7 unusual attractions in Ontario worth visiting on your next road trip
Many people use summer vacation as an excuse to hop on a plane or escape to the cottage, but I'd argue that Ontario roadside attractions are definitely worth exploring on your days off.
There's something undeniably fun about hitting the road and wandering through cities and towns you've never visited before. It's even better on a sunny summer weekend when you can roll the windows down (or put the top down if you're lucky enough to have a convertible), crank up your favourite music, and see where the road takes you.
When it comes to quirky pit stops, Ontario's got it all: a giant UFO, a massive apocalyptic spider, and an enormous bovine statue standing proudly on the road, just to name a few. These larger-than-life landmarks practically demand that you pull over, snap a few photos, and embrace the wonderfully weird side of Ontario.
Here are 7 unusual roadside attractions in Ontario that are worth seeing this summer.
Giant Transformer robot in Port Hope
If you drive an hour and a half east of Toronto, you'll eventually reach the town of Port Hope and be greeted by Optimus Prime. Well, not exactly, but close enough. Just off Highway 28 stands a 26-foot-tall Transformers-esque robot that’s impossible to miss.
It was commissioned by the owners of Primitive Designs to celebrate the store’s 10th anniversary in a big way. Since 2012, Ontario residents and visitors from around the world have stopped by the antique and craft shop to say hello to the towering mechanical titan.
Big Bruce in Chesley
The enormous bovine, which stands 15 feet high and 20 feet long, has been a permanent tourist hotspot for almost 50 years, drawing visitors from all over the province to the front of the Township of Arran-Elderslie municipal building.
Originally built in Wisconsin by a beef farmer, Big Bruce eventually made his way to Ontario in the late 1970s and has been overlooking Bruce Road ever since. He was even crowned Ontario's Greatest Roadside Attraction in 2021, and honestly, we don't have any beef with that title.
World's largest Muskoka chair in Gravenhurst
At 25 feet high, 12 feet wide and 15 feet deep, it's safe to say this chair is no match for picky Goldilocks. Alas, this marvel, built from cedar planks and plywood, has been a symbol of cottage country tourism ever since it first went up in 2010.
While other capriciously sized chairs exist (including a towering red one in Thessalon, Ont.), this yellow one is often noted as the first of its kind in Ontario. It sits right in front of Sawdust City Brewing, so you can always drop by for a pint and a photo op.
Jumbo elephant in St. Thomas
If you ever drive two and a half hours southwest of Toronto, you'll zip by this small town with a life-size replica of Jumbo the Elephant. Jumbo was the star of P.T. Barnum's "Greatest Show on Earth" in the early 1880s, drawing huge crowds as one of the most famous circus animals in history.
Born in Sudan and later moving to Europe before touring North America, he tragically died in St. Thomas in 1885 after being struck by a train. Today, visitors can see his memorial just south of London near Highway 401.
Winnie the Pooh in White River
The most famous honey-loving, no-pants-wearing bear has its own statue in a small town ten hours north of Toronto.
If you're not familiar with Pooh's connection to Canada, it goes like this: Winnie's character originated from a real-life female black bear at the London Zoo. She was originally purchased by Harry Colebourn, a Canadian soldier and veterinarian, from a trapper in White River for $20. He named her "Winnipeg Bear" after his hometown before shortening it affectionately to "Winnie."
Located just off Highway 17, White River's Winnie the Pooh monument is a worthwhile stop for anyone exploring Northern Ontario's lakes, trails, and outdoor attractions.
World's largest mudcat in Dunnville
Have you met Muddy? It's not every day you come across a giant catfish statue in Ontario. Standing 27 feet high and stretching an impressive 50 feet wide, Muddy has become one of Dunnville's most recognizable landmarks. So, the next time you're near Lake Erie, be sure to stop by and say hello to the world's largest mudcat.
Named Dunnville's official mascot in 2009 to honour the town's rich fishing history, Muddy has been sitting pretty at Centennial Park ever since. He's become a favourite roadside attraction for visitors and locals alike. And with a fish this big, you'll definitely want to set your camera to landscape mode before snapping a photo.
Giant UFO in Moonbeam
It's only fitting that a town called Moonbeam would have a connection to UFOs. Rumours of extraterrestrial activity in this have been circulating since the 1970s in this Francophone community, located about eight hours north of Toronto. While many visitors come to the area for hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventures, the town's most famous attraction is a little more... out of this world.
This giant flying saucer "landed" in Moonbeam in 1991 and has been a fixture along Highway 11 ever since. For travellers making the long drive through Northern Ontario, it's a welcome sight and a great excuse to pull over for a photo. It may not be Area 51, but it'll do!
Did we skip your favourite? Let us know what weird and wonderful roadside attraction in Ontario we should check out next.
