincial Park, and the northern and eastern portions of the Greater Toronto area.

This new edition now has 150 attractions -- 25 of them new destinations.

Praise for the 4th edition: "The sights stand out for their splendor or quirkiness. Some are natural wonders, others are man-made. They might be tricky to find, or perched so close that you'll wonder how you missed them." -- Toronto Star This new edition has 160 attractions for more Ontario fun. Top 160 Unusual Things to See in Ontario gives readers, local travelers and out-of-province visitors -- all 10 million of them -- even more to see and do. The previous editions of this book have sold more than 100,000 copies. Author Ron Brown is an expert on the unusual. In his relentless quest to discover yet more of Ontario's rarities, Brown has traveled nearly everywhere in the province, and since this book's previous edition he has been on the road again. From the many new destinations he has found, he has selected 10 new ones for this edition: The Huron Fishing Weirs Muskoka's Torrance Barrens The Log Heritage of the Ottawa Valley The Ruins of Fort St. Joseph Toronto's Graffiti Alleys Ontario's Alligators Trenton's Ad Astra Stones The Stoney Creek Pillar The Coldwater Mill Almaguin Highlands' Field of Screams. Thoroughly researched and written in an inviting style, Ron Brown's descriptions offer fascinating stories with background, location and accompanying color photographs. Most places are easy to reach from Ontario's major population centers and border American cities and towns. All destinations are updated with detailed maps that pinpoint every location and the entries are grouped by general location. Ontario is an exciting travel destination filled with beaches, cities and major tourist destinations, but for those who want to see the heart and soul of the province, it takes a knowledgeable guide with a passion for the unusual. Ron Brown is that guide.

Despite the urban sprawl, industrialization and endless highway construction, Ontario possesses many hidden corners and lonely roads where the remains of earlier settlements, often constructed with immense effort against impossible odds, now lie forgotten. Some are no more than a few decaying foundations and collapsing houses, while others are littered with the remains of the industry and manufacturing that once thrived there. There is a renewed interest in exploring our own backyard, and Ontario's Ghost Town Heritage is the perfect guide to these once-booming towns and villages. While some still maintain small resident populations, others exist only as abandoned buildings and ruins. All have in common that they are "ghosts" of their former greatness, and their images evoke the lost legacy of Ontario's past. This fascinating book by Ontario historian Ron Brown explores over 80 accessible ghost towns in all parts of Ontario. Detailed driving directions invite you to experience the province's heritage for yourself. This revised edition contains many new sites to visit and has been carefully updated with the latest information and driving directions.

Unforgettable Ontario explores Ontario at its best. This beautifully illustrated guide celebrates 100 of the communities, events and festivals that help to make a visit to Ontario unforgettable. Author Noel Hudson reflects the province's rich cultural and geographic diversity as he travels Ontario's countryside, from its villages, towns and cities to cottage country and the north. Each entry offers a fascinating glimpse into Ontario's dynamic past and present, its spectacular landscape and the spirit of its citizens. Among the 100 destinations: Agawa Canyon Wilderness Park, 114 miles (183 km) northwest of Sault Ste. Marie, is accessible only by trail or aboard the historic Algoma Central Railway, a memorable 10-hour round-trip excursion with stops to view the waterfalls and climb to the Lookout 250 feet (76 m) above the canyon floor. The well-appointed train features a GPS-activated tour commentary in English, French, German, Japanese and Mandarin. Goderich is well known for its breathtaking sunsets, beaches, parks and historical museums. You can wander the main street lined with heritage buildings, stroll the boardwalk that connects the three beaches, visit the Marine Museum and the Huron County Museum and Gaol built in 1841 and catch a play at the Livery Theater. The village of Perth is nestled along the Tay River in Lanark County, and its picturesque downtown boasts craft stores, antique stores, specialty shops and restaurants, as well as some of the finest examples of heritage buildings in the province. Toronto's Bata Shoe Museum possesses what may be the world's most comprehensive collection of footwear -- over 13,000 artifacts spanning 4,500 years of history: Ancient Egyptian sandals, French chestnut-crushing boots, a Japanese samurai's bear-fur shoes, Native American footwear, celebrity and royal shoes, sneakers -- it's all here. Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre in North York holds over 1,000 artifacts and works of art -- including manuscripts, drawings, paintings, ceramics, metalwork, garments and tapestries -- dating from the 8th century to the 21st century. Music and dance performances delight visitors and contribute to a deeper understanding of the values, culture and heritage of Ismaili Muslims. With the exchange rate still favorable for Americans and Canada still high on the must-see list for overseas travelers, Unforgettable Ontario: 100 Destinations is the perfect reference for travelers in search of a single guide to the province's many attractions.