Fall in love in Ontario this winter
Rideau Canal | Ottawa Tourism
Enjoy a romantic date with good food, drink and fun activities or whisk your partner away on an overnight excursion.
From downtown to out-of-town, here are a few ideas in and around Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston and Niagara Falls.
Plan a romantic weekend in Toronto
There are endless ways to make memories with the one you love in Canada’s largest and most vibrant city.
Where to eat and drink
Share a MICHELIN-starred meal
Thirteen restaurants were awarded with MICHELIN stars and 17 were recognized by Bib Gourmand for exceptional cuisine and ambiance, ideal for a date night.
Sample special menus during Winterlicious
From January 27 to February 9, 2023, more than 200 restaurants offer fixed-price menus showcasing amazing dishes at prices below the standard menu during Winterlicious.
Bond over local craft beer
Enjoy people-watching at Bellwoods Brewery, a popular Ossington hotspot.
Sign up for doubles euchre games and brain buster trivia events at Left Field Brewery near the Danforth.
Locations:
Bellwoods Brewery, 124 Ossington Avenue, Toronto
Left Field Brewery, 36 Wagstaff Drive, Toronto
Things to do
Cheer at a live sports game
Book tickets for the Raptors 905 or the Toronto Marlies and cheer on tomorrow’s sports stars.
Engage in playful competition
Play a nine-track bocce-golf course while also enjoying craft food and drinks at LOB Toronto.
Location: 100 Broadview Avenue #101, Toronto
Hone your mixology skills
Learn how to make each other’s favourite cocktails at Grey Tiger cocktail bar on Bloor Street West. The School of Hard Drinks offers fun and intimate mixology classes with a creative cocktail and spirits specialist.
Check the events calendar at Reid’s Distillery in Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood for upcoming cocktail-making classes.
Locations:
Grey Tiger, 1190 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Reid’s Distillery, 32 Logan Avenue, Toronto
Night out at the museum … or aquarium
ROM After Dark (RAD) is a monthly themed event series that allows guests aged 19+ to explore the Royal Ontario Museum while enjoying live music, food and drink. The programming and theme change for every event, so check the schedule to see what’s up next. Every second Friday of the month is Friday Night Jazz at Ripley’s Aquarium in downtown Toronto. Among the many things to do, you can:
- explore the aquarium, and see animals like sharks and turtles
- sip cocktails
- enjoy the music of a live jazz band
Locations:
Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto
Ripley’s Aquarium, 288 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto
Places to stay
Book a boutique hotel
Situated in Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood, the chic Kimpton Saint George is located steps away from restaurants, bars, museums, shopping and more. The property features an adjacent craft pub, The Fortunate Fox. Securing a coveted spot in MICHELIN’s Toronto Hotel Guide, the Broadview Hotel offers a pied-a-terre experience in one of Toronto’s east-end neighbourhoods and includes:
- a stylish boutique hotel
- a stunning rooftop bar overlooking the city skyline
Locations:
Kimpton Saint George, 280 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Broadview Hotel, 106 Broadview Avenue, Toronto
Indulge in luxury
Shangri-la Toronto is an upscale oasis of luxury and calm located in the heart of Toronto’s vibrant downtown. Relax and enjoy:
- the skyline views
- a deep soaking whirlpool tub
- plush bathrobes and linens
Hotel X is a high-end property located on the shores of Lake Ontario and the ideal base for exploring Toronto, featuring:
- spacious rooms
- fine dining and a cafe
Locations:
Shangri-la Toronto, 188 University Avenue, Toronto
Hotel X, 111 Princes' Boulevard, Toronto
Valentine’s Day countryside ideas near Toronto
Retreat to the beautiful Caledon countryside
If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day getaway ideas outside Toronto, head to Hockley Valley Resort, just north of the city. It’s the perfect getaway spot, with:
- skiing and snowboarding
- on-site dining and a spa
- a boutique winery next door
- a magical five-course candlelit dinner in a snow globe, complete with twinkling lights and faux fur throws
A newcomer to the Caledon area, Mount Alverno Luxury Resort defines rustic elegance with:
- sweeping views of the surrounding countryside
- spacious, luxurious suites
- a fine-dining restaurant
Locations:
Hockley Valley Resort, 793522 Mono 3rd Line, Mono Mount
Alverno Luxury Resort, 20706 Heart Lake Road, Caledon Village
Couple’s urban getaway in Ottawa
Treat your significant other to a capital getaway.
