Home to both Canada’s largest city (Toronto) and its capital (Ottawa), the province of Ontario is a powerhouse of Canadian culture, economics, and population. Many travelers stick to the areas of southern Ontario around these two major cities. Chalk it up to Toronto’s museums like the Art Gallery of Ontario, nearby Niagara Falls (and the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve), and Ottawa’s Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). However, the rest of the province has a lot to offer, too. Vast forests, numerous provincial parks, and four of the five Great Lakes of North America are among the many things to do in Ontario.
There’s never a bad time to visit this vast and varied province, thanks to its dynamic urban hubs of Toronto and Ottawa, as well as its Great Lakes coastlines and dramatic landscapes. Summer is the time to celebrate Canada Day (on July 1) in the capital, attend festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival and Toronto Pride, as well as enjoy beach and boating excursions. In winter, the best things to do in Ontario include Christmas markets, ice rinks, and ski resorts like Blue Mountain.
Toronto and Ottawa are the region’s two major urban hubs. The province has four main airports: Toronto Pearson International Airport, London International Airport, Ottawa International Airport, and Thunder Bay International Airport. The region’s cities have many public transportation options, and mainline trains and buses (via routes like the Trans Canada Highway) also traverse the province. Multi-day tours make it easy to discover its cities, blockbuster attractions such as Niagara Falls, and scenic national and provincial parks.
Visiting in winter? You may get lucky and enjoy a northern lights show. While the aurora borealis is clearest in Canada’s northerly regions, you can still see it this far south, particularly on clear winter evenings. Popular viewing spots include Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Pukaskwa National Park, and other dark-sky spots outside of the cities.
Local Currency Canadian Dollar (CA$) | Time Zone EDT (UTC -5) | Country Code +1 | Language(s) English | Attractions 99 | Tours 810 | Reviews 38,158 |
Ontario is home to Toronto, Canada’s largest city, as well as Ottawa, its capital. Other well-known attractions include the mighty Niagara Falls and the wine-producing Niagara region. Don’t miss its many lakes, including the Great Lakes of Ontario, Lake Erie, Huron, and Superior.
...MoreMost travelers focus on the areas around Toronto and Ottawa. Set aside around three days each to visit the main cultural and natural highlights. However, this is an enormous province, and you would need weeks to travel across it and see all its attractions.
...MoreNiagara Falls, which sits on the border with the US, is Ontario’s most visited place. Other popular destinations in the province are Toronto, Ottawa (Canada’s capital city), and Algonquin Provincial Park. Don’t miss the 1000 Islands region and Niagara-on-the-Lake, a historic winemaking town near Niagara Falls.
...MoreOne of the best things to do in Ontario is visit Niagara Falls, an impressive natural landmark not far from Toronto. The nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake is another not-to-be-missed destination, especially for travelers who love history and wine. Don’t skip the Algonquin Provincial Park, either, for a glimpse of the region’s natural scenery.
...MoreMany people consider the natural areas and provincial parks to be the prettiest parts of Ontario. Algonquin Provincial Park contains pretty rivers and lakes, as well as wildlife. Niagara Falls is another pretty natural spot as is Georgian Bay. And don’t miss the 1000 Islands region of the Saint Lawrence River.
...MoreNo, they are not the same place, although they overlap. Toronto is a city within the province, and one of the most popular locations in Ontario, alongside other hubs like Ottawa, Hamilton, and Kitchener.
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