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Things To Do In Oshawa
Oshawa is a beautiful and culturally diverse city located on the Lake Ontario Shoreline. Due to its geographical location, this place offers scenic views and many fun adventures. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions for a relaxing and fun vacation. In recent times Oshawa has also become an emerging economy and therefore this place has a lot of business as well. It is a perfect place for taking a week out of your busy routine and spending a peaceful time while also enjoying the luxury of life.
There are a number of cafes and shopping centers where you can enjoy the local culture and lifestyle. The city is also rich in parks, walking trails, and conservation areas. There are beaches, museums, and art galleries as well which makes this city a perfect vacation spot that includes all kinds of interactive activities.
While you are visiting this place, we also recommend that you check out the beautiful city of Toronto. Toronto is located 60 kilometers away from Oshawa and is just a 40-minute long drive. To make full use of your holidays and to capture the beauty and excitement of Ontario, we highly recommend that you include Toronto in your list. We have made a list of all the cool things that you can do there. You can read the same in our post Things To Do In Toronto.
Now let us dive right into Oshawa and find out about all the things that you should definitely visit on your vacation.
Parkwood National Historic Site
Parkwood Estate, located on Simcoe Street North is a unique experience that captures the historic house of late R.S Mclaughlin who founded General Motors of Canada. This mansion was built in 1917 and is a National Historic Site of Canada that preserves art, architecture, and original furnishings of the time.
It is a great place to spend your day exploring the vibrant culture and historical importance of the city of Oshawa.
Timings: Wednesday to Sunday. 12:45 pm to 5 pm.
Things to do: take a guided tour of the estate and check out the art galleries. They also organize various events, which can be a fun thing to do. You can also shop from the Parkwood Gift Store.
For bookings and other information, visit their website.
Lakeview Park
This Park is the most famous park and beach in Oshawa which is visited by tourists and locals alike. This stunning and beautiful park is an all-around place if you are looking to spend a relaxing day trip. With the natural waterline of Ontario Lake, the beaches, and the lush green trees of the Park, this place is a perfect getaway spot.
There is also a paved track along the lake where you can enjoy leisure walks. There are picnic spots for hanging out and the most popular splash pad.
Timings: check the latest timings on their website.
Things to do: go for picnics. Enjoy a relaxing time at the beach. There are several playgrounds and shaded picnic spots that you can book in advance. You can also organize barbecues and parties in the park.
Canadian Automotive Museum
This unique museum is a storehouse of the world’s most significant collection of cars. It is a perfect place for everyone who is a big fan of antique and modern cars. They have something special for everyone here. From the 1903 Redpath Messenger to a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina, you can find the most popular collection of cars here. Apart from this, there is also a very unique collection made just for kids that displays the famous Pixar’s Car Lightning McQueen. They also hold several temporary exhibitions throughout the year which makes it a perfect place for a family outing.
Timings: Tuesday to Thursday. 10 am to 4 pm.
Things to do: take a guided tour of the museum and discover great cars and automobiles. Watch their ongoing exhibitions and attend some of their programs. For bookings and more information, check out their official website here.
Robert McLaughlin Gallery
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery or famously known as the RMG is a public art museum in the city of Oshawa. It is the largest gallery in the Durham region and displays some of the finest modern and contemporary art. The Gallery is free to visit and is located in Downtown Oshawa which can be very easily accessed by a car.
Their most famous attraction is that they feature a new artist every month and you can buy their artworks from the gift shop too.
Apart from modern art and paintings, they also have a huge collection of artifacts and hand-made articles which you can purchase from the store.
Timings: Tuesday to Thursday. 10 am to 4 pm.
Things to do: take a guided tour of the gallery and explore various different artworks. Visit their gift shop.
Find out their latest exhibition and plan your trip accordingly by visiting The Robert McLaughlin Gallery.
Oshawa Museum
This is a perfect place for anyone who wants to explore a little bit of the history and culture of this beautiful town. Established nearly 60 years ago, this place is regarded as one of the most important sites in Oshawa. It not only celebrates the city’s engaging history but also preserves the stories of Indigenous tribes to the present day.
Visiting this place is a very immersive experience and you should definitely include this on your list to catch the finest architecture in the town.
Timings: Open all days. 8 am to 4 pm.
