Ontario has innumerable places to visit, from museums and galleries to waterfalls and national parks. It has endless forests, over 250,000 lakes, and abundant wildlife. From small towns to big cities, this province can provide the best destinations you seek. Stay tuned and be ready to get a fantastic glimpse of Ontario and its must-visit places:
Niagara Falls is one of Canada’s top internationally recognized attractions and natural landmarks on the Canada-US border. You can enjoy the serenity, the calming sound of the water, and the chilly haze that fills the air. There are three sets of falls. The largest section, Horseshoe Falls, is also called the Canadian Falls. A crescent-shaped cataract measuring 77 feet in height drops nearly 57 meters. Here, you can indulge in lots of fun activities like riding the Niagara Sky Wheel, climbing the Skylon Tower (which offers a unique view of three falls), getting festive at the Festival of Brightness and Lights, seeing the beauty of fall lights at night and enjoying the breathtaking view from a helicopter ride also!
2. Niagara on the Lake
Niagara on the Lake (or NOTL for short) is located on the Niagara Peninsula, where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario, across the river from New York. It is an attractive lakeshore town to visit in the summer. Nevertheless, it becomes even more spectacular when the snowfall starts. The town is only a 20-minute from Niagara Falls, so it is worth a quick side visit. You can plan a day here to explore Historical Queen Street, Fort George, drive the Niagara Parkway, enjoy a play at the Shaw Festival, or catch a drive to Niagara Falls.
3. Toronto’s CN Tower
The Canadian National Tower is a telecommunications and broadcast tower in Toronto. It is one of Canada’s most important and recognizable icons, standing tall along the Toronto skyline. It’s an incredible 1,814 feet (553.3 meters) tall! When it was built in 1975, the CN Tower was officially the tallest tower in the world and the tallest free-standing structure. If you have time to spend in CN Tower, you can get adventurous and try out the egg walk or have dinner at 360 Restaurant!
4. Blue Moutain
The Blue Mountains is a town in Grey County that consists of many small communities. That includes Thornbury, Clarksburg, Heathcote, Christie Beach, and Ravenna. This location is picturesque in the summer and phenomenal during “apple season” in the autumn, but the town is most popular for its mountains.
Want to have some fun activities while exploring Blue Mountain? Plan a day with your pals to go downhill for skiing and skyboarding, hiking or mountain biking, or simply exploring the shops in this mountain village. You can also go gondola riding or ziplining to get a 360-degree spectacular view of scenic Blue Mountain. And if you aren’t in the mood for skiing or snowboarding, look at Blue Mountain Village and enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the cafes or a meal in one of the many restaurants in the village.
5. Bruce Peninsula National Park
Bruce Peninsula National Park was established to protect this unique land. It is an integral part of the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve. The park includes the longest stretch of undeveloped Niagara Escarpment and Lake Huron shoreline, which will be protected for future generations. This national park offers numerous challenging trails for hiking and snowshoeing. The rugged cliffs, forests covered with snow and icicles, eye-catching views of Georgian Bay, and exotic wildlife make this place truly amazing.
6. Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Provincial Park is between Georgian Bay and the Ottawa River in Ontario. This provincial park in Ontario is one of the largest and covers numerous trails, rivers, and lakes. This park is a true heaven for people who want to explore wildlife or go trout fishing. Some of the best outdoor activities here are camping, hiking, snowshoeing, and stargazing.
7. Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Island is a beautiful island in Lake Huron, settled at intervals on the borders of the Canadian province of Ontario in the bioregion known as Laurentia. It’s the Largest fresh island on the globe. Here, you can spend your time doing many outdoor activities like hiking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, or swimming on the beaches. According to many, this place will instantly blow your mind with its open space area and spectacular views when you first visit this place.
8. Pelee Island
Pelee Island, Ontario, is an amazing island in the western half of Lake Erie. Pelee Island is joined to the Canadian and United States mainland via ferry service. Pelee Island can satisfy your desire for quietness or new sights and sounds. You can explore this place by simply going for a walk or taking a bike tour. This island is home to Lighthouse Point Nature Reserve, Provincial Nature Reverse, and Nature Conservancy of Canada Areas. Also, don’t forget to enjoy the nightlife and visit the local shops, vineyards, and food and drinks!
10. Hamilton
Hamilton is one of Ontario’s greatest places to visit during winter because of its festive downtown area. Also, there are over 100 waterfalls within the city limits. Hamilton is one of the famous places in Ontario for its industrial heritage. It has a unique urban feel, an arts scene, and a bustling downtown between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment. At Hamilton, you can enjoy nature hiking trails, picnicking in parks, watching waterfalls, seeing Christmas trees, light displays, Christmas Carol Rarade, and visiting art galleries.
