Mediaplanet spoke with three of Ontario's very own about their experiences and favourite things to do throughout the province. Get out & explore your own backyard this spring & summer!
Chef Susur Lee
What was it like growing up in Hong Kong and what made you decide to move to Canada?
Growing up in Hong Kong began my passion for food- the foundation of who I am. I grew up next to the ocean and farm land and these different landscapes opened my eyes to many different ingredients and food elements. The reason for moving to Canada was for love, I fell in love with a woman from Ontario.
What do you love most about living in Ontario?
Ontario has such dense business center and lots of multiculturalism. I love how this province attracts lots of tourism and professionals. This makes me very proud.
What fueled your passion for food?
My passion for food comes from my innate curiosity for food culture and traditions. I love taking old food traditions and finding ways to incorporate them with modern cooking
Torri Webster
What are your favourite things to do in the province?
I have so many special memories in Ontario, but some of my favourite things to do include spending a Sunday in the beautiful green space at Edwards Gardens in Toronto. Heading on a road trip to Prince Edward County with friends, taking a wine tour, and visiting Ste. Anne's Spa along the way! Plus, there's also nothing like grabbing fresh bagels and fruit at St. Lawrence Market in Toronto or, finally, visiting an epic Mirvish theatre show on a Friday night.
What do you love most about living in Ontario?
Ontario will always feel like home, no matter how much I travel or spend time away. What I love most is Ontario's vast landscape, its outstanding and unique access to culinary experiences, lakeside memories, and of course, our epic sports teams — spending an evening cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs will always be the perfect night out.
Top recommendations for someone visiting Ontario this summer?
If you're visiting Ontario, look no further than Toronto's best spots, as recommended by a local! Kick off your vacation with wellness and start with the best Toronto facial at Sous La Face in Yorkville. Or, if you're looking for a group activity, hit up Othership for a soul-rejuvenating social sauna session and cold plunge. From there, hop on the ferry and head to the Toronto Islands for an afternoon bike ride. Finally, I recommend Mamakas for dinner on Queen West and Ossington for a trendy night out with the best Greek food in town!
styles. The aim is to keep the stories of these traditions alive, but also make them more relatable.
What are the top culinary experiences that Ontarians should be trying this summer?
This summer my latest venture of relocating LEE restaurant will be in full swing! I am looking forward to continuing to cook and host guests at this brand-new location in the Waterworks building located in downtown Toronto. My two signature dishes will be moving to the new location: the 23 ingredient, vegan friendly, Singaporean Style Slaw and the French and Chinese Tong Yuen for dessert. I am always excited for people to try them.
Belicia Chung
You are known for being quite the foodie — what do you love best about Toronto’s culinary experiences?
Food has always been a big part of my family. No matter how busy we were, it was rare for my family to eat a meal separately. My parents cooked together and before serving ourselves, my brother and I served our parents their favourite parts of the meal first. This was our love language and our moment of reconnection. So it’s no surprise I have such a special appreciation for food and how it connects people. My favourite dining experiences in Toronto are places where I feel the heartbeat of the kitchen, the family that built the walls and served their parents first. A must visit is Maha’s Egyptian Brunch. My fiancé is Egyptian and I’ve had the pleasure of learning about the Egyptian culture and food so walking into Maha’s is a breath of warm familial air where you feel their tight embrace in their cooking. For my family, we spent a lot of Sundays at dim sum and our favourite is Skyview Fusion Cuisine in Markham. Contrary to Maha’s where you felt connected to the kitchen, here, the focus is on connecting with your group. From the quantity of pieces per dish to the design of the round tables, dim sum is a shareable experience.
What is your favourite part about living in Ontario?
I'm often asked if I'd ever move to a different country or even province in Canada and my answer is always no. I love to travel and immerse myself in different cultures and ways of living but home for me is Ontario. Home is where my family is, it's where I can see myself in other young first generation Chinese girls trying to find their identity, and it's where I can relive fond memories or discover bucket-list transporting experiences. Ontario is home.
