Are you looking for some fun things to do in Milton, Ontario? Well, look no further! There are plenty of activities to choose from. However, Milton isn’t typically the first destination that comes to mind when planning a day trip from Toronto, but it is worth exploring, especially if you love nature! Whether you want to go hiking, enjoy a relaxing picnic day or hit the slopes for skiing.
Located in the heart of the Halton Region, the city offers various attractions and events throughout the year. There are many ways to spend time in Milton, from festivals to museums.
Whether you are looking for something new to try out or want to relax after a long week, there are plenty of things to do in Milton. Check out our list below to see what you should add to your bucket list.
This article is now available as a mobile app. Go to GPSmyCity to download the app for GPS-assisted travel directions to the attractions featured in this article.
History of Milton, Ontario
- Milton is a city in the Regional Municipality of Halton, along with Oakville and Burlington. Milton was named after John Milton, an English poet who lived from 1608 to 1674.
- Milton was incorporated as a village in 1874 and became a city in 1998. The population at the 2011 census was 43,844.
- The Town of Milton is part of the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, including Mississauga, Brampton, Caledonia, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton and more.
Getting To Milton
Getting to Milton from Toronto takes about an hour and forty minutes by car. Once you arrive in Milton, you can drive or walk to most places.
Car
The easiest way to get to Milton by car from Downtown Toronto is via Highway 401. If you come from Mississauga, take the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), which will take you directly to Milton. Reaching Milton from downtown Toronto takes about an hour and 20 minutes.
Train
If you travel to Milton by train from Toronto, you must take GO Transit. This service connects Milton with Union Station in Toronto. Trains run every 15-30 minutes during peak hours. You can find more information on the GO website.
What To Do In Milton If You Love Nature
One of the top Milton attractions and the primary draw to the area is its access to nature, hiking, and conservation areas. There are loads of options for things to do in Milton outdoors.
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
Located about 10 minutes from Milton, Rattlesnake Point is one of Ontario’s most beautiful conservation areas. It has five lookout spots where you can get stunning views of the Niagara Escarpment, and there are plenty of trails for hikers and nature lovers.
This is the most beautiful place for tourists to visit. The famous Bruce Trail and Crawford Lake connect the area. It offers various facilities for camping and hiking trips.
Kelso / Glen Eden Conservation Area
Kelso Conservation Area is a beautiful place to hike or bike. It is home to numerous trails and a large forest. Kelso Conservation Area is also close to the Bruce Trail.
You can go skiing during the winter season or plan a picnic during the summer months. There are many trails to walk and bike, camping spots and picnic areas, a museum, and hiking trails. There are also many places to enjoy the scenery, as this area is one of Ontario’s most majestic parts.
Hilton Falls Conservation Area
Hilton Falls Conservation Area is a beautiful place to hike or bike, but there isn’t much to do besides hiking or biking. You can swim in the river or take boat rides on the lake. There’s a viewing station where you can see the falls. You can take pictures of the falls and share those online.
The park has two trails that lead to the waterfall. One path leads to the top of the falls, less than halfway down the cliff. It takes about 30 minutes to walk to the top of the waterfall. The second trail goes all the way to the bottom of the falls. This trail is longer, so it will probably take you closer to an hour to complete this trail.
Starkey Hill Conservation Area
Starkey Hill is located northeast of Guelph and is technically part of the neighbouring Wellington County. It is about 37 hectares in size. It is hilly, but there are some flats. The trail starts at Sideroad 30 and goes to the top of the mountain, which is 4 kilometres long. The course is mostly wooded, but there is an open space. Hikers mainly visit the trail. There are many exciting things to see along this trail, such as a waterfall and a wetland.
Crawford Lake Conservation Area
Crawford Lake is a beautiful place to walk and appreciate nature, with plenty of birds and wildlife. Its unique hiking features are the lovely indigenous sculptures gracefully littered throughout the walking paths.
The other highlight is the reconstructed Iroquois village which is a great place to see how Native Americans lived in the past. You’ll be able to learn about their daily life by visiting the reconstructed longhouses. In addition, there are also interpretive programs available that explain the cultural significance of each building.
We first discovered Crawford Lake during our weekend getaway in Burlington, and quite honestly, this is one of our favourite places.
Holy Transfiguration Monastery
A short distance from Crawford Lake Conservation Area is The Transfiguration Monastery. The monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery in Canada and serves as the headquarters of the Eparchy of Canada. The monastery was built on 42 acres of land purchased in 1985. A park surrounds the sanctuary, with playgrounds, sports fields, and other facilities. There are also two cemeteries on the monastery grounds.
Things To Do In Milton Ontario For Kids
Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm
If you have ever been apple picking in Ontario, you might be familiar with Chudleigh’s Farm. Since 1967, Chudleigh’s Farm has been the place to go for good old apple-picking fun and enjoy the atmosphere.
They have many entertainment options, such as music, games, hayrides, a petting zoo, a corn maze, face painting, balloon animals, etc.
