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Things to do in Ontario

Where to see cherry blossoms in Ontario this spring

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Best Ontario tea rooms for afternoon tea or high tea

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Where to see the Northern Lights in Ontario

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Pick your own flower farms and stands

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Best bird watching and birding events in Ontario

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Fly fishing lodges in Ontario

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12 gorgeous flower festivals and floral shows in Ontario

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Calendar of craft beer festivals in Ontario

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The Blue Mountains

Prince Edward County

Niagara Falls

St. Jacobs and Elmira

Discover ontario’s regions.

Ontario is comprised of 15 regions, each with its own iconic experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Southwestern Ontario

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Last updated:  April 28, 2024

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Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

The ULTIMATE Guide to the Best Things to Do in Ontario

June 9, 2020 By Matthew G. Bailey

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Last updated: May 15th, 2022

Ontario is one of the biggest and most populated provinces in Canada and is home to some amazing cities, attractions, and nature. Ranging from the massive cosmopolitan city of Toronto to the scenic landscapes of Algonquin Provincial Park, there are so many things to do in Ontario. From kayaking next to loons to experiencing Canada Day on Parliament Hill, Ontario is definitely one of the most popular provinces to visit in Canada.

Some of the wonderful attractions in Ontario included taking a helicopter tour over Niagara Falls , visiting world-class museums in Toronto, enjoying the thrill of some of the world’s best roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland, canoeing some of Canada’s best lakes and rivers, and visiting some of Canada’s top wineries, just to name a few.

Whether you’re visiting in the summer or in the winter, looking to do one of the many Ontario road trips , or looking for the best activities and attractions for your next trip to Ontario, we’ve got you covered in this extensive guide to the best things to do in Ontario.

Table of Contents

Travel Video: What To Do in Ontario

Back in 2017, we embarked on a 150-day road trip to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. Since Ontario is home to the nation’s capital, we made sure we were in Ottawa for July 1st to enjoy one of the biggest Canada Day celebrations Canada has ever had. But that’s not all. We also visited many of the best museums in the country in Ottawa and in Toronto, went into an underground bunker that was built during the Cold War, enjoyed some of the best views of Niagara Falls thanks to a short cruise and helicopter ride, went canoeing in Algonquin Provincial Park, and sampled some of Canada’s best wine. We’ve since been back many times to continue going deeper and deeper into the best things to do in Ontario, but that trip will forever be in our hearts. Watch the video above to see it all in action!

Things to Do in Ontario: Ottawa

Ottawa is a beautiful and vibrant city, which is also home to Canada’s federal government. Here you’ll find incredible museums, the Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, and so much more. You can also walk across the bridge and visit Quebec!

Canadian Parliament Buildings

Without a doubt, the icon of Ottawa is Canada’s parliament buildings. It’s just one of those sights you simply shouldn’t miss when visiting Canada’s capital city. From the Clock Tower to the gothic architecture, the buildings are stunning to admire from the lawns in front of the building. In addition, if you want to go inside, you can take one of the free tours and learn about Canada’s political system.

Rideau Canal

Located right next to the parliament buildings, the Rideau Canal is well worth a visit. In fact, it’s hard to miss. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was actually built to protect against war with the USA but has now become a very popular spot with boaters, connecting the city all the way to Lake Ontario. While you’re there, stop into the Bytown museum as well, which we’ll talk more about below.

Bytown Museum

This great little museum is a great place to visit if you want to learn about Ottawa’s history as well as the Rideau Canal, which is located right outside the front doors! There are a lot of cool artifacts and we learned so much about Ottawa and Canada’s confederation.

Canadian Museum of History

This massive, fascinating museum explores Canada’s 20,000 years of human history while offering some of the best views of Parliament Hill from across the river. Although it’s actually located in Gatineau, Quebec, it’s walking distance from Ottawa.

I really loved the strong emphasis on Canada’s first peoples and learning about the aboriginal culture both before and after the Europeans arrived. It was also cool to learn about some of the most important moments from Canada’s last 150 years.

Diefenbunker Canada’s Cold War Museum

How often do you get to go into a massive 100,000-square-foot underground bunker built for a nuclear war? Well, a visit to the Cold War Museum allows you to do just that! Thankfully, this place was never used for its intended purpose and it’s now the perfect location for the world’s largest escape room, which we got to try out after our tour of the facility.

We loved running around an actual military bunker as if we were action heroes, solving clues with limited time. Very cool experience!

Nordik Spa-Nature

Although this spa is located in Chelsea, Quebec, it’s only 20-minutes from Ottawa by car. As of now, it’s North America’s largest spa and it truly is an incredible place to spend the day. Think of it as a relaxing adult playground.

They have multiple steam rooms, a variety of hot and cold pools, a salt-water floating pool, fire pits, saunas, and so much more. We always spend a good 8 hours or more when we visit, taking the time to also indulge in a massage as well as some food and drink.

For more, check out our guide to the best things to do in Ottawa !

Fun Things to Do in Ontario: Niagara Falls

As one of the world’s most popular natural attractions, Niagara Falls is a beauty to behold and one of the tourist attractions in Ontario. There are so many ways to experience the falls and we tried every possible way there is, except go over them in a barrel, which is not recommended.

Besides seeing the falls, there are lots of other things to do in the area, including wine-tasting and food tours in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara Helicopters

Helicopter rides are always awesome and you can probably imagine how cool it is to take a helicopter over one of the world’s biggest waterfalls. We got a birds-eye perspective of the falls and the huge cloud of mist rising into the air. It really looked like a hole in the Earth. It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a former world wonder from the sky.

Journey Behind the Falls

This may just be my favourite way to see the falls. Not only do you get to go right beside the falls but you can also take your time to enjoy the view for as long as you want. It’s really incredible to admire the falls from so close and if you’d like, you can also go down a tunnel and be just a few feet behind the falls, which is a good way to see just how powerful they really are.

Hornblower Niagara Cruises

There’s a reason why taking a cruise into the mist has long been a favourite activity for visitors to Niagara Falls. The boat gets you super close to the bottom, allowing you to get soaked from the mist and experience the force while looking up as the water flows over the edge.

White Water Walk

Some people admiring the falls forget about the raging river it creates after the water makes its plunge. This walking path gets you right next to the river, allowing you to walk next to class-6 rapids and a raging river flowing along at around 40 km/h. The water is too dangerous for boats but is perfect to admire from the sidelines.

Whirlpool Aero Car

Another popular attraction in the area is the whirlpool, which is located downstream from Niagara Falls. Here you can take an antique cable car over the whirlpool to get beautiful views of the surrounding area.

Niagara Culinary Tours

If you’re looking to sample wines and food, head to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a beautiful little town right on the edge of Lake Ontario and the U.S. Border. If you’re looking to sample a variety of foods while learning about the history, take a food tour with Niagara Culinary Tours. We walked all over town with our guide, Chris, learning about the area’s history while trying a variety of food, including Thai soup, beer and cheese pairings, and some of the town’s famous desserts. It was awesome!

Butterfly Conservatory

Located just 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) north of Niagara Falls, this 99-acre Butterfly Conservatory is home to a 200-seat theatre, gift shop, and climate-controlled greenhouse. Most importantly, it’s home to over 2,000 tropical butterflies from over 60 different species.

The conservatory glass dome is a whopping 11,000 square feet and is home to 180-metres worth of paths. Whether you’re wanting to have a butterfly land on you or just admire them from a distance, this is the place to go.

Skylon Tower

If you’re looking for a view somewhat similar to a helicopter, you might want to head up to the top of the Skylon Tower to see Niagara Falls from 520-feet above street level. The tower also has two restaurants at the top, including the Revolving Dining Room and the upper Summit Suite Buffet for those looking to have a bite to eat with an incredible view!

Niagara SkyWheel

Where else can you take a ride on a Ferris wheel while enjoying views of one of the world’s natural wonders? This 175-foot (53.3 metres) tall Ferris wheel offers 42 fully enclosed passenger cars that each carry nine people for a 12-15 minute ride with views of Niagara River, Horseshoe Falls, and American Falls. In the winter, the cars are even heated whereas, in the summer, they are air-conditioned.

For a more exhaustive list of things to do in the area, check out our guide to the best things to do in Niagara Falls as well as our guide to the Best Views of Niagara Falls

Toronto, Ontario, Things to Do

Canada’s biggest city is home to a vast amount of incredible museums, attractions, restaurants, and more. There’s also a beautiful harbour, Toronto Island, and a multi-cultural scene unlike anywhere else in the country. We had only four days in the city and made sure to pack in as many things as we could.

The CN Tower dominates the Toronto skyline and is a great place to get a view of the entire city as well as Lake Ontario and Toronto Island. It might not be the tallest building in the world anymore but it’s still an architectural marvel and a great place to go for sunset.

Royal Ontario Museum

This is the biggest museum in Canada and one of the biggest in North America. Home to more than six million items and 40 galleries, you could explore this place for days.

We happened to be there during a special exhibit called “Out of the Depths, the Blue Whale Story”. This was incredibly interesting and beautiful and gave us insight into the world’s biggest mammal. We saw the real skeleton and an actual heart, which is almost as big as a smart car! If you’re interested in nature or history or art or almost anything else, this is the place to go.

Art Gallery of Ontario

This massive art museum consists of 480,000 square feet of space, housing around 95,000 works spanning the first century to the present day. It’s one of the largest galleries in North America, including significant collections of Canadian art, Renaissance art, European art, African art, and a vast modern and contemporary collection.

You’ll also find photography, sculptures, and other kinds of art such as miniatures, frames, books, film and video art, installations, architecture, and more. The Art Gallery of Ontario is the second most visited museum after Toronto’s ROM and is recommended for anyone interested in, well, art!

Hockey Hall of Fame

For those interested in hockey or insight into the sport that Canada is most known for, head on down to the Hockey Hall of Fame . The beautiful building houses exhibits featuring players, teams, NHL records, memorabilia, and even trophies, including a replica of the Stanley Cup. There are even some interactive games where you can play games and test your hockey skills.

Tasty Tours Food Tour

The food tour with a sweet twist. If you’re looking to try some interesting food while getting a taste for the culture, this is a great tour to take. I loved meeting the shop owners and learning their stories. In fact, that’s what makes this tour special.

I enjoyed hearing about how the businesses got started and we actually ended up interviewing a lot of the people we met through this tour. Highly recommended!

Bruce Bell Historical Walking Tour

I really think historical walking tours are the best thing to do when you first arrive in a new city. They really help bring the city to life and that’s what happened when we took a tour with Bruce Bell, a man well known for his incredible St. Lawrence Market tours. This is where Toronto got its start and it was so interesting to learn about the market and the surrounding area.

uFly Flight Simulator

I’ve been wanting to try a flight simulator for quite some time and finally got the chance in Mississauga! Home to North America’s only 180-degree full HD screen to the fully motorized throttle quadrant of the 777-200LR in the country, this is one of the best public flight simulators in the world.

This is a really cool way to experience life as a pilot without actually leaving the ground. It’s incredibly realistic and you get a real pilot next to you to help you take off, fly, and land while answering any questions you might have. This simulator is located in Mississauga and is a 40-minute drive from downtown Toronto.

Steam Whistle Brewery

As one of the most photographed places in Toronto, the Steam Whistle Brewery is a really cool place to visit in downtown Toronto. Take a tour, sample the beer, and learn about the history behind this really cool iconic Canadian-owned beer company. In fact, they’re so cool that they even hosted our Road to 150 Toronto meetup! Thanks, Steam Whistle!

It’s hard to believe that a big city like Toronto is home to one of Canada’s very few castles. While it’s not really a “real castle”, it is a Gothic Revival style mansion that was built back in 1911 by financier Sir Henry Pellatt.

Not only is it quite close to downtown Toronto but it also offers a beautiful view of the city, including the CN Tower. If you decide to take the popular Hop-on-Hop-off bus, this attraction is one of the stops.

Toronto Islands and a Toronto Harbour Cruise

The best way to see Toronto’s stunning skyline is to go for a cruise along the harbour . This is also a great way to see the Toronto Islands, a chain of small islands in Lake Ontario that provides summer fun for locals and tourists alike.

The islands host a variety of hiking trails, picnic areas, beaches, yacht clubs, and even an airport. In addition, if you decide to take the popular Hop-on-Hop-off bus , this attraction is included in the price.

Canada’s Wonderland

Located just outside Toronto in a suburb called Vaughan, you’ll find the largest amusement park in Canada! In fact, it’s one of the best amusement parks in the world, with more than 330-acres of excitement, including 70 attractions, 17 of which are roller coasters.

There’s also a 20-acre water park and a month-long “Canada Day” celebration called Celebration Canada. For those seeking thrills, our favourite rides are Leviathan, Behemoth, and the new Yukon Striker, which is the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster.

For more, check out our ultimate guide to the best things to do in Toronto !

Things to Do in Sudbury, Ontario

If you’re planning to drive west towards Manitoba or explore the Lake Superior region, you might end up in Sudbury. Here are some of the wonderful things you can do.

Visit the Big Nickel

If you love huge roadside attractions, this is one you don’t want to miss out on. This nine-metre high nickel is the city’s most famous landmark. And is a replica of a 1952 Canadian nickel, which can be found on the grounds of the Dynamic Earth science museum, which we talk about below.

Explore Dynamic Earth

After looking up at the giant nickel, head in and explore Dynamic Earth, an interactive science museum focusing on the city’s mining history. This is the city’s top attraction and is operated by Science North, another one of the top things to do in Sudbury . It’s an interactive science museum established in 2003 that focuses on the city’s mining history. Dynamic Earth has a wide variety of displays and exhibits where the kids can learn how to mine, climb a mineral wall, look at diamonds, and identify different minerals. There are gold panning experiences and displays of fossils and meteorites. They can also go on an underground tour of the mines that takes them deep into the earth and displays the work done by the miners over the years, as well as the technological changes that have taken place. There is also a giant sandpit complete with manually operated diggers, and huge mining machinery they can climb around.

Lake Laurentian Conservation Area

This 97-hectare Lake Laurentian Conservation Area stretches from Lake Ramsey to the Southeast Bypass, creating an excellent conservation area filled with lakes, trails, and wildlife.

It’s a lovely place to get into nature and consists of many hiking trails or even cross-country skiing trails in the winter. It’s also great for bird-watching. In addition, we totally recommend visiting the A.Y. Jackson Lookout to see the impressive 55-metre cascading Hall Falls.

Go Snowmobiling

It’s not tough finding fun things to do in Ontario, Canada. Take this wonderland adventure for example. If you happen to be in Sudbury during the winter, the city has one of the largest groomed snowmobile trails in the world, with over 1,200 kilometres of trails connecting several communities.

These are maintained trails, complete with parking, washrooms and designated rest areas. You can even stay in lodges along the way!

Thrilling Stuff to Do in Ontario: Kingston

Another popular city is Kingston, which is just 2.5 hours east of Toronto by car and just 2 hours south of Ottawa. It’s located right on Lake Ontario and has a beautiful historic waterfront core. You can also arrive via the ViaRail train or the regional airport.

Take a Kingston Trolley Tour

One of the most popular things to do in Kingston is to take a tour on the red Trolleys, a “hop-on-hop-off” style tour that takes you to all the city highlights. The trolleys have live commentary from the driver and/or audio guide, which also makes it a great way to learn about the historical points of the city.

Take a 1000 Island Boat Cruise

Another awesome thing to do around Kingston is to visit the 1000 Islands via the 1000 Island Boat Cruise . This is one of Canada’s national parks and is both a historic waterway and a beautiful place. There are many different boat tours, some of which are short and some of which are long. You can even take a sunset dinner cruise if you want to enjoy the sunset and a delicious meal.

Go Shopping on Princess Street

Since many people love to do some shopping when they travel, the place to do so in Kingston is Princess Street, which cuts right through downtown and proceeds right to the waterfront. There are many shops here, including local food and artisan crafts and clothing, and it’s also a beautiful area to just walk around and enjoy.

Visit Historic Fort Henry

If you’re up for some military history, you’ll want to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fort Henry. This fort is actually part of a larger historical site known as the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site.

This site includes the old fortifications around Kingston Harbour and the entrance to the Rideau Canal. It also includes the historic Shoal Tower (located in the waterfront downtown), the Murney Tower, and the tower/walls of Fort Frederick.

Other Cool Places to Visit in Ontario

While so many tourists go to the main areas of Toronto, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls, there is SO MUCH MORE for those wanting to get deeper into the province and see some of its more natural beauty. Here are some Ontario highlights and ideas for your next road trip around the province.

Algonquin Provincial Park

Algonquin Provincial Park is a beautiful slice of nature just a couple of hours north of Toronto. It’s a great place to go canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or hiking. In the fall, it’s one of the most spectacular places in Canada to witness the changing fall colours and it’s one of the most popular places to go camping in Ontario .

During our brief two nights in the park, we stayed at Arowhon Pines, a luxurious rustic lodge overlooking a lake with gourmet food served three times per day. We spent our days canoeing next to loons, paddle boarding around the lake, and jumping off the dock and into the water before watching the sunset and sitting next to the fire inside our lodge.

Getting to Ontario Canada

There are many ways to get to Ontario, including cars, buses, trains, and planes. Some people even arrive by boat from other parts of Canada.

Getting to Ontario by Plane

Ontario is home to some of Canada’s biggest cities and a variety of airports. The most popular options for arrival are the four international airports in Toronto, Ottawa, London, and Thunder Bay. Most tourists will likely arrive in either Toronto or Ottawa. There are also a number of other airports as well.

