Ontario, Canada

Niagara Falls splashes spectacularly away on the Niagara River, one of Ontario’s top - but by no means only – attractions. This central province, home to Canada’s Capital, Ottawa, and Canada’s largest city, Toronto, boasts historic sites, natural beauty, and access to some of central Canada’s best outdoor adventures.

Toronto, a bustling metropolis, sprawls along the shores of Lake Ontario, a busy harbor city. Canada’s biggest urban center, Toronto has enough cultural assets to keep even locals busy. From art, history and science museums to architecture and music, this urban hub stays active year round.

No Ontario trip is complete without a visit to landmark Niagara Falls. See this foaming curtain of water from above, behind, below, or from the misty safety of Canadian firm ground. If you’ve already seen this cataract lit up at night, sparkling at sunrise and frozen in winter, check out other attractions in the region, like botanical gardens, historic homes and scenic strolls.

West of Both Toronto and Niagara are the cities of Windsor and London. Windsor, across the way from Detroit, Michigan, is a great base for explorations down and around Pelee Island and Lake Erie. Whether you’re bird watching or braving chilly waters on a scuba diving adventure, a definite must is a trip to the lake.

London, Windsor’s near neighbor, is not often mistaken for the big English city it’s named for, but for all the double-decker tour buses and the Thames, it feels at the very least, foreign. A university city, London has a range of cultural sites to see and within driving distance of Lake Erie, promises pleasant sunny beaches come summer.

Hamilton, a short hop southwest of Toronto, is an increasingly green industrial city, liberally dotted with picturesque waterfalls, well-endowed with tourist amenities and even boasts an art gallery or two. It’s surprisingly easy to find secluded natural spots and a bit of wildlife but for true jungle head to the African Lion Safari. Determined walkers can opt for following the lengthy Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail to Niagara or Toronto.

A popular retreat for city-dwellers, Georgian Bay, scalloping the east side of Lake Huron, is all about an easy-pace and water-related activity. Even if you don’t want to get wet, Bruce Trail, starting at the north end of Bruce Peninsula, promises sweeping panoramic views at spots, good exercise at others. Though you might not have time to make your way down to the other end of this 500-mile trail, be sure to check out some of the top-rated hikes along the way. Bikers can peddle back roads here, or ferry on over to Manitoulin Island, washed by Lake Huron and Georgian Bay wake, to explore this peaceful place. Scuba Divers shouldn’t dream of leaving without diving at least once some of the many historic wrecks decorating the lake bottom around Fathom Five National Marine Park.

Sudbury, north of Georgian Bay, is an easy drive from Manitoulin Island, an important base for adventures in Ontario’s upper wilderness. Give yourself a week or two and embark on an epic canoe voyage after a taking a turn around Sudbury’s museums for some science and a trip to the mines.

If your Canadian tour takes you east through Ontario towards Manitoba, Thunder Bay on the shores of Lake Superior is a stone’s throw from provincial parks and a perfect place to pause your journey. Get canyon views at Oimet Provincial Park or do some serious canoeing in Pukaskwa National Park before resuming your travels.

Ottawa, along the border of neighboring province, Quebec, is the country’s capital, a graceful tree-lined, water oriented city. Whether you’re after cultural attractions, some time boating languid waterways or a few days of site-seeing, Ottawa is the place to be. A quick jaunt from Montreal, with sprawling parks just over the border in Quebec, it might be hard to move on, but historic Kingston, linked to Ottawa by the Rideau Canal, is worth the effort.

Kingston, at the northeast end of Lake Ontario, is a picturesque city, replete with lovely bygone-era architecture and historic sites. From extensive art collections to maritime history, the museums and galleries of Kingston won’t leave you with cabin fever in wintery weather. Come sun, bike part of the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail, kayak along Rideau Canal or just enjoy a stroll past graceful homes.

An Ontario outing can take you from hip and cultural to calm waters and secluded trails. Pack for your bags to suit all occasions, and for Pete’s sake, don’t forget to throw in your camera.

Ontario Destinations

Georgian Bay & Lakelands
Hamilton
Kingston
London
Niagara
Ottawa
Sudbury
Thunder Bay
Toronto
Windsor

Other Provinces