Andrews Farm Market & Winery
Andrews Scenic Acres was established in 1980. It is a local community farm that offers pick your fruits and vegetables. There is also a winery, playground, farm animal area, and a farm store. Here you will also find the most Instagramable sunflower field.
Springridge Farm
In addition to delicious Apple Pies (which you can smell from the parking lot), Springridge Farm is ideal for picking up some juicy peaches or apples.
Springridge Farm is a quintessentially charming Ontario farm that steals people’s hearts yearly. It was established in the 1970s and is still a mainstay in the region today.
Milton, Things To Do In The Town Centre
Mill Pond
Milton was essentially built around a Mill Pond. A 2.1-kilometre lightly trafficked loop trail surrounds the pond people use to walk or jog. Depending on your pace, it takes about half an hour to complete.
The settlement of Milton was propelled toward town status by installing a gristmill powered by the nearby pond. This development provided a significant boost in the growth of the area.
Milton Historical Society Waldie Black-Smith Shop
One of the oldest attractions in Milton is The Waldie Blacksmith Shop. It is one of Ontario’s oldest blacksmith shops, built in 1865 and operating today. The building was restored in 1999 by the Milton Historical Society and volunteers. Today, it serves as an educational venue, living museum, and home to both the society and its archives.
Milton Town Hall
The Town Hall was constructed in the 1800s, making it one of the oldest buildings in Ontario that is full of history and still being used today. It has many offices, including the Mayor’s Office, Council Chambers, etc.
Since its construction, the building has undergone a few renovations, but it still maintains its original charm. It has a beautiful interior and exterior, making it a perfect spot to take photos and a great place to visit if you’re looking for some history.
The Best Restaurants In Milton
Pasqualino
Suppose you’re looking for a fine meal and excellent wine in a casual, relaxing, and informal setting; head over to Pasqualino. Their menu features the freshest locally sourced ingredients from their talented kitchen staff.
Ivy Arms
One Of The Best Bars In Milton is Ivy Arms. If you want fun and entertainment with family and friends, pull up a chair and order a pint! They’re all about customer service, so you’ll be in good hands.
Blossom Café
If you’ve enjoyed your time at Chudleigh’s Farm (mentioned above), you’ll surely enjoy their cafe.
Building on what they established on their farm, seeing how people from nearby cities enjoyed this taste of country life. They started Blossom Cafe to serve their delicious apple treats and as a place to reconnect with friends and family, make fresh from scratch, delectable desserts and snacks and take home a selection of irresistible desserts, jams and honey.
An excellent place for breakfast in Milton, you can pair conversation and a sweet treat with a glass of Chudleigh’s cider!
FirstOntario Arts Centre Milton
The FirstOntario Arts Centre Milton, owned and operated by the Town of Milton, is devoted to supporting art and culture as part of everyday life in the community. It hosts events, gallery exhibitions, and art programs and workshops for people of all ages and skill levels.
The Centre was made possible by a significant investment of $16.2 million from the Building Canada Fund in 2009, along with additional provincial and federal grants totalling $39.3 million.
Milton Farmer’s Market
The Milton Farmers’ Market has served their local community since the 1970s with freshly-picked produce from local farmers and an array of handmade wares from artisans and flower vendors –– over 30 vendors.
Orange Snail Brewers
Orange Snail makes delicious craft beers, from American pale ale and an English cream ale to Indian pale ale. Their beers are brewed traditionally and served in a warm, inviting, and cozy atmosphere.
Things To Do In Milton This Weekend
Stonehouse of Campbellville
The Stonehouse of Campbellville is where people see beautiful stained glass windows. The shop specializes in windows and sells other antiques like furniture and artwork.
Woodbine Mohawk Park
Woodbine Mohawk Park is a horse racing track built in 1909 and has been home to many great horses, such as Seabiscuit, Secretariat, and Affirmed. The track also hosts annual events like the Canadian International Stakes every year during the summer months.
The City of Milton owns the track, but it is operated by the Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG). WEG is an entertainment company that owns several other racetracks around North America, including Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, New York’s Aqueduct Racetrack, and Belmont Park in New York.
Terre Bleu Lavender Farm
Terre Blue Lavender Farms sells lavender, sunflowers, and other plants. They were founded in 2018, and they’ve become an integral part of the community. If you want to buy lavender, go to Lochland Botanicals. They sell lavender, sunflower, and other plants. You can also pick your flowers and herbs at Terre Blue Lavender farms.
Halton County Radial Railway Museum
The Halton County Radial Railroad is at 13629 Guelph Line in Milton, Ontario. It is an operating electric railway and museum. The HCRR features historic electric railcars operating over 2 km of scenic track.
After the donation of the TTC Streetcar 1326, the dream grew, and the museum opened its doors in 1972. Since then, the vision of the Halton County Radiall Railroad has been to inform, educate and inspire the public about the electric railway’s history of Ontario and Canada.
Places To Stay In Milton, ON + Map
Final Thoughts On Things To Do In Milton
Consider a day trip if you want things to do in Milton. With incredible nature packed with hiking trails, activities and attractions that will keep you busy all year round!
Then head into town and grab a beer at the brewery and a bite at one of the many restaurants.