• Toronto Pearson International Airport: Toronto’s airport is one of the busiest airports in the world and is definitely the busiest in Canada. More than 180 destinations around the world are served from this airport via 65+ airlines. Being in Toronto, Toronto Pearson is connected to major highways, public transportation systems, rental car companies, express trains, taxis, and more. It’s also a 30-minute drive from the US border.
• Ottawa International Airport: Serving more than 4.5 million passengers each year, Ottawa is also one of Canada’s busiest airports. The airport is home to 11 airlines and is only 20-minutes to Canada’s capital city and only a two-hour drive from Montreal, Quebec.
• London International Airport: London’s international airport is located near the city of London, Ontario. It’s also one of Canada’s busiest airports and serves five different airlines with direct flights to 14 destinations.
• Thunder Bay International Airport: Ontario’s Thunder Bay airport is on the other side of Lake Superior, almost a 15-hour drive from Toronto. It serves around 700,000 passengers annually.

Getting to Ontario by Car

If you’re driving to Ontario, the province is bordered by Manitoba to the west, Quebec to the east, and the US to the south. It’s a massive province, taking close to 24-hours of driving to cross from west to east. The busiest area is the Toronto-Niagara-Ottawa corridor, which is at the far southeastern edge of the province. The rest of the province (to the north and to the west) is largely made up of forests, lakes, and smaller communities.

The Trans-Canada Highway crosses through the province, providing an easy way to navigate from east to west (and vice versa). It’s a great place for a Canada road trip, whether you decide to explore only Ontario attractions or other nearby provinces as well.

If you need to rent a car, there are many options, including Avis, Budget, Discount, Dollar, Hertz, National and Thrifty.

There’s also a variety of taxis, as well as Uber and Lyft.

Getting to and Around Ontario by Bus

Just like cars, Ontario is easily visited by bus. There are a variety of bus lines offering service throughout the province including:

• Greyhound: This bus company services all regions of the province.
• Ontario Northland: This bus company services Toronto, Central Ontario and Northern Ontario.
• Gray Line: This bus company provides sightseeing tours in Niagara Falls, Toronto, and Ottawa.
• Coach Canada: This bus company services Windsor to Montreal along the 401 corridors.
• Parkbus: This bus company services between Toronto and Ottawa and various provincial and national parks.
• GO Transit: This is the regional public transit service for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Getting to and Around Ontario by Train

Ontario is home to the VIA Rail lines, which offer services to and from the province, but there are also regional train lines as well.

• VIA Rail Canada: This company offers passenger service in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Southwestern Ontario and Northern Ontario, with express service available between larger communities on most routes. You can also go to other provinces across Canada.
• Ontario Northland: This company’s Polar Bear Express train provides service from Cochrane to Moosonee.
• Agawa Canyon Train Tour: Algoma Central Rail offers popular train excursions through the spectacular scenery of Algoma Country.
• Union Pearson Express: This service is an innovative air-rail link connecting Toronto Pearson International Airport and Union Station in downtown Toronto. For groups of 50 or more please complete the on-line form for special rates.

Getting to and Around Ontario by Boat

Ontario is also accessible by boat, although only from within Canada. There are a couple of ferry services you can make use of, including:

• Chi Cheemaun: This ferry runs between Tobermory and South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island.
• Glenora: This ferry connects Glenora and Adolphustown in Eastern Ontario.
• Pelee Island Ferry: This ferry runs between Leamington or Kingsville and Pelee Island in Southern Ontario.
• Toronto Islands: This ferry departs from the downtown Toronto docks and services the Toronto Islands.
• Wolfe Island: This ferry connects Kingston and Wolfe Island in Eastern Ontario.

Best Time to Visit Ontario

Ontario can be hot and humid in the summer and freezing cold in during the winter in Canada . Timing your visit will likely depend on what you’re interested in doing and what you’re comfortable with.

If you’d like to experience snow and/or partake in winter festivals or winter activities in Ontario, then you’ll want to come sometime between December and March. Other advantages to this time include fewer visitors and cheaper hotel prices.

If you’d rather experience hot temperatures and a wider array of Ontario activities, you may want to visit during Canada’s warmer months from May until September. The hottest months are July and August, which also happen to be the busiest months. Spring can also be nice and during the fall season around October, Ontario is home to some of the best fall colours in Canada .

Either way, travel in Ontario can be done all year-round, especially in cities like Ottawa and Toronto. In the summer, temperatures can reach as high as 40 degrees Celcius whereas the winter can bring temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius or even colder if you travel to the northern part of the province. However, as the saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.

Fun Facts About Canada Ontario

• Toronto is now known as the most multicultural city on Earth.
• St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto is known as the best food market in the world.
• One of the main reasons Ottawa was chosen as Canada’s capital is due to its proximity to both English and French Canada.
• Toronto is home to Canada’s only NBA and MLB sports teams.
• With more than 250,000 lakes, Ontario is estimated to have 20% of the world’s freshwater stores.
• Horseshoe Falls (part of Niagara Falls) is the most powerful waterfall in North America by volume and is often cited as one of the world’s natural wonders.

Want more? Check out our guide to the best Ontario facts .

Final Thoughts on What to Do in Ontario, Canada

As you can see in the video, we had a great time in Ontario. There are so many things to do in this massive province, including big-city entertainment and boundless nature. From massive waterfalls and beautiful lakes to vibrant multicultural cities and international cuisine, Ontario is a really cool province to explore.

For more cool things to do in Ontario and beyond, check out our other articles below:

• Ottawa in the Winter
• Things to Do in Quebec
• Things to Do in Montreal
• Things to Do in Manitoba
• Interesting Toronto Facts

Bonus Fun Fact: There’s actually an Ontario historic site located outside of Canada! It’s called Wolford Chapel and it’s located in Devon, England.

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About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net .

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The top 10 attractions in Ontario

Things to do

Big buildings, big festivals and big adventure fill one of Canada’s biggest provinces. No wonder so many people come to visit. 

Niagara Falls

You might think that if you've seen Niagara Falls External Link Title once, you've seen it all. But the sound of the water as you approach it, the mist you feel on your face as you look up 165 feet at a true natural wonder, and the sheer power of the falls that you can feel to your bones... those things never really get old. Either way, there are a bunch of different ways to experience Niagara Falls. Taking a boat cruise for an up-close and soggy view might be the most classic approach. But you can also Journey Behind the Falls, travelling through tunnels until you're literally behind a wall of water. Or maybe you want to take them in from above in a helicopter, or wait until nightfall when the Falls light up in color. Throw in all the attractions and entertainment in the surrounding neighborhood, and you start to realize why a classic stays a classic. 

Algonquin Park

If you were to make a general list of all the outdoor activities you can think of, you could probably find a solid 90 percent of them in Algonquin Park External Link Title . Ontario's very first provincial park is overflowing with activities for every taste and preference. In the warmer seasons, you've got backcountry camping, backpacking, biking, boating, fishing, picnicking, swimming, whitewater canoeing and wildlife watching (say that five times fast). Then in the winter, you can add on skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding. Over 1,500 lakes and nearly 750 miles of streams and rivers are located within the park, and you'll find over 1,200 campsites along their shores. In other words, there's no shortage of reasons to visit.

Stratford Festival

It isn't always easy to time your travel to the exact dates of a particular festival you want to visit. This isn't really an issue when it comes to The Stratford Festival External Link Title , the leading classic theatre festival in North America which runs for seven months every year. Between April and October, you see a multitude of high-quality theatre productions, crossing genres and generations. From Shakespeare to Moli?re, tragedy to comedy, choreographed musicals to one-person shows, the Stratford Festival is really the best place in the country to put on your Sunday best and take in a play. 

The CN Tower's EdgeWalk

The CN Tower External Link Title is one of Canada's most well-known landmarks. But a visit to the 1,815-foot building isn't just about seeing the sights. Those who feel a bit bold can walk across the glass floor, only 2.5 inches thick, 113 stories above the ground. Those who are feeling even more bold might travel up another 33 stories to the SkyPod observation platform for the best views of the city. But the real draw, the attraction unlike anything else in the world, is the EdgeWalk. Strap on a harness, head outside the tower and walk along the building's edge with nothing but air between you and the ground. This is not for those with a fear of heights or the faint-of-heart. It is for those who want a serious adrenaline rush, and the ability to tell their friends they did the highest hands-free walk in the world.

Parliament Hill

Canada's Parliament Hill External Link Title isn't just home to the country's government; it's also a cultural and community hub whose activities are hosted in a really incredible setting. You can, for example, do yoga on Parliament Hill. Every Wednesday at noon during the summer, hundreds of people flood the hill with mats and yoga pants to stretch out in front of the iconic buildings. You can also take the Sound and Light show, which for 30-minutes projects a beautiful, engaging story onto the Parliament Buildings themselves. And then there are the more traditional activities. Visit the historic Peace Tower for a 360-degree view of the city and take in the Changing of the Guards, before heading inside for a building tour.

Ottawa River Rafting

Northwest of the nation’s capital, the Ottawa River surges through the Canadian Shield. This waterway, once crossed by First Nations and fur traders, is now home to pure whitewater adventure. In fact, the Ottawa Valley is known as the Whitewater Capital of Canada. Choose one of the local rafting companies and, with experienced guides at the helm, safely splash and roll through one of the world’s great whitewater routes. The difficulty and force of the river varies, so you don’t need to be an experienced paddler to enjoy being on the water. Just hop in the boat and enjoy yourself.

Great Spirit Circle Trail

The Great Spirit Circle Trail External Link Title is a real cultural experience, exposing visitors to the lives of the Anishinaabe people of Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater lake island in the world. From waterfalls to breathtaking views, the natural beauty of the island is only surpassed by the culture and tradition that it houses. Seven First Nations reserves can be found on Manitoulin, and the rich Aboriginal history is extremely important to all of its residents. The Great Spirit Circle Trail puts you in the hands of a local guide, who will walk you through the history of the island, its nature and its peoples. Hear their stories, share in their food and even take part in a traditional ceremony.

Agawa Canyon Tour Train

Riding the rails isn't what it used to be. On the Agawa Canyon Tour Train External Link Title , you'll spend one day in the total comfort of a modern train while traveling through the heart of the Canadian wilderness. Explore the province's western edge, seeing its lakes and rivers, Canadian Shield forests, and granite rock formations through the big windows of your train car. Listen to an audio tour as it points out interesting landmarks and explains the history of the region, from Ojibwe origins through modern explorers. Best of all, travel 500 feet down to the floor of the Agawa Canyon, and marvel at the power of the last ice age as you step off the train and explore the canyon from its base or from the lookout 250-feet above.

Fort William Historical Park

Travel 200 years back in time and live the life of a voyageur at Fort William Historical Park External Link Title . The park was headquarters of the North West Company's inland fur trade during the early 1800s, trade which played a key role in the foundations of Canada. Feel as though you've stepped back in time as you walk among 42 historic buildings, painstakingly reproduced based on archeological evidence and research. Interact with members of 19th-century fur trade society - Scottish fur traders, French voyageurs, artisans, farmers, First Nations Ojibwe and M?tis - and hear their personal stories. Witness demonstrations such as canoe building, blacksmithing and tinsmithing. Be part of an era gone by, and come away with a keen understanding of how fur traders lived their lives.

1000 Islands

Located on the St. Lawrence Seaway, close to the Ontario border with the United States, the 1000 Islands External Link Title region offers an island getaway not too far from home. Most people will hop on a boat tour and learn about the region's history, from real pirates and bootleggers to the politicians who lived and traveled there. You'll marvel at the castles and mansions where the rich and famous came to play on the weekend. You're also going to want to take advantage of all the opportunities for outdoor adventure. Scuba dive among the 200 shipwrecks in the region or go fishing for the big one. There are also 30 public golf courses in the area and plenty of kayaking and canoeing opportunities. Or you might just want to relax and enjoy the beautiful setting with some local food and drinks.

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Horseshoe Falls

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75 Best Places To Visit In Ontario (2023): Top Attractions

• April 12, 2023
• Sandy Waters

If you are a tourist, or you live in Ontario and are looking for an awesome local experience, this roundup of the top 75 Best Places To Visit In Ontario is your guide to the top attractions in Ontario.

You’ll find suggestions on all the best things to do in Ontario from sight seeing to restaurants to hotels and spas you can stay at.

Your friends at theBOO included iconic landmarks such as the CN Tower as well as cultural experiences like walking through Toronto’s historical Chinatown or getting in touch with nature at one of Ontario’s famous parks .

We also included some local secrets like Eagle Canyon and  Langdon Hall.

Read on or jump to the section you are most interested in!

Best Places To Visit In Ontario

Here is our list of the best places to visit in Ontario for 2023:

Ontario Architecture

1) cn tower.

The CN Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Canada.

It is 1,815 ft tall and features a restaurant, observation tower, glass floor and the EdgeWalk , where visitors get to walk around the outside of the tower.

The CN Tower was the world’s tallest freestanding building for 32 years (1975-2007) until it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa and then the Canton Tower .

2) Casa Loma

Casa Loma was built in 1914 by Sir Henry Pellatt and is now owned by the city of Toronto.

Each year 650,000+ people visit the grounds to enjoy this stunning Gothic Revival mansion (that is more like a castle).

There is even a vintage car exhibition featuring cars made from 1910-1929.

3) Parliament Hill

Home of the Parliament of Canada, Parliament Hill (aka The Hill) was originally a military base due to its strategic location on the Ottawa River.

If you stand at the top of the hill you can look into Quebec which is on the other side of the river.

Parliament Hill features historic monuments of famous Canadians dating back to the late 1800’s. It also has a number of other monuments including the Centennial Flame, War of 1812 monument and Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial.

4) Distillery District

The Distillery District is located in the South East corner of Toronto where the Don River flows into Lake Ontario.

It officially opened in 2003 and features an inspired mix of Victorian Industrial architecture and modern design principles.

The shops, cafes, restaurants are lined by cobblestone side streets that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Natural wonders

5) flowerpot island.

Flowerpot Island is located 6.5 km off the coast of Tobermory (nearly half way between Toronto and Sudbury) and is a truly fascinating example of Canadian geography.

The island is famous for the natural rock pillars, called “flowerpots” that are wider at the top of the formation that the bottom which creates a seemingly impossible monument to Mother Earth .

The island is only reachable by boat so book with the Blue Heron Company or Bruce Anchor Cruises .

Check out this amazing video of Flowerpot Island by Bruce Anchor Cruises

6) Horseshoe falls

The largest of the 3 Niagara Falls is Horseshoe Falls (aka Canadian Falls).

Horseshoe falls is not the tallest waterfall in North America but it does have the highest flow rate  which creates immense hydroelectric power.

Stay at the Hilton Niagara Falls / Fallsview Hotel which features breathtaking views of the falls.

7) Magnetawan river

This river starts inside Algonquin Park and empties into Georgian Bay and is one of the best rivers to canoe on in Ontario for adventurous trippers .

The river features many rapids and the name of the river means “swiftly flowing waters” in the Ojibwe language.

8) French river

The French River is a Canadian Heritage River and is considered the dividing line between Northern and Southern Ontario.

It flows through French River Provincial Park and winds through the enormous Canadian Shield which makes for stunning landscape scenery.

9) 1,000 islands

A visit to the 1,000 Islands is worth the drive from Toronto, past Kingston and into Gananoque (3 hours by car) to experience this North American archipelago.

Lavish homes and castles, built in the 1800s and 1900s for prominent families in both Canada and America , still populate this historic part of Ontario.

There is even a bridge that connects Ontario to New York State called the Thousand Islands Bridge.

Here is an amazing old postcard from the American side of the 1,000 Islands:

10) Hamilton waterfalls

Hamilton, Ontario is home to 100+ waterfalls and many are found just minutes from the downtown core.

Check out this amazing Hamilton Waterfalls Guide from Tourism Hamilton .

You can get to most waterfalls by hiking the Bruce Trail (Canada’s oldest and longest footpath) which stretches all the way from Tobermory in the North all the way down to Niagara.

11) Cheltenham badlands

In Caledon, Ontario you will find the Cheltenham Badlands  which is one of the best examples of “Badlands Topography” within Ontario.

Badlands are a geological wonder and occur on every continent except Antarctica.

Another famous badlands is in Alberta and is home to Dinosaur Provincial Park.

12) Kakabeka falls

Kakabeka Falls is the second highest waterfall in Ontario and is located 30 km west of Thunder Bay .

Along with stunning views of Northern Ontario wilderness, you can find 1.6 million year old fossils at the bottom of the waterfall.

Source |  CC BY-SA 3.0

13) Rockwood conservation

The Rockwood Conservation Area is near Guelph, Ontario and features an amazing mix of caves, hiking trails, ruins and the Eramosa River.

Admission is only $7.50 and the park is open year round with camping allowed from May 1 to October 15.

If you are a nature lover this is a top destination for day hiking in southwestern Ontario.

Ontario Culture

14) toronto’s chinatown.

Toronto has one of the largest Chinatowns in North America  and it is one of the best places to visit in Ontario to experience the friendly multicultural city of Toronto. It is very central to the city so you can start your walking tour here at the corner of Spadina and Dundas.

If you are serious about urban exploration and into Chinese cuisine then take a look at this article from the Local Toronto City Blog.

15) Theatre in Stratford

Stratford, Ontario is home to the Stratford Festival which is an epic theatre experience that attracts top talent from all over the world.

The festival runs from April to October with all types of events like music concerts, plays, author readings, and actor meet and greets.

Fun fact : the Toronto Film Festival was originally the Stratford Film Festival.

16) Wiarton Willie

Wiarton Willie is the Canadian version of Punxsutawney Phil and lives in Wiarton, Ontario.

Groundhog Day (Feb 2) is a major celebration in Wiarton and features dances, parades and quintessential Canadian ice hockey tournaments and curling bonspiels.

