18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Ontario
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1. Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is Canada's most internationally recognized attraction, visited by millions of tourists each year. While there are actually three sets of falls, the largest section, known as Horseshoe Falls, drops approximately 57 meters, creating a great wall of water that stretches between Niagara Falls, Canada and Niagara Falls, USA. The falls are famous primarily for the large volume of water flowing over them, but combined with the huge drop, they are truly a magnificent sight.
The falls are located right at the city of Niagara Falls, making them easy to visit. It's possible to walk down the main tourist strip in Niagara Falls, an outrageous spectacle in itself, to the edge of the gorge, where you'll find great views all along the walkway overlooking the river and the falls. Day trip tours can be easily arranged from hotels or hostels in Toronto. By car, the trip from Toronto takes about 1.5 hours.
The CN Tower is one of Canada's most iconic structures, standing tall along the Toronto skyline. The 553-meter tower is lit up at night and can be seen from all over the city and surroundings at any time of day or night, but visitors will likely want to take a trip up the tower to fully experience it.
An elevator allows access to the observation deck and restaurant, located about three quarters of the way to the top. The view is astounding, looking out over the city and Lake Ontario. On clear days, it's possible to see all the way to the plume of mist rising off Niagara Falls. In the evening, looking out over the sparkling city lights is also an impressive sight.
The tower is located in the heart of downtown Toronto, and at the base is the new Ripley's Aquarium and Rogers Centre, two of Toronto's top attractions.
Parliament Hill in the nation's capital is where most visitors begin their sightseeing in Ottawa. The buildings reside in a lovely setting on a rise above the Ottawa River. The Peace Tower is the most obvious and the most photographed structure, standing more than 90 meters high between the Senate and the House of Commons.
In front of the Parliament buildings is the Centennial Flame. During the summer, visitors can see the Changing of the Guard on the lawn in front of the Houses of Parliament, while those who are lucky enough to be visiting Ottawa on July 1 can enjoy some of the biggest Canada Daycelebrations in the country.
Daily guided tours of the Parliament Buildings, including the Senate, House of Commons, and the East Block are available free of charge. Tickets are available same day, although it's strongly advised that you book well in advance online.
Ontario has many outstanding provincial and national parks that offer access to some of the most beautiful areas of the province. In these parks, you'll find Ontario's best lakes, where you can fish, swim, and go pleasure boating. If hitting the beach and laying in the sand is more your thing, the parks are also hot spots for Ontario's best beaches.
On the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, Bruce Peninsula National Park offers its own attractions, and nearby but offshore, boaters and divers can find adventure exploring Georgian Bay Islands National Park and the Fathom Five National Marine Park.
You can also find history in some of the parks. The petroglyphs of Petroglyphs Provincial Park, just a short drive northeast of Peterborough, offer an easy and close-up look at an outstanding collection of 500 to 1,000-year-old Aboriginal rock carvings. Somewhat more difficult to access, but also impressive, are the pictographs that line the cliff walls on the shoreline of Lake Superior in Lake Superior Provincial Park.
Those who are looking for a truly remote experience will find invitingly pristine lakes and forests in Quetico Provincial Park in Northwestern Ontario. This is a popular area for backcountry canoe trips and fishing trips.
The Royal Ontario Museum in downtown Toronto is one of the premier museums in the province, featuring a broad range of collections, from natural history and science to cultural exhibits from around the world.
Commonly referred to as the ROM, this museum underwent an expansion in 2007, which saw the addition of a modern and unique extension known as the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. The building is now a mix of old and new architecture with a striking appearance.
The Royal Ontario Museum is within walking distance of the fascinating Gardiner Museum and the tony shops of Bloor Avenue.
About 30 kilometers northwest of Toronto's city center is Canada's Wonderland, a huge theme park, which operates during the summer months. For local residents with kids, an annual visit to Canada's wonderland is one of the top things to do in summer. But, as Canada's premier amusement park, this attraction draws families from across the country.
Roller coasters and thrill rides for children of all ages, as well as a water park, dinosaur park, and live shows, are just some of the attractions. Visiting Wonderland is an easy day trip from Toronto.
The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa houses some of the country's most important collections. It contains a particularly strong selection of works by Canadian artists, from the Group of Seven to Emily Carr and many other famous names. The gallery also displays important pieces by well-known international artists.
The National Gallery building is housed in an ultra-modern architectural masterpiece designed by Moshe Safdie.
After you visit this fascinating museum, continue your museum tour by heading across the bridge to Canadian Museum of History, or stroll over to the wonderful ByWard Market for a bite.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is the most famous event on Ontario's calendar, attracting some of the biggest movie stars across North America. This 10-day festival, held in early September in Toronto, is one of the best attended film festivals in the world, with almost a half million visitors annually.
