Looking for the perfect day trip from Toronto? Look no further than Newmarket! Just a quick and convenient train ride away, Newmarket offers a delightful mix of history, culture, and nature, making it one of my favorite places to visit near me. Once you step off the train, it’s only a short 15 to 20 minute walk into downtown. From exploring historic sites and haunted locations to enjoying a stroll around the picturesque Fairy Lake, you’ll find a variety of things to do in Newmarket.
While best known for the massive Upper Canada Mall, Newmarket has so much more to offer day trippers. If you’re on foot, downtown Newmarket offers plenty of choices that range from trails and even a theatre. Plus, you can grab a bite to eat in unique spots, like a restaurant housed in a former post office or indulge in a shot in as sweet shop. For those travelling by car to Newmarket, you’ll find everything from farms to wineries. Whether you’re into history, outdoor activities, or great food, Newmarket is the perfect destination.
Things to do in Downtown Newmarket
For those without a car or looking for sustainable travel ideas, Newmarket is one of the best day trips from Toronto by train. Jump on the Go Train at Union and it’s a scenic 1-hour ride to Newmarket’s train station at the old Tannery building.
From the Go Train station you can walk down Main Street into downtown, which takes approximately 15 minutes. Or take the Nokiidaa Trail (also known as the Tom Taylor Trail) into downtown, which is roughly 20 minutes.
I live north of the city, so Newmarket is one of my favourite day trips from Barrie.
Bike or Walk around Fairy Lake
When it comes to free things to do in Newmarket, my favourite activity is walking around Fairy Lake. This picturesque lake is located right in the heart of downtown Newmarket. It features a paved trail around the lake that takes a casual 30 minutes to complete.
Fairy Lake is a man-made lake and is surrounded by Fairy Lake Park. The park is roughly 13 hectares and includes various environments like marshland. It’s also known as Wesley Brooks Conservation Area and is a great place to take in the fall colours.
As one of my favourite places in York Region to walk, the park also has a number of fun features. There are playgrounds, bridges over the water, chess/checker tables to play on, and special events.
Insider Tip: If you want to cycle around the lake or explore downtown by bike, you can rent one from Bike Sports, located downtown on Main Street.
Browse the Newmarket Farmers Market
Fall is my favourite time to visit farmers markets to enjoy the bounty of the season. The one in downtown Newmarket is one of the best farmers markets in Ontario! That’s not just my opinion, it was voted the best in 2023!
The Newmarket Farmers Market runs from the beginning of May to the end of October, every Saturday mornings. It takes place between Fairy Lake Park and the community centre in what is known as Riverwalk Commons.
I love how hyper local this market is, as it features vendors from within a 200 km radius of Newmarket. But most are within 100 km. You’ll find some of my favourite farms selling their fabulous fresh produce here. There are also unique artisans, food trucks, and my favourite spices from Hurt Berry Farm.
A couple of my must-visit vendors include Forty4 Farms for carrots and Willowtree Farm for everything from beans to corn. Be sure to pop over to Forsythe Family Farms and Cap & Stalk Gourmet Mushrooms too. And get there early for fabulous bread and baked goods from Bread on Wheels.
Insider Tip: Don’t forget to pack a few tote bags to help reduce plastic bag use.
Grab some Sweet Treats
For those with a sweet tooth you’ll love the options to satisfy in Newmarket! Some of the best places to visit in Newmarket, especially downtown, involve food and I’m sharing my top picks for where to go and what to get.
Pop into The Maids’ Cottage to find the best butter tarts in Newmarket! This adorable little shop has been one of my go-to shops for butter tarts for years. I’ve tried a variety but my preferred choice is the pecan one. I’m not the only one who loves these tarts, they are award-winning, with recent wins including the Midland Butter Tart Festival.
If you’re visiting in October, try the tart of the month, which is Apple Pie!
Another great bakery, Nutmeg Bakeshop, is across the street. Inside you’ll find a variety of made from scratch baked goods. Everything is made in house, including their sauces and lemon curd. I love that they are rely on seasonal ingredients, so there’s always something new to try in every season. But my top pick is their cruffins!
Another bakery I stop into now is Goodman’s Fine Foods. Inside you’ll find a European inspired shop that sells everything from local cheeses to fresh breads. Two of my favourite items are the Chocolate Babkas and their gourmet jelly-filled donuts.
Enjoy a Cozy Coffee Shop
One of my favourite coffee shops in Ontario is in Newmarket – The Cabin! So, if you’re looking for the perfect cozy coffee shop to order up a pumpkin spice latte this fall, The Cabin is what you’re looking for.
Inside The Cabin, you’ll find exposed brick walls, plants hanging from the ceiling, cut wood stacked in the back and comfortable seating. I love the attention to detail, like the fact the to-go cups feature antlers!
The best part, is that The Cabin is one of two coffee shops within the space! Upstairs, off of the Main Street you’ll find The Cabin. But head downstairs and you’ll find the Metropolis Café. This dual café is under the same Metropolis umbrella and quickly became one of the top places to go in Newmarket after opening a couple of years ago.