17) The Big Nickel

The Big Nickel is a 9 metre Canadian nickel replica located in Sudbury, Ontario.

You can see the Big Nickel at Science North (the Sudbury Science Centre) if you decide to visit the largest city in Northern Ontario by population.

18) Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum (the ROM as locals say) is one of the largest museums in North America and attracts more than 2 million visitors annually.

The ROM features multiple dinosaur skeletons including an unbelievable T.Rex fossil skeleton.

Friday Night Live at the ROM is an adult museum experience with great food and drink.

Get your tickets here

19) Bridle Path

Toronto’s bridle path is the most luxurious neighbourhood in Toronto where celebrities like Drake, Elton John, Margaret Thatcher and Robert Herjavec have owned homes.

You can take the TTC (Toronto’s subway system) up to North York to explore “Millionaire’s Row”.

20) Art Gallery of Ontario

The Art Gallery of Ontario is home to more than 100 thousand   pieces of art.

The gallery itself is a work of architectural art and the Galleria Italia , a giant wood projecting canopy used as a viewing hall, is worth the price of admission.

Famous Canadian art collective, the Group of Seven , has a permanent collection of paintings here.

21) Canadian Automotive Museum

The Canadian Automotive Museum is located in Oshawa, Ontario and opened its doors to the public in 1963.

The car collection dates back to the early 1900s and features an eclectic mix of Canadian, America, British and European cars.

Tickets to the museum can be purchased here and start at $14.00 for an adult, $6.00 for a youth (ages 6-17) and free for ages 5 and under.

22) Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest

If the thought of giant beer mugs, lederhosen , and unlimited Bratwurst tickle your fancy then you definitely want to check out the second largest Oktoberfest in the world hosted by the twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo.

The largest Oktoberfest is held in Munich, Germany where over 6 million people gather each year to drink nearly 8 million litres of beer . The second largest is in Kitchener-Waterloo and attracts just under 1 million visitors every year.

23) Hockey Hall of Fame

The sport of hockey is as Canadian as a maple syrup covered beaver (please do not try to create this at home) and the Hockey Hall of Fame is the house of hockey.

It is home to the stanley cup, tons of hockey memorabilia, interactive games and exhibits and is responsible for honouring the legends of the sport.

It is located downtown Toronto and accessible by public transportation.

24) Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defense

Located in North Bay, Ontario the Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defense is an interesting place to visit to learn about advances in air and space technology and defense.

Here, you’ll find information on NORAD , the risk of “space junk”, WW1 and WW2 airplanes, and even a Zeppelin exhibit.

25) Canada’s Wonderland

Canada’s largest theme park is located just north of Toronto in Vaughan, Ontario and is a fun-filled mix of roller coasters, a waterpark, and seasonal events like Halloween Haunt and WinterFest.

If you are a thrill-seeking family then you need to go for a ride on Yukon Striker – the world’s tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster.

26) Ontario Science Centre

Science education is an important part of general knowledge and the Ontario Science Centre is a mecha of scientific exhibition.

Here, kids and adults alike can learn about physics, the Ice Age, the animal kingdom, biology, chemistry and much more.

It is an interactive experience featuring an IMAX Dome with sensational video exhibits, live experiments and friendly, educated staff that help make your visit both educational and enjoyable.

27) Calypso Waterpark

Looking to cool down in the summer heat? Then Canada’s largest wave pool at Calypso is the place to be.

Check out Calypso to enjoy:

• Water slides
• Lazy rivers
• Kids splash area

It is located 35 km east of Ottawa in Limoges, Ontario and covers over 100-acres water features and attractions.

28) Eagle Canyon

Head north to Thunder Bay, Ontario and discover Canada’s biggest zip line and longest suspension footbridge at Eagle Canyon Adventures.

They are open from May 1 to October 15 and have hiking trails, a picnic area and scenic vistas for less adventurous explorers.

29) Ctrl V – Virtual Reality Arcade

The future of gaming entertainment can be found at Ctrl V .

Canada’s first virtual reality arcade is located in Waterloo, Ontario and features cutting edge VR technology that makes visitors feel like they have stepped into  Ready Player One.  They also now have an arcade in Cambridge, Ontario.

Hotels and spas

30) ste. anne’s spa.

Pamper yourself at one of Ontario’s best all-inclusive destination spas .

St. Anne’s Spa is a heritage country castle that has been renovated into a modern and luxurious health and wellness spa. It is located in Grafton, Ontario and the property is set on rolling hills with a stunning view of Lake Ontario.

Check out one of their overnight spa packages or book a day trip to begin your rejuvenating self-care retreat.

31) Blue Mountain Resort

Ontario is not known for having great skiing when you compare it to other Canadian provinces like Alberta or British Columbia but Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood (near Barrie, Ontario) the best place to go if you are looking for a ski village vibe in Ontario.

Also, you can visit Blue Mountain in both the summer and winter seasons.

Winter activities include:

• Snowboarding
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country skiing

and, summer activities include:

• Downhill biking

Book a room at the Westin Trillium House (a Marriott Hotel) if you want to experience the natural wonders in comfort and luxury.

32) Elora Mill Hotel and Spa

Located in beautiful Fergus, Ontario – the Elora Mill Hotel and Spa is a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else.

The modern facilities are perched atop the thundering Elora Gorge and offer an intimate experience in nature. The Hotel only has 27 guest rooms so it never feels too busy.

Book your trip here

33) Shangri-La Hotel

If you are staying overnight in Toronto, and you have a big budget , you absolutely must check out the Shangri-La Hotel in one of Toronto’s tallest buildings.

The rooms are exquisite and the hotel has an indoor pool with views of the Toronto skyline that you can see through a glass roof.

The hotel has a health club with a gym, fitness studio and classes, sauna and steam room.

35) Hotel X

Hotel X is Toronto’s newest luxury hotel and is a modern take on outstanding hospitality.

Have you ever wanted to play indoor tennis with a skyline view or or swim in an indoor/outdoor rooftop pool? Because, they have both.

Every detail is fine tuned, down to the bathroom products (which are L’Occitane products).

The hotel is minutes from downtown Toronto and set in the famous Exhibition Place complex.

35) Fairmont Chateau Laurier

This Fairmont hotel is one of Canada’s most recognizable landmarks and is built to look like a Renaissance-era French chateau.

It is located in the downtown core of Ottawa and is walking distance to most of the top visitor locations in the city.

The architecture is so awe inspiring that the hotel was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada.

Food and drink

36) wayne gretzky estates.

Wayne “The Great One” Gretzky created this namesake winery and it is a top destination in Ontario for wine lovers.

Wayne and his team have created an experience to rival the even the great California vineyards.

The wine selection is very approachable and easy on the palate and the estate also has a whisky bar and distillery.

The food is fantastic and you can even book a private group tasting for up to 10 people for $20 per person.

37) Dinner at Canoe

Rated #6 on the Canada’s 100 Best restaurant list.

Canoe is an Oliver and Bonacini restaurant that serves the finest Canadian food products with a modern twist.

Set on the 54th floor of the TD Centre with views of Toronto and Lake Ontario, the views will leave you  breathless while you enjoy some of the best food in Ontario.

38) Peller Estates

The Peller family has poured their heart and soul into building one of Ontario’s premium wineries.

Peller Estates has been a driving force behind the development of the growing wine movement in Canada.

The team here makes every guest feel like family and they offer expert guided tours of the property while educating visitors about the wine making process.

39) Labatt Brewery Tour

Labatt has been brewing beer in Canada since 1847 and produces nearly 350 million bottles of beer annually.

You can take a guided tour to learn how Canadian beer is made which takes about 2 hours.

The tour is at their London, Ontario brewery and you must pre-book by email (email: [email protected]).  The cost is only $12 per person and all guests must make sure they have closed, flat footwear.

Check out this amazing guide to the best things to do in London Ontario for more great ideas.

40) Steam Whistle Brewery Tour

Visit “The Roundhouse” for a special tour of Toronto’s famous beer company Steam Whistle’s property.

There is a Munich-inspired biergarten, an indoor event space,  and a guided tour of the brewer’s operations.

41) Lunch at Supply & Demand

Supply and Demand, in Ottawa, is a family owned restaurant that features locally grown foods.

They use sustainable ingredients and focus on vibrant raw bar dishes and vegetable-focused small plates.

The menu changes to fit the seasonal supply of local farmers.

42) Dinner at Langdon Hall

Built in 1898, Langdon Hall has a hotel, spa, restaurant and 75 acres of well groomed wilderness to explore.

Dinner at Langdon Hall is a real event, and even has a dress code (jacket preferred and no denim, shorts or sportswear).

The restaurant is rated #4 on the Canada’s 100 Best restaurant list and each dish is prepared in a manner befitting the storied terroir of Langdon Hall.

43) Glen Abbey Golf

The course at Glen Abbey was designed by the legend of golf Jack Nicklaus.

It has hosted a PGA Tour even (RBC Canadian Open) and is consistently ranked a top golf course in Canada.

It is located in Oakville, Ontario and is the home of both Golf Canada as well as the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

44) TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley

Originally just called Osprey Valley, the now “TPC Toronto” is actually 3 courses (Heathlands, Hoot and North) and all 3 are top ranked courses with a distinct feel.

The course is always in excellent condition due to the expert greenkeeping and maintenance staff.

Renowned architect Doug Carrick is responsible for the design of each course and he has expertly created a memorable golf experience that fits naturally into the iconic Ontario geography.

45) Hamilton Golf Club

Hamilton is located in Ancaster, Ontario and has consistently been one of the best parkland courses in North America for 100+ years.

The course sits along the edge of the Niagara Escarpment and is actually one of the oldest courses in the country.

It is a private club so you’ll need an invite to play here.

46) Cobble Beach

Doug Carrick brought his expert golf course craftsmanship to Owen Sound, Ontario and helped bring Cobble Beach to life.

This golf course is situated on the shores of Georgian Bay and has incredible views that you might not otherwise find unless you were in Nantucket.

Legendary California golf course, Pebble Beach Golf Links , is the inspiration from this course and we have to say that Cobble Beach might even outshine its muse.

Tour a University Campus

47) university of toronto.

UofT is a top university in the world and is located centrally in Toronto.

Here you can see spectacular examples of Neoclassical, Gothic, Romanesque and Norman architecture.

Walking around UofT sometimes make you feel like you are exploring Hogwarts .

48) Richard Ivey Building at Western University

The Richard Ivey School of Business is a top ranked business program in the world.

The new and architecturally stunning Richard Ivey Building is LEED Gold sustainable and contains 15 78-seat classrooms and 5 50-seat classrooms.

The 640-seat auditorium (BMO auditorium) features state of the art communications technology.

49) Osgoode Hall

Osgoode Hall was built in 1832 and is a central landmark in Toronto.

Part of York University, Osgoode Hall is one of the top ranked law schools in Canada.

The grand architecture and grounds house the Great Library of the Law Society of Ontario .

50) University of Ottawa

Located downtown Ottawa, uOttawa is the largest English-French bilingual university in the world and offers a diverse set of academic programs.

On campus you’ll find free bicycle rentals, a community garden and even a living wall.

Set on 105 acres of land, the university has 30 main building, 806 research laboratories and enrolls over 35,000 undergraduate students.

Sporting events

51) hockey – ottawa senators.

The Ottawa Senators home arena is Canadian Tire Centre and the team is one of two (the Toronto Maple Leafs being the other) hockey teams in Ontario.

Although not one of the “Original 6” NHL team, the Sens have been around since 1883.

52) Canadian Football – Hamilton Tiger-Cats

3/6 Canadian Football League (CFL) teams are in Ontario and the team with the wildest fan base is surely the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The team plays at Tim Hortons Field and they have won 8 Grey Cups.

Fun fact: the Tiger-Cats are the only CFL team to ever defeat a current NFL team

53) Basketball – Toronto Raptors

Canada’s only current NBA team are the Toronto Raptors who play at Scotiabank Arena, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Raptors won the NBA championship in 2019 with Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry leading the team to their first ever world championship.

The Raptors Fan base is incredibly passionate and watching a game at the Scotiabank Arena is an electrifying experience.

54) Soccer (Football) – Toronto FC

Toronto’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team plays at BMO Field in the Exhibition Place by Lake Ontario.

Toronto FC is the first Canadian team to win the MLS cup and their home arena is the largest soccer-specific stadium in Canada.

The Toronto FC fan base is truly incredible and are known throughout the MLS. Some of their supporters groups are the REd Patch Boys, U-Sector and Original 109. Try and get a seat in one of their sections for a nearly European soccer experience.

55) Baseball – Toronto Blue Jays

If you feel like watching baseball in Ontario then you have to catch a Toronto Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre.

Originally named the “SkyDome” Rogers Centre is an engineering marvel and was the first stadium to ever have a fully retractable motorized roof.

If you do attend a game, make sure to take part in the famous 7th inning stretch where you will sind “OK Blue Jays” before singing “Take Me Out To The Ball Game”.

Places To Visit In Summer

56) spend time at the lake.

Summer in Ontario is best spent at the lake in one of the many “cottage countries” like Muskoka, Kawartha, Haliburton or Georgian Bay.

Check out some of the top luxury Muskoka resorts here

There are tons of cottage rental websites as well as Airbnb rentals to choose from.

Make sure that you don’t leave at “rush hour” if you are planning to get to the cottage as the 400 Highway can get extremely congested.

57) Visit Toronto Island

Hop on a ferry and head over to the Toronto Island Park for a day of sun filled fun with the family.

Visit one of the many beaches, go sailing, take a bicycle or check out Centreville Amusement park.

58) Tour Niagara-On-The-Lake

A visit to Niagara-On-The-Lake Heritage District is like stepping back in time.

The food and drink scene is bustling with many different restaurants and wineries in the area.

59) Andrews Scenic Acres

All 165 acres of Andrews Scenic Acres is located in Milton, Ontario (part of Halton Hills) and is full of strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins, squash, raspberries and other produce that you can pick and bring home.

Visit the farm and disconnect from your devices while reconnecting with the earth. 2 hours at Andrews Scenic Acres is like a week at the spa for the soul.

There is even a winery here where they make award winning fruit wines.

Check out this awesome review by Christopher Rudder at Roadtrip Ontario.

60) Grand Bend

Grand Bend is a bustling Ontario beach located on the shore of Lake Huron (one of the Great Lakes).

There are tons of activities that you can to at Grand Bend like parasailing, jet skiing, parachuting, swimming (the water quality has Blue Flag status) and sunbathing.

The area sports an assortment of unique accommodations to stay at overnight.

61) Canatara Beach

Canatara also has Blue Flag status and is located in Canatara Park which is the largest park in Sarnia, Ontario.

In addition to spending time at the beach you can check out nearby attractions like the Stones N’ Bones Museum or the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery.

62) Wasaga Beach

Part of the longest freshwater beach in the world, Wasaga Beach is a popular beach for people living in the GTA to visit on weekends.

It is located north west of Barrie, Ontario on the southern part of Georgian Bay.

If you get the need to stretch your legs you can take on one of the hiking trails nearby.

63) Go For a Bike Ride

Ontario has some of the best cycling routes in North America.

Check out this awesome guide from Ontario By Bike to plan your route.

64) Canoe trip

Head to an outfitter to rent a canoe, paddles, tent, cooking tools and a backpack before embarking on a thrilling canoe trip in Ontario.

Here is a list of our Top 5 Canoe Routes in Ontario :

• Madawaska River (Intermediate, Whitewater)
• Algonquin Park (Beginner, Flatwater)
• Killarney Park (Beginner, Flatwater)
• Petawawa River (Intermediate, Whitewater)
• French River (Beginner, Whitewater)

Canoeing plays an important part in Canadian history and culture. It is great exercise and the best way to explore Ontario’s legendary provincial parks.

Places To Visit In Winter

65) skate on the rideau canal.

The Rideau Canal (a World Heritage Site) is a 202 km long waterway that connects Ottawa to both Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River.

When the river freezes it turns into the world’s largest skating rink.

Usually open from January to March, the canal is open 24 hours a day for skaters of all ages to enjoy.

66) Ski at Mount St. Louis Moonstone

Mount St. Louis is dedicated to offering the best skiing and snowboarding in Ontario and is located less than 2 hours from Toronto by car.

It has 36 different runs and is serviced by 8 chair lifts.

At Mount St. Louis Moonstone – skiing runs in the family. The resort has been family owned since 1964 when it was founded by Austrian alpine skier Josl Huter.

67) See The Northern Lights

If you are looking for cosmic, spiritual inspiration then you need to plan to see one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World – the Northern Lights.

The best time of year to see the Northern Lights is around the equinoxes (March and September) and usually between 5PM and 2AM.

You can only see the Northern Lights from certain places in the world like Alaska, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Northern Canada. Head up to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario for a great chance to see the lights.

68) Festival of Lights

Head to Niagara Falls, Ontario from November 13-Feb 21 to check out the enchanting Winter Festival of Lights.

It is Canada’s largest free outdoor light festival and even features a giant 3D moose!

Ontario Parks

69) algonquin park.

Algonquin Provincial Park is the oldest and most popular provincial park in Canada.

It is host to many summer camps, canoe routes, and over 1,200 individual campsites.

You can fish in any of the many lakes as long as you have a valid Ontario fishing license.

There is even a direct bus shuttle from Toronto .

70) Killarney Park

Killarney Park is unmatched in geological wonder compared to other parks in Ontario.

Here you will find pink granite and white quartz peaks jutting out along the tree line.

If you do not want to camp then you should stay at the Killarney Mountain Lodge for a luxurious yet rustic vacation.