Tourists and locals descend on the city to watch a film or catch a glimpse of some of their favorite actors, and the city is a buzz of activity. At this time of year, the weather is still hot, and evenings are pleasant. The streets are full of people, restaurants are booked well in advance, and outdoor patios in the city are crowded until late at night. If you are visiting Toronto at this time of year, make sure you book your hotel and restaurants well in advance.
In downtown Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is one of Canada's most prestigious art galleries. It hosts a particularly impressive collection ofCanadian paintings with a focus on artists from Ontario and Toronto. It also holds Canada's largest collection of African and Oceanic Art displayed in a museum. Other highlights include paintings and sculpture by European masters and Modern and Contemporary collections from North America and Europe. Temporary exhibitions are held throughout the year, check the AGO's website for the most current list.
Spread over an 80-kilometer stretch of the St. Lawrence River is a scenic natural area known as the Thousand Islands. The islands are on a granite shelf extending from the Canadian Shield to the Adirondack Mountains in the United States, with the US-Canada boundary actually running between the islands. It is one of the oldest and best-known holiday areas in Ontario, popular with cottagers, boaters, and those looking to get away from the cities of Southern Ontario during the hot summer months.
One of the most popular things to do in this area is a Thousand Islands Sunset Dinner Cruise through the maze of islands. Gananoque is the principle resort town in the area and the main gateway to the Thousand Islands.
Northern Ontario is one of the best places in Canada for fishing. Walleye, pickerel, bass, northern pike, and muskies are some of the most sought-after catches, and people from all over North America come here to try their luck. And you don't have to be all that lucky if you know where to go.
Fishing lodges in Ontario range from luxury resorts to rustic cottages, but most offer everything you need to make your trip a success, including boats, guides, meals, and cabins. The best fishing is often found on remote northern lakes, and accessed by small float planes. Resorts either offer fly-in packages, or in some cases, boat pickup. You can also find a number of good drive-to resorts.
12. Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada | photographer / photo modified
The historic Trent-Severn Canal, built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, is a system of waterways linking Lake Ontario with Georgian Bay on Lake Huron. The canal winds its way through a series of rivers and lakes, such as the Trent River and Lake Simcoe, in the east of Ontario. The changing levels are met with more than 40 locks, including the world's highest hoist, built in 1905 at Peterborough, covering a height of 20 meters.
In the past, the canal was mainly used for carrying grain and timber, but today, the Trent-Severn Waterway is a part of Parks Canada and officially called the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada. It is used largely for tourism and recreational boaters. At some of the locks, there are camping facilities and grassy areas for picnics.
A great way to experience the Trent-Severn Waterway is on a Kawartha Voyageur Cruise. These multiday cruises allow you to see the sights and the locks at a leisurely pace, by basking on the sundeck or stopping at various ports.
One of Ontario's most famous summer hot spots is an area known as Cottage Country, or Muskoka. Located north of Toronto, this region is centered around Lake Muskoka and a number of other popular lakes in the area.
Although you can find areas of equal beauty all over Ontario, this region's proximity to the city, just two to three-hours from Toronto, has made it extremely popular. The lakes are surrounded by high-end cottages and summer homes of Torontonians. On weekends, the highways to Cottage Country are clogged with traffic as people flee the heat of the city, to relax around the lakes.
This is also a fun area to visit, with many people renting cottages here or staying at luxury resorts. There are a number of small communities in Cottage Country, although the primary town is Gravenhurst, located on the shores of Lake Muskoka. From here, visitors can hop on historical steamships for a short cruise and tour of the lake.
Fort William Historical Park is the reconstruction of the inland headquarters operated by the Northwest Company of the Canadian fur trade from 1803 to 1821. Situated on the banks of the Kaministiquia River in south Thunder Bay, the Fort comprises 57 buildings on 250 acres.
Each summer, fur traders, voyageurs, and first nations people would converge upon the Fort for the annual "rendezvous," which saw the transfer of tons of furs coming in from western posts with trade goods coming from Montreal, all conveyed by birch bark canoes within one season. This system enabled the Nor'Westers to emerge as a dominant force in the fur trade.
The Fort offers a fascinating looking at fur trade life, touching upon themes from furs and food to muskets and medicine, and highlighting a cultural mosaic of Scottish fur traders, French Canadian voyageurs, farmers and artisans, and aboriginals and Métis.
The park is not all about the fur trade, though. On the same grounds is the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory (DTAO). The observatory is home to one of Canada's largest public telescopes.
