A shore thing

Lake Huron town of Southampton is a great weekend destination

About this series: Wheels wants to inspire you to explore. This series of daytrips and longer drives highlight great experiences you can have in the province, and show you why Ontario is “Ours to Discover.”

That blissful beach getaway you’ve been yearning for is much closer than you realize. Historically a busy trading post, Southampton, just a three-hour drive northwest from Toronto, features a sandy beach along Lake Huron, a community full of beautiful homes, more good food than you’ll have time to enjoy and an award-winning craft beer. Visit this hideaway to discover the best Mother Nature has to offer in Ontario.

Day one

In the morning Have breakfast at home before you hit the road as you’ll want to be fuelled up for the drive ahead as well as a morning hike along the way. Follow Highway 400 northward and then west on Highway 9 toward Mono Cliffs Provincial Park for your first adventure of the day.

The Niagara Escarpment runs the length of this park near Orangeville, and you’ll want to hike the Clifftop Side Trail, which is part of the Bruce Trail, for a moderate twohour trek. When you reach a set of metal stairs, take them down to a wooden walkway to see Jacob’s Ladder, a natural cleft in the mossy rocks. With the cool outcrops towering alongside and above you, you almost forget you’re just an hour from the city.

Once you complete your hike, head back to your car and drive north and west along Highway 10 followed by Highway 21 to Southampton.

In the afternoon You’ll be famished and ready for lunch when you arrive in Southampton so make Smoky Cactus your first stop. This casual spot incorporates smoked barbecue ingredients into Mexican fare, and also features a patio so you won’t sacrifice any sunshine.

From its Mexican poutine (think classic french fries covered in cheese curds, but with pico de gallo, queso and Mexican crema) to the delectable tacos (the chicken tinga and smoked brisket are the stars here), it’s the ultimate beachy fare. Don’t forget to enjoy a margarita with your lunch — your driving is done for the day, after all.

After lunch, walk off that full-belly feeling by exploring Southampton’s downtown. Southampton Olive Oil Company offers more than 60 olive oils and balsamic vinegars — an ideal gift for friends back home. Over at Lac Boutique, you’ll find women’s contemporary fashions, including printed overalls and summer dresses, perfect for elevating your style after a couple of years living in sweatpants.

Cross the street to pick up some award-winning craft beer from Outlaw Brew Co. The brewery is housed in the former Southampton Hotel, which dates back to 1867. Finally, satisfy your sweet tooth by picking up some treats at Offshore Bakery. Try its Bruce Potato, a custard-filled doughnut that’s been rolled in cinnamon sugar. It is a local culinary rite of passage.

By now, your room will be ready at the new The Beach Motel. From the moment you sip its welcome drink, a refreshing Madagascar vanilla bean iced tea, the serene atmosphere of the accommodation will have you feeling instantly relaxed.

While the beach may beckon, you may not want to leave the cosy room with its soothing seaside tones, chic beach-house decor and Chromecast-enabled TV. Decompress before you get ready for dinner by catching up on some reading in the hanging egg chair outside your room or by enjoying a glass of wine on the motel’s upstairs patio. In the evening For dinner, take it easy and have a bite at the motel’s Sandbar Restaurant. Start with a half-dozen oysters by the half-shell and then enjoy the substantial cheese and charcuterie board — the lamb sausage is sublime. After dinner, stroll outside to enjoy the stellar Southampton sunset. One of the best spots to take it in is by Millard Boulevard at the west end of High Street.

Day two

In the morning Enjoy the complimentary breakfast at The Beach Motel. You’ll find croissants, English muffins, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, granola and yogurt in the Sandbar Restaurant, along with coffee, tea and orange juice. Dress for the beach, check out of your room and make your way to the sand and water.

Although Lake Huron can be a tad chilly early in the season, the picturesque shoreline of powdery sand is a stunner. Beautiful dunes line the beach; they’re home to flora and fauna and planted with specific grasses to prevent erosion. It is also one of the few natural dune ecosystems in the province.

Across the water, about one kilometre away and only accessible by tour boat, you’ll see Chantry Island and its lighthouse, which dates back to 1859. This cut limestone and granite tower was built when shipping traffic was soaring on the Great Lakes between Canada and the U.S. In the afternoon Head to the Lighthouse Restaurant for lunch. Choose between diner favourites like juicy burgers made from beef ground in-house or the popular allday breakfast menu, which includes eggs benedict, pancakes and smoothie bowls.

Post-lunch, drive 30 minutes east toward Owen Sound to the Inglis Falls Conservation Area. From the viewing platform by the parking lot, you can take in an impressive 18metre-high cascade waterfall. The falls tend to steal the show, but make sure to take advantage of more than seven kilometres of trails, which also provide access to the longer Bruce Trail. In the conservation area you will also find more than 20 species of ferns, great birdwatching opportunities, geological potholes and the remains of a historic grist mill.

In the late afternoon Follow Highway 10 back to the Toronto area. If you’d like to stop for dinner along the way, try The Bicycle Cafe in the small town of Flesherton. This charming spot serves comfort fare, including vegetarian coconut curry bowls and apfelwurst, an apple and pork sausage.