71) Bruce Peninsula National Park

Black bears and other wildlife call this ancient cedar tree lined National Park their home.

If you visit the area then you should also check out Fathom Five National Marine Park which has some amazing scuba diving sites.

72) Montebello Park

While not a national or provincial park, Montebello Park is fascinating because it has a giant rose garden with over 1,300 rose bushes in 25 varieties.

This park, which was designed by the same man who d esigned New York City’s Central Park is in St. Catherines, Ontario.

73) Budweiser Stage

This concert venue is located at Ontario Place in Toronto and has hosted performances by top artists across a variety of music genres.

Catch a concert by the lake by booking a ticket online with Live Nation.

74) Rebel Nightclub

For a big night out there is no better venue in Ontario than Rebel Night Club.

Located on Lake Ontario at Polson Pier, clubbers can start their day at the European inspired Cabana Pool Bar before changing and heading into Rebel for an unforgettable sensory experience.

75) Boots and Hearts

Boots and Hearts is a country themed music festival held in Oro-Medonte, Ontario every year.

It is Canada’s largest camping country music festival and has won multiple “Festival of the Year” awards from the Canadian Country Music Association.

Whew – you made it to the end of the list!

In summary, Ontario has something to offer everyone from tourists to locals looking for an amazing experience within driving distance of home.

Like this list? Share it with a friend or bookmark it for later!

We hope you loved this year’s 75 Best Places To Visit In Ontario  and be sure to let us know if you think we are missing anything from the list.

– theBOO

Table of Contents

26 Most Epic and Thrilling Things to Do in Ontario

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: November 8, 2023

You don’t have to leave the province to have a world-class adventure, there are numerous things to do in Ontario that will get your blood pumping without having to step foot on a plane! Ontario is an outdoor adventure playground that is waiting to be explored in any season. From the Fathom Five National Marine Park to Wasaga Beach, these are the best outdoor activities in Ontario for adventure lovers.

Table of Contents

Epic Adventures in Ontario

Yes, we’ve done all the things to do in Ontario that everyone recommends like going to the Royal Ontario Museum , watching a show at the Stratford Festival , or visiting the Rideau Canal, but aren’t you looking for something different? Something new to try? These Ontario adventures will get you off the couch and wanting more. So what are you waiting for? Plan for an adventure this weekend right now!

1. Learn to Whitewater Kayak – Madawaska River

You’ve probably been putting this bucket list item off for years, but there has never been a better time to try something new than right now! We orginally wanted to learn whitewater canoeing but we were the only two who signed up for it, so whitewater kayaking it was!

Learning to Whitewater Kayak on the Madawaska River was one of our greatest adventures. This week-long course had us learning the barrel roll and navigating class 3 rapids in just a few short days. It’s one of the best places to learn how to whitewater kayak in North America. The owners helped design and develope the training area for the Olympics course. This river attracts paddlers from around the world.

It gave us the confidence to head out on rivers by ourselves armed with the skills to t-rescue, brace, and do a fast wet exit should we not be able to roll.

• Learning to Whitewater kayak
• Whitewater kayaking – The Ultimate Ontario Adventure
• Book a kayaking course with Madawaska Kanu Centre

2. Learn to Scuba Dive – Georgian Bay

Have you ever gone south to see people learning to dive in the pool at the resort? We’ve always wondered why people wait to waste a few days of their vacation learning to scuba dive when they can do it right here in Ontario.

We learned to scuba dive in Ontario’s lakes and it helped us build our skills to make diving in the warm Caribbean waters a breeze! Ontario’s lakes are littered with shipwrecks and the visibility is good at 20 feet and a lot of wrecks are in shallow water.

One of the best places to go scuba diving in Ontario is Fathom Five National Marine Park in Tobermory. Tobermory is located next to Bruce Peninsula National Park that is famous for the Grotto and Flower Pot Island. A trip here for a weekend is a must!

• Georgian Bay
• Lake Simcoe
• St. Lawrence River
• Ontario has some great drift diving on the St. Lawrence and Niagara Rivers too!

3. Hike the North Shore of Lake Superior

Ontario is known for its outdoor activities, and Lake Superior National Park is the top. The North Shore of Lake Superior is Ontario’s adventure destination and some of the greatest coastal hikes in Canada are located along its shores.

It feels like you are hiking along an ocean coast with waves crashing against the sea cliffs. Lake Superior is massive! Read more: Top 15 Ontario Hiking Trails

The Pukaskwa Coastal Hike is considered one of the most challenging hiking routes in Canada and it is incredibly beautiful and remote. The Lake Superior Coastal Trail is a 65km route that starts in Agawa Bay and ends at Gargantua Bay. It is a demanding trail that takes several days.

• Hiking the Wild Coastal Trail of the Pukaskwa
• Naturally Superior offers shuttles to both Pukaskwa National Park and the Lake Superior Coastal Trail.

4. Take a Two Day Whitewater Rafting Trip – Ottawa River

One day isn’t enough to go whitewater rafting on the Ottawa River, you need at least two! Plus that gives you time to enjoy the all-inclusive resorts that run the tours! The Ottawa River is famous around the world with avid whitewater rafters as one of the premier places on earth for whitewater rafting. You can count on the rapids being huge. Forget the roller coasters of Canada’s Wonderland, enjoy your own water park in a natural setting as you ride the rapid roller coaster of the Ottawa River.

A two day trip with OWL Rafting lets you go in a large raft with several other people as your guide does most of the work navigating with two paddles through the rapids. The large rafts are the only ones that are allowed to go through the biggest set of rapids known as “The Staircase.” After you’ve tackled a day on the big raft, you get to run a small sporty raft the second day which is twice the excitement!

• Whitewater Rafting the Ottawa River
• Book your whitewater trip with OWL Rafting

5. Hike the Entire Bruce Trail

This summer has never been a better time to take a multi-day hike or to chip away at an epic hike. The Bruce Trail is an 885km trail following the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Niagara Escarpment from Niagara Falls to Tobermory.

The Bruce Trail can be done in 30 days from end to end if you put your head down and hike fast. Most people take their time doing a section at a time. Why not take off each weekend and pick up from where you left off each trip. How far do you think you’ll get this summer?

• See the Bruce Trail for more information and accommodations

6. Take a BiPlane Flight Over Ottawa

Ottawa is our favourite city in Ontario and while it is known for the Parliament buildings and Rideau Canal, the most epic thing you can do in Ottawa is to hop on a vintage biplane and fly over the tops sites in Ottawa and Gatineau. See Parliament Hill from above, do some maneuvers in the air and enjoy the scenery in this open air cockpit as you dress in complete vintage flight gear.

7. Tackle Ontario’s Mountain Biking Trails

One of the best things we ever did was learn to mountain bike. At Hardwood Hills just north of Barrie, you can learn to mountain bike and hone your skills. There are trails for beginnners and then you can work you way up to expert and black diamond trails. It’s on our list as one of the best day trips from Toronto. Read more about Ontario Day Trips here.

Fat biking in Winter is a blast as well. Canadians never stop cycling and the snow won’t hold us back!

• Blue Mountain
• 3 Stages Collingwood
• Albion Hills
• The Don Valley
• And many many more!
• See a full breakdown of where mountain biking trails are in Ontario here.

8. Learn to Ride a Motorcycle

It’s the ultimate solo adventure. Well, at least you are socially distancing from anyone while riding a motorcycle. Ontario has some amazing motorcycle routes and getting your licence this summer is a great way to explore Ontario in a unique fashion.

It only takes a couple of weekends to get a motorcycle licence and then you have five years to drive and learn before you need to take a test to get fully certified.

• We learned with Motorsoul Riding School in Toronto and she was fantastic!

9. Learn to Dirt Bike in Ganaraska

If you are looking for unique attractions in Ontario, check out Trail Tours in Ganaraska Forest. Take your mountain biking up a notch and learn to ride a dirt bike in the Ganaraska Forest. This is such a fun adventure and it helps your motorcycle skills as well.

Trail Tours takes you to the back woods of the Ganaraska Forest where there are hundreds of km of dirt biking trails. They supply the bikes and gear and then teach you how to ride over logs, bridges and obstacles.

Once you’ve tackled the basics, its time to hit the trails and show off your skills!

• Dirt Biking in the Ganaraska Forest
• Book a lesson at Trail Tours in Ganaraska Forest

10. Learn to Rock Climb – Niagara Escarpment

Rock climbing is one of our favourite outdoor activities and Ontario is awesome for it. Ontario has some fantastic climbing routes being located on the Niagara Escarpment. dThis UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere is one of Ontario’s Natural Wonders that spans 1900 square km! (733 miles) and there are several awesome cliffs to climb it! The Niagara Escarpment can easily be explored on day trips from Toronto.

We first learned to climb at Joe Rockheads Climbing Gym in Toronto before taking it outdoors. But you can take an outdoor course to learn how to set up top ropes and eventually lead climb your own routes.

• Rattlesnake Point
• Metcalf Rock
• Lion’s Head
• Niagara Glen for Bouldering

Check out Joe Rockheads Climbing Gym and On the Rocks Outdoor Climbing for courses and indoor gyms.

11. Hornblower Adventure Cruise

It’s one of the top attractions in Ontario. Niagara Falls is a place that you must visit if you come to Ontario and when you do, get on the Hornblower for the thrill of a lifetime. This boat directly into one of the largest waterfalls in the world is a thrill. Niagara Falls is one of the top attractions in Ontario, and hopping on the Hornblower takes you to the center of Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian Side. United States passengers also go into Horseshoe Falls on the Maid of the Mist. You get wet and really feel the power of the falls.

12. Whirlpool Jetboat

If you want to take things up a notch, the Whirlpool Jetboat tour is even zanier! Hop on board at Niagara on the Lake and take a jetboat journey on class 6 rapids to the Niagara River’s whirlpool.

Niagara Falls is famous for its natural wonder and Niagara-on-the-Lake is famous for its wineries, but did you know that one of the greatest outdoor adventures in Ontario is located right in the middle of these two popular Ontario destinations. The Whirlpool Jetboat Tour takes thrill seekers along the Niagara Gorge right to the mouth of the class 6 rapids of the Niagara Whirlpool. You can choose wet or dry excursions. Either way, you are going to be riding a roller coaster of waves on twin engine speed boats that twist and turn through the gorge.

Both the whirlpool jetboat and Hornblower allow kids (with some height restrictions) making them both great family friendly attractions in Ontario.

• The Very Best Things to do in Niagara Falls
• Things to do in Niagara on the Lake – A Lovely Ontario Town
• Where to Stay in Niagara Falls

13. Chase Waterfalls

Niagara Falls may be the most famous waterfall in Canada, but nearby Hamilton, Ontario is known as the waterfall capital of the world. With some 150 waterfalls strewn along the Niagara Escarpment, outdoor lovers have endless kilometres of exploration to see waterfalls such as the Devil’s Punch Bowl, Albion Falls and Wilson Falls. Be it spring when the water is flowing or winter when the water has frozen, chasing waterfalls is one of the greatest Ontario outdoor adventures!

14. Take a Canoe Trip – Algonquin Park

Nothing says a Canadian adventure more than taking an epic canoe trip. There are several canoe routes to choose from in Algonquin Provincial Park which is our favourite destiantion but there are many epic canoe routes in Ontario.

Right outside the door of our house is the Grand River that is popular with paddlers. There’s also Lake Superior’s North Shore and the Upper Ottawa River Canoe Routes. And Killarney Provincial Park has several canoe routes to choose from.

Search for routes from one-day to multiday adventures and check to make sure you have enough gear and can handle the portages. Some range from a few meters to a couple of kilometers.

• In Search of Algonquin Moose – A Canadian Wildlife Safari
• Book a guided canoe trip or rent gear with Voyageur Quest or Algonquin Outfitters

15. Learn to Fly Fish – Sault Ste. Marie

Ever since watching a River Runs Through It with Brad Pitt, we wanted to learn to fly fish. It looks so relaxing! Well, we got our chance when exploring Sault Ste. Marie on Lake Superior. Saint Mary’s River Rapids are one of the best places in the world for fly fishing. Located right at the border of the United States, The Saint Maries River attracts fly fishermen from all over North America.

The Soo North Fly Shop in Ste Sault Marie supplies fly rods, hip waders, and boots and they offer lessons and guides to help you navigate the waters. This is one of the more relaxing outdoor activities to have in Ontario. You almost go into a zen state.

16. Fly-in Fishing Lodges – Northern Ontario

If you really want to go to a remote destination and keep your social distancing to a maximum, there’s nothing that will take you off the grid more than taking a float plane to a remote fishing lodge.

Getting out to the northern wilderness makes for a perfect getaway for fishermen or nature lovers alike. Timberwolf Lodge is located on the remote Nagagami Lake. They have classic teak boats that guests can use to explore the lake and fish for their supper. Or catch and release.

• Check out: 35 Iconic Places to Visit in Ontario

17. Paddle the Grand River

We love living near the Grand River. This beautiful river is a playground for paddlers and rafting. From paddling and tubing at the Elora Gorge to rafting and kayaking from Glen Morris to Paris, this is an outdoor lovers dream. You can also go cycling along the Grand.

The great thing about having a Stand Up Paddleboard is that you can do it basically anywhere! Just look to make sure you aren’t going into any whitewater that you aren’t prepared for. Another great places to go Paddle Boarding is in Ottawa. You paddle right past two of the most popular tourist attractions in Ottawa, Parliament Hill and the Canadian Museum of History as you enjoy the shores of the Ottawa River.

• The Best Things to do in Ottawa
• 27 Things to do in Paris Ontario – A Local’s Guide

18. Cycle the Great Trail (Trans Canada Trail)

The Trans Canada Trail stretches right across Canada and the Ontario portion of the Great Trail consists of 5,000 km of cycling routes. To give you an idea, we cycled all the way from Cairo to Cape Town down the continent of Africa and it was 12,000 km!

Starting in Ottawa, the trail goes west through Kingston, Niagara, Toronto, and London before veering north to Kitchener, North Bay, Sault Ste Marie, and Thunder Bay. The trails can be used throughout the year with cycling in the summer and snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and hiking in the winter.

You can cycle the entire trail and camp as you go, or tackle it one route at a time! You don’t have to do it all, the Trans Canada Trail can be hopped on in nearly every Ontario community. See 25 Best Places to Camp in Ontario, Canada

19. Spy on the Rare Woodland Caribou – Slate Islands

The Slate Islands are one of the most remote destinations to visit in Ontario. When you take a boat shuttle out to these islands, you won’t encounter too many people. If you are looking for things to do in Ontario that will take you off the beaten path, this is it.

Located 14 km off the shore of Lake Superior a herd of woodland caribou inhabit these islands. They have no natural predators thanks to being so isolated. You can paddle, hike or just relax and camp out on one two main islands or the seven smaller ones.

 The Slate Islands also have the world’s largest shatter cone, thousand-year-old Pukaskwa PIts, and the world’s largest shatter cone.

• Best things to do on the Slate Islands
• In Search of the Woodland Caribou
• Book tours and transfers with Naturally Superior Adventures

20. Treetop Treks – Collingwood

One of the best tree top treks in Ontario is at Collingwood. We loved this adventure because there’s a lot more to it than just high ropes. Blue Mountain is one of the top resorts in Ontario with so many things to do . We started by walking along Ontario’s longest suspension bridge, we then trekked along an obstacle course, and then ended with a 300 and 1000-foot zip line over the forest.

It’s an excellent day trip in Ontario because, after this great adventure, you can take a tour of the Scenic Caves. This is a beautiful maze of 17 caves and formations located 70 feet below the surface.

21. Go Skating or Boating on the Rideau Canal

Be it winter or summer the Rideau Canal is Ontario’s best place for outdoor adventures. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a popular place for boating tours during the summer. We have gone boating with Le Boat on a self drive houseboat both North and South along the Rideau Canal. There are plenty of national historic sites located along this historic canal that spans from Canada’s first capital city, Kingston Ontario to our current capital of Ottawa.

In the winter the landscapes completely change and the canal freezes over. Skating on the Rideau Canal is one of the great Canadian bucket list items that is not to be missed. The best time to skate on the Rideau Canal is during Winterlude that takes place annually in February.

22. Test Your Nerves at the CN Tower Edgewalk – Toronto

Who would have thought that one of the most epic outdoor adventures in Ontario would be in downtown Toronto. Going on the world’s highest outdoor walk at the CN Tower will take your breath away! The CN Tower is one of the top tourist attractions in Ontario, but it is what you do there that makes it epic!

The Edgewalk is located on Toronto’s CN Tower and you are strapped into a cable as you dangle over the edge of the city at  356m/1,168ft (116 stories) above the ground! Check out our experience and video here!

And these are the most epic adventures and things to do in Ontario that we have experienced over the last 20 years of exploring our own province.

23. Go Snowboarding or Downhill Mountain Biking Blue Mountain

Blue Mountain Resort is Ontario’s premier outdoor playground. This year round destination attracts visitors for downhill mountain biking and hiking in the summer to skiing in the winter. Snowboarders particularly love Blue Mountain resort with its awesome terrain park and half pipe. It even hosts World Cup Snowboarding events!

There are plenty of things to do in Blue Mountain in all season, check out our entire post to start planning your trip.

24. Slide Down the Dunes of Sandbanks Provincial Park

One of my favourite things to do in Ontario as a kid was to run around and roll in the sand dune of Sand Banks Provicinial Park. Located in Prince Edward County, Sandbanks is home to towering sandbanks lining the shore of Lake Ontario. It’s not only an important sanctuary for birds, but its mounds of sand make it a perfect day out for families. So grab your bucket and shovel and start making a sand castle.