11. Kingston
Kingston is a small city located on the shore of Lake Ontario, approximately 3 hours east of Toronto. This pleasant university town was the nation’s first capital city, even before it was called Canada. Try ice skating at Springer Market Square, especially at night. The neighboring city lights and the views of Kingston City Hall in the backdrop make a perfect combination! MacDonald Park and Lake Ontario Park are within the city area. They are the perfect place to enjoy nature and the beautiful waterfront without much traveling. Several activities are available here, such as ice hockey games, light shows, free events, ice sculptures, and ice slides.
12. Nathan Phillips Square
Nathan Phillips Square is an urban plaza situated in the heart of Toronto. It is the city’s second most iconic landmark ( after the CN Tower)and one of the favorite tourist places to visit in Ontario. During winter seasons, the big water fountain in front freezes beautifully into a public skating rink, and this is one of the best urban skating rinks. You can enjoy the city’s yearly events, become a part of its concerts, Shop at Farmers’ markets, and get mesmerized by the art displays.
13. Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay is the most visited city in Northern Ontario. The drive can be difficult for those living in southern Ontario, but this tiring tour to northern Ontario is worth it for you. Lake Superior and the Thunder Bay area provide some of the province’s best natural beaches, waterfalls, and cliff sights. During winter, various activities are available at Lake Superior and Thunder Bay.
One of Thunder Bay’s most popular ice-fishing hotspots is Lac des Mille Lacs near Upsala. Other unique activities in the Thunder Bay region include fat biking, skating, and more. Some famous spots to explore here are the Terry Fox Monument, Fort William Historical Park, The Blue Point Amethyst Mine, Mount McKay, and Marina Park.
14. Parliament Hill in Ottawa
Parliament Hill is a region of Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Those fortunate enough to visit Ottawa on July 1 can enjoy some of the biggest Canada Day celebrations in the nation. And if you visit in Summer, you can enjoy the Changing of the Guard on the lawn in front of the Houses of Parliament.
15. Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve
Torrance Barrens Conservation Area is the world’s 1st Dark Sky Preserve. Located far away from large cities and their bright light, Torrance Barrens can preserve the night’s natural darkness. Torrance Barrens is undoubtedly the perfect place to watch the night sky, which is captivating and soothing to the eye. You can see the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way with your naked eyes, spot the various planets in the Solar System, and observe the rings of Saturn with the help of a telescope. You may glimpse the northern lights (aurora borealis) if you are lucky enough. September and October are perfect for this phenomenon to appear.
16. National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa has one of the world’s finest collections of Indigenous and Canadian art; it houses some of the country’s most important collections.It contains a specifically strong selection of works by Canadian designers, from the Group of Seven to Emily Carr and many other famous names. The gallery also displays crucial pieces by well-known international artists.
17. Rideau Canal, Ottawa
The Rideau Canal is one of the perfect places to visit in Ontario during winter. This spectacular engineering feat stretches 200 km from Kingston to Ottawa, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is the world’s largest skating rink.
18. Thousand Islands
Thousand Islands is actually over 1800 islands situated in the St. Lawrence River between the United States of America and Canada. The elegance is all around the St. Lawrence River, and the mesmerizing blue water renders a staggering contrast to the islands of green. This is a perfect place to spend some alone time relaxing at a cottage, catching fish, boating, and strolling around the lighthouses and castles.
19. Tobermory
From the extremely blue-green waters at Indian Head Cove and the epic Grotto swimming spots to the hollowed shipwrecks and stone wonders of Flowerpot Island, you must free up some space in that camera roll before you reach here. The community is called the “freshwater SCUBA diving capital of the world” because of the abundant shipwrecks in the surrounding waters, especially in Fathom 5 National Marine Park. At Tobermory, you can check out the world’s famous Flowerpot Island in the Fathom Five National Park, discover the lighthouses, and enjoy the sunset and the local flora and fauna. Feeling hungry? Eat fantastic fish tacos at Fish & Chip Place, or grab some ice cream!
Did the article help you sort places according to your interests? Ontario Province is one of the favourite getaways for Canadians. List these places, and when you are on vacation, visit them all without a second thought!
Last Updated on March 23, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty
Ontario’s beauty unfolds in the “20 Best Places You Can Visit.” From the iconic CN Tower in Toronto to the natural wonders of Algonquin Park and the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls, this list captures the province’s rich tapestry. Whether exploring historic streets in Niagara-on-the-Lake, immersing in cultural gems like the Royal Ontario Museum, or escaping to the tranquility of Bruce Peninsula, each destination offers a unique experience. Ontario’s blend of urban charm, natural splendor, and quaint towns makes it a must-visit for every traveler.