Things to do: take a guided tour of the museum and explore the history of the city. Visit the nearby cafes and gift shops to buy some souvenirs. The place is located close to some of the other famous places of Oshawa so make sure you catch a glimpse of Lakeview Park on your visit. For more information about the timings and the latest exhibitions, visit Oshawa Museum.
All or Nothing Brewhouse
Almost every town in Ontario is famous for its breweries. Oshawa has its own brewery that is considered the best in the Durham region. Located on Ritson Road, this nice and cozy place located in central Oshawa is the main tourist attraction. All or Nothing Brewhouse is a great place for spending a relaxing day after your daily sightseeing programs. Their most famous drink is the raspberry sour beer which you should definitely try once you are here.
Timings: Open all days. 11 am to 7 pm.
Things to do: taste the finest beers in town and explore the local cuisine. Visit their cafe and enjoy a fun day out.
Regent Theatre
We were right in the beginning when we said this place has everything you need for a vacation. Because next on our list is the famous Regent Theatre of Oshawa for anyone who might be looking for a more exciting vacation.
Regent Theatre hosts all kinds of cultural events and shows that can catch your attention. From comedy to music concerts, this place is a must-visit for everyone.
Timings: you can book your tickets according to what time suits you the best.
This place offers various options for you to pick from. You can check out their latest shows here.
Oak Ridges Moraine
This moraine is a natural landmark of the city and is considered one of the major hotspots for animal and plant species. It is also the thickest piece of glacial material in Ontario and is best known for its rolling hills, wetlands, forests, river valleys, and lakes. Spend some time exploring the Ridge and you will find yourself deeply immersed in the natural beauty.
Many tourists also visit this place for hiking, trekking, and sightseeing.
Timings: Open all day.
Things to do: Plan your hike here and go for a day trip in the area. Wander around the Ridge and discover various new species of flora and fauna. The place is also a great site for clicking pictures and having a relaxing time amidst nature.
Pumphouse Marsh
Pumphouse Marsh wildlife reserve is a quiet and beautiful place to spend your evenings when you are in Oshawa. This small park is home to different species of wildlife and allows you to explore all of this and more.
They also organize various festivals and events throughout the year, which is a great tourist attraction. When you are here make sure to check out the stunning lake overlooking the Ontario Lake and enjoy a peaceful walk in the sunset.
Timings: Open all days. 24 Hours.
Things to do: there are playgrounds and picnic spots where you can go for picnics. It is also a great place for hiking and leisure walks. Attend some of their live events while you are there.
Tribute community Center
Tribute Communities Center is an overall package that will provide you with every sort of entertainment that you are looking for. From hockey games to live comedy shows, this is a perfect place if you are looking for something fun to do while also enjoying yourself. They host a number of events every day that can be easily booked online. Make sure to check out some of the most famous hockey matches and experience the most vibrant energy on your trip.
Timings: timings of their various shows are given on their website. You can book your tickets and plan your day accordingly. Visit their website for more information.
Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens
This beautiful and unique garden is a must-visit place on your trip to Oshawa. Known for its diversity and beauty, Botanical Gardens displays a seasonal exhibition of peonies that is the most popular attraction here.
This park is also a perfect place if you want to enjoy nice and quiet walks in the evening. It has beautiful flowers and stunning views which makes it a great place for picnics and getting some good pictures on your vacation.
Timings: Open all days. 6 am to 10 pm.
Attend a live event
The city of Oshawa is known for its vibrant lifestyle and culture. While you are planning to visit this place, we highly recommend that you attend some of the live events that the city hosts throughout the year.
You can check out their annual festival which is celebrated with great energy and enthusiasm.
They also celebrate Canada Day and the Peony Festival which is very popular among the residents.
Apart from the festivals in the city, you can also consider going for a live performance of musicians, singers, and comedians while you are here.
Get more information about their upcoming programs here.
By now we think you must have already made your mind and included Oshawa in your travel plans. But that is not all. Any new place is best explored when you also take small road trips and get to know other hidden gems in the surrounding areas. The city of Oshawa is surrounded by such amazing places that you can consider having a look around. One such place that we recommend is Markham. Markham is a beautiful city located just 30 minutes away from Oshawa and offers various fun things for you to do. You should also consider visiting Richmond Hill for a much greater exploration of the culture and cuisine of Canada.
Find out more about these places in our blog. Check out Things To Do In Markham and Things To Do In Parry Sound here.
Also, check out Things To Do In Gravenhurst.