25. Watch the Dark Skies

While most people head north to see the Aurora Borealis, Ontario has some surprisingly great places to see the night skies. Some of the best places to view the night skies in Ontario are Point Pelee National Park which is a dark sky preserve, Manitoulin Island, Bruce, Grey and Simcoe Counties, Kawarthas and Northumberland, Southeastern Ontario’s Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley, Muskoka, Parry Sound and Algonquin Park or Northeastern Ontario.

Now that’s a lot of dark skies!

26. Take a Great Ontario Road Trip

Ontario is an amazing destination for driving and day trips. In fact, we have two of our favourite road trips on the world listed as Ontario.

The Lake Superior Circle Tour is one of the great drives on earth circumnavigating Lake Superior, but there are other awesome Ontario road trips. Why? because the province is huge! It can take a full day to get anywhere!

• The Ultimate Guide to the Best Weekend Getaways from Toronto
• 25 Day Trips from Toronto to Escape the City

Suggested Road Trips in Ontario

• Bruce Peninsula – Out to Tobermory
• Along the Saint Lawrence River
• Around Manitoulin Island
• Up to Sudbury and Lake Superior’s north shore through Wawa to Thunder Bay
• Toronto to Ottawa
• The Apple Pie Trail
• Ontario Wine Routes – Prince Edward County, Niagara Escarpment, Pele Island
• Best Canadian Road Trips
• Niagara Falls Road Trip
• Best Road Trips in the World

What should we try next? Do you have an awesome Ontario adventure that you’d like us to try? Leave it in the comments below.

Get Help with More Attractions in Ontario and Travel Planning

• The Most Iconic Places to Visit in Ontario
• The Best Places to Camp in Ontario
• 9 Valentine’s Day Getaways in Ontario
• Things to do in Niagara Falls – What to do, Where to Eat & Where to Stay
• The Very Best Things to do in Toronto
• Lake Superior Circle Tour – Ultimate Two Week Itinerary
• Top 11 Things to Do on Manitoulin Island
• Things to do in Muskoka in Winter
• 33 Things to do in Ottawa – A Complete Guide to the City
• Places to Visit in Ottawa this Autumn

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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2 thoughts on “26 Most Epic and Thrilling Things to Do in Ontario”

Who doesn’t like adventures? Even in this tough time for adventure seekers, reading your post gave me goosebumps. Amazing post.

Indeed. The best adventurous activities in Ontario, Canada. Thanks for sharing.

Ontario Tourism Information

Why visit ontario.

A third of Canada’s population lives in Ontario , and the city of Toronto — the country’s largest — contains most of Canada’s world-class attractions, entertainment, and shopping. The national capital of Ottawa is home to many interesting sights involving Canadian history and government , while the more rural “ cottage country ” regions are where locals go to enjoy the great outdoors.

Orientation

Northern Ontario is largely uninhabited, and most of the province’s major population centers, including Toronto , are located in the southeastern corner, around the massive Lake Ontario . Despite the name, so-called  Central Ontario  — the scenic, nature-filled region — can be found by driving only a few hours in any direction outside greater Toronto. Ottawa is about a four hour drive northeast of Toronto, and sits on Ontario’s border with Quebec .

A view of the Toronto skyline from the Toronto Islands. Andy.M/Shutterstock

In the centre of downtown is Toronto's enormous city hall, surrounded by a large open plaza known as Nathan Phillips Square . Named after a former mayor, it's a popular gathering place for concerts, festivals, and protests.

Toronto Tourism

Canada’s largest city.

Toronto is a sprawling city bordered on the south by the coast of Lake Ontario , with the downtown core located in a wide column of neighborhoods that extend perpendicular from Bloor Street in the north all the way to the coast of the lake (the Waterfront ). Downtown Toronto is divided into dozens of distinctive neighborhoods, many of which are defined by their strong ethnic identities, such as Little Italy , Greek Town ,  Little Portugal , and Chinatown . Toronto’s answer to New York’s Times Square is Yonge and Dundas Square , a famously busy downtown intersection awash in garish billboard advertisements and flashing signs.

Canada’s largest building, the CN Tower , looms over Toronto and is one of the country’s busiest tourist attractions. For $35 you can go to the top and check out the city below from various lookout points or dine at an exceedingly expensive restaurant. In recent years, an insane new feature called the “ Edgewalk ” has been added, allowing thrill-seekers to literally walk along the outside edge of the tower while attached to a safety harness.

The far east end of the greater downtown area is bordered by the sprawling High Park , which contains the sort of amenities one generally expects from a large city park, including walking trails and sports fields. Much of the city’s other attractive parklands are located outside the city altogether, on the so-called Toronto Islands which sit in Lake Ontario and can be accessed by car tunnel or passenger ferry. The larger islands are all tightly packed together and connected by small bridges. Along with ample green space, they’re home to a children’s amusement park, restaurants, and some small beaches popular in the summer.

The Toronto Zoo is the fifth largest on earth, with an incredible assortment of exotic animals from every continent, including two Canadian-born pandas. It is about a 45 minute drive from downtown.

• Official Website, Tourism Toronto
• 10 Top Tourist Attractions in Toronto, Touropia

The Royal Ontario museum was expanded in 2007 with a distinctive metallic annex, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind (b. 1946).

Museums and Galleries

Housed in two equally imposing buildings, Toronto has two major museums, the Art Gallery of Ontario ( AGO ) and the Royal Ontario Museum ( ROM ). The AGO, as the name suggests, is a gallery of art — mostly paintings — spanning a diverse array of styles, eras, and nationalities, including a large assortment of Canadian art. The ROM is a more generalized museum with exhibits on art, history, geography, nature, animals, dinosaurs, and more. Both feature touring special exhibits from other countries.

The official museum of the National Hockey League, the Hockey Hall of Fame ,   is a colorful, modern museum focused on professional hockey greats past and present, with showcases of artifacts and many interactive, computer-based activities for kids. For an additional $10 you can get your photograph taken with the Stanley Cup .

The Ontario parliament buildings are located in the middle of a green area in the northern part of downtown known as Queen’s Park . Given how much Canadian history revolves around Ontario, the provincial parliament doubles as a thorough museum of Canada’s political past.

Eaton Centre mall in downtown Toronto. Jon Bilous/Shutterstock

Toronto has many malls, but the grandest is the enormous Eaton Centre , located on Yonge Street — the centre of downtown shopping. Higher end stores can be found many blocks north, in the elite Bloor Yorkville neighborhood. The long Queen Street is home to trendy and unique boutique-style stores. An even bigger, grander mall, the Yorkdale Shopping Centre , is about a 30 minute drive from downtown. It also has its own subway stop.

Kensington Market is an eccentric and bohemian downtown shopping district full of quirky independent stores and restaurants. Way on the other end of town is the indoor St. Lawerence Market , a historic marketplace with dozens of artisanal vendors selling fresh goods like meat, fish, cheeses, baked goods, candy, and more.

Benedict Cumberbatch (b. 1976) signs autographs at the 2013 TIFF .

Toronto has an entire neighborhood south of Richmond Street West known as the Entertainment District that’s home to an assortment of popular bars and nightclubs. Toronto’s large gay scene makes its home in an area around northern Church Street known as Church-Wellesley Village .

The Canadian National Exhibition , better known as the CNE or simply “ the Ex ,” is a large outdoor fair that’s been hosted by Toronto every year since 1879. Held during the final three weeks of summer, the CNE features rides, animal shows, shopping pavilions, live music, and plenty of things to eat.

Toronto Pride is one of the biggest LGBT celebrations anywhere on earth. It now consumes the entire month of July, though most of the partying still revolves around the massive Pride Parade held on the month’s first weekend.

The Toronto International Film Festival takes over the city every fall. Many Hollywood blockbusters make their debut here, along with numerous indie films. Movies are shown all over the city, though the ease of getting tickets will greatly vary. Directors and actors often show up for post-movie Q and A sessions.

Spectator Sports

Toronto is home to Canada’s only NBA team, the Toronto Raptors , who play in the Air Canada Centre , as well as the country’s only MLB team, the Toronto Blue Jays , who play in Rogers Centre   (formerly known as the SkyDome ).

Toronto’s long-suffering NHL team, the infamous Toronto Maple Leafs , play in the Air Canada Centre when the Raptors don’t.

The Rogers Centre arena during a Blue Jays game. Stephen Staley

Relaxing Adirondack chairs are a common symbol of Ontario cottage country, seen here on the shore of Lake of Two Rivers in the Haliburton Highlands .

Ontario Tourism Outside Toronto

Located in the city of  Vaughan ,   Canada’s Wonderland is the biggest amusement park in Canada with giant roller coasters, a water slide park, acrobat shows, and more. Fun for the whole family!

Canada’s most famous tourist attraction of all, the epic waterfalls of Niagara Falls are located about 90 minutes from downtown Toronto along the bank of the Niagara River , which also serves as a US-Canadian border. The two falls, Horseshoe Falls and Bridal Veil Falls , can be viewed up close by special boat tours, while the area around them, known as Clifton Hill , has grown into a sprawling, Las Vegas-like tourist trap complete with casinos, arcades, wax museums, a ferris wheel, haunted houses, buffets and bars galore. A short drive from the falls is Marineland , an aquarium park famous for its whales, dolphins, and seals. The greater Niagara Falls area is home to Ontario’s wine country , with ample vineyards for tours and tastings.

During the summer months, Ontarians love to run away to their so-called “ cottage country ,” the term for the south-central, wooded region of the province where many families rent a second home. The most popular area is the city of  Muskoka , located on the coast of Lake Huron’s   Georgian Bay , though the  Haliburton Highlands , near the Quebec border, and the Kawarthas  region, on the eastern coast of Lake Ontario are hot spots as well.

Parliament Hill

Parliament's Peace Tower is illuminated as part of festivities to commemorate Canada's 150th birthday. On important dates, colorful lights and projections transform Parliament into the centerpiece of a dramatic light show.

Ottawa Tourism

The capital city of Canada.

Ottawa sits on the bank of the Ottawa River , which functions as a border between Ontario and  Quebec . Many of the city’s most famous sights are clustered around the coast, and the city on the Quebec side, Gatineau (previously known as, and still often called, Hull ) — which is easily reached by multiple bridges — is considered part of “Greater Ottawa.” The Rideau Canal and the larger Rideau River both flow from the Ottawa River and cut through the eastern part of the city. In the winter, the frozen Canal is popular for skating.

Ottawa’s skyline is dominated by Parliament Hill , and the grand, gothic Parliament Buildings that serve as the seat of Canada’s  government . The enormous Peace Tower clock rises from the middle of a building known as Centre Block , which contains the chambers of the House of Commons and Senate , as well as the offices of many senior politicians. Unfortunately, the entire Centre Block is currently under renovation and cannot be visited by the public until at least 2029. Temporary chambers of parliament have been set up in adjacent office buildings to the east and west of Centre Block, known as East Block and West Block , respectively. These buildings, which also feature historic recreations of offices of famous figures from Canadian history can be visited by the public.

• Visit Canada’s Parliament

Downtown Ottawa contains numerous monuments of significance, chiefly the massive National War Memorial arch, which commemorates Canada’s war dead, and the new National Holocaust Monument , which honours those murdered by Germany’s Nazi regime (1933-1945). Smaller monuments include the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights and the National Peacekeeping Monument , which honour Canada’s commitment to peace.

• Official website, Tourism Ottawa
• Top 10 Things to Do in Ottawa, TripAdvisor

A Chief Wakas Totem Pole in the Canadian Museum of History .

Most of Canada’s greatest museums are located in Ottawa, and for anyone interested in learning more about Canadian art, history, science, and culture the city offers an endless bounty. Leading attractions include the Canadian Museum of History , the Canadian War Museum , the National Gallery of Canada , the Canadian Museum of Nature , the Canada Science and Technology Museum , the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum , and the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum . All are large, well-funded and contain some of Canada’s top artifacts and exhibits.

Many major institutions of the Canadian federal government also offer tours and museum-like exhibitions, including the Supreme Court of Canada , the Bank of Canada , the Royal Canadian Mint , and Rideau Hall (the official residence of Canada’s Governor General ).

Inside the halls of the Byward Covered Market .

Ottawa’s most iconic shopping area is the  ByWard Market , a collection of open-air vendors selling fresh produce, meats, baked goods and more, surrounded by various shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Despite the name, the Sparks Street Mall is actually another outdoor shopping district, known for its independent shops and lively street performers. The city’s biggest actual mall is the Rideau Centre , with over 160 stores.

As the nation’s capital, Ottawa is home to the country’s grandest celebrations of Canada’s patriotic holidays . Canada Day festivities consume the city every July 1, with outdoor concerts, food carts, and fireworks. Remembrance Day on November 11 is a massive event of a decidedly different tone, as enormous crowds gather around the National War Memorial to watch the prime minister, governor general, and other important people lay wreaths and give speeches in honour of Canada’s war dead.

Winterlude , which is held the first three weekends of February, brings some cheer to Ottawa’s notoriously grim winters. The area around the frozen Rideau Canal is transformed into a sprawl of ice sports, ice sculptures, and children’s playgrounds.

In May, the city is enveloped by the Canadian Tulip Festival , another family-friendly celebration featuring live music, cultural pavilions, and fireworks, held amid vast gardens of tulips that spring up all over the city.

Ottawa has an NHL team called the Ottawa Senators who play at the Canadian Tire Centre . The city’s CFL team, is the Ottawa Redblacks (previously called the Rough Riders ) who play at TD Place .

An ice sculpture at Winterlude 2014. Vlad G./Shutterstock

Ontario tourism resources.

• Official Ontario Tourism Website
• Ontario, Lonely Planet
• Ontario Travel Guide, Fodor's

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• About Northern Ontario
• Canadian Canoe Culture
• Explore Indigenous Culture
• Group of Seven
• How to Fish
• Plan A Road Trip
• Plan Your Fall Trip
• Plan Your Summer Trip
• Plan Your Winter Trip
• Where to Eat
• Algoma Country
• Northeastern Ontario
• Sault Ste. Marie
• Sunset Country
• Superior Country
• Thunder Bay
• Motorcycle Touring
• Outdoor Adventures
• Snowmobiling

11 of Ontario’s Most Jaw-Dropping Natural Landscapes

There’s no shortage of tourist sites in Ontario. People from around the world flock to climb Toronto’s CN Tower , gaze at the misty torrents of Niagara Falls , and experience the museums and urban greenspace of Ottawa’s National Capital Region . Central Ontario attractions like Algonquin Provincial Park and the Bruce Peninsula’s Fathom Five National Marine Park are also renowned for their natural splendor.

There’s no problem with these attractions—but to focus on them alone is to miss out on the northern half of Ontario, which spans an immense area including the pine and granite of the Canadian Shield, the Great Lakes’ rugged shorelines and the endless boreal forest of Northwestern Ontario. Not to mention the big wild of the Far North and the James and Hudson Bay coasts.

Open the map and look beyond the boundaries of Southern, Eastern and Central Ontario. Use these 11 beautiful Ontario outdoor destinations as your starting point; we promise you’ll find even more.

1. Agawa Canyon

This spectacular landform north of Sault Ste. Marie was described as the “original site of the Garden of Eden” and “a little Yosemite” by Group of Seven artist J.E.H. MacDonald. In fact, scenes from the Agawa Canyon and the surrounding wilderness comprise a large part of the canvases that defined Canadian landscape painting a century ago.

The Agawa Canyon remains a remote treasure, accessible only on a one-day train adventure starting in Sault Ste. Marie. Visitors have time to hike easy trails for breathtaking views of the deep, pine-cloaked canyon carved by the Agawa River and cascading waterfalls.

Things to Do in the Area:

• The brand-new Agawa Tour Train Station in Sault Ste. Marie’s historic Canal District includes a brew pub restaurant and more. Check out the Mill Steakhouse and Wine Bar next door for fine dining.
• The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada is another great attraction that blends the rich history of what was once the world’s longest lock with scenic trails and abundant wildlife. The footpaths and boardwalks provide easy walking and versatile fat bikes are available to rent on site.
• Check out the Art Gallery of Algoma’s collection of Group of Seven paintings to view artists’ renderings of the Agawa Canyon scenery.
• Visit the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in downtown Sault Ste. Marie for interactive displays capturing the history of aviation in the Canadian wilderness. The Northern Superior Tap Room , located next door, offers local beers and pub fare with a large outdoor patio adjacent to the St. Marys River.

2. Lady Evelyn River

The Lady Evelyn River carves through the heart of the Temagami wilderness in Northeastern Ontario. This wild waterway is more appropriately described by its Indigenous name: Menjamagosipi , the “Trout Streams.” The river flows in two branches with countless cascades and tricky portages, making it a favourite for experienced canoeists. The payoff for all the hard work are secluded campsites and a sense of accomplishment for having tackled one of Ontario’s best canoe routes.

However, you don’t have to be an experienced paddler to visit the only cabin accommodations in Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park . The fly-in Cabin Falls Ecolodge is owned and operated by legendary canoe guide, author and artist Hap Wilson, and offers a stunning place to stay overlooking a tumbling waterfall. The lodge is a popular destination for photographers, nature enthusiasts and those looking to learn wilderness canoe tripping skills from experts.

• Most visitors to the Lady Evelyn River arrive by way of the Northeastern Ontario town of Temagami, located on Highway 11. Temagami Outfitting Company provides rental canoes and gear, as well as all-inclusive guiding, for backcountry trips.
• Temagami-based Lakeland Airways provides spectacular aerial tours of the wilderness aboard historic deHavilland floatplanes, as well as shuttles for intrepid canoeists, and servicing a range of fly-in outpost fishing camps on remote lakes.
• Be sure to hike to the Temagami fire tower , accessible via Highway 11, for a scenic overview of old-growth pine forests and gem-like lakes.

