Ontario Travel Guide
Monumental freshwater lakes, sprawling metropolitan cities, and rugged forest-covered landscapes have made Ontario one of the most diverse and culturally inviting destinations in Canada. Whether exploring the multicultural streets of Toronto or venturing to the untouched landscapes of the Bruce Peninsula, the province promises a blend of urban vibrancy and untamed wilderness to satisfy any intrepid explorer’s dream of the Great White North.
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While the recognizable images of Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, and Ottawa’s Parliament Hill bless the covers of many travel guides and postcards, Ontario’s natural and cultural charms spread far beyond these robust tourist hot spots. Scattered throughout the province’s scenic landscapes are charming towns with unique histories and culinary delights, vibrant lakeside communities with lively nightlife and white sand beaches, and vast national and provincial parks with abundant wildlife and striking views.
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Within this Ontario travel guide we will uncover everything you need to know to plan the perfect holiday to Canada’s Heartland Province, including the best time to visit, the top tourist destinations, and general travel tips for getting off the beaten path.
Facts & Info
- Size – 1.076 million km sq.
- Population – 14.57 million
- Country – Canada
- Official Language – English & French
- Major Airports – Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ); Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
- Time Zone – Eastern Time Zone (UTC-5); Central Time Zone (UTC-6)
- Nickname – The Heartland Province
- Currency – Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Ontario Destinations
Toronto
A multicultural metropolitan city with some of the province's top attractions.
Ottawa
Canada’s political centre, promising beautiful city scenery and cultural draws.
Niagara Falls
Picturesque city with waterfalls, museums, and restaurants.
Algonquin Park
Outdoor haven popular for hiking, kayaking, and camping.
Bruce Peninsula
Lush natural area with beautiful coastal cliffs and clear waters.
Ontario Towns
- Elora – Charming small town in southern Ontario famous for its beautiful natural gorge and tubing along the Grand River.
- Niagara-on-the-Lake – A quieter community near Niagara Falls, this small town is home to sweeping vineyards and a charming community popular for romantic getaways.
- Stratford – Victorian-England atmosphere meets natural Canadian beauty in this small southern Ontario town famous for its annual theatrical festival.
- Paris – Set at the junction of the Nith and Grand River, Paris is one of the prettiest small towns in Canada, blending outdoor adventures with a quaint downtown community.
- Perth – Founded as a military settlement in 1816, Perth blends historical landmarks with a picturesque natural setting that serves as a welcome retreat from nearby Ottawa.
Ontario Cities
- Toronto – The capital of Ontario and the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a must-visit for a variety of attractions that include the CN Tower and the Royal Canadian Museum.
- Ottawa – As the capital city, Ottawa is Canada’s political centre and contains some of the country’s top historical landmarks, including Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal.
- London – Set at the centre of the Ontario Peninsula, London is the perfect base for exploring southwestern Ontario.
- Windsor – Canada’s southernmost city and located along the border, Windsor is a great destination to visit in the summer for its Casino, small surrounding towns, and day trips into Detroit.
- Thunder Bay – Nestled along the northern banks of Lake Superior, Thunder Bay is a beautiful city that serves as a convenient base for exploring the wilder reaches of northern Ontario.
Ontario Attractions
CN Tower
Walk across the 2.5-inch glass floors of Canada's most iconic landmark as you straddle the CN Tower's Edgewalk from 553 metres above the ground.
Niagara Falls
Admire the breathtaking Niagara waterfalls from the lakeside boardwalk or get up close along a Maid of the Mist boat tour.
Parliament Hill
Explore Canadian heritage and politics at Parliament Hill in Ottawa and admire the Peace Tower, Centennial Flame, and Parliament Buildings.
Canada’s Wonderland
Enjoy world-class thrills as Canada’s premier amusement park, home to popular favourites, such as the Yukon Striker and Leviathan.
Royal Ontario Museum
Uncover history, culture, and science at the ROM, Ontario’s premier museum featuring local and international exhibits.
Things To Do in Ontario
- Enjoy a nature hike – Home to grand flowing rivers and rugged terrains, Ontario was made for hiking. Head over to the Bruce Peninsula or northern Ontario for some of the province’s best nature treks.
- Spend a day at the beach – Ontario’s Great Lakes boast some of the most beautiful beaches in Canada, including Grand Bend Beach, Wasaga Beach, and Sauble Beach.
- Explore historic waterways – Between its Great Lakes and beautiful rivers, Ontario boasts some monumental waterways perfect for a kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding adventure.
- Take a scenic drive – Ontario is full of beautiful landscapes connected by its intricate road network. Some of the most scenic drives can be found along the Niagara Parkway, the Algonquin Park’s Highway 60 corridor, and the Thousand Islands Parkway.
- Engage in winter sports – Canada as a whole has a proud winter sport culture, and it is at its best in Ontario. Throughout the winter months, Ontario is an exciting destination for skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating.
Provincial & National Parks
- Algonquin Provincial Park – Ontario’s first provincial park promises beautiful freshwater lakes, interconnecting rivers, and dense deciduous and coniferous forests perfect for kayaking, camping, and hiking.
- Killarney Provincial Park – Set on the northeastern shore of the Georgian Bay, Killarney is a breathtaking wilderness park with a pink granite shoreline surrounded by dense, tree covered quartzite ridges and peaks.
