Best looking towns in Ontario

[in'sauga]

I've just returned from a camping trip and a side-trip to Owen Sound and began to reflect on some of my favourite towns in Ontario. Here is my list of the best looking towns in Ontario. I'm sure I've missed a few gems but what I'd like to know from all you forumers is which one of the following towns to you believe is the best looking, most charming, best preserved in Ontario?

[in'sauga]

oh. ....and by the way please post pictures of these towns if you'd like!.....I've omitted my favourite place to reside, downtown Oakville b/c although it is officially designated as a town, its far too big to include in this poll.

[Steeltown]

For me it's either Niagara on the Lake or Stratford. Hard to pick.

[algonquin]

you've missed Goderich, which slaughters most of those towns listed.

Hell, it's even known as the 'prettiest town in Canada', whether it's true or not.

I vote Goderich.

[samsonyuen]

Orangeville? I choose Niagara-on-the-Lake.

[in'sauga]

I drove through Orangeville over the weekend and I was thoroughly impressed. Nice architcture, quaint and well preserved. Very clean as well. I've always had a fondness for Orangeville which is why I've included it here.

Keep in mind there are several notable mentions like Goderich which has been pointed out that I have omitted. I apologize for that, trying to keep it to a minimum here though.

I still haven't decided b/w Stratford, Port Hope and Cobourg.

[algonquin]

Originally Posted by in'sauga

Keep in mind there are several notable mentions like Goderich which has been pointed out that I have omitted. I apologize for that, trying to keep it to a minimum here though.

Thats fine, but Goderich is pretty much above all of those towns, with the possible exception of Niagara-on-the-lake.

Anyone here who's spent any amount of time in Goderich would know what I mean. It has:

- a unique octogon-shaped downtown... it is a roundabout flanked with shops, a theatre and a hotel, with a Huron county couthouse in the middle. There is no other such urban design in Canada (can't speak for the US)

- a dramatic setting on bluffs overlooking Lake Huron and an excellent harbour. A handfull of parks take advantage of this setting.

- three public beaches that are well serviced

- an impressive collection of estates and mansions that date to the turn of the century, plus a general standard of preservation and landscaping throughout the old town, which is fairly large.

- a working port, with 2 salt mines and a massive grain elevator, which animates the harbour.

- two very nice train stations in good condition (both currently vacant)

- the historic Huron County Gaol, which is an 1800's prison in mint condition, now used as a tourist attraction with tours.

- the absolute best sunsets over Lake Huron.... in fact, the say you can watch the sunset twice, once from the beach, then run up to the top of the bluff to see it again

some pics from the towns website:














there's hardly competition

[algonquin]

more Goderich y'all

[DrJoe]

Some Cobourg pics







Cobourg has the best beach I will tell you that

[ssiguy2]

Ya, I was wondering why Goderich wasn't there but another very pretty town is Paris.

[Tony]

It's never been discussed on any of these forums before as far as I know, but Collingwood isn't too shabby either.

[Oaronuviss]

Niagara-On-The-Lake for sure.

[Blitz]

St. Mary's impressed me as well.

[samsonyuen]

Goderich looks nice, but I always think of the Steven Truscott murder trials that we had to recreate in my OAC law class. Cobourg is charming. Another town missed here is Merrickville.

[in'sauga]

algonquin....you've convinced me. I wish i had included Goderich in this thread sorry that I didn't now...would have replaced Dundas with Goderich for sure. The pics you've contributed are AMAZING!!!! The downtown plan is amazing. Doesn't the flag of Goderich have an octagon in the centre sorta like the town?

Goderich is stunning and beautiful and thanks to your pics I will definitely visit that town!

[algonquin]

Originally Posted by in'sauga

algonquin....you've convinced me. I wish i had included Goderich in this thread sorry that I didn't now...would have replaced Dundas with Goderich for sure. The pics you've contributed are AMAZING!!!! The downtown plan is amazing. Doesn't the flag of Goderich have an octagon in the centre sorta like the town?

Goderich is stunning and beautiful and thanks to your pics I will definitely visit that town!

That's OK, I got a little over-excited anyway. I would still include Dundas.

Another place worth mentioning is Peterborough, though it is a city.

[in'sauga]

also DrJoe thanks for the great pics of one of my personal favourites, Cobourg Ontario.

I agree that Cobourg probably has the single best building for a town of its size! Is that the town hall?

[softee]

Perth is another beautiful little town that deserves a mention.

[rapideye95]

Has anyone heard of Mattawa, Ontario.....beautiful town located by the mattawa river in a valley.....with breathtaking views of the laurentian mountains...population is about 3,000 people....about 70 km east of north bay

[flagship]

As someone who has been to Goderich hundreds of times in his life, I have to admit, I think it is very overrated.

It is a nice place, but it is far from the "prettiest town in Canada."

In fact, I think that slogan hurts them a lot more than it helps them. You get your hopes up, and than when you visit the place you are inevitably dissapointed by it becasue it just seems like any other town. At least to me it does.

The square is unique, but hardly pretty. It is just like any other main street, but in a octogonal shape instead of a straight road.

And the beach area is ruined by the salt mill.

It is a nice place to live, but they really overdo it in their marketing.