3. Sleeping Giant

This iconic landform in Northwestern Ontario is one of Canada’s most recognizable vistas, resembling a prostrate giant rising from the silver waters of Lake Superior and dominating the viewscape from downtown Thunder Bay . Hikers can access over 100 km of trails at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park via the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 587, about an hour’s drive from city limits. Plan on a full day to complete the challenging 21.8-km hike to the summit—and be prepared for a jaw-dropping view at the top of Ontario’s tallest vertical cliffs.

It’s easy to spend a weekend or more at Sleeping Giant’s drive-in Marie Louise Lake campground exploring all the Sibley Peninsula has to offer. The campground features family-friendly beaches and paddling options; mountain biking is allowed on several park trails; and the park is renowned among birders, with dozens of songbirds and raptors calling it home. Backcountry campers will find 27 hike- and paddle-in sites, most of which are along the Lake Superior coastline. The backcountry campsites at Tee Harbour can be reached by bicycle as well.

• Looking for cabin-based accommodations? Book a lakeside retreat at Beyond the Giant , a waterfront resort offering easy access to Sleeping Giant hiking and biking trails.
• Over a century ago, the mine at Silver Islet was one of the world’s most lucrative. Today, it’s a quaint cottage community with a 150-year-old general store and tea room on the Lake Superior shore.
• Experience the Sleeping Giant from the water with Sail Superior , which offers sailing and Zodiac powerboat trips departing downtown Thunder Bay.

4. French River

The French River flows between Lake Nipissing and Georgian Bay and was an Indigenous canoe route long before it was a key link in the Canadian fur trade. Today, the polished granite shores of the French River echo with voices of the past; it remains one of Ontario’s best routes for novice and intermediate paddlers and backcountry campers. Most canoeists access the French River at Dry Pine Bay, east of Highway 69. Sea kayakers, meanwhile, usually launch west of the highway at Hartley Bay to reach the myriad pine-topped islands that mark the river’s mouth at Georgian Bay.

Black Feather Wilderness Adventures offers a wide array of guided French River trips, including family-friendly, four-day canoe adventures and sea kayak trips on Georgian Bay. The Parry Sound-based outfitter celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 and is noted for professional guides and great meals.

• Would you prefer a more refined experience? The Lodge at Pine Cove provides some of Ontario’s best wilderness accommodations, with options for canoeing and paddleboarding with the benefit of gourmet meals
• Just driving through? Be sure to stop at the French River Visitor Centre and stretch your legs on the easy 4-km hiking trail to Recollet Falls.

5. Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin Island is the largest island on the Great Lakes with an abundance of outdoor attractions for visitors. For starters, getting to the island is an adventure in itself, with a half-day ride on the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry from Tobermory. You can also drive to Manitoulin via the Trans-Canada Highway, through the town of Espanola on Highway 6 and over the swing bridge at the town of Little Current.

Manitoulin is an extension of Southern Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula. You’ll find the same great scenery—without the crowds—on the Cup and Saucer trail , a half-day hike located near Little Current. Many adventure-seekers come to Manitoulin for road cycling, with countless options for scenic tours on quiet roads. Sign up for the all-inclusive Alvar Cycle Tour for a taste of some of Ontario’s finest cycling.

• Stay at Manitoulin Eco Park , which provides tent and trailer campsites as well as bunkie and tipi rentals. The park is recognized as a Dark Sky Preserve and offers some of the finest star-watching in the province.
• Visit Wikwemikong First Nation for an authentic Indigenous experience.
• Manitoulin Brewing Company has a patio and food truck on the water in Little Current.

6. Killarney

Killarney was a sleepy Georgian Bay fishing village long before landscape painters with the Group of Seven made its austere quartzite surroundings famous and Killarney Provincial Park earned the moniker “Ontario’s crown jewel.” Today, the village is one of the most scenic tourist destinations in the province, located adjacent to the stunning George Lake Campground , and providing a wide range of accommodation and dining options for paddlers, hikers and campers seeking wilderness adventures in Northeastern Ontario.

Killarney draws visitors for its rugged Georgian Bay coastline (a dreamscape for intermediate to advanced sea kayakers) and interior network of lakes and canoe portages. Killarney Kanoes and Killarney Outfitters both offer canoe and kayak rentals and insider advice on the best paddling routes.

Hikers can get an intimate glimpse of Georgian Bay on the easy, 2-km-long Chikanishing Trail and panoptic views of Killarney’s inland hills from The Crack , a towering lookout on a rugged 6-km trail. Backpackers, meanwhile, rank the 78-km La Cloche Silhouette Trail as Ontario’s finest.

• Killarney Mountain Lodge is a favourite place to spend a luxurious night, complete with fine dining on Killarney’s waterfront. For an off-grid experience, make a booking at Avalon Eco Resort , with waterfront cabins and campsites located just up Highway 637 at Tyson Lake.
• Make sure you grab a meal of local fish and chips at Herbert Fisheries .
• The scenery around Nellie and Grace lakes on the west side of Killarney Provincial Park is just as pretty. But rocky hills and aquamarine lakes come with seriously rugged portages—accessible via Highway 6 and the Widgawa Lodge . Be sure to book your campsites early from this (and other) Killarney access point.

7. Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods offers world-class canoe tripping, kayaking and camping in the heart of the continent. Hidden bays and countless islands make Lake of the Woods legendary. The city of Kenora in Northwestern Ontario is your gateway to countless lakes, with easy access on the Trans-Canada Highway between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg. The region is also within a day’s drive of the U.S. Midwest.

Life here revolves around the waterfront . Rent a canoe or kayak from Green Adventures and launch right from Kenora’s bustling downtown. Experienced paddlers can plan a longer trip on the Path of the Paddle , a water trail segment of the Trans-Canada Trail, which traces the shore of Lake of the Woods and passes through nearby Rushing River Provincial Park .

• Houseboating is a classic Kenora outdoor vacation, and there’s plenty of space to bring a kayak or SUP along to explore the shore. Book your trip with Houseboat Adventures or Lake Life Houseboats .
• You’ll find a full-service campground for tents and RVs at Blue Lake Provincial Park , with great fishing, paddling and beaches.
• Lake of the Woods has plenty of lodges, too, if you’re looking for a more upscale stay. This Accommodations Finder tool is a great place to start your search.
• Prefer land-based activities? Check out the Rat Portage Urban Trail , an 8-km route in Kenora that links greenspace, waterfront, and the restaurants and shops of downtown. Or plan a stay at Minaki Yurt Adventures , featuring unique accommodations with easy access to hiking trails.

8. Quetico Provincial Park

This vast wilderness park west of Thunder Bay is Northwestern Ontario’s answer to Algonquin Provincial Park. Quetico Provincial Park is a canoe tripper’s dream, with an astounding 2,000 lakes and over 500 portages. Quetico has something for everyone, including long-distance routes spanning a week or more and shorter trips suitable for beginners and families. The park has great fishing for trout, bass and pike, and provides the chance to visit Indigenous pictograph sites and to see iconic wildlife like moose.

Atikokan , Ontario, AKA the canoe capital of the world, is the park’s main entry point. Voyageur Wilderness is a local outfitter with services ranging from cabin and lodge accommodations on the wilderness edge to guiding and complete canoe trip outfitting. DIY trippers are well-advised to book their backcountry campsites up to five months in advance.

• Do you prefer to fish and hunt? There are dozens of great outfitters in Northwestern Ontario, including Camp Quetico (drive-in) and Kashabowie Outposts (fly-in). Canoe Canada Outfitters appeals to hunters, anglers and paddlers.
• U.S. paddlers can enter Quetico via Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness using a remote area border crossing permit, available from the Canadian Border Services Agency .
• For a frontcountry adventure, check out Quetico’s Dawson Trail Campground , with drive-in tent and trailer sites and access to swimming beaches, great paddling and easy hiking trails.

9. James Bay Frontier

You don’t have to be a hard-core adventurer to visit some of the most remote communities in Ontario. The James Bay towns of Moosonee and Moose Factory are accessible via the Polar Bear Express , a passenger rail service departing Cochrane, located on Highway 11 in Northeastern Ontario. The day-long train journey traverses boreal forest wilderness, tracing the edge of the rugged Canadian Shield and entering the endless muskeg of the James Bay Lowlands.

Moosonee is located at the end of the line at the mouth of the Moose River, mere kilometres from the tidal water of James Bay. Moose Factory , meanwhile, is located on an island just offshore and accessible by water taxi. This Indigenous community is one of the oldest in Ontario; it was once the site of a Hudson Bay Company post and today offers unique accommodations at the Cree Village Ecolodge . Book a stay and get a taste of the James Bay Frontier, with authentic Indigenous food and cultural experiences (including wildlife tours and more).

• Experienced canoeists can paddle to Moosonee and Moose Factory on the Missinaibi River , one of Ontario’s finest wilderness canoe trips. Go guided with MHO Adventures .
• Cochrane is your starting point for a bucket-list adventure. Spend an afternoon in Cochrane at the Polar Bear Habitat , where you’ll encounter three resident polar bears and learn more about their biology.
• Book a room at the historic Ontario Northland Station Inn Hotel in Cochrane before and after your train trip.
• Nearby Kesagami Wilderness Lodge is a fly-in outfitter offering some of the best fishing in the province.

10. Woodland Caribou Provincial Park

The dense spruce and birch of the boreal forest blends into the expansive skylines of the Canadian Prairies in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park , located in the northwest corner of Ontario. Woodland Caribou appeals to canoe trippers and diehard anglers, with hundreds of kilometres of established backcountry routes, picture-perfect campsites, and world-class fishing for walleye, northern pike and lake trout.

Goldseekers Canoe Outfitting and Wilderness Expeditions is located on Woodland Caribou’s doorstep in Red Lake, Ontario. The outfitter offers trip planning services, rentals, and guided trips for paddlers and anglers alike. Chukuni Outdoor Supply sells outdoor gear, and offers guided canoe and fishing trips. Hard-core anglers and hunters can check out Viking Outposts for remote walleye fishing and moose hunting, while Sunset Lodge offers drive-in accommodations on Red Lake.

• Nature’s Inn offers suites in Red Lake and several other Northwestern Ontario communities. Meanwhile, Howey Bay Resort provides waterfront cabins and a lodge experience with facilities in Red Lake and six fly-in outpost camps.
• Visit Wabakimi Provincial Park for a similar wilderness canoe experience in the boreal forest, north of Thunder Bay. Wabakimi Outfitters is a great resource for trip planning, rentals and vehicle shuttles.

11. Pukaskwa National Park

Anyone who has driven the Trans-Canada Highway between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay knows that Lake Superior is best described as an inland sea. The best spot to experience this rugged, wild shoreline is in Pukaskwa National Park , located between the towns of Wawa and Marathon in Northern Ontario. Pukaskwa has something for everyone, from a peaceful drive-in campground with access to gorgeous sand beaches and easy hiking trails, to some of the wildest backcountry camping in the province.

The Lake Superior coastline is fantastic for hiking. Book a water taxi with North Shore Adventures to access the southern trailhead of the 60-km Coastal Backpacking Trail . The trail traces an isolated shoreline of beaches and stalwart headlands north to the Pukaskwa visitor centre, and ranks among the toughest—and most scenic—treks in Ontario. Intermediate backpackers can get a glimpse of the same type of scenery on the two- to three-day Mdaabii Miikna (“go to the shore”) trail. Meanwhile, fit day-hikers can follow a 7.5-km linear route through the boreal forest to an impressive suspension bridge atop a roaring gorge on the White River.

• Of course, Lake Superior also offers outstanding wilderness paddling for experienced sea kayakers. The Coastal Paddling Route from Pukaskwa National Park headquarters at Hattie Cove, near Marathon, to Michipicoten River, near Wawa, takes 10 to 14 days for a typical group. Novice and intermediate paddlers can go guided with Naturally Superior Adventures , benefitting from great meals, expert leadership and local knowledge.
• A Pukaskwa expedition with the Ontario Sea Kayak Centre is a good option for experienced paddlers looking to join a group (and earn Paddle Canada sea kayak certification).
• Wawa’s Rock Island Lodge provides the area’s only accommodations on Lake Superior. This stunning four-bedroom bed and breakfast located at the mouth of the Michipicoten River is beloved by photographers and paddlers; you can sign up for a photo workshop or register for kayak, SUP or canoe day trips and instruction .

Explore Northern Ontario’s Best Tourist Attractions

Beaches, canyons, waterfalls, endless forests and oceanic shores: it would be easy to spend a lifetime exploring Northern Ontario. Use this list as your start—and prepare to discover more hidden gems when you experience the region for yourself.

Interested in visiting other Group of Seven painting sites?

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Conor Mihell is an award-winning environmental and adventure travel writer based in Sault Ste. Marie. Read his work in the Globe and Mail, Explore, Cottage Life, Canoe & Kayak, ON Nature, and other magazines and newspapers. He's been a sea kayak guide on Lake Superior for close to 20 years, and has paddled from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay. 

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Best Northern Lights Destinations

Great Things to Do in Ontario, Canada For All Seasons

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A Local’s List of Things to Do in Ontario, Canada in All Seasons!

Whether you are a local looking up fresh ideas for places to visit in Ontario or a visitor looking for the best things to do, there is so much to see and do in Ontario.

With Eric having grown up in the province and driven around it numerous times for work and play, we like to think we can tell you about some of the best points of interest!

This post is designed to be a healthy mix of the best places to visit in Ontario (like beautiful towns and cities) as well as specific tourist attractions in Ontario.

We’ve also got things to do that are unique to Ontario and you can’t do anywhere else (or quite like in Ontario). That said, we know we still have lots of places to travel to in Ontario – and we’ll add to this article over time!

So, if you are wondering what to do in Ontario – whether this season or this weekend – we have got you covered.

From stunning wilderness and views to country stores and sightseeing in Ontario at popular tourist attractions, here’s our massive guide on the best and/or fun things to do in Ontario in all seasons!

This is a constantly growing article. Have we missed something great? Get in touch with us and we’ll be sure to look into it!

Table of Contents

Things to Do in Ontario in Most/All Seasons

The top part of this Ontario travel guide is all about great ideas for things to do in Ontario in all seasons.

This means that the things to do below are all things that you can visit most or at all times of the year. Trust us, Ontario tourism is alive and well in all seasons and we’ve tried to include a mix of Northern Ontario with things to do in Southern Ontario!

For example, there are lots of places to go in Ontario that simply change what they offer from the summer season to the winter.

Lots of the best Ontario attractions – especially the outdoor ones – do this. For example, you can visit Gretzky Estates Winery to taste wine in the summer and enjoy their outdoor skating rink in the winter!

So, keeping those criteria in mind, you can find great places to visit in Ontario and things to do in all seasons below.

If there is a famous seasonal-specific event at any one of these places, we’ll mention in specific things to do in Ontario by season posts (like things to do in Ontario in winter ) so that you don’t miss them!

Visit an Ontario Wine Region

Starting off strong with one of our favourite things to do in Ontario – you can visit one of the wine regions. Many of them make for great weekend getaways in Ontario in any season.

Believe it or not, there are actually around four main wine regions with several emerging wine regions within Ontario. This makes sense since Ontario is right in the prime grape-growing climate region and the Niagara Escarpment also makes for fertile conditions!

There is nothing like heading to one of these regions for a day (or overnight) and visiting local wineries to do tastings.

Many wineries offer guided tours of their facilities and have food onsite so you can spend some time relaxing and enjoying! There are well over 150 wineries in the province so you’ve got some visiting to do if you like wine.

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As for where to visit, we really like Niagara on the Lake . The region is one of the most beautiful places in Ontario to visit, has a small historic town (of the same name), and is close to Niagara Falls with lots of things to do .

Check out Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery – or consider doing a Niagara on the Lake wine tour so you don’t have to worry about driving.

Prince Edward County – between Toronto and Kingston – is another favourite wine region of ours.

This rural area on the shores of Lake Ontario is teeming with wineries . Head for Huff Estates Winery if you’re looking to get started. We’ve visited many times and written about other things to do and where to stay .

Of course, don’t forget about Twenty Valley (on the Niagara Peninsula), the North Shore of Lake Erie in Southwestern Ontario, and Grey County (south of Georgian Bay) if you are looking for other nice or up-and-coming wine regions.

Shop at a Farmers Market

Ontario has a rich agricultural heritage and produces a wide variety of products for itself, the rest of the country, and those abroad (maple syrup, anyone?). So, feel free to tap into those smells and tastes by visiting a local farmers’ market.

There are many farmers markets all over the place but you can usually find them in town and cities on specific days of the week.

From natural honey and cheeses to freshly grown fruits and vegetables or baked bakes breads, there is plenty of deliciousness to be tried.

If you are in Toronto, a stop by St. Lawrence Market is a great way to introduce yourself to the city and get a sense of what Ontario is all about. One of the best things to do in Guelph is to visit the Guelph Farmers Market that is open year round on Saturdays.

You can also check out the Kingston Public Market – the oldest market in Ontario – at Springer Market Square in downtown Kingston.

You’ll find antiques alongside the food items for sale. Wherever you live, there is sure to be a local market in your town or very close by. It’s also a great way to directly support local growers, too!

Go for an Ontario Hike

A sure-fire way to enjoy the vast Ontario outdoors is to go for a hike. To be honest, there are lots of places to see in Ontario if you are willing to put on shoes and walk a bit.

Hiking is great because there are so many trails around the province that you are sure to find something to suit your fitness level and time limits.