- Bruce Peninsula National Park – surrounded by Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, Bruce National Park is a beautiful biosphere reserve with crystal-clear waters, striking rock formations, and lush coastal cliffs.
- Point Pelee National Park – Marking Canada’s southern tip, Point Pelee is also the most ecologically diverse park in the country, making it a great destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.
- Bon Echo Provincial Park – While one of the smaller provincial parks in Ontario, Bon Echo is famous for its Mazinaw Rock, which contains over 250 ancient pictographs which is considered the largest visible collection in Canada.
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Historic Sites
Fort Henry
A 19th-century fortress along Lake Ontario preserved as a living history museum in Kitchener.
Rideau Canal
Monumental waterway and last remnant of Ontario's historic 19th-century canal building era in the heart of Ottawa.
Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons
The 17th century headquarters for the French Jesuit Mission to the Huron-Wendat people and modern-day living history museum.
Woodside National Historic Site
A restored Victorian-era house in Kitchener and the boyhood home of William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada's longest-serving Prime Minister.
Dundurn Castle
A 40-room Italianate-style villa built in the 1830s and a modern-day 2-acre living history museum.
Travel through time at these historic places in Ontario.
Where To Stay
- Toronto – The best area to stay in for a multicultural city experience
- Ottawa – The best area to stay in for culture and history
- Windsor  – The best area to stay in for a border setting and foodies
- Thunder Bay – The best area to stay in for outdoor adventures in northern Ontario
- Niagara Falls – The best area to stay in for couples and families
Best Time to Visit
- Summer (June to August) – With warm, sunny weather, summer is the best time to explore Ontario’s outdoor attractions. Unfortunately, this is also the province’s peak season, with crowds flocking to popular beach destinations, hiking trails, and campgrounds.
- Winter (December to February) – While too cold for many outdoor activities, winter can be a great time to visit Ontario for winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and winter trekking. It is also a great time to travel to Ontario’s city destinations to experience popular attractions free from summer crowding.
- Fall (September to November) – The fall is when Ontario is at its most beautiful. Changing colours and fewer tourists make it an excellent time to plan a road trip or a day trip to one of the province’s charming small towns.
- Spring (March to May) – Like the fall, the spring can be a beautiful time to visit Ontario, especially later in the season. While March and April are slightly chillier and may experience more frequent rainfalls, May is truly a spectacular month to visit with blossoming flowers and budding trees breathing new life into the landscape.
Getting Here & Around
- Airports – Most international travellers arrive in Ontario either through Toronto Pearson international Airport in Toronto or Mcdonald-Cartier International Airport in Ottawa. However, there are several other international and domestic airports scattered throughout the province to get you where you need to go.
- Trains – Ontario’s major cities are well-connected by rail. However, train travel tends to be slow, expensive, and limited in the northern regions.
- Driving – The most convenient way to get around Ontario is to rent a car. While this can be more expensive, there are some budget-friednly options and provides freedom to explore destination inaccessible by public transportation.
- Taxis – Taxis are a great way to get around Ontario’s cities quickly but can become very costly when solely relied on and when travelling vast distances.
- Public Transportation – Public transportation is a great way to get around Ontario’s cities on a budget. While most larger cities have efficient bus networks, only Toronto has a subway network.
- Rideshare – Like taxis, rideshare apps such as Uber are widely available in urban areas. However, while the are effective for quick transport, they can also become expensive when over-relied on.
- Coach Buses – Greyhound Canada and Ontario Northland offer coach bus services connecting most major cities. While a great way to get to major tourist destinations on a budget, they are limited in their routes to less popular areas.
- Biking – Ontario has some remarkable biking routes for experienced cyclists. The Waterfront Trail and Greenbelt Route in particular are fantastic for experiencing large portions of the province.
- Walking – While walking can be a great and free way to explore some of Ontario’s smaller towns, it can be alot less feasible when you venture into larger cities.
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Ontario Travel Tips
- Explore beyond the tourist spots – Niagara Falls, Toronto, and Ottawa are popular destinations for a reason. But the rest of the province is just as beautiful. Take some time to explore those lesser-visited corners.
- Plan for the season – The Ontario seasons offer vastly different experiences, and you need to plan accordingly. If you are hoping for world-class skiing, don’t visit in the summer. Similarly, if you like to hike, you better avoid the frigid winters.
- Rent a car – Renting a car is the best way to experience Ontario. Public transportation is limited, and there is nothing quite like experiencing an Ontario road trip from your own private vehicle.
- Attend a local festival – Each city and town in Ontario has their own culture and community feel. Take some time to experience this sense of community by attending a local festival.
- Take your time – Ontario is huge. Don’t expect to experience it all in a week. Or even a month for that matter. For shorter trips, you are better off exploring one or two areas. But, i you have the time, plan to spend at least a month jumping between Ontario’s various destinations and attractions.
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What To Pack
- Hiking Shoes – Whether you are trekking the Bruce trail or wandering the city, you are going to do a lot of walking when visiting Ontario. Pack yourself some comfortable shoes.
- Layers – Temperatures can vary in Ontario, especially when visiting in the spring and fall. Be ready for anything and pack layers.
- Water Bottle – It often surprises people how hot it can get in Ontario in the summer. Trust me. You are going to sweat, and you will want a water bottle.
- Day Pack – You need something to hold your gear and clothing.
- Camera – Ontario is beautiful. Whether exploring natural landmarks or cityscapes, you are going to want a few pictures to memorialize the moment.