Start Planning Your Dream Ontario Road Trip Today
OMake it your own! Curate a unique Ontario road trip this summer and visit the sites you want to see.
Kate March, Director of Communications, Attractions Ontario
ntario truly has it all: scenic landscapes, serene beaches, thrill-seeking outdoor explorations, relaxing resorts, and, of course, attractions that offer unique and exciting experiences. This year, be sure to include Ontario in your vacation plans. Ontario is unlike any other province. Did you know that:
• The Toronto Zoo is Canada’s largest zoo?
• The Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, located in Ottawa, was originally a top-secret underground bunker designed for defence against a nuclear attack during the Cold War?
• The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is the largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany?
• Fort William Historical Park, located in Thunder Bay, is Canada’s most significant living historical site and a Canadian
Signature Experience?
• Ontario is the world’s largest Icewine producer?
Ontario is not only beautiful, but so very interesting — full of history, culture, and tasty eats. This year, consider embarking on an Ontario road trip to discover the magic this great province offers. Visit ontarioroadtrips.ca and start planning your unique adventure. Select your route and choose the attractions you want to visit along the way. Add other points of interest, including accommodations, campgrounds, marinas, restaurants, wineries, and breweries, to map out your very own bucket-list dream vacation. Then simply print, save, or email your customized trip with directions for easy accessibility anytime.
Looking for a trip that’s already tried, tested, and true? Find pre-planned itineraries that offer
some of Ontario’s best routes, including everything from culinary trips like butter tart tours and craft brewery tours to motorcycle routes and RV tours. Every corner of Ontario is covered. With summer just around the corner, there’s no better time than now to start your vacation planning. On a budget? No problem! Visit attractionsontario.ca throughout the year to find downloadable coupons with thousands of dollars in savings. In addition, learn more about individual attractions and destinations, enter contests to win free admissions, and find up-to-date events at destinations across the province. The Attractions Ontario website is your all-in-one Ontario vacation destination site. We look forward to improving your Ontario planning experience and helping you to create your most memorable Ontario holiday yet.
Start planning today at ontarioroadtrips.ca
Read the full interviews with Susur Lee, Torri Webster & Belicia Chung on
Canadian Celebrity Chef
Canadian Actress & Content Creator
Canadian Lifestyle Blogger
Spend the Summer in Your Own Backyard Take the Ultimate Road Trip to York Durham Headwaters
Find out your road trip personality and head for the ultimate road trip destination, York Durham Headwaters.
With the airline industry still ramping up to accommodate travellers, a good old-fashioned road trip just might be the best solution for airport-weary vacationers.
Luckily, Ontario is full of attractive vacation destinations. The region of York Durham Headwaters (YDH) is one such jewel.
Charm close to home
YDH is a large section of the province just north of Toronto and a little to the east, about an hour from the heart of the city. While Canada’s Wonderland is its most popular tourist attraction, there’s much more to explore.
“The charm of YDH is in its small historical towns, boutique shops, and cozy rural restaurants,” says Jessica Elliott, Marketing Manager for Central Counties Tourism.
Visitors to the region can pick their own bouquets at flower farms, have a drink at an outdoor patio, test the waters at a beautiful spa, or luxuriate at a lavish resort (like Hockley Valley Resort or the Millcroft Inn and Spa). “You can also zipline, play golf, go horseback riding, or be a rancher for a day,” says Elliott.
If you find yourself overwhelmed with choice, the YDH tourism organization has got you covered. The organization recently launched an itinerary
planner that will help you find your road trip type. “The road trip personalities are adventure seeker, art lover, foodie fanatic, passionate putter, and family fun,” says Elliott.