There are short hikes in Conservation Areas, longer hikes in Provincial Parks or National Parks, and free hikes along waterfronts for all to enjoy. These areas are particularly great in the summer sunshine or to enjoy fall colours, too.

We intentionally separated hiking from camping (even though both are generally done in Provincial Parks) because camping isn’t popular in all seasons. So, you can find camping in our summer in Ontario article.

Hiking, on the other hand, can be done at all times of the year, trail conditions depending. Some of our best hikes have been chilly winter hikes through quiet, snowy forests like in Scanlon Creek or Thornton Bales Conservation Area .

That said, there are many great hikes in areas that are popular for their accessibility, views, facilities, etc. One of the most popular provincial parks is Algonquin Park and – besides camping and canoeing – you can find many day hikes here (accessible from parking lots just off Highway 60).

Keep driving Highway 60 and you’ll end up in the Ottawa Valley where the Eagles Nest Lookout Trail in Calabogie offers some of the most stunning views in Ontario.

Back towards southwestern Ontario, head for Kelso Conservation Area in Milton, Forks of the Credit Provincial Park in the Caledon area, or Lion’s Head Provincial Park near Tobermory also for stunning views.

Ferris Provincial Park in Campbellford offers the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, while Hardy Lake Park and Huckleberry Rock Lookout in the Muskokas make for good short hikes in pristine nature that are easy to do.

Check our detailed guide on the best areas to stay in Muskoka (with resort and accommodation options) if you’re planning on staying up in Muskoka.

Discover Niagara Falls

Even though we talk about Ontario waterfalls below, Niagara Falls – both the city and the waterfalls – deserve their own spot. This is because it’s one of the top attractions in Ontario and easily one of the best things to do in Canada!

To be clear, Niagara Falls is both the city in Canada and the name of the grouping of waterfalls on the Niagara River.

The “main waterfall” everyone likely knows as Niagara Falls is called Horseshoe Falls due to its U-shape. It’s also easy to get to Niagara Falls via the highways so it can be a doable drive if you’re in southern Ontario.

You can enjoy the Falls on the famous Hornblower Cruise , a Helicopter Tour over the Falls , and even on an Adventure Zipline with amazing views of the Falls!

The area surrounding the Niagara River offers hiking at the Niagara Glen and you can even get close to the raging river on the White Water Walk .

The city itself is also full of things to do and places to stay to make a whole weekend out of a trip there.

Visiting Clifton Hill and playing tourist in Niagara Falls is definitely something you should experience at least once in your lifetime. And you can visit the Falls in any season since they don’t turn off the Falls in the winter… contrary to what some may think.

Visit the Big Apple in Colbourne

Are you a fan of apples and all things apple-related? Then a stop at the Big Apple is for you. Located in Colborne, Ontario, this country store is located just off Highway 401.

You can’t miss it – there’s a giant smiling red apple you can clearly see from the side of the highway. Of all the points of interest in Ontario, we’d say this one is pretty unique!

Known for selling millions of their famous apple pies, they have an onsite restaurant, dog area, sweet shop, brewery, and more. So stop in to stretch your legs if you are making a long drive to Kingston or Ottawa or just stop in if you are in the area to pick up a sweet treat!

Having passed the Big Apple many times (Eric lived in Kingston for years), we finally stopped to check it out and it didn’t disappoint.

You can read more about visiting the Big Apple here . There are plenty of other great roadside attractions around the province which you can visit, too!

Take an Ontario Scenic Drive

Given that Ontario doesn’t have a great public transportation infrastructure (outside the GTA, at least), you need a car to experience most areas. Luckily, there are lots of places to drive to in Ontario.

Many great driving routes offer views or peaceful countrysides while others feature markets, attractions, and nature along the way. You might even stumble across sights like the West Montrose Covered Bridge – also known as the “Kissing Bridge”!

We have a number of favourite Ontario driving routes that we jump at the chance to take when we travel from place to place.

We really like driving Highway 60 that starts in Huntsville and extends through parts of Algonquin Park before spitting you out in Barry’s Bay, Renfrew, and eventually Ottawa.

Another great drive is heading from Huntsville to Kingston on Highway 35 through Dorset, 118 through to Haliburton and into Bancroft before heading south on 62.

A drive a bit further north that is also quite nice includes driving through Lake Superior Provincial Park on the Trans-Canada Highway between Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa.

You get these great views of the water as you crest the high clifftops and there are places to stop along the way.

Go Chase Ontario Waterfalls

We already mentioned visiting Niagara Falls – but there are many more Ontario waterfalls that you can discover.

Due to the unique geography that includes lakes and rivers, the Canadian Shield (rocky layer of the earth), and the Niagara Escarpment, there are waterfalls all over the province.

Many of them are located in parks or conservation areas while others can be spotted from the side of the road. Some are even man-made due to hydro projects.

It’s true that there are many waterfalls around the Niagara Escarpment Area that runs between Georgian Bay and Niagara Falls. With well over 100 waterfalls, Hamilton is a great place to start.

We got the chance to drive around for a day and experience some Hamilton waterfalls like the Devil’s Punchbowl. However, there are other great waterfalls that can be visited year-round, for example in the Hilton Falls Conservation Area or Kakabeka Falls outside of Thunder Bay.

While we are here: If you’re going to check out waterfalls, please follow the guidelines/ boundaries set out by the conservation areas. Crossing a barrier or going off-trail to get the perfect Instagram photo is not worth it.

This can be dangerous, hurts the area, and impacts others wanting to visit. (At the time of writing, Eugenia Falls was closed off to visitors because people got injured and had to be rescued due to crossing barriers).

Tour an Underground Mine in Sudbury

Dynamic Earth in Sudbury is one of the cool places to visit in Ontario. No, seriously – you can tour an underground mine which is around 13 degrees Celsius at all times!

As one of the top things to do in Northern Ontario, a visit to Dynamic Earth Museum – part of the Science North brand – is worth your time.

There are numerous exhibits all about the earth, rocks, nature, and the local connection to mining. This is also where you can find the famous Big Nickel which is the largest coin in the world!

The highlight of Dynamic Earth is definitely the underground mine tour. You’re led seven storeys underground and guided through a demonstration mine to learn about mining from back in the day to today! If you are looking for things to do in Ontario with kids, this is a top idea.

Attend an Ontario Festival

As the most populous province in Canada, Ontario has a vibrant festival scene shaped by art, music, cultures from around the globe, food, seasons, you name it! You can find festivals all around the province in big cities and small towns and at all times of the year.

There are many music festivals in Ontario like Bluesfest in Ottawa and more local ones like Peterborough Musicfest which is the longest-running free music festival in Canada.

If you are into the theatre, the Shaw Festival or the Stratford Festival run each year for the length of three seasons of the year (spring to fall) in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Stratford, respectively.

As for food, culture, and heritage, there’s the famous Toronto Caribana or the Taste of the Danforth (also in Toronto) and farm festivals like the Carrot Fest in Bradford West Gwillimbury or the Bala Cranberry Festival .

There are even smaller festivals like the CeltFest in Almonte. Eric went to CeltFest a few years back (it’s a cultural festival) and the traditional music was amazing, the beer was good, and the small-town atmosphere was super fun.

We’ll be sure to break down more notable festivals by season when we add to this post!

Eat and Drink on an Ontario Food Tour/Trail

We already mentioned checking out an Ontario farmers market but if you want to bring the food to you, you can follow one of the numerous Ontario food trails!

These taste trails have been established in different regions and usually highlight an area’s specialty product. Basically, if you are a foodie and have a car, this is the thing to do for you!

Of course, you can find actual foodie tours in Toronto but this isn’t what we mean by Food Trails.

There are a number of self-guided food-themed routes in different regions with different stores, restaurants, and vendors acting as places to visit to sample the item in question!

If you have a sweet tooth, you might want to follow the Apple Pie Trail through the Blue Mountains south of Georgian Bay or the Butter Tart Tour through the Kawarthas.

More broadly, The Taste Trail is a Prince Edward County initiative where growers, restaurants, and wineries commit to “farm-to-table” practices and promote locally-sourced ingredients.

If you visit these establishments, you can be sure you’re supporting local businesses and getting local tastes! There are more food trails in Ontario and we look forward to following them.

Discover an Ontario City

Of course, what would Ontario be without its big cities! There are many great cities in Ontario – all of which make for great places to visit.

Even if you have been to a city before, there is often more to do and see. We are big into city travel because we like discovering places – so we’ve got a good handle on Ontario cities to visit.

If you are into history, head for Kingston with its historic buildings, lake views, fun things to do and great waterfront hotels . If you want to learn more about Canada, a trip to Ottawa – the nation’s capital – is loaded with things to do like visiting Parliament Hill.

You can also enjoy the Rideau Canal in summer and winter. Here’s how to spend one day in Ottawa , if you’re interested!

There are other great Ontario cities to explore like Toronto with all its tourist attractions and great places to stay . That said, you should explore smaller centres like Guelph , London, Hamilton, Windsor, and Waterloo.

Even Barrie – which acts as kind of a gateway to northern Ontario – is worth a stop through. If there are any really great seasonal things to do in Ontario cities, we will mention them below in the right “season section”.

Dive into Ontario Historic Sites

Geographically speaking, much of what is now Ontario was once part of the oldest settled parts of what was Upper Canada.

So, it makes sense that Ontario has a lot of history to be discovered – from bloody battles to famous people, cultural highlights, engineering marvels, and more.

There are a lot of interesting places to visit in Ontario so we’ve listed many below. We’d recommend a visit to any of them.

Learning even a bit about the backstory of Ontario (and therefore about Canada) is not only interesting but really important to pass along. You can visit many of these places year-round and they change up what’s going on for different seasons!

• Fort Henry National Historic Site and Kingston Penitentiary in Kingston
• Locks 1-8 of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa
• Laura Secord Homestead in Queenston
• Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Midland
• Brockville Railway Tunnel in Brockville
• Diefenbunker Museum – a cold-war era military bunker (a great Ottawa day trip )
• Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay
• Fort York National Historic Site right in downtown Toronto

Explore Ontario Museums + Galleries

If you want to stay indoors and take in some art or fascinating exhibits, an Ontario museum or gallery is a great place to do that.

Ontario is absolutely packed with museums on all different topics as well as art galleries that feature art from all over. Some places highlight works just done by Canadians!

A nice thing about these places to visit is that they are generally indoors which means they are good to visit at all times of the year.

Often, they have rotating exhibits or seasonal displays so you might find something different to explore if you ever want to visit a museum or gallery again another time.

Of course, the unofficial rule is usually that you can find major museums in the larger cities and small galleries in smaller towns.

This doesn’t mean the smaller ones aren’t as good. In fact, the smaller museums are usually on more local topics which is great if you want a deeper dive into an Ontario-related theme… like canoeing or boats!

Check out this very short list of great museums and galleries in Ontario:

• McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Vaughan
• The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto
• The Aga Khan Museum in North York
• The Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto
• Thousand Islands Boat Museum in Gananoque
• Bytown Museum in Ottawa
• Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa
• The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough

Explore the Bonnechere Caves

Another unique thing to do in Ontario is to head out towards the Ottawa Valley near Eganville and back underground to explore the  Bonnechere Caves . 

This cave system was formed in the limestone millions of years ago and today serves as a fascinating place to explore on a guided tour. There are many fossils down there and as well as the river and trails around the area to make a day out of it.

The caves are open from May through to October so you can visit for more or less three seasons of the year with summer being the most popular (summer break, warm weather, etc).

They host numerous events throughout their season – you can even eat down there – so be sure to check out the website for more information.

Get to Know a Small Ontario Town

Ontario may have a bunch of nice cities to visit, but the province was built by small towns. There’s nothing like a visit to a tiny town in Ontario to provide you with a relaxing backdrop to shop, eat, and explore locally.

While some towns are more well-known than others for their history, architecture, river views, food and breweries, or shops, we like to think that each town has something to discover if you look hard enough.

We’ve found things to do in Gravenhurst and Huntsville that make for a nice visit at most times of the year!

We can’t talk about small towns in Ontario worth visiting without mentioning Elora for the famous Mill , Paris for the photogenic buildings, Almonte for the donuts and inventor of basketball (true story), and Campbellford for the largest Toonie !

There are obviously more and we will write a whole post in the future about great towns to explore. Many of which make for great day trips from Toronto !

Just so we’re on the same page: When you visit a small town in Ontario, be sure to not show up and be a “silly tourist”. Do your best to learn about the place and support the community by shopping locally or going to a local brewery, restaurant, or coffee shop… and not to McDonald’s.

Visit Manitoulin Island

Another top thing to do in Ontario is something that gets overlooked quite often: visit Manitoulin Island. Considered the largest freshwater island in the world, there are many things to do on this island in Northern Ontario in all seasons.

It should also be noted that the island is home to a number of Indigenous communities so it’s likely to be different (in a good way) from other places you are accustomed to visiting.

There is top hiking, camping, and fishing here – the land is so large that it itself has over 100 inland lakes.

You can also check out the Dark Sky Preserve at Gordon’s Park or appreciate Indigenous culture through art galleries and cultural centres. There are other points of interest like lighthouses to hike to, as well.

That said, Manitoulin is mainly known for nature. It’s a fairly remote place to explore in northern Ontario without going all the way up into Northern Ontario by car (shout out to Pickle Lake, Ontario).

To get to Manitoulin Island, you can take the ferry from Tobermory in the warmer seasons and/or you can drive there if you head for Sudbury and take the only land route on Highway 6. To learn more, you can check out the Manitoulin Island tourism website .

Enjoy an Ontario Brewery

If you are feeling thirsty and fancy a beverage, you are in luck: Ontario is home to a number of breweries and newer craft breweries that you can visit!

In fact, there are so many craft breweries in Ontario. Usually, “drinking craft beer” wouldn’t be a thing you’d tell people to do unless it was important.

Well, Ontario had a craft beer Renaissance in the early 2000s and now there are over 250 beer breweries all across the province. It seems like every time you return to a city or small town there’s another brewery that popped up for you to visit!

Breweries are great because they are indoors – making for nice winter visits. When it’s warmer out, Ontario breweries often have great patios to enjoy the weather!

Now, there are definitely more established breweries in Ontario and we’ll give credit where it’s due. You can head for Flying Monkeys in Barrie, Steam Whistle or Mill Street in Toronto, and  Creemore Springs in Creemore.

As for newer, craftier breweries, Sawdust City in Gravenhurst is great to visit as is Lake on the Mountain in Prince Edward County.

We also like Left Field Brewery in Toronto. We have posts on breweries in Guelph as well as breweries in Prince Edward County , and breweries in Kingston – and there are more coming!

Engage with Ontario Nature & Animals

Given that Ontario has a deep connection to nature, it’s only fitting that you have the opportunity to engage with and appreciate that nature (and particularly with the animals).

Luckily, there are many centres around the province that cater to doing just that – and they can usually be visited year-round!

You might want to visit the Kortright Centre for Conservation which has programming for adults and kids all about nature. There are also countless other conservation areas (many mentioned in this article) to visit which offer education on local plants and wildlife.

If you’re in the right season, you might be able to catch a migration like the massive Monarch butterfly migration that happens in Point Pelee National Park.

You can also go to the animals at various farms and sanctuaries like The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada near Guelph or Cedar Meadows Resort and Wildlife Park up in Timmins. These places are usually open year-round which makes visiting easy to do!

Learn About Indigenous Culture

Related to the point about Manitoulin Island, another unique thing to do that I (Eric) bet you haven’t thought of is to make it a point to learn about Indigenous culture in Ontario. There are many ways you can do this.

For a hands-on experience, head to Petroglyphs Provincial Park in the Kawarthas to learn about the people behind the largest known grouping of rock carvings in Canada.

You can head to Smiths Falls and set out on a guided canoe tour with Voyageur Canoe Tours as the guides touch on Indigenous history or visit the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation on Manitoulin Island to see the museum, art, and attend cultural events.

If you’re really keen, there’s a museum/historical centre called the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre which is located west of Thunder Bay (almost in Manitoba).

Known as the Manitou Mounds, this area is known for the ancient burial mounds and village sites that date back millennia. Generally speaking, you can visit Indigenous Tourism in Ontario to learn more.

Get Thrilled at Canada’s Wonderland

If you are looking for a thing to do in Ontario and want to be thrilled, head for Canada’s Wonderland ! This amusement park north of Toronto is actually really, really good.

Aside from the thrill rides and small attractions, the park has changed dramatically over the decades to include some roller coasters that are among the tallest and fastest in their category in the world. Just google “Leviathan” and tell us what you think!

The nice thing about Wonderland is that you can visit in three seasons (not winter) and there is something for the whole family.

In fact, you don’t even have to go on rides – the famous Wonderland Funnel Cake – a deep-fried batter loaded with ice cream, berries in sauce, and powdered sugar – might be reason enough to spend the money to get in.

Eric grew up not too far away so he spent many summer and fall evenings riding roller coasters as a kid. Good memories.

There’s also a water park which is popular in the summer. If you go, besides general admission, we’d recommend the “ Fast Lane ” Pass if you are short on time and/or don’t want to wait in the long lines.

For those looking for other amusement parks in Ontario, there are lots of Fall fairs that occur throughout the province (we will cover some in the Fall Section). If you’re close to Toronto, a trip to the Toronto Islands to go to Centreville Amusement Park is always a great activity to do with kids!

Attend a Sporting Event

Last, but certainly not least – if you are a local or a visitor to Ontario, a great way to experience the province is through a sporting event.

There are sports in all seasons and Ontario has it all: hockey ( Leafs and Sens ) and basketball ( Raptors ) in fall through spring, baseball (the Blue Jays ) in spring through fall, Canadian football (yes, it’s different than American football) in the fall, major league soccer, lacrosse, and much more.

