From Kathy Buckworth – Special to The Star – “This series of daytrips and longer drives highlight great experiences you can have in the province, and shows you why Ontario is “Ours. To Discover”. (The Greater Toronto Area, is commonly referred to as the GTA,) It’s rare to find a place that exudes a small town feeling, but has amenities found in larger urban centres. #1) – First stop – drive from Toronto west along The Queen Elizabeth Way and exit from within about 20 minutes to Oakville with its impressive homes, restaurants, the shore of Lake Ontario, Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park;  #2) – Usually street parking available on Lakeshore Road East for clothing, coffee, home furnishings, food shops and restaurants, etc; #3) – ‘By Consignment Shop’ for amazing deals; – Tocca Finita for women’s fashions; – ‘British Grocer’ for Cornish pastas; #4) – Oakville Museum at the Erchless Estate, once home to the town’s founders – the Chisholm family, with exhibits on Black history, The Underground Railroad – Next Stop Freedom presentation; #5) – Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre, a 12-acre property, 1826 house and barn with space for art exhibits by well-known and emerging artists; 6) – Dinner choices varied in price & cuisine include The Works Craft Burgers and Beer (with kids), Colossus Greek Taverna (a family favorite), Oliver’s Steakhouse, Cork’s Restaurant; and ten minutes from Oakville centre The 5-Drive-In located on The Ninth Line, screening a variety of movies (if it’s open). For the rest – do a more walk-about and explore.