Adventures aplenty
If you’re an adventure seeker, for instance, an itinerary might include a pit stop at Reptilia Zoo or, if outdoor adventure is more your thing, a trip to the Terra Cotta Conservation Area. Thrill seekers can head to Markham for the Joyride 150 Indoor Bike Park. Treetop trekking, go-kart racing, and paddleboarding are all options as well.
Foodie fanatics will find their own adventure in YDH. “Aside from the wineries, cideries, and breweries, farmers’ markets and farm shops offer the freshest produce and meat you can find,” says Elliott. “You can try your hand at making butter or taste maple syrup right from the source.”
And if you’re an art lover, you can’t miss the 6,000-square-foot Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa, the artist-led Alton Mill Arts Centre, the Whitby-based Station Gallery, or the Williams Mill Creative Arts Studios in Georgetown.
There’s an amazing amount to see and do in YDH, making it the ultimate road trip destination. “We have so many hidden gems here and we really do have something for everyone,” says Elliott.
Fresh Water, Clean Air, Rich Culture, and Infinite Adventure: The Greenbelt Provides
Adventure awaits in Ontario’s Greenbelt, a refuge of heritage and natural splendour that’s a stone’s throw from southern Ontario’s bustling cities.
D.F. McCourt
Southern Ontario is the most densely populated region in Canada. From a vantage point of the big economic hubs, it can seem like the concrete stretches in every direction without end. And yet, from the majestic cliffs and rustic wineries of the Niagara Escarpment to the rolling hills and lush farmlands of the Oak Ridges Moraine, our urban environments are surrounded by a Greenbelt that’s rich in nature and steeped in heritage, reminding us of why millions of residents have settled here in the first place.
“Despite all the urbanization, southern Ontario still remains one of the most biodiverse places in Canada,” says Edward McDonnell, CEO of the Greenbelt Foundation. “There's a reason why people have been settling in this area for thousands of years. In the face of pressures like climate change and growing populations, our connection to what the Greenbelt provides in terms of nature, water, and agriculture is only becoming more important.”
A legacy to conserve and preserve Since 2005, the protection of the Greenbelt has enabled a world-leading approach to nature conservation, development of recreational trails and facilities, and economic invigoration for the rural communities across this landscape. Numerous new projects and partnerships have been undertaken and preexisting efforts like the
Great Lakes Waterfront Trail have been expanded as environmental tourism has become more deeply integrated into the communities.
Every year, cyclists, hikers and motorists flock to Greenbelt trails for a journey of environmental and cultural discovery, and to experience the fresh air, incredible biodiversity and rich legacy of the towns and villages that have been feeding Ontario for centuries. The people who call the Greenbelt home know that the more residents and visitors immerse themselves in this landscape, the more eager they become to preserve it. The explorers and tourists are also welcome patrons to the many small businesses, from breweries and wineries to art shops and cafes, that make up the commercial diversity of the region. This influx of customers has been a huge boon for rural economies as they recover from the economic downturn during the pandemic.
“Cyclists particularly love to support the businesses and communities they ride through,” says Marlaine Koehler, CEO of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust. “On a bike, you get a stronger sense of connection to the land and to the people. You enjoy the smiles, and you experience more of their hospitality than you do when driving. You realize that this isn’t just a place of natural beauty, it’s also a way of life that is important to our survival.”
Getting out is going home When the Greenbelt thrives, we all prosper. So, when the streets and
towers of the city seem endless, remember that something entirely different, something timeless, is closer than you might think. By bike, foot or car, there are adventures available in all sizes — many curated and maintained by the Greenbelt Foundation and their partners, others tucked away for the more intrepid explorer.
“The Greenbelt is two million acres stretching from Niagara all the way to Rice Lake, full of year-round experiences,” says McDonnell. “There’s something for everyone. You can choose your own adventure.”
However you do it, getting out into the Greenbelt not only expands your horizons and enriches your life, it also makes you a part of the essential interconnection and fellowship that keeps Ontario vibrant and strong.