Another reason I love this brand is that they use one of the top Markham coffees, Hatch, as their coffee beans. Plus, they make all of their syrups in house along with a reverse osmosis water filtration system for the best cup of coffee.
In addition to the two coffee shop choices, they have a shop called the Mercantile. This cool shop features Canadian conscious vendors, with items ranging from clothing to jewellery.
Visit Elman W. Campbell Museum
If you’re looking for indoor things to do in downtown Newmarket visit the Elman W. Campbell Museum. This small museum is set within the former North York Registry Office that was built in 1884.
Fun fact: The building was designed to be fire-proof and has 2-foot-thick brick walls, a slate roof and a stone foundation.
Inside the Elman W. Campbell Museum you’ll learn about the history of Newmarket, starting with local Indigenous stories, like about the Meeting Tree, through to the first Quaker settlers in the 1800s, and more.
My favourite part about the museum is the diorama that shows what Newmarket looked like in the 1920s. It features many of the notable historic buildings, where the railway came through and more.
I also learned about the man to whom the museum is named, Elman W. Campbell. Campbell was a business owner with a stationary shop on Main Street between the 1930s and 1970s. Local residents kept giving him artifacts from and memorabilia from the city and region, and was instrumental in establishing the museum with his collection.
Travel tip: The museum has varying hours of operation. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am – 12 pm and 1 – 4 pm. It’s free to visit, but donations are appreciated.
Take in a Performance
I love live theatre and check out performances wherever I travel, from Stratford to Nova Scotia. So, I was thrilled to discover that Newmarket has a theatre too! Not only do they have a theatre, but there’s two, one downtown and one, the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre, elsewhere in the city.
But if you’re looking for indoor activities in Newmarket, I highly recommend taking in a performance downtown, at the Old Town Hall Theatre. Set in the historic Market Building as it’s also known, was built in 1883.
The performances, which include everything from theatre to music concerts and comedy shows, take place in the ballroom. This stunning room has the original tin ceiling and was used for filming a couple of the Handmaid’s Tale episodes.
You can check out the list of upcoming performances for both theatres and plan your day trip around a show. At the Old Town Hall Theatre, this fall has a few musical performances that would be great to attend.
Insider Tip: The Old Town Hall also has a gallery space on the main floor that’s free to visit. However, this fall it’s being transformed into a maze for kids and event space for Halloween.
Indulge in Chocolate
Chocolate lovers will rejoice with a visit to Cocoa40! As one of the sweetest fun things to do in Newmarket, a visit to this chocolate shop on Main Street will delight you with its sweet offerings.
Cocoa40 serves up a 40 unique flavours of handcrafted chocolate bonbons made with Valrhona French chocolate. The flavours include everything from fun ones like key lime pie to classics like mint. All are made with real herbs and spices, no artificial flavours, as well as fruits and nuts that are roasted on site.
I really like the maple and hazelnut crunch chocolates! But the best part, is that they usually have free tasters available to try. I was pleasantly surprised by how good the key lime pie one was.
In addition to chocolates, they also sell gelato, coffee, chocolate bars and chocolate gelato cakes. Plus, you can order a shot of liquid chocolate or hot chocolate bomb!
This sweet shop is also community minded. For every one of their Chocolate4Change bars sold $1 goes to local organizations.
Insider Tip: If you love a good discount and sustainable practices, save the box from your chocolate bonbons. When you bring back the box you can get a discount when you fill it up again.
Chase Ghosts
Newmarket has such a rich history, so there should be no surprise that the downtown is full of ghosts. Not that you’ll be walking along with streets with some ghostly apparitions, but there are plenty of ghost tales linked with many downtown locations.
And if you’re like me and enjoy indulging in ghost stories than one of the best things to do in Newmarket at night is chase ghosts. Plus, hunting ghosts one of the top fall activities! The Old Town Hall runs a few exclusive ghost walks every October. So, if you can get tickets for one, it’s the perfect time to visit.
For those keen to visit a few of the most haunted places in Newmarket a good first stop is Old Town Hall. This heritage building is known for various ghosts. Once home to a few prison cells in the basement, strange sightings have been seen here as in one of the top floor windows.
One place that you can visit is the Grey Goat Pub & Inn. Said to be one of the most haunted pubs in Ontario, it’s an interesting spot to grab dinner and see if you encounter more than just the current staff. Built as a funeral home in 1865, many have reported strange sounds and occurrences in the basement.
Grab a Brew at Old Flame Brewing Co.
Another great place to visit in downtown Newmarket, especially if you’re travelling via train, is Old Flame Brewery. Just like it’s flagship shop in Port Perry, the Old Flame Brewery in Newmarket has all the same craft beers.
The brewery is located in what was the old fire hall. I love how they maintained much of the heritage of the building, like keeping the bay doors. You’ll also find other pieces of furniture from the fire hall as well as antiques that pay homage to its past.
Along with enjoying a flight of their fabulous beers, they also host a variety of fun events. I recommend planning your trip around one of these events, which include regular trivia and open mic nights, as well as line dancing.
