The most popular attractions in Ontario

Ontario in East-Central Canada is a must-visit part of the country, home to some of Canada’s most iconic attractions and exciting cities like Toronto and, the capital of Canada, Ottawa. From epic natural features to parks and world-famous towers, there’s a little something for everyone in Ontario. To help you plan a future holiday to Canada, we have put together this guide to some of the most popular attractions in Ontario. So, take a look and see which locations you would like to visit during your trip to the province, and give us a call to help us make you tailor made holiday to Ontario.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is not only one of the most beautiful places in Ontario but one of the world’s most iconic attractions. Millions of people from all over the world flock to Ontario each year in order to see the majestic Niagara Falls; it's exciting and incredibly romantic destination. Flights to Toronto will put you just a short drive away from the falls and once there you can experience Niagara a number of ways. From a breathtaking cruise to the foot of the falls to helicopter rides and zip lines above this thundering natural spectacle, there is no question that Niagara Falls is one of the most unique things to do in Ontario.

Algonquin Park

Located in south-eastern Ontario, Algonquin Park is one of the province’s most famous attractions, consisting of forests, hills, rocky ridges, rivers, and thousands of lakes. If you are wanting to experience Canada’s incredible wildlife, Algonquin is home to moose and bears as well as a brilliant network of hiking trails.

Oksana and Max from the travel blog Drink Tea & Travel, share: “Hiking is by far one of the best things to do in Algonquin Park, Canada. There are over 20 well-marked Algonquin Park trails ranging from 30mins to a few hours. Most trails are about 1-2 hours. They are perfect for day-trippers and those staying at front-country campsites within the park.”

The Lookout Trail and the Beaver Pond Trail are just two of the most popular trails that people love to experience in the park. People flock to Algonquin Park for many reasons, however, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy this peaceful slice of nature, including biking, camping, canoeing, wildlife watching, and fishing.

Blue Mountain Resort

The Blue Mountain Resort is Ontario’s year-round mountain resort and spa and is a major destination for skiers thanks to its 42 named trails. Nestled between the shores of Georgian Bay and the slopes of the Niagara Escarpment, the Blue Mountain Resort isn’t just a beloved skiing location: it also offers rock climbing, ziplining, mountain biking, golf, and hiking, making it one of the best places to visit in Ontario in the summer. At the mountain’s base, you will find shops, top restaurants, and first-class accommodation, to relax in once you have finished your activities.

CN Tower

Standing 553.33 metres tall, the CN Tower enjoys majestic panoramic views of Toronto and Lake Ontario. The CN Tower has become synonymous with the Toronto skyline, located right in the heart of the city’s exciting Entertainment District. One of Canada’s major icons, you can’t leave Toronto without experiencing this top attraction. Whether you want to ascend to the top in its glass elevators for the best views of the city or walk the edge of the tower with nothing but a harness to secure you, the CN Tower won’t fail to delight, and you can even sit down for a delicious meal at the revolving 360 Restaurant.

Parliament Hill

Ottawa is home to some unique attractions you won’t find anywhere else but in Canada's capital. Parliament Hill is the face of the capital and the point where many visitors begin their exploration of the city. This area of Crown Land on the banks of the Ottawa River is the home of Canada's Parliament, housed in a picturesque suite of Gothic Revival buildings. The Peace Tower is its most photographed structure standing 90 metres high and visitors can also witness the changing of the guard and go on a tour of the parliament buildings.

Toronto Island Park

The Toronto Islands are a chain of 15 small islands in Lake Ontario and the area is a popular tourist and recreational destination. One of its top attractions is Toronto Island Park, consisting of four main islands sporting scenic vistas of the Toronto skyline. Visitors can look forward to gorgeous grounds, great beaches, cafes, petting farms, an amusement park, and rent boats to enjoy time out on the waterways. The park is reached via a short ferry ride from the mainland so even getting to this top attraction is an exciting event.

Jessica, from the blog, Diary of a Toronto Girl, shares: “You can find plenty of sandy beach spots to relax at on the Toronto Islands, whether you’re looking for something more secluded or somewhere with lots of families. There are three main beaches on the Toronto Islands: Hanlan’s Point Beach, Centre Island Beach, and Ward’s Island Beach.”

Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum is one of the largest museums in North America and the largest in Canada. Located in Toronto, this distinctive-looking museum is Canada’s most visited, welcoming visitors into the world of art, culture, and natural history. The Royal Ontario Museum is home to more than six million objects and specimens across its 40 galleries and exhibition spaces. You can spend many hours wandering its halls, learning and discovering. The dinosaur exhibits are always a hit with children and there’s even a cafeteria restaurant at the museum so you can spend a whole day exploring the exhibits.

Canada’s Wonderland

Ontario is filled with lots of fun entertainment for families and if you' re planning on visiting with children, head over to Canada’s Wonderland. Located just outside of Toronto, Canada’s Wonderland is a huge theme park that opens its gates during the summer months, drawing families from across Canada and further abroad. Canada’s most famous amusement park is set across 134 hectares and offers a vast collection of rides and activities from roller coasters for people of all ages, a 20-acre waterpark and live shows. With thrills and splashes galore, it’s easy to see why Canada’s Wonderland is one of Ontario’s most popular attractions.

READ ALSO: Frequently Asked Questions About Toronto

The Canadian Canoe Museum

Ontario's latest tourist site is the Canadian Canoe Museum, located on the Traditional Territory of the Williams Treaties First Nations in Peterborough has the world’s largest and most significant collection of canoes, kayaks, and paddled watercraft. The five-acre site of the new museum has stunning west-facing views of Little Lake, allows guests to learn the fascinating stories of the watercraft and Canada's collective history and enjoy the outdoors firsthand: you can walk through the front doors and paddle out the back!

Thousand Islands 

Thousand Islands is one of the oldest and most popular holiday destinations in Ontario. Spread across an 80km stretch of the St Lawrence River, with the Canada/US border running through the middle, Thousand Islands is a lovely retreat for those looking to get away from cities and embrace the outdoors. This picturesque maze of islands offers a lot of relaxing activities to enjoy. Boating is one of the most popular things to do in the area with scenic, narrated boat tours taking you between the islands, under bridges, and to fairytale-style castles. Rafting, cycling, go-karts and distilleries are also activities you can look forward to enjoying here.

St Lawrence Market

St Lawrence Market is one of the premier landmarks in Toronto and has been welcoming visitors for more than two hundred years. This epic market is home to hundreds of vendors selling everything from fresh seafood and tasty sandwiches to local honey and Canadian wines. The variety of stalls means everyone who wanders in will find something to pique their interest. It’s also a fantastic spot to pick up a souvenir for yourself or someone back home. If you are looking for delicious food options during your Toronto exploration, definitely stop by St Lawrence Market.

READ ALSO: A guide to Toronto’s neighbourhoods

These are just some of the many amazing attractions to visit in Ontario, but we hope this has given you a good starting point as you plan your future holiday to Canada. No matter how you want to experience Ontario, our Canada travel experts can make it happen by helping you put together the perfect itinerary.

For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our blog.