Where to eat and drink
Innovative cuisine for adventurous foodies
Led by award-winning chef Briana Kim, Alice Restaurant serves an eight-course, blind tasting, vegetable and fermentation focused menu with wine and juice pairings.
Hailed as modernist Canadian cuisine, the stunning 44-course tasting menu at Atelier is a 4-hour dining experience like no other.
Nestled in the heart of historic ByWard Market, Social Restaurant + Lounge invites you to explore creative craft cocktails paired with a main, shared oysters or a cheese board “sociable.”
Locations:
Alice Restaurant, 40 Adeline Street, Ottawa
Atelier, 540 Rochester Street, Ottawa
Social Restaurant + Lounge, 537 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
Things to do
Be inspired by art
The National Gallery of Canada is home to a permanent collection of more than 75,000 works of art, including world-class collections of Indigenous and Canadian works. The gallery is free for visitors every Thursday night.
Location: 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
Outdoor fun along the Rideau
Explore the Rideau Winter Trail, a series of groomed ski trails, with cross-country skis or by snowshoe.
Lace up for a day of ice skating along the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s longest skate trail.
Frosty fun at Winterlude
Winterlude is one of Ottawa’s largest and most popular winter events, celebrating the city’s cultural, artistic and culinary diversity. A long-standing tradition during the festival is the carving of intricate ice sculptures.
Places to stay
Upscale downtown accommodations
Le Germain Hotel Ottawa is the perfect choice for a couple’s getaway in the capital with:
- sophisticated design
- spectacular views
- a prime location beside the Ottawa Art Gallery
Close to nightlife and shopping at the ByWard Market, Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market offers:
- luxurious accommodation
- a rooftop bar, Copper Spirits & Sights, with great views of the city
- cozy fireside conversations over cocktails
- DJ weekends
Locations:
Le Germain Hotel Ottawa, 30 Daly Avenue, Ottawa
Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market, 325 Dalhousie Street, Ottawa
Retreat for two in Calabogie, near Ottawa
Play in the snow
About a one-hour drive west of Ottawa, Calabogie is a winter playground.
After a day on the ski hills, snow trails or skating rinks, rest and relax at Somewhere Inn Calabogie, a boutique motel surrounded by pristine nature, with:
- room service
- fireplaces
- soaker tubs
- tranquil forest views
Location: 5254 Calabogie Road, Calabogie
City date ideas in Kingston
Rich history and stately architecture combined with a contemporary foodie scene make Kingston a great host for date night.
Where to eat and drink
Celebrate Kingston’s culinary community
Just in time for Valentine’s Day date night, Kingstonlicious is an annual fixed-price event that features everything from three-course dinners to more casual meals from participating restaurants throughout the city.
It runs from January until the end of March.
Cocktails for two
Pair shareables, handhelds or even brunch with festive cocktails at Whiskey and Rosé.
Musiikki Café & Whiskey Bar hosts live music events and houses one of Kingston’s best collections of whiskies, craft beers and high-end cocktails. They also offer fair trade, locally roasted coffee and unique blends of espresso.
Locations:
Whiskey and Rose, 125 Brock Street, Kingston
Musiikki Café & Whiskey Bar, 73 Brock Street, Kingston
Things to do
Enjoy a couple’s massage
Get pampered with a spa couples’ package at Dolce Bella Spa, which includes an hour-long massage followed by a gourmet lunch.
Location: 8 Cataraqui Street, Kingston
Become a detective team
Put your heads together to uncover clues and solve mysteries at Kingston Escape Rooms. Play as a duo or team up on a double date.
Location: 298 Bagot Street, Kingston
Go ice skating under the stars
Glide across the ice together during DJ skate nights at Springer Market Square. Skating is free at this outdoor ice rink, which operates from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., weather permitting.