Enjoy a Meal
Along Main Street you’ll find plenty of options for places to eat. Some of the best restaurants in Newmarket are located downtown. A few of my favourites include Made in Mexico, Hungry Brew Hops and Crow’s Nest.
A new spot that needs to be on your list is the Postmark Hotel! This boutique hotel is set within the historic post office building which dates to 1914. With its red-brick exterior and clock tower, this stunning building has been lovingly restored and features two unique restaurants.
The Lobby, is the Postmark Hotel’s cozy dining room that’s located in on the main floor. Serving as both the lobby for the hotel and a cozy dining space, it has a menu that features local ingredients and fun cocktails.
I love the attention to detail here, with large windows, comfortable and intimate banquette seating, as well as penny tile flooring and vintage post office boxes set within the concierge desk.
For lunch I popped in to enjoy their charcuterie board that including local meats and cheeses along with a sliced toasted sourdough baguette. It was the perfect size for lunch for one or as an appetizer for two. I also ordered one of their mocktails, the French Tart. It was fun and refreshing with grapefruit non-alcoholic liqueur, elderflower, lime juice and fresh grapefruit slices.
For dinner, make a reservation for The Overlea. This rooftop restaurant offers views of Newmarket’s historic downtown and is a great place to eat this fall thanks to outdoor heaters. You’ll find a seasonal menu of dishes using locally sourced ingredients served in an elevated bistro setting. But you’ll need reservations for this new hot spot!
Things to do in Newmarket with a Car
For those who are planning a day trip to Newmarket with a car then your options are even more plentiful! You’ll find farms, more trails and even a winery.
Bike or Hike the Nokiidaa Trail
One of my top suggestions for outdoor activities in Newmarket is to hike or bike the Nokiidaa Trail, also known as the Tom Taylor Trail. This over 20 km trail connects East Gwillimbury, Newmarket and Aurora.
Following the East Holland River, the trail runs right through downtown Newmarket and travels through a number of different parks. Along with travelling through parks, it also features some amazing sights. One of the coolest is the stretch of boardwalk leading into the Rogers Reservoir Conservation Area.
The word Nokiidaa is the Ojibwe term for ‘walking together.’ And one of my favourite highlights of the trail are the Ojibwe-inspired markers you’ll see along it. They are created by local artists Donald Chretien, who does the metal pieces, and Jim Menken, who carves the wood with his chainsaw. You’ll find everything from a frog to fish.
Other cool things to look out for along the trail include the Newmarket Radial Railway Arch, river views, as well as plenty of birds.
I’ve done the Nokiidaa Trail in all seasons, but the best time is fall! You’ll get to enjoy brilliant fall foliage along the trail and it’s quieter than during the summer.
Do a Tasting at Holland Marsh Wineries
Did you know that there’s a winery nearby? Holland Marsh Wineries is one of the many hidden gems in the Newmarket area. This family run winery is set on a scenic 22 acres in the Holland Marsh.
The family, originally from Armenia, which is consider by some to be the birthplace of wine, has a long history of wine makers going back generations. At Holland Marsh Wineries they blend Old World winemaking traditions with their high-quality grapes that they grow in the marsh. Their wines, many award winning, are incredible.
I enjoyed a tour and tasting and was blown away by the selection. You’ll find everything from Chardonnay to Cabernet Merlot. I really enjoyed their Rose. When I told Narek I’m not a red wine fan he encouraged me to try their Gamay Noir, which he said is their “white-drinker’s red.” He was right! It was the best red wine I’ve had, it’s approachable and didn’t give me that instant headrush that I get with other reds.
So, if you’re looking for something unique to do or date ideas in Newmarket, then I highly recommend booking a wine tasting at Holland Marsh Wineries. Tours and tastings are by reservation only and come in a few different options that range from $22 to $32 per person.
Insider Tip: The property is gorgeous, especially in the fall! So, be sure to check out the cute gazebos over looking the pond and the stunning fall colours of the trees surrounding the vineyard behind the shop.
Visit Marques Family Farm
Another one of the hidden gems in Newmarket is Marques Family Farm! I fell in love with this farm a few years ago when I attend one of their Christmas markets. However, this year they are taking the holidays off to spend it with family.
Marques Family Farm is also located in the Holland Marsh. Covering 5 acres, this third-generation farm has the loveliest owners. The farm shop is a big open red barn with twinkling lights that’s packed full of goodies. Their market has a mix of tasty baked goods, fresh produce and local artisan products.
During the summer and into the fall they have pick your own flower fields with over 30 varieties. Plus, you’ll want to check out their Fall Festival that runs weekends until the end of October.
The Fall Festival is great for the whole family. Highlights include a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and a variety of fun games like corn hole and a giant Jenga. There’s also goats and sheep that you can feed! Tickets for the fall festival are $25 per car and pumpkins are only $3.
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So, if you’re looking for the perfect fall day trip that can be down by train or car, Newmarket is the spot to go! With so many things to do and see as well as places to eat conveniently located in a central area, downtown Newmarket offers the ideal sustainable destination in Ontario. Start planning your trip today!
Disclaimer: This post was created in partnership with Central Counties Tourism, but as always, all opinions expressed are my own.
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