A recent ranking of the best places to live in Canada for 2026 has highlighted six Ontario cities in the top 10! While Toronto isn’t on the list, Oakville, located within the Greater Toronto Area, secured the eighth spot.
This lovely lakeside town features walkable shopping areas, fantastic restaurants, waterfront parks, and plenty of green space. Nestled between Toronto and Niagara, it’s roughly an hour’s drive from downtown Toronto, making it an ideal place to live or visit for a day trip or weekend getaway. If you’re traveling from Toronto and want to avoid driving, GO Transit’s Lakeshore West line provides two-way service all day long every day of the week.
Kick off your visit in downtown Oakville. This area stretches across six blocks along Lakeshore Rd E and is home to over 400 businesses, making it a perfect spot for shopping while supporting local entrepreneurs! The district also boasts historic homes and easy access to Lakeside Park where you can watch boats glide by and enjoy views of the Toronto skyline on clear days (especially stunning at twilight).
Tribeca Coffee Co. is a fantastic stop for a unique drink by the water (don’t miss their toffee crunch cold foam latte), while Café de Madrid is a popular hangout serving authentic Spanish dishes (the churros con chocolate are warm with rich flavor-crispy outside but soft inside).
Next up is Bronte Village. This charming community is one of Ontario’s oldest and offers classic marina-town vibes along with beautiful harbor views and scenic Bronte Beach. For lunch, swing by Stoney’s Bread Company for a sandwich made with house-baked bread or stop at Por Vida Mezcal & Mexican for some midday cocktails and all-you-can-eat tacos on Wednesdays.
A must-see is Gairloch Gardens. Here you’ll find stunning views of Lake Ontario alongside extensive gardens to explore. Oakville Galleries also features a free-entry contemporary art space right on-site! The gallery spans two locations and includes an 11-acre garden facing the lake.
<p For those interested in history, be sure to check out the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate. It was once home to the founding family of Oakville and now showcases a large collection of artifacts that reflect its history! After that, take some time to wander through Kerr Village: this trendy neighborhood features shops and restaurants representing 39 different cultures. Kerr also has Tannery Park-a picturesque spot perfect for strolling with plenty of benches by the lake where you can relax or enjoy a picnic.
If you’re looking for evening entertainment, don’t miss out on the Oakville Centre for Performing Arts-one of the town’s standout venues supporting local artists while hosting more than 70 professional performances each year.
Afterwards, consider dining at 7 Enoteca. This restaurant serves fresh Italian dishes using local seasonal ingredients (it earned recognition from Michelin with a Bib Gourmand in their 2025 guide), while XII – Old Fashioned Restaurant offers an upscale twist on traditional steakhouses featuring everything from classic crab cakes to dry-aged Canadian prime cuts.
If you’re after some top-notch fried chicken, make sure you visit BTRMLK! The London-based fried chicken brand has developed quite a following online and is set to open its first permanent location in Oakville.
The culinary scene is just one reason why Oakville (and the greater GTA) makes such an amazing place to call home! The study was conducted by d NOVO Group-a digital marketing agency based in Toronto-which ranked Barrie second behind Kelowna B. C., followed by Sudbury at fifth place; Burlington came sixth; Oshawa seventh; while Windsor rounded off tenth position. You can read more about this study here.
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