Ontario is home to a variety of city landscapes surrounded by dense forests and countless lakes. From the capital of the country in Ottawa to the most populated city in Toronto, you can find so many things to do within Ontario. In our list, we have activities for the sports fan, the hiker, the theatre buff, and everyone in between. Explore this list and plan your trips to include all the best that Ontario has to offer! Don’t forget to use Canoo and access some of these spots for free.
See the Sleeping Giant
The Sleeping Giant is a series of hills formed by the erosion on the Sibley Peninsula near Thunder Bay. From the right, this landscape resembles a giant lying on its back. Situated in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, you will also find over 100 kilometers of incredible hiking trails, some of the best cross-country skiing, and excellent wildlife within the park’s boreal forest including deer, wolf, fox, lynx and 200 plus bird species.
Point Pelee
Reach the southernmost point of Canada by visiting Point Pelee National Park. With the peninsula that stretches into Lake Erie, you can walk to the very edge for a beautiful view! From marshlands to woods, the wide array of natural habitats also includes access to plant and animal life that you will not see in many other places. Local Tip: September can be a spectacular time to visit because you will have the chance to see millions of monarch butterflies on their migration south for the winter.
Hockey Hall of Fame
A sacred site for Canadians—for whom ice hockey is a national obsession—the Hockey Hall of Fame holds a treasure trove of memorabilia, including the original Stanley Cup. Housed inside a grand 19th-century Bank of Montreal building, it also features interactive games including a virtual shoot out, where visitors can test their hockey skills right in the heart of downtown Toronto.
Toronto Kensington Market
Eclectic, diverse, and graffiti-slathered, Toronto’s Kensington Market is one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. The district is home to produce vendors, food sellers, vintage clothes shops, bric-a-brac boutiques, buskers, cafés, and restaurants. You could spend all day there and still not see it all!
Royal Ontario Museum
Established in 1914, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada’s largest museum. Housed inside a heritage-meets-modern building, it boasts a collection of over 6 million pieces relating to world culture and natural history. With a variety of items, you and your family can view the T-rex bones, try on chainmail, and learn about a variety of topics through the permanent exhibitions, as well as the always-changing temporary exhibitions. You’ll be sure to see something new with each visit. Users of Canoo get to experience the ROM for free!
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Attend a Toronto Home Game
For sports, Toronto is home to some of Canada’s biggest sports teams and you can catch them all. The Toronto Blue Jays recently renovated their stadium, Rogers Centre, to make it even more fun for baseball fans. Those new sections include Park Social, a space on the 500-level overlooking left field. Below that is The Catch, a bar space perched above the visitors’ bullpen.
The NBA Toronto Raptors and the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs can both be seen at the Scotiabank Arena. This state of the art stadium can seat almost 20,000 people, so bring everyone you know to an evening out enjoying the sports we all love. Just outside of downtown Toronto, you can visit BMO Field to see major league soccer games supporting Toronto FC. For the American Football fans, you can also catch the CFL stars, Toronto Argonauts, here.
CN Tower
The CN (Canadian National) Tower was finished on April 2, 1975, opening to the public on June 26, 1976. At 553 metres, it was the tallest freestanding structure in the world until surpassed by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in 2009. Although it is now the 8th tallest building in the world, the image from the top of the CN Tower is hard to beat with a panoramic view that is an absolute must-see. And if that’s not enough, you can walk around the outside of the tower if you’re brave enough! That’s right, the EdgeWalk allows you to march around the rim of the CN Tower, over 500 metres above the city.
Haliburton Forest Wolf Centre
Haliburton Forest, north of Toronto, is amazing to visit, and here, you can see the pack of wild wolves that roam the land. From behind a glass wall that keeps human contact to a minimum, it is safe for the whole family. The Wolf Centre is a massive, indoor facility that houses a self-guided tour with exhibits, a large indoor observatory, and it is completely wheelchair accessible.
Stratford Festival
Stratford is a beautiful town 2 hours from Toronto located on the Avon River. It feels like a slice of old England with the Avon and Festival Theatres being the main draw in town displaying plays by William Shakespeare and popular musicals like, Rent. While the theatre attracts crowds and actors from around the world, it is also a very picturesque town in Ontario you need to explore. For more information on travelling to Stratford, explore our guide here!
Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Provincial Park is in southeastern Ontario. Its forests, rivers, and lakes, including the large Lake of Two Rivers, are home to moose, bears, and loons. Though incredibly vast in wilderness, it’s only 3 hours from Toronto; about 4.5 hours from Ottawa. Outdoor aficionados call it some of the best camping in the world, whether in a backcountry tent or a cozy pine cabin.
Ottawa Parliament Buildings
Canada’s Parliament Buildings are a marker of democracy and active citizenship in Ottawa. Located on Parliament Hill, these striking gothic buildings have dominated Ottawa’s waterfront since 1859. As a national historic site in Canada, you can tour the buildings, walk around the grounds, and even sit in on a parliament meeting.
Rideau Canal
Built between 1826 and 1832 to offer passage for British ships from Montreal through Ottawa to Kingston and the Great Lakes, the Rideau Canal is an engineering masterpiece extending for 202 kilometers. Ottawa’s most visited stretch in the shadow of Parliament Hill and lures boaters, cyclists, and strollers in summer, and ice skaters during the winter. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-visit spot when in the beautiful city of Ottawa!
Thirty Thousand Islands
The world’s largest freshwater archipelago spans along the eastern shore of Lake Huron at the connection with Georgian Bay. Canada’s famous band of artists “The Group of Seven” made this part of Ontario a major focus of their paintings. You can view a lot of their work at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto or the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg. There are also boat tours through this area with some excellent shipwreck diving here, as well.
Cheltenham Badlands
One of Ontario’s geological treasures, the Cheltenham Badlands formed at the base of ancient sea about 450 million years ago. As a result of terrible environmental practices, the red shale landscape is now exposed creating a lunar-like feel to the region. The 91-acre site is a provincially significant area for those interested in natural and scientific spaces! Its resemblance to the Badlands of Alberta or South Dakota. This is a rarity in Ontario making it one of the most visited natural landmarks in the province.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge, spanning the border between the province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York in the United States. They are the second largest falls on the globe next to Victoria Falls in southern Africa. There has been some controversy as to whether or not Niagara Falls is a Wonder of the World. Upon visiting Niagara Falls, you will see why it should absolutely be considered a natural wonder.
Gananoque
On the shore of the St. Lawrence River, Gananoque is often referred to as the Gateway to the Thousand Islands. With boat tours running often, you will have the chance to see many of the islands and hear stories from the past about pirates and bootleggers in the area. There is also an opportunity to go fishing, kayaking and with easy access to nearby Kingston, you will find shopping and delicious dining options.
Prince Edward County
Known for the charming small towns, beautiful beaches and waterfront views, Prince Edward County is home to a variety of festivals highlighting the arts, craftwork, and culinary expertise in the region. With countless wineries along the way, you will feel relaxed beyond measure in this oasis.
Ontario is a remarkable destination that offers an abundance of diverse experiences for every traveler. From its vibrant cities to its stunning natural landscapes, this Canadian province truly has something for everyone.
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