To discover Ontario's remote wilderness landscapes, one of the best places to visit is Lake of the Woods and the surround areas. This huge body of water lies on the lightly populated provincial borders of Manitoba and Ontario, and also dips into the state of Minnesota. This beautiful lake provides an incredibly scenic setting and pristine wilderness experience for those interested in venturing into the backcountry.
Many people have cottages on Lake of the Woods, but its distance from major cities and the size of the lake mean cottages are few and far between. It is also a prime destination for tourists who come to Canada to go on fishing trips.
Lake of the Woods provides excellent opportunities for boating, fishing, and simply escaping into the Canadian wilderness. Islands fringe the heavily indented Canadian north shore, while the south shore is flat, sandy, and marshy in places. Beginning in 1688, the lake provided trappers and voyageurs with a passage westwards.
The main town on Lake of the Woods is Kenora, Ontario. This is where you can find lodging, plan charter flights, hire fishing guides, and get supplies.
Blue Mountain Resort, just outside the town of Collingwood, on the shores of Georgian Bay, is one of the most popular ski resorts in Ontario. Blue Mountain Village, at the base of the hill, features fine-dining restaurants, top-end shops, and first-class accommodation. The hill itself is family oriented and extremely popular with Torontonians.
The resort is open year-round and almost as busy in summer as it is in winter, with activities that range from rock climbing and ziplining to mountain biking and hiking.
William Shakespeare would be proud of the fine folks who live in Stratford who, each summer, put on an incredible internationally renowned summer festival celebrating his works. Stratford is just 60 kilometers northeast of London, Ontario, and draws particularly large crowds from the Toronto area.
The 2,250-seat Festival Theatre has been staging plays between May and October since 1953, with pride of place going to Shakespeare. There are now four theater venues, and plays by other famous writers, along with up-and-coming playwrights, are also presented. Most seasons, at least 12 productions are shown.
18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Québec
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1. Place Royale
Place Royale
Place Royale is the birthplace of Québec City, where Samuel de Champlain established the first habitation in 1608 and where there remains an outstanding collection of 17th- and 18th-century buildings that are a small sampling of Old Québec. The pretty stone church Notre-Dame des Victoires, dating to 1688, faces the square, along with modern tourist attractions like an outpost of the Musée de la Civilisation.
There is plenty of Old Québec City sightseeing within blocks, especially in the delightful Quartier Petit-Champlain, where historic buildings line narrow pedestrian-only streets. Here, you will find plenty of things to see and do, including artisan boutiques, a variety of fantastic restaurants, and a historic-themed trompe-l'oeil mural.
Overlooking Québec City, the grandiose Château Frontenac is the most iconic building in the provincial capital, visible from miles away. Canadian Pacific Railway constructed the hotel in 1894, and it still welcomes guests from around the world in one of the most romantic settings you can find.
The hillside vantage was once the location of Fort St.-Louis, but today, the wide boardwalk of Terrasse Dufferin provides scenic views south to Levis and the St. Lawrence River. Both hotel guests and tourists can see the ruins of the fort that lie beneath the Promenade des Gouverneurs, a main road which leads south toward the Plains of Abraham and the Citadel.
Address: 1 Rue des Carrières, Québec City, Québec
3. Musee de la Civilisation (Museum of Civilization)
Museum of Civilization, Quebec City
Sitting on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec City's Vieux Port (Old Port) area, the Museum of Civilization houses an astounding collection of artifacts and exhibits dedicated to human civilization around the world.
Permanent collections also include exhibits focused on regional history, including the history of the first encounters between European and native peoples, the development of the territories, and the people of Québec.
Other permanent exhibits explore important landmark buildings, the history of the sugar beet industry, the history of horse-drawn carriages, and even a "digital laboratory" where visitors can do their own research. Temporary exhibits cover a variety of anthropological topics, from aboriginal societies to explorations of how the modern digital age has affected human civilization.
Many of the exhibits include interactive elements, both for younger visitors and adults, and there are special kids' activities available as well. Guided tours are available.
There is also an outpost of the Museum of Civilization at Place Royale, and tourists can learn more about the history of French-Canadians at the Musée de l'Amérique Francophone (Museum of French America), which specializes in looking at the history and present state of French immigrants in the Americas; it is located in the city's Upper Town at the historic Séminaire de Québec.
Just northeast of Québec City, the wide sweeping waterfall of Chutes Montmorency cascades down an 84-meter escarpment. The falls are higher than Niagara Falls, and a narrow pedestrian suspension bridge crosses the Montmorency River to île d'Orléans, enabling you to watch the water rush over the edge right beneath your feet.
