As we’re winding down the year 2025 and preparing to start a new chapter, I’ve got good news for everybody: start your own bucket list and day-trippen adventures, and I will guarantee an exciting year ahead.
*** Let me explain how the bucket list idea comes into play.
Every New Year, people make a resolution of sorts. Some promise to lose weight, others vow to travel a little more and, or enjoy life to the fullest. They all have good intentions; however, many of those promises fade away before the first month is over.
I’ll be honest: I’ve never had much luck with traditional resolutions either. So instead, year after year, I’ve continued my own tradition, creating a bucket list of exciting places to visit closer to home. Day trips, local discoveries, short getaways. And let me tell you, there’s no shortage of fascinating places right in our own backyard.
- My bucket list includes seeing the Laurentians in Quebec, the Kite Flying Festival in Hopeville, and maybe even the snowmobile puddle-jumping event in Midland this winter.
That’s why resolutions don’t always stick, but bucket lists do.
If you go online at any given time, you’ll find no shortage of places to visit. Tourism sites like, Daytripper, Destination Ontario, Ontario Cultural Days, Indigenous Tourism Ontario, and countless others offer ideas for every interest and budget.
If you’re an outdoors person, you might choose a three- or four-day dogsledding adventure in the northern parts
Across Ontario, across Canada, or maybe something closer to home. Incredible places are waiting to be explored.
I’ve decided to spend my money closer to home, and honestly, I regret not doing it more.’ Now, that may sound political, but it’s not. Canada’s wilderness and attractions truly are second to none.
- From snowmobiling and ski resorts to skating on the Rideau Canal, “boasting the longest skating rink in the world.” There is no shortage of winter fun. Add dog-sled competitions, puddle jumping events, and the unforgettable experiences of the illuminated glow of Niagara Falls, right here close to home.
Before I share more of my own bucket-list adventures, I want to mention something that shaped the way I look at travel. Years ago, I heard this simple thought: *“Stand in one spot and train your eyes to look and then … ‘see all the beauty that surrounds you.’ When you train yourself to look at things differently, you realize you don’t have to travel far to experience something remarkable. Sometimes the magic is already here; you just need to notice it.
* That’s the beauty of day trips. A holiday close to home can absolutely do the trick.
Over the past year, I checked off several bucket-list adventures and carried the rest forward. As this new year begins, I’ve already started building my next list.
Yes, I’m spending my hard-earned money in Ontario; however … I won’t lie if I said a VIA Rail journey across Canada still calls to me. Travelling coast to coast by train, through the Rockies, the Prairies, and the Maritimes, sounds pretty incredible.
There are also 2 3 day Great Lakes Boat Cruise experiences with no passport required, and no border hassles. That alone sounds tempting given the times.
*** Bucket List … Cold War HMCS ‘Ojibwa Submarine at Port Burwell … LINK
Just writing about these places gets my mojo going again, and I hope it does for you.
Would I love to visit Nova Scotia and see family again? Absolutely. Would I go back to Banff National Park? In a heartbeat. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t countless day trips right near you or me, affordable, memorable, and worth every minute.
As this year winds down and the next one begins, my bucket list continues to grow. Mahone Bay in Nova Scotia is calling but “maybe next year”. So is Oak Island the legendary site of the famous treasure hunt would again be a fun visit. While access to the island itself is restricted, the area still celebrates its history with museums, tours, and even a
pirate-themed pub. Fitting, ‘don’t you think?’
*** Treasure Island” in Nova Scotia refers to the famous Oak Island, known for the world’s longest-running treasure hunt centred on the mysterious “Money Pit,” *** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Island_mystery
And once again, the message comes full circle:
Whether you want to see the Rockies, the Maritimes, or Canada’s vibrant cities, VIA Rail and Canada itself offer endless opportunities for adventure.
*** Bucket List … The Avro Arrow at Edenvale Aerodrome Museum … LINK
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- I have been coast to coast in Canada and have only seen about 5% of it. You could spend a lifetime trying to see it all but what I have seen, and the people I’ve met, is equal to or better than all the other places I’ve been. We sure as hell aren’t perfect but on the scale of human decency we do pretty well. And the country is impressive everywhere we go.
Find a destination near you. Visit a provincial park or day trippen museums near you. Take a scenic drive. Book a cabin, a campsite, or a cozy inn. Discover something new in your area without breaking the bank.
Start your own bucket list. You won’t regret it.
If you found my story interesting, maybe informative, please consider buying me a coffee ☕