Janice Tober
Kawartha Dairy Is a Must Stop for Any Summer Road Trip
Thanks to its mouthwatering, quality ice cream, Kawartha Dairy has become a renowned mainstay of summertime in Ontario.
Katherine Cappellacci
Since its inception in 1937, Kawartha Dairy has been a family-owned and operated business. M uch has changed since Jack and Ila Crowe started the Bobcaygeon-based dairy and used frozen lake ice to refrigerate their milk, but the company’s objectives have remained the same: to provide incredibly fresh products and excellent customer service.
In the 1950s, they expanded into making ice cream, which is still produced in the same traditional way using the freshest milk and cream. Coming from local farms within 100 kilometers of their Bobcaygeon plant, the dairy is packaged into ice cream within 24 hours of arriving.
The result is creamy, premium ice cream that’s become famous across cottage country and beyond. In addition to the company’s own Retail
Stores, their products are now also available at many provincial retail outlets and scoop shops.
Something for everyone
This summer, Ontarians are encouraged to visit one of the company’s locations.
Whether it’s a stop along the way or a staycation, Kawartha Dairy’s selection of 45 flavours guarantees that there’s something delicious for everyone.
says the Crowe family, who continues to own and operate the business. “We know our regulars by name and we’re committed to quality.”
Plus, the dairy’s always creating new, innovative flavours — like the recently added Moon Mist and Campfire S’mores.
“We’ve been successful because of our small-town family values,”
Beyond delicious ice cream, the company’s superb customer service makes going to one of its locations a treat. For many, stopping at Kawartha Dairy is a longstanding tradition. It’s a place that brings people together and makes for great family memories, all while supporting local business.
Whether it’s for the first or the 100th time, the Crowe family looks forward to welcoming every customer like they’re part of the family.
FIND KAWARTHA DAIRY’S CLOSEST STORES AND TRY ONE OF ITS TOP 10 FLAVOURS
While all 45 flavours are available in stores, here’s how to try the top 10 at their 10 locations.
This article was sponsored by Kawartha Dairy
In Bancroft, try the fudgy swirls and chocolate peanut butter cups in Moose Tracks!
Stop by Peterborough to sample the legendary Death by Chocolate
In Huntsville get the tasty Pralines & Cream
Going to Minden? Order the decadent Black Raspberry Thunder
Head over to Lindsay for the famous Salty Caramel Truffle!
Refresh your palate in Newmarket with Mint Chip!
Head to Barrie for a classic favourite: Vanilla!
A traditional favourite, Strawberry is waiting for you in Orillia
Chocolate Peanut Butter is waiting for you in Bobcaygeon
In Uxbridge, the rich and creamy French Vanilla will delight your taste buds.
How Fresh Food and Relaxed Hospitality Are the Recipe for Success
Canadians want more than just good food when dining out — they want fresh ingredients and a memorable experience. Turtle Jack’s Muskoka Grill delivers.
Ken Donohue
Turtle Jack’s wrote the menu for the premium casual dining experience in Ontario. With 18 locations and a loyal following, the recipe for success has been simple: prepare fresh, quality food, create a sense of place, and hire people who are passionate about delivering friendly service. Clark Lishman, Turtle Jack’s Brand Lead, whose family has been dishing up memorable dining experiences for decades, chatted with Mediaplanet to share the restaurant’s inspiration.
What was the inspiration behind Turtle Jack's?
Thirty years ago, my father and I were relaxing on a dock in Muskoka and we talked about the lack of premium casual dining options. We dreamed of a premium restaurant that offered fresh food paired with the kind of fun and relaxed hospitality you enjoy with family friends at the cottage. As the brand grew, we remembered that dockside vision we had. We want our guests to have a special experience — our restaurants are purposely designed to evoke the feeling of being at the cottage, and our servers treat guests like old friends.
What does premium casual mean?
