With so much to see and do, Ontario is the perfect destination for those who want to enjoy a vacation with a difference.
Compared to some other parts of North America, Ontario isn’t actually that packed with tourists, so you will have plenty of space in which to enjoy all of the perks of this province – from its action-packed cities to its gorgeous countryside and beauty spots.
What is amazing about Ontario is the huge geographical area that it covers. It borders New York to the east, has Detroit to the south, and is close to the reservations and national forests of Minnesota. And that’s before we mention the Canadian areas of interest – Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara Falls, and much more besides.
A tour of Ontario will deliver a vacation you will never forget, from stunning views and Insta-worthy moments to cultural and dining experiences that you will want to last forever.
To mark your card, here are some of the best things to see and do in Ontario.
Visit Niagara Falls
One of Canada’s most visited tourist destinations is Niagara Falls, and with good reason – it’s exhilarating to hear the water thundering over the cliff edge, and you will surely marvel at one of nature’s great wonders.
However, there is so much more to the Niagara region than just its famous waterfalls. You can visit Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, and if you still have an appetite for more environmental wonders, you can stop by the Horseshoe Falls.
Should you need any further convincing, Niagara also plays host to the most comprehensive wine region in the province, and as well as being iconic for that very reason, the local wines also help to inform the food scene in the region.
Spin the wheel at the casino
Ontario is arguably Canada’s casino capital, with a number of the country’s leading gaming venues to be found in the province.
If you’ve already been seduced by the idea of a trip to Niagara Falls, then you can actually combine a trip to the landmark with a night in one of the area’s vaunted casinos. Of those, Casino Niagara is one of the best known – it has a whopping 13,000 slot machines, plus roulette wheels, blackjack tables, and a dedicated sports section. There are also four different restaurants and live entertainment.
Other options include Casino Rama and the Caesars Windsor Hotel and Casino, though if you have a penchant for blackjack, roulette, and co but don’t have time in your schedule, you’ll be delighted to hear that online casinos in Canada have all of the top games and bonuses you could ever need!
Get up close and personal with nature
Ontario is home to the most diverse array of animals and nature you could imagine, including species native to the area that you might be able to spot in the wild to the region’s award-winning zoos and aquariums.
The province is home to a stunning biosphere, the Frontenach Arch, which is a particularly unique way to get close to local nature, and there are countless areas of natural beauty and wildlife sanctuaries from east to west.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is home to 20,000 – yes, you read that correctly – different species of underwater mammals and sea creatures, while Toronto Zoo is host to more than 5,000 animals of all shapes and sizes.
For something a little bit different, the Indian River Reptile Zoo is one of the world’s few accredited reptile zoos, and is home to species that you will do well to find anywhere else on the planet – unless you are willing to trek and swim through the most treacherous terrain, that is!
If you like to spend time out on the open water, the Wawa region comes highly recommended – as does a trip to Lake Superior. You can embark on a guided tour of the backcountry, paddling in the crystal-clear waters of the lake or trying your hand at freshwater fishing.
And you might not know it, but Ontario has stacks of different beaches you can visit – some popular with locals, some well off the beaten track.
Feel the action
Name a sport, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Ontario has in abundance.
Hockey fans can hit the stands to watch the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL, while basketball fans will be treated to the slam-dunking skills of the 2019 Championship-winning Toronto Raptors.
The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the most decorated teams in MLB (that’s baseball if you were wondering), while the Canadian Football League is a highly entertaining alternative to the NFL.
Tourists from Europe may want their soccer fix, and Ontario is home to a number of quality outfits. The most notable is Toronto FC, which won the MLS Cup in 2017.
If you want to play some sports while in Ontario, then you can sample any of the above in many of the towns and cities in the region, as well as tennis, golf, sailing, and many other options.
Catch a show
Ontario is a cultural hotspot for live music, comedy, opera, ballet, and other forms of entertainment.
The National Ballet of Canada is based in Toronto and regularly tours locally and overseas, and they share a home with the Canadian Opera Company at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
If live music is your thing, you can get down and grungy with rock bands or enjoy a night of classical music – there truly is something for everyone in Ontario. Head to the Rogers Centre, Massey Hall in Toronto, or the FirstOntario Concert Hall. Ottawa is a beacon for symphonic music, with everything from the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra to the more laidback vibes of the Ottawa Pops Symphony.
Movie lovers will find hundreds of cinemas and open-air theatres in the region, and if you are in town at the right time, you could even frequent the Ontario and Toronto International Film Festivals.
