City: Oshawa
Top Things to do in Oshawa
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Oshawa, Canada
Oshawa (2016 population 159,458; CMA 379,848) is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario, approximately 60 kilometres east of Downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of the Greater Toronto Area and of the Golden Horseshoe. It is the largest municipality in the Regional Municipality of Durham. The name Oshawa originates from the Ojibwa term aazhaway, meaning "the crossing place" or just "(a)cross".
Restaurants in Oshawa
1. The Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 103 reviews
The Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum has a Historic collection of over 80 operational military vehicles including jeeps, trucks, carriers and tanks.
Reviewed By 2deang - Kitchener, Canada
If you are into tanks this museum is a must when in the area. This is a living museum where all the vehicles are operational. So on any given Saturday they hold a tank day based on a different theme and do reenactments. The best one is the Aquino weekend in June their biggest show of the year. They have an interesting small museum with the history of the Ontario Regiment and with the large expansion just completed there is lots to see! They continually add vehicles to the mix including new WW II German armour. An absolute must for Tank and military buffs....
2. Robert McLaughlin Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
The RMG is a vibrant, engaging public art museum located in Oshawa's civic centre between City Hall and the McLaughlin Public Library. The largest gallery in Durham Region, the RMG occupies an inspired 36,000 square foot building designed by noted architect Arthur Erickson. Featuring a Permanent Collection of over 4000 works, and four galleries of diverse and changing exhibitions, the RMG holds a significant collection of Modern and Contemporary Canadian art, and the largest collection of works by Painters Eleven in Canada. Creative education programs, an eclectic gallery shop, fun monthly events, inspiring event spaces, an art archive and library, and two art studios are found at the RMG.
Reviewed By Banff2013 - Banff, Canada
Great place with exhibit of Tom Thompson there was approximately 20 of his work. Loved the layout and art. Not huge fan of modern art. Nice coffee/gift shop.
3. Canadian Automotive Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
The Canadian Automotive Museum collects and displays the history of the automobile in Canada. The museum is open: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4:00pm, Closed Public Holidays.
Reviewed By garycU2116KX
Been there many times over the years It's a great place to visit and learn about Canada's automotive history I learn something almost every time I'm there and I 'll be back soon (Great record store just down the street too! Kops Records )
4. Tribute Communities Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 215 reviews
Owned by the City of Oshawa, and managed by Spectra Venue Management, the Tribute Communities Centre opened in 2006 with a project cost of $45 million. As Durham Region’s premier Sports and Entertainment Facility, the Tribute Communities Centre provides a first-class home to the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League and the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame. The venue also boasts an in-house restaurant, Prospects Bar & Grill, which is open typically 2 hours prior to live and sporting events as well as throughout the week for the Durham Central Adult Hockey League (DCAHL). Since opening, the Tribute Communities Centre has hosted major concerts and special events including Elton John, Cirque du Soleil, 2011 BDO Canadian Open, IIHF World Junior Pre-Competition, Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Hedley, Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships, Selena Gomez and The Wiggles; just to name a few!
Reviewed By eatDrinkbeMellie - Oshawa, Canada
A bunch of us girls went to a big concert there, the bar for drinks before was excellent & the service was great! It was easy to find our seats & the washroom was very clean! Nice venue!
5. Parkwood National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 374 reviews
An Autobaron's home of innovation and inspiration, and one of Canada's last grand estates. Immerse yourself in the era and lavish lifestyle of R. S. McLaughlin - founder of GM Canada. Beautifully preserved and so evocative of the jazz age & big band styles in automobiles, fashions, sporting life and garden parties. Get up close and personal with extensive access to historic spaces and fascinating stories of achievement and a life well-lived. Learn about the daily life of the large domestic staff that made this grand estate possible, and take a wander through the staff quarters to get a glimpse into the life of service.
Reviewed By lubicah - Toronto, Canada
I am curious how many people outside of Oshawa and surrounding areas know about this beauty. To be honest, I had no clue about the Parkwood Estate until my daughter suggested at the end of August to switch from visiting all the parks and conservation areas in GTA we had been focusing on all summer, to exploring some historical buildings. Excellent choice! Our tour guide Morgan made our visit truly memorable. Her knowledge, engagement, enthusiasm, and a friendly approach encouraged all the members of our small group to ask many questions and discuss interesting details about the life of Samuel McLaughlin, founder of General Motors of Canada, his wife Adelaide and their five daughters. Morgan’s vivid descriptions of life in this house supported our imagination and made us all feel like part of the history. We learned that the luxurious interiors at Parkwood represent early 20th century design and we admired fine artwork from famous artists, as well as housewares, books, furniture… I was also impressed by finding out that Parkwood is one of the most popular locations for filming. There is a long list of films that have been shot at this exciting estate, including Murdoch Mysteries, Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story, Chicago, X-Men, or Reign. Many famous movie stars, such as Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, Jane Seymour, Richard Gere, Jackie Chan, Peter Fonda, and Richard Gere have been filming at the estate. The estate is a lovely place, still full of life and when you listen to the interesting stories about those who have been living here, you almost feel like you know this family. Regrettably, we were able to only see the main floor as the rest of the mansion was not accessible, but the beautiful garden with interesting landscape and full of colorful flowers (at that time) made up for it. If you are thinking about spending your next weekend at a gorgeous place, don’t look further. Parkwood Estate will do.
6. McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By HappyTraveller0723 - Ontario, Canada
Kayak, fish or hike around the trails. Lots of wildlife around. Great spot to spend an afternoon. Park at the bottom of the GM HQ parking lot. Free parking.
7. Linton's Farm Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By doodledogsx3
We did the you-pick strawberries. We enjoyed the experience and the berries were juicy and delicious.
8. Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By HappyTraveller0723 - Ontario, Canada
Tucked away on a quiet side street, these beautiful gardens seem to go on forever! Huge shade trees, a creek, arbour and a bridge make this the perfect spot for wedding and prom photos.
9. Regent Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Regent Theatre is a Live Theatre venue which is owned and operated by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
Reviewed By CherylT830 - Ajax, Canada
What a great show. This was my first time at this venue and I can honestly say there isn't a bad seat in the house. I booked tickets for this several months before and we were a large group (30+) I booked with Valarie and she was incredibly helpful in organizing our tickets and having them ready for pick up. As we were a large group of mostly women, I was worried that we were going to be louder than the show (because who doesn't sing a long to all these songs?!). Thankfully the sound was fantastic and we didn't upstage them. The night started with Night Fever, and this guys were brilliant. Bee Gees is not an easy band to cover and if I closed my eyes I would have thought that it was the real Bee Gees. Next up was ABBA and they were great as well. Both bands were interactive with the audience. I can't wait to go back to see another show here.
10. Lakeview Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
Reviewed By 223joei - Oshawa, Canada
Lakeview Park is the crown jewel of Oshawa. A quiet place to enjoy green spaces... and or take up a local soccer game. Great place to look over the lake and appreciate the finer times of life. Joe Ingino CENTRAL NEWSPAPER
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