We believe you can prepare quality food and enjoy fine dining in a comfortable and casual environment. At Turtle Jack’s you can still get wings and other comfort foods, but you can also enjoy delicious poke or curry bowls, and steaks aged in-house. Dressed in a suit, ready to loosen the tie, or dressed casually, you’ll always feel comfortable at our restaurants.
What differentiates Turtle Jack's from other restaurants?
We were really the first in Ontario to develop the premium casual dining experience. While others have entered the market, we’re still committed to serving quality food that’s prepared fresh daily. Our food isn't frozen, and we offer limited-time menus to keep things fresh and to source local ingredients when we can. We take pride in where our food comes from, just like our guests do. That’s why we only serve sustainably caught salmon, Canadian raised chicken and pork, and Certified Angus Beef. At Turtle Jack’s our guests are family, and we want to reward our family! The TLC (Turtle Jack’s Loyalty Club) program is a comprehensive rewards program that gives you points on every dollar spent.
Turtle Jack's has a loyal following in Ontario. Do you have plans to expand outside the province?
This year, we’re opening two locations in British Columbia — in Prince George and Kelowna. We’re excited to bring the Turtle Jack's experience to other parts of the country. A piece of Ontario’s cottage country is coming to BC's cottage country! Our partnership with MTY Restaurant Group has provided us with valuable resources needed to further invest in our people and growing the brand. Despite its growth, Turtle Jack’s still has the attributes of a small, family-run business. If you’re looking for a dining experience that’s both quality and comfortable, and one that gives you a feeling of genuineness, Turtle Jack’s is where you’ll find that.
Just like our guests, we care where our food comes from. We’re committed to serving quality food that’s prepared fresh daily.
From Boots to Paddles to Saddles, It's Time to Get Outside, Ontario!
The Outdoor Council of Canada is committed to making the outdoors accessible to all Canadians through outdoor leadership training.
Linda “Lecko” Leckie, Program Coordinator, The Outdoor Council of Canada
The Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) serves as the umbrella organization for the Canadian outdoor sector. The OCC addresses structural barriers hindering the ability of outdoor programs to reach their full impact. Outdoor activities can strengthen the people-nature connection, promote physical well-being, reinforce healthy living habits, and support community ties and sustainable economic growth.
Here at the OCC, we envision a Canada where everyone is given the opportunity to experience a deep connection with nature, discover a love for learning, and be active for life.
The benefits of outdoor leadership training
The Field Leader Program, the OCC’s signature outdoor leadership program, is a series of courses designed to prepare our graduates to plan and prepare their experiences in nature while looking after themselves, others, and the natural
environment. The OCC firmly believes that learning to be a competent participant or effective outdoor leader requires direct experience and immersion in the outdoors. Therefore, each of our courses includes a significant amount of time spent in the field. Our courses provide training in foundational outdoor leadership skills and range in scope from 8 to 20 hours of instruction.
Participants begin their OCC leadership journey by taking one of the three foundational courses: Field Leader Hiking, Paddling, or Equine. Participants will be introduced to the OCC’s philosophy of participant-centred leadership and intentional programming where the needs, interests, and abilities of the participants guide the planning. The event cycle, which is also presented, is a structured series of steps to design, deliver, and align the outdoor experience with the organization’s priorities and purpose. Other course topics include identifying hazards and managing risks, dealing with unexpected situations, group
management, situational awareness, and environmental responsibility.
Comprehensive learning opportunities
The Field Leader Winter and Field Leader Overnight courses extend a Field Leader Hiking, Paddling, or Equine leader’s certification to include all four seasons or multi-day trips.
Our two training (non-certification) courses, Get Outside Maps and Get Outside Compass, provide a comprehensive introduction to navigation. These technical skill courses focus on using maps and compasses for practical use in the back-country.
Those who already have extensive outdoor leadership experience can apply directly to take our Instructor course. Successful graduates will receive at least one OCC instructor license and may be licensed to teach additional Field Leader courses.
Find out how you can have the Turtle Jack’s experience at turtlejacks.com
