7 late-summer adventures within 90 minutes of Toronto that are worth the drive

There's a lot to love about living in Toronto, but one of the best parts is how many amazing adventures there are less than two hours' drive away.

From Mars-like landscapes just off the highway to a wealth of waterfalls, charming villages, apple orchards and more, these destinations prove that a mini road trip out of the city is always a good idea.

When you live in the city but love to hit the road to new places, a capable ride is a must.

With its small footprint, available AWD and smart safety features, the 2027 Honda HR-V is a compact SUV that's easy to live with in the city and always ready when the plan changes.

See on Instagram If you're a city slicker who loves to squeeze every last drop of fun out of summer, these day trips are for you.

Ball's Falls Conservation Area See on Instagram Why You Need To Go: Late summer into early fall is a fantastic time to visit this unique spot that boasts two dreamy waterfalls, a picturesque hike and a ghost town.

From the car park, you can hike the 1.7-kilometre Cataract Trail to the upper falls before following it past mill ruins along Twenty Mile Creek to the lower falls.

Then, spend some time exploring the historic settlement of Glen Elgin and marvel at how this spot is less than two hours from home.

NPCA website Cheltenham Badlands See on Instagram Why You Need To Go: Covering an area of about 36 hectares, these rolling red hills streaked with white are like seeing a slice of Mars in Caledon, Ontario.

It's actually an ancient seabed made of Queenston Shale, exposed by settlers in the late 1800s, with ridges and gulleys intensified by erosion.

Visitors can check it out from the boardwalk, put up in 2018, to help protect this unique landscape only 90 minutes from Toronto.

Cheltenham Badlands website Elora Why You Need To Go: A serious contender for the title of "prettiest village in Ontario," Elora is a picturesque destination with buildings dating back nearly 200 years.

Just over 100 kilometres from Toronto, Elora's the kind of spot where you'd be glad to have a Honda HR-V.

Stylish and capable, there's room for everything you find along the way — Elora is known for its charming boutiques, after all.