Oakville - Ontario Visit City Website A vibrant and impressive community within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the Town of Oakville is a beautiful lakeside city with a strong heritage, preserved and celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Founded in 1827, this striking town has become one of the most coveted residential and business centres in Ontario. This thriving city of approximately 145,000 provides all the advantages of a well-serviced urban centre, while also maintaining its small-town ambiance. Along historical downtown streets, Oakville offers a mix of converted 19th century buildings which accommodate over 400 fine shops, services and restaurants. A 30-minute drive from downtown Toronto, and an hour’s drive from the U.S. border, Oakville boasts a $88 million tourism industry, with over 1.4 million visitors annually.  Residents and visitors enjoy theatre, dance, music and comedy performances at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. They can visit the museum at Erchless Estate, located in the home of the Chisolms, Oakville’s founding family. Other points of interest include galleries, historical societies and local architecture, especially in heritage neighbourhoods.  Among the myriad of special attractions and activities for the whole family, Oakville’s annual Waterfront Festival, Festival of Classics and Jazz Festival draw crowds from around the GTA. The community also provides plenty of recreational opportunities.  Golfers can play at one of seven golf courses, including PGA-recognized Glen Abbey which will host the 2004 Canadian Open. Enjoy over 2,400 acres of park space, many with groomed hiking trails, or join a recreation centre which provides programs for all ages. For boaters, Oakville features two picturesque harbours with docks and slips for sail and powerboats. City Attraction Links Oakville Museum Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate is a four-acre estate home and gardens set on the shores of Lake Ontario in downtown Oakville.  The Museum preserves and interprets the town's history through the heritage and home of Oakville's founding family, the Chisholms. Bronte Creek Provincial Park This pastoral, all-season oasis between Burlington and Oakville offers a place to unwind and step back in time. View living history demonstrations in an 1890s farmhouse. Take the children to the playbarn to pet the animals or romp in the outdoor playground. Camp overnight, swim in a huge outdoor pool, stroll along nature trails, and pedal your bicycle. In winter, skate outdoors, go tobogganing and cross-country skiing. The day use and campground areas in this park are separate; each has its own entrance. Oakville Centre for Performing Arts With a Mainstage Auditorium seating 485 and an intimate Studio Theatre with seating for 120, The Oakville Centre operates up to 260 performances per year in music, variety, comedy, drama and family entertainment. Downtown Oakville Downtown Oakville is one of the foremost dining and shopping areas in the Province of Ontario. With its unique blend of over 400 affordable yet diverse shops, fine eateries and personal and business to business services available at your fingertips, Downtown Oakville is the place to be, day or night, working, entertaining, shopping or relaxing. People enjoy our clean, safe streets and vibrant atmosphere.