Say ‘yes’ to summer in Durham Region

Somewhere in Durham Region, there’s a café you’ve heard about for years. A trail you’ve always wanted to cycle. An attraction the kids would love if you ever got around to visiting. This summer, stop saying “one day” and start saying “yes” to the experiences you’ve been putting off—and to the discoveries you haven’t made yet. Between waterfront swims, quiet country roads, inviting downtowns and farm stops, Durham is full of possibilities just down the road from home. The hardest part might be deciding where to begin.

Start with Open Skies

Build a staycation that fits your style with Durham Tourism’s Open Skies. The adventure planner is filled with ideas and inspiration, organized into checklists that make it easy to plan your next outing, day trip or weekend escape.

Craving great food? Find restaurants, indie cafés, bakeries and other delicious treats.

Looking for a refreshing getaway? Discover Durham’s more than 20 breweries, cideries, distilleries or wineries.

Love live music, arts and local culture? Explore the region’s lineup of festivals and community celebrations.

Want to dig deeper into Durham Region? Find home grown fun and fresh food at welcoming farms, or plan a day of discovery at art galleries, museums and historic sites.

With 129 ways to explore the region, Open Skies is the perfect companion to bring on your summer adventures. Find it online, with printed copies available at locations across the region.

Shift into scenic Durham Region

A summer bike ride has a way of turning an ordinary afternoon into an adventure. Durham Tourism makes it easy to take the scenic route with cycling trails and loops that wind along country roads, roll past farmland and connect riders to small-town main streets and waterfront views.

With 13 rural on-road cycling loops, there’s a route for every skill level, from leisurely rides to more advanced challenges. New bike route signs make it easier than ever to navigate routes and discover destinations along the way. It’s all helping make the region an even better place to ride. In fact, Durham recently became the first regional municipality in Ontario to earn a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community designation from Share the Road Cycling Coalition.

But biking is more than the ride itself. It’s also an opportunity to support local. Stop for a drink, shop at a farm market, enjoy lunch on a patio or pick up locally made products along the way. Durham Tourism’s rural routes also feature Ontario by Bike certified businesses, offering cyclist-friendly amenities such as bike parking, water refills, washrooms and rest stops.

Big fun for little explorers

If little legs are joining the summer adventures, Durham Tourism has plenty of ideas to keep them moving too. The Kids’ Guide to Durham Region takes the guesswork out of summer planning, leaving more time for fun and less time stressing over how to keep everyone entertained.

Whether the kids are happiest meeting farm animals, climbing, creating, splashing or exploring, there’s attractions, outdoor experiences and rainy-day activities that help families make the most of summer without travelling far. Find family-friendly events and inclusive spaces that consider all abilities when designing their programs. When the kids work up an appetite, you’ll find dining options that keep even the youngest tastebuds happy and fed.

The stay in staycation

Some adventures are too good to fit into a single day. Instead of heading home when the sun goes down, extend the fun. Durham Tourism has rounded up campsites, glamping experiences and unique accommodations so you can plan the ultimate staycation and enjoy all the fun of a getaway without spending hours on the road.

If your ideal escape includes a campfire under the stars, splashing at a water park or falling asleep to the roar of lions, these overnight getaways offer the chance to experience Durham in a new way. Sometimes, a change of scenery is all it takes to make home feel like a destination.

Whether you're checking experiences off the Open Skies guide, cycling a rural loop, planning a family day of adventure or booking a unique overnight stay, make the most of summer close to home. Your next great adventure is closer than you think.

Discover even more things to see, do, taste and experience through Durham Tourism's website and events calendar and follow them on Instagram.