Home to the nation’s capital of Ottawa and Toronto, Canada’s largest city, Ontario is a must-see province to anyone touring the Great White North. It is Canada’s most populous province, with nearly 40 percent of all Canadians calling it home. With arable land to the south and dense forests to the north, this province is sometimes split in two; Northern Ontario and Southern Ontario. However you slice it, this beautiful province has attractions and activities in spades! From gazing down on the city lights of Toronto from the CN Tower to zipping through Algonquin Provincial Park to witness the fall colours, we’ve narrowed down 10 must-sees in the great province of Ontario.
Some may not know Niagara Falls is shared between Canada and the United States. Specifically, it straddles the international border between Ontario and the state of New York. Its three waterfalls are the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. The Horseshoe Falls are the largest and lie on the border. Nearly four million cubic feet of water spills over the crest line every minute on average, with that number jumping up to six million cubic feet in high flow. What better way to learn about the many recreational, commercial and industrial uses of the falls, including hydroelectric power, than by seeing them in person?
No visit to Ontario is complete without checking out the capital of Toronto. While there is much to see and do in this mighty city, one bucket list-worthy activity is the CN Tower. This tower, an icon of the Toronto skyline, is 553.3 metres high, towering over the city near the shores of Lake Ontario. Make a dinner reservation at the 360 Restaurant, and dine while you overlook the gorgeous city below. Hungry for adventure, not appetizers? The CN Tower is still your go-to spot! The EdgeWalk allows visitors to experience the world’s highest full circle, hands-free walk along a wide ledge encircling the top of the main pod, of 356 metres above the ground. Those brave enough to give it a try are joined by a guide and harnessed to an overhead safety rail. For the really daring members of your group, lean back over the edge with nothing but air between you and Toronto!
Sports fans will find something around every corner to keep them entertained. Two key attractions include the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame preserves Canada’s baseball heritage dating back to 1838, when a game very similar to modern baseball was played in Beachville, Ontario. The Hockey Hall of Fame is not restricted to just Canadian players. Instead, it is dedicated to the sport’s history, as well as its players, and is home to exhibits on players, teams, and even the Stanley Cup. It is a must-see for any fan of the icy sport.
Whether you’re driving along one of the Great Lakes, or enjoying a brisk hike through a stunning provincial park, you’ll soon notice Ontario is hard matched when it comes to fall colours. The best way to enjoy this seasonal gift is with good old-fashioned road trips through the countryside, along some lakeshores, and through whatever stunning scenery the Niagara Parkway may lead. From the beautiful colors of southern Ontario’s vineyards to the northern shore of Lake Superior, look forward to plenty of pictures and scarf weather during your trip through Ontario this fall.
Whether you’ve brought your bike or your hiking boots, Ontario is ready to please. Set in the northern part of the province, otherwise known as Sunset Country, the Spruce Fen Trail waits to impress. This quick, one-kilometer trail is perfect for a quick morning trek during your Ontario getaway, after waking in Dryden. You will not want to miss Bruce Trail, the oldest and longest marked hiking trail in Canada. This trail is one of the best ways to view the beauty of the Escapment, stretching to Niagara Falls! The trail itself is 840 kilometres long, with over 440 kilometres of side trails to explore. Set near the Bruce Peninsula in southern Ontario, the Harrison Park Trail is a two-kilometer escape into outdoor Canada. This natural trail welcomes hikers and backpackers, as well as cycling, off-road vehicles, and horseback riding. Viewing Ontario by horseback is another great way to explore the southern region of the province. Whether traveling with kids, or finding yourself on a romantic getaway, you can choose the adventure that best suits you. Let the kids ride ponies or, for the more advanced riders in your group, try the four-hour trek to the town of St. Jacobs. However you see it, the beauty of this province is unparalleled!
Best Western® Hotels & Resorts knows some families can find it hard to leave Fido behind on their travels. That’s why many of our hotels are pet-friendly, but did you know Ontario is a very pet-friendly province, as well? Toronto, in particular, has plenty of great pet events and activities for even the most discerning of owners. Woofstock, the largest outdoor festival for dogs in North America, is a two-day, nonstop celebration of dog-ownership with parties, contests, and fashion shows for pets and their parents alike. PawsWay, another must-see, is an indoor restaurant and off-lease playground for pets. Spot wants to see Ontario just as much as you; bring him along!
Northern Ontario is home to a slew of winter sports, but one cornerstone activity is ice fishing. With many lakes and popular fishing spots across this region, there is a wide selection for choosing the location of your next (or first) ice fishing excursion! Some key spots include Dryden’s Wabigoon Lake, Kenora’s Lake of the Woods, and Sudbury’s Lake Temagami. Across these lakes, you’ll land delicious fish like walleye, small mouth bass, muskie, pike, perch and sauger, among many others. Though the weather will be brisk, you’re sure to catch a memory to last a lifetime.
You will not want to miss Georgian Bay when you visit Ontario. It is home to over 30,000 islands and 2,000 kilometres of shoreline. From endless stretches of beach to towering pines and cliffs, natural beauty is everywhere at this destination. Whether you’re looking to lay out on the beach and relax or explore the many lighthouses that dot the shoreline, everyone in the group will find something to do. Many communities are located around the Bay, so be sure to plan your Georgian Bay adventure in advance to ensure you see and do it all. If you decide you want more than one day to experience the Bay, spend the night at a local Best Western and stretch out your adventure!
Are you more interested in seeing fish than catching them? Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is the place for you. This massive, public aquarium has 5.7 million litres of habitats from around the world, with 13,500 exotic sea and freshwater specimens. There are nine galleries to explore, including a walk-through tank. The galleries explore everything from the species in waters surrounding the entire country of Canada to some specific to certain species, like Ray Bay and Planet Jellies which are home to stingrays and jellyfish, respectively. Adults and children alike will be amazed by the sheer breadth of specimens viewable at Ripley’s Aquarium.
For those seeking a little extra culture on their adventure, Ontario art galleries can’t be skipped. The Art Gallery of Ontario can be found in Toronto, and is one of the largest art museums in North America. It features over 80,000 works, sure to keep you busy on an afternoon. If you’ve strolled its halls before, the Ontario Association of Art Galleries has a full directory of public art galleries across the province. Use it to help you squeeze in a little art along every step of your Ontario vacation! Other great Ontario museums include the Royal Ontario Museum and the London Children’s Museum. These two museums are indispensable to the community and provide numerous exhibits to see whether traveling alone, in a group or as a family.