THINGS TO DO in PARIS ONTARIO – A LOCAL’S GUIDE
Did you know Canada has a Paris? Paris, Ontario, is just down the road from Scotland. It’s also not far from Cambridge. You can take a road trip to Paris, Ontario, just down the road from Scotland and not far from Cambridge. It was made from gypsum to make Plaster Paris, which was used to build walls and ceilings.
Dave and I moved from Canada to Paris last year. We love this beautiful community. It was named Canada’s prettiest little town and is just one hour and twenty minutes away from Toronto. This makes it a popular day trip destination for those who want to escape the city. These are the top things to do in Paris (Ontario) if you’re looking for a weekend getaway or just a day of exploration.
Things to Do in Paris, Ontario
Paris, Ontario, astonished me. I was born here but haven’t been back in 20 years. Dave was born across the street in Burlington and had never been to this area before. Although it was not on our radar, after visiting my parents to view houses before the pandemic, we decided to buy one! This isn’t Paris or Brant County. I remember growing up. Paris is now home to cool boutique shops and modern restaurants. There are also plenty of outdoor adventures along the Grand River. Let’s dive in!
Paris Outdoors
Kayak the Grand River
We arrived in Paris at the pandemic’s peak, so we had plenty of time to explore the outdoors. The Grand River is a popular destination for kayaking in the province. We didn’t know it was so. Kayakers have the option to launch their kayaks anywhere in Paris; from there, they can sail to Brantford. However, we prefer to kayak back to town via Glen Morris (11km away).
There is one catch: you will need two cars. My brother and I loaded our kayaks into his truck and dropped them off at the launch site. The truck was then driven to Paris, where it was left at Penman’s Dam. We then drove back to Glen Morris to pick up our vehicle. It’s not easy, but paddling one way is much more fun than paddling upstream.
- You can book kayaking trips with Grand River Rafting Company
- Grand Adventures offers canoeing and kayaking trips on the Grand River and Nith Rivers.
- You can also book shuttles and do the same as others. Just call a taxi to get back to your car.
Tube the Grand River
If kayaking is not your thing, River tubing is very popular on Grand. There are many launch points along the Grand for tubers, but the best way to get in is to launch from downtown Paris and float to the Brant Conservation area. You will need two cars for this, but Grand River Rafting can provide shuttles. Others have also reported that they use taxis for shuttle purposes. This is a great idea. Grand River Rafting offers Turbo Tubing tours and rentals. PS: We recommend that you have tubing paddles to navigate through rapids and obstacles.
Hot Tip – Brant Blue Canoe Token
You’ll get special discounts at participating Paris, Ontario vendors if you book your experience with Grand River outfitters – Grand Adventures or Grand River Rifting. After completing your tour, you’ll receive a Brant Blue Canoe Token, which can be used.
Rafting the Grand River
While we have paddled along the Grand River on a SUP (stand-up paddleboard), we also see whitewater rafters passing by daily. Grand River rafting doesn’t have the same whitewater as Ottawa Whitewater Rafting, but it can be fun for families and involves overcoming a few obstacles. There are beaches and swimming to enjoy, and the scenery is stunning. This is a great trip for groups.