Of course, many of the sports teams are centred in Toronto but you can catch professional sports in Hamilton and Ottawa, too. You can also catch a junior hockey game in smaller cities and towns.

Check out Kingston for the Frontenacs , Barrie for the Colts , Guelph for the Storm , and London for the Knights , just to name a few. Usually, junior hockey is good hockey and much, much cheaper than tickets to a Leafs game!

Related Articles

There is plenty to do and see in Ontario any time of the year. Here are some more guides to help you explore no matter the temperature outside!

• Things to Do in Ontario in Summer
• Things to Do in Ontario in Winter

And there you have it – a rundown of ideas on the best things to do in Ontario. There are plenty more things to do and see in Ontario and we’ll continue to add to this post by season so it’s even more useful! Be sure to get in touch if there’s something else we should check out!

As always, Keep Exploring, eh? – E&L

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Eric Wychopen

Hi, we're Eric and Lisa - an Ontario-born Canadian and a German! After settling in Ontario together, we realized that there is lots more to explore in this beautiful Canadian province! On Ontario Away, we as well as local contributors cover everything from cities and hikes to wineries, attractions, accommodations, and more.

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Find facts on the best things to do in Ontario. We provide you with the most current information available for the many different types of attractions, so start planning your next vacation right here. Check our Search page for a list of attractions that interest you. Or click onto our e-coupons for free coupons to attractions in Ontario. Find out what special events are going on at our Special Events page.  If you are planning on traveling in Ontario, Attractions Ontario is the place to find all you need on attractions in Ontario. Your all-in-one Ontario Tourism site!

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Markham Museum

thu 20 apr (apr 20) 10:00 am sun 06 oct (oct 6) 5:00 pm In Bloom: Flowers and Footwear 10:00 am - (october 6) 5:00 pm

April 20 (Thursday) 10:00 am - October 6 (Sunday) 5:00 pm

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fri 10 nov (nov 10) 11:00 am fri 31 jan (jan 31) 2:00 pm FREE Public Guided Tours at ROM Activity Event Organized By Royal Ontario Museum (november 10) 11:00 am - (january 31) 2:00 pm Region Greater Toronto & Hamilton City Toronto

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From towering dinosaur skeletons to awe-inspiring contemporary paintings, ROM is home to more than 13.5 million artworks, artifacts, and specimens from around the world and across the ages. So, it

From towering dinosaur skeletons to awe-inspiring contemporary paintings, ROM is home to more than 13.5 million artworks, artifacts, and specimens from around the world and across the ages. So, it should be no surprise ROM is also the most visited museum in Canada.

Don’t miss our FREE* 45-minute English and French tours. Tours start at the hour from 11am to 2pm daily.

*FREE with General Admission

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Museum Highlights Explore the wonders of ROM. In a 45-minute tour that brings iconic objects to life, you’ll enjoy highlights of arts, culture and nature… throughout the world and throughout time.

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Les trésors du musée Explorez les merveilles du ROM. La visite donne vie à des objets emblématiques à la croisée de l’art, de la culture et de la nature et ce à travers le monde et à travers le temps. Elle vous donnera aussi une bonne idée de l’ampleur des collections du musée.

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sat 09 dec All Day sun 09 jun GHOSTS OF CANOE LAKE: NEW WORK BY MARCEL DZAMA EXHIBITION Event Organized By McMichael Canadian Art Collection (All Day) McMichael Canadian Art Collection , 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg Region Greater Toronto & Hamilton City Vaughan

Marcel Dzama’s delicate and fantastical drawings made with ink, watercolour paint and root beer catapulted the Winnipeg-born artist to international fame in the late 1990s. Since then, Dzama has relocated

Marcel Dzama’s delicate and fantastical drawings made with ink, watercolour paint and root beer catapulted the Winnipeg-born artist to international fame in the late 1990s. Since then, Dzama has relocated to Brooklyn, New York, expanding his practice to include performance, sculpture, and video. Ghosts of Canoe Lake: New Work by Marcel Dzama celebrates a new body of work inspired by the artist’s interest in Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, recalling as well his childhood spent in the landscape of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Featuring paintings, installation, and video, this is the first major exhibition of Dzama’s work in Canada in nearly a decade. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with Contemporary Calgary.

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Experience our world in vivid detail and see some of the most extraordinary species in ways you never imagined. Each photograph is back lit, providing exquisite quality and depth. Through

Experience our world in vivid detail and see some of the most extraordinary species in ways you never imagined. Each photograph is back lit, providing exquisite quality and depth. Through the camera’s lens, viewers become witnesses to the lives animals live and the challenges they face. Emotive, surprising glimpses of life on our planet are showcased through exceptional talent, technical expertise, and the perfectly captured moment.

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30 Stunning Canadian Attractions That Are Totally Free

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Complimentary Canada

Traveling can be expensive. Even if you find great deals on flights and hotels, sticking to a budget while exploring a new place can be difficult with restaurant and attraction prices skyrocketing. And while there are plenty of great ways to spend your money in Canada, there are also plenty of free parks, museums and activities spread throughout the country, from coast to coast.

From Alberta's magnificent hoodoos to the grandeur of Canada's parliament, click through this gallery to discover amazing Canadian attractions you can enjoy without spending a cent...

Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver is full of luscious urban green spaces, but none are as famous or widely-visited as Stanley Park. Comprising a thousand acres of verdant rainforest, the park has it all: beaches, trails, totem poles, tennis courts, a wading pool and plenty of picnic spots. Walking or biking along the park’s six-mile seawall is one of the best ways to take in the classic Vancouver skyline. Bringing your own bike keeps the experience zero cost, but rentals are also available nearby.

Spadina Museum, Toronto, Ontario

This gleaming mansion-turned-museum overlooking the city of Toronto is completely free of charge – visitors can even take a complimentary guided tour to get the full scoop on the history of the luxurious home. The museum tells the story of the affluent Austin family who lived in the house during the early 1900s. In addition to enjoying the home’s lavish decor, tourists can walk through the estate’s well-tended gardens.

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Old Quebec, Quebec City, Quebec

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its European-style buildings and narrow cobblestone streets, the historic district of Old Quebec famously feels like a living history museum. Plenty of money can be spent in the area's many shops and restaurants, but it’s the rustic, laid-back atmosphere of the city that's the real attraction. It won't cost you a thing to stroll among the mostly 19th-century buildings, take in the views, explore old churches and poke your head into the famous Chateau Frontenac hotel.

Signal Hill National Historic Site, St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

Accessing the Signal Hill Visitor Centre comes with a small fee, but visitors can make their way up the hill and roam the grounds for free. The hill, which offers a great view of St John’s Harbour, served as a military lookout right the way from the 1640s up to the Second World War, and also played a crucial role in the development of wireless communications. In 1901 Guglielmo Marconi received the first ever transatlantic signal at the hill – sent from Cornwall, England – and in 1920 a tower on the hill transmitted a human voice across the Atlantic for the first time. Today, visitors tend to hike around the area, enjoying the views and basking in its deep historic aura.

Avonlea Village, New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island

This attraction is a tribute to the fictional village of Avonlea from Canadian author LM Montgomery’s much beloved Anne of Green Gables novels (which spawned the popular Anne With An E television series). The makeshift town features the original schoolhouse Montgomery once taught in, as well as a smattering of other historic buildings and newer replicas. It's free to enter the village, though money can easily be spent at the site’s restaurants and gift shops.

Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, Alberta

Southern Alberta’s Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park features stunning natural rock formations, but the real draw here is cultural. The area is sacred to the Blackfoot people, whose ancestors have been visiting here for millennia. For generations, Indigenous inhabitants etched invaluable pieces of writing and art into the rock formations, most of which can still be viewed by visitors wandering the park’s many hiking trails.

These are the most incredible archaeological discoveries from across Canada

Brockville Railway Tunnel, Brockville, Ontario

This historic attraction in Brockville, near the northeast corner of Lake Ontario, became the first train tunnel in Canada when it opened for business in 1860. Decommissioned in 1970, visitors are now free to walk through the tunnel, which spans a third of a mile right under the city, starting at the Brockville waterfront. The tunnel is fitted with music and colorful lights (recently updated), which makes for an intriguing experience fit for both families and history buffs.

Hatley Castle Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia

Hatley Castle – a grand Victoria mansion originally built in 1908 – charges guests for guided tours and takes donations for entrance to its museum, but its gorgeous and extensive gardens can be enjoyed completely for free. The castle sits on a 650-acre estate home to a forest of heritage trees, including giant 250-year-old Douglas firs, as well as meticulously maintained formal rose, Italian and Japanese gardens that were installed as far back as 1910. Look for the classically Japanese stone lanterns and humped bridge.

Roadside attractions, various locations

Have you ever wanted to see the world’s largest nickel? Well, there’s a 30-foot replica in Sudbury, Ontario. How about a 25-foot non-edible pyrogy? That’s in Glendon, Alberta. Elsewhere in Canada you might stumble across the world’s largest curling rock (Arborg, Manitoba), a 17-foot-tall Cheeto complete with finger dust (Cheadle, Alberta), and the world’s second largest Easter Egg (Vegreville, Alberta), all free to be enjoyed by anyone lucky enough to be driving by.

St Joseph Oratory, Montreal, Quebec

You don’t have to be Catholic, or indeed religious at all, to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of this enormous church on the summit of Montreal’s Mount Royal mountain. Packed with history and topped with one of the world's biggest domes, it is the largest sanctuary in the world dedicated to St Joseph and the largest church in Canada. St Andre of Montreal, the monk who took charge of building the oratory in the early 20th century, is entombed in a special crypt inside. Visitors can also enjoy an outdoor sculpture garden.

West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, Alberta

Once the largest shopping mall in the world, the massive West Edmonton Mall is still a sight to behold. Obviously there are plenty of great ways to spend money here: alongside the more than 800 shops there's also a giant waterpark, a bowling alley, a karting track, an underground aquarium, an escape room, two mini-golf courses, a skating rink and an amusement park. But you can walk around, window shop and take in the over-the-top sights – including an indoor lake complete with a pirate ship – without spending a dime.

Kettle Valley Rail Trail, British Columbia

Get off the main road and explore the interior of British Columbia via this decommissioned train line originally built in 1915. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail snakes along a 400-mile route from Hope to Castlegar, serving up stellar views to cyclists and hikers as they move through the forest. One of the most popular sections is at Myra Canyon near Kelowna, known for its series of scenic trestles and relatively flat terrain.

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Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara Falls, Ontario

While any trip to Niagara should include a visit to the Falls (which you can also see for free from the city of Niagara Falls), visitors should also stop at the nearby Botanical Gardens, which operate both as a tourist attraction and an educational facility. The 40-hectare site is meticulously cultivated and maintained by students of the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, and there are new blooms there every season. You’ll find more than 80,000 annual plants, as well as fountains and pathways.

Parliament buildings, Ottawa, Ontario

The magnificent buildings on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill are iconic symbols of Canada – and they’re completely free to visit. Parliament’s main Centre Block building is closed for major renovations until at least 2030, but visitors can tour the House of Commons in the West Block, the heritage rooms in the East Block and the temporary home of the Canadian Senate in Ottawa's former train station. There’s even an immersive multimedia experience that allows users inside the Centre Block while it’s under construction.

Reversing Falls Rapids, St John, New Brunswick

The Bay of Fundy is known for its incredibly strong tidal waters (it has the highest tides in the world), which result in some dramatic natural phenomena. The Reversing Falls Rapids occur where the tidal waters of the bay collide with water emptying from the St John River, causing a 'natural tug-of-war' between the two bodies that can cause the river to seemingly flow in reverse. Visitors can view the whole thing from a bridge in Fallsview Park, or a lookout at nearby Wolastoq Park.

Inglis Grain Elevators, Inglis, Manitoba

Tall wooden buildings known as grain elevators – used to store wheat and other grains – were once a common sight on the Canadian prairies, but these days they've mostly been replaced with concrete towers. One of the best places to see old grain elevators is the Inglis Grain Elevators National Historic Site, with five intact wooden elevators still standing neatly in a row. Admission is charged for tours, but it is free to simply take in the grandeur of these towering historic structures.

Lynn Canyon Park, North Vancouver, British Columbia

Open as a public park since 1912, Lynn Canyon Park has for decades been a beloved spot for hikers, forest bathers and anyone in need of a quick nature hit. The popular Baden Powell Trail cuts through the park, crossing Lynn Canyon with the help of the majestic Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, a swaying structure that stretches 160 feet over the rocky cliffs and rushing waterfalls below, and through a thick canopy of lush forest.

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St Thomas Elevated Park, St Thomas, Ontario

St Thomas is the first elevated park in Canada – but what exactly is an elevated park? In this case, it’s a public green space built on an 850-foot-long decommissioned train bridge perched 95 feet above the road below. Similar to attractions like the High Line in New York, there are benches to sit on, and stunning views of the Kettle Creek Valley. The park is open daily free of charge, and dogs on leads are also welcome to visit.

Waterfront, Halifax, Nova Scotia

One of the most bustling parts of the city, Halifax’s boardwalk-lined waterfront is always full of life and the scent of sea air. With two-and-a-half miles to explore, there's plenty to see and do without having to reach for your wallet. Watch boats go by, pose for photos in front of public art pieces, relax in one of the signature orange hammocks on the boardwalk or enjoy the panoramic views of the Halifax skyline.

Central Library, Calgary, Alberta

Most Canadian cities have public libraries that double as meeting spaces, but the new Central Library in Calgary is truly special. The four-story building is a work of art both inside and out, winning plaudits in  Architectural Digest and The New York Times for its sleek aesthetic and attention to detail. The library is worth visiting just to see the building, but once inside visitors can read books, stream films and documentaries or kill time in the central open plaza.

Igloo church, Inuvik, Northwest Territories

Located well north of the Arctic Circle, it makes sense that the local Catholic church in Inuvik is designed to mimic the shape and look of a snow-covered igloo. Officially known as Our Lady of Victory, the striking exterior of Inuvik’s unique 'igloo church' offers one of the best photo opportunities in this northern community. Tours of the interior are also available during the summer months.

Battlefields Park, Quebec City, Quebec

Encompassing Des Braves Park and the famous Plains of Abraham, Quebec City’s answer to Central Park is the site of some of the most significant military engagements in Canada’s history, including a pivotal battle between the British and the French during the Seven Years' War. You can pay a fee to visit the Plains of Abraham Museum or simply enjoy the park's wide open spaces while looking out over the magnificent St Lawrence River. Activities are also programmed in the park throughout the year.

Northern Lights, various locations

Canada’s natural beauty is one of the main reasons people visit, and few things anywhere are as beautiful as the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Caused by solar particles interacting with gases in the atmosphere near Earth's magnetic poles, this all-natural lightshow can appear across the country, but you’re most likely to see it in the far-north during the darkest parts of winter.

Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

One of the most familiar sights in Canada, the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove is a national icon. Visitors to this small East Coast community can walk up to the lighthouse and watch the waves dramatically crash on the rocks without paying a cent. There’s more to see than the lighthouse though – be sure to poke around the adjacent village filled with fishing boats and old lobster traps for a postcard-perfect slice of maritime charm.

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Jean Talon Market, Montreal, Quebec

Montreal is famous for its vibrant markets and Jean Talon is perhaps the best-known of the bunch. Even if you have no intention of spending money, experiencing the buzzing atmosphere of this open-air market, one of the largest in North America, is a must. Despite the chilly Montreal winter, the market is open year-round, with walls going up around the exterior in cold weather. Enjoy the sights and smells of the vendors’ wares and look out for special events throughout the year.

St Martins Sea Caves, St Martins, New Brunswick

Another natural attraction created by the Bay of Fundy's powerful tides, these sandstone caves are submerged during high tide. They can only be approached by boat during that time, but at low tide you can explore them on foot – walking to the entrances across the ocean floor. Visitors can wonder at the natural rock formations, enjoy chowder at the nearby restaurant or do a spot of birdwatching across the bay. Be sure to consult local tide tables ahead of time if you’re planning to check out the cave interiors.

Hoodoo Trail, Drumheller, Alberta

Drumheller is in the heart of Alberta’s dinosaur country, and no natural feature is more connected with the province’s prehistoric geography than the otherworldly rock formations known as hoodoos. Formed over the course of millions of years, a number of these flat-topped sandstone pillars are grouped together on this easy walking trail just outside Drumheller. For more of a challenge, there are a host of other more testing Badlands hiking routes nearby.

Fort Amherst Lighthouse, St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

Technically part of Signal Hill, Fort Amherst is worth seeing in and of itself, as it was once the location of a fortification originally built in 1777. That fort no longer exists, but visitors still flock to the site to view the Fort Amherst Lighthouse, a traditional red and white tapered lighthouse that was built in 1951 to replace a dilapidated predecessor. It’s free to walk up to the lighthouse and take pictures overlooking the Narrows leading into St John’s Harbour.

Kensington Market, Toronto, Ontario

An eclectic neighborhood and shopping district in the center of the city, strolling the vibrantly colorful streets of Kensington Market is a quintessential Toronto experience. There are plenty of shops and places to eat, but merely window shopping at the many vintage clothing stores, taking in the smells and sounds of the open-air food stalls and people-watching are enough to keep most visitors engaged and entertained for hours.

The Forks, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Located at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers in the heart of urban Winnipeg, the area now known as The Forks has been a traditional gathering place for over 6,000 years. The area is now home to a market, world-class museums including the Children's Museum and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and ample outdoor space for wandering and enjoying the wide range of public art. During the cold Winnipeg winter, the area turns into an icy wonderland with space to skate, ski and snowshoe.

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