Places to stay
Hip and historic hotels in Kingston
Book your stay and select the romance package at Frontenac Club, where you can:
- lounge in a luxe robe by the fireplace
- venture to the rooftop for perfect views of the city
- book a session at Stoked Sauna Co, a guided, outdoor sauna experience
Established in 1850 and billing itself as a “youthful boutique hotel for the discerning traveler,” the Rosemount Inn is an eleven-room Victorian hotel with:
- a modern interior
- contemporary amenities and services
- a complimentary American-style breakfast
Locations:
Frontenac Club, 225 King Street East, Kingston
Rosemount Inn, 46 Sydenham Street, Kingston
Couple’s mini-break in Prince Edward County
Escape to The County
Scenic, rural and dotted with world-class wineries, Prince Edward County is about a one-hour drive west of Kingston.
An adults-only retreat in Milford, The Wilfrid Boutique Farmhouse features:
- a wine cellar with local and rare finds
- a Scandinavian-style sauna
- the option to add caviar and champagne to your booking
Wander The Resort and the Drake Devonshire are also great options for an unforgettable County getaway.
Locations:
The Wilfrid Boutique Farmhouse, 1375 Royal Road, Milfor
Wander The Resort, 15841 Loyalist Parkway, Bloomfield
Drave Devonshire, 24 Wharf Street, Wellington
Niagara Falls is made for love
Find out why couples have been honeymooning in Niagara Falls for centuries.
Where to eat and drink
Locally sourced, wine-inspired cuisine
Treat your taste buds to terroir-driven cuisine in Canada’s most celebrated wine region. Choose from the three-course or bistro farm-to-table menu at AG Inspired Cuisine located inside the Sterling Inn & Spa.
The Restaurant at Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery in St. David’s uses seasonal ingredients from its own on-site garden.
Locations:
AG Inspired Cuisine, 5195 Magdalen Street, Niagara Fall
Restaurant at Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, 1366 York Road, St. David’s
Book a private, guided wine tour
Customize a guided winery tour and tasting just for the two of you with Niagara Vintage Wine Tours.
Things to do
Experience the mighty Niagara Falls from different vantage points
Stroll along the Fallsview Trail and marvel at the partially frozen falls.
Journey Behind the Falls takes you deep behind the thundering cascade.
The Niagara Parks Power Station is a decommissioned power plant in a historic building on the Niagara Parkway that has undergone an extraordinary transformation into an immersive and interactive landmark attraction.
One of the highlights is a tunnel that leads to an incredible outdoor viewing platform of the Niagara River and Falls.
Take in the full, awesome sight from above with Niagara Helicopters. You’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the falls, the Niagara River, whirlpool rapids and the Rainbow Bridge. Add romance to your adventure on a sunset flight.
Locations:
Journey Behind the Falls, 6650 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Fall
Niagara Parks Power Station, 7005 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls
Witness Canada’s largest light festival
The Winter Festival of Lights runs through to February 20, 2023, and features enchanting light displays along the Niagara Parkway.
Follow Niagara’s Hot Chocolate Trail on a self-guided tasting tour of a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic hot chocolates in the area while enjoying the winter light festival.
Places to stay
Enjoy a room with a view
Several upscale hotel properties in downtown Niagara Falls offer rooms and suites overlooking the Horseshoe Falls, some so close you can almost feel the mist.
Choose from a range of accommodations:
Romantic rendezvous in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Detour to Niagara-on-the-Lake
Under a 30-minute drive from Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake beckons with even more wineries, heritage architecture, small-town charm and inviting accommodations.
An intimate boutique hotel, the Oban Inn offers peaceful views of Lake Ontario and special packages with accommodations, meals and spa treatments.
124 on Queen Hotel & Spa is another elegant Niagara-on-the-Lake property, perfect for squirrelling away for a cozy, romantic night.
Locations:
Oban Inn, 160 Front Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake 124 on Queen
Hotel & Spa, 124 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Last updated: September 19, 2023