There is also a cable car, which travels to the top of the falls and provides great views of the surrounding landscape, and the Montmorency Manor houses an interpretive center and a restaurant. Visitors can also enjoy views of the falls from the numerous trails, stairways, and viewing platforms, and there are several picnic areas.
Best explored on foot, Old Montréal is a concentration of 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century buildings at the edge of the city's Old Port. Many of the top Montréal tourist attractions are within this historic section of the city, including the neo-Gothic Notre-Dame Basilica and the pedestrian-friendly square at Place Jacques-Cartier.
The Old Port area is home to many things to do with your family, including the Montréal Science Center and the Natrel Skating Rink. Couples and families alike will love La Grande Roue de Montréal (Observation Wheel). This newer addition to the river's edge provides spectacular views over Old Montréal, downtown, and beyond from within enclosed gondolas.
Parc Jean Drapeau on Saint Helene Island in Montreal
Île Sainte-Hélène, an artificial island that hosted the World's Fair in 1967, is now home to Parc Jean Drapeau and its numerous family-friendly attractions. The most popular thing to do with kids is a visit to the huge La Ronde Amusement Park, which offers a range of kiddie and thrill rides for all ages, as well as entertainment and games.
Montreal Biodome, the world's largest structure of its kind, is a biosphere highlighting green technology with exhibits about ecology and environmental issues; admission is free for tourists under 18.
History buffs will want to stop by the Stewart Museum, where permanent collections include thousands of pieces of art and artifacts, including household objects, military equipment and weapons, scientific equipment, and rare books. In addition, the museum hosts special exhibits and events throughout the year.
Location: Île Sainte-Hélène, Montréal, Québec
7. Canadian Museum of History
Native items on display at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau | Dennis Jarvis / photo modified
Located in Gatineau, this modern building looks across the river to the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. The flagship Canadian museum explores human history in Canada, ranging from First Nations cultures in the Pacific Northwest to Norse seafarers. In addition to permanent exhibits, the museum hosts traveling exhibits from partner museums.
Families don't need to worry about the younger ones getting bored – admission to the history museum also includes access to the Canadian Children's Museum, an interactive play-driven place where kids can get hands-on and experience a range of cultures and historic themes. There is also a seven-story IMAX theater at the museum showing a variety of films that look at Canadian history and life in the north.
The regal-looking Notre-Dame Basilica is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Old Montréal and the city's oldest church. Its twin towers and neo-Gothic façade stand above Place d'Armes, and the interior was designed by Victor Bourgeau. The church was founded in 1656, and the impressive present-day structure was built in 1829. Inside, the stained-glass windows and ornate wood carvings are a majestic sight.
Other notable features are a 7,000-pipe organ and a hand-carved pulpit; tours are available with an admission charge. Often, an evening light-and-sound show introduces Montréal history through illuminating projections.
In Québec City, there is also the Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-Quebec, known for its stained-glass windows, Episcopal canopy, and ornate altar. Completed in 1844, it was designed by the architect Baillairgé.
Address: 110 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, Québec
Sitting atop Cap Diamant and facing the St. Lawrence River, the star-shaped Citadel de Québec has been ready to defend Québec City since 1832. Its imposing presence is punctuated by thick walls and commanding ramparts, which are surrounded by deep ditches. The military museum is open year-round and housed in the fort's former 18th-century powder magazine, and during the summer months, tourists are treated to a daily morning Changing of the Guard ceremony.
The Citadel is still in use as an active military post and serves as quarters for all ranks, as well as the summer home of Canada's Governor General. It also serves as headquarters to the distinguished 22nd Canadian Regiment.
Address: 1 Côte de la Citadelle,Québec City, Québec
Ski resorts in the Canadian Laurentians are favorite winter destinations, and chief among them is Mont Tremblant – the highest peak in the Laurentians (960 meters), located about 150 kilometers north of Montréal. Good dining, entertainment, and ample accommodations define the resort community, which is housed in a quaint pedestrian village. The region is also a fall destination, when leaves turn autumn shades of orange, red, and gold.
Another popular ski area is Mont Sainte-Anne, located near Québec City. In addition to excellent winter sports conditions, the resort offers plenty of summer activities, including camping, hiking, mountain biking, and golf.
Address: 1000 Chemin des Voyageurs Mont-Tremblant, Mont Tremblant, Québec
The Chinese Garden in the Montreal Botanical Gardens
The lush and lovely Botanical Gardens cover 75 hectares adjacent to the Olympic stadium in Montréal's Parc Maisonneuve. The facility is home to both outdoor and greenhouse gardens, many of which are centered around a particular culture. Among the 20 outdoor gardens are the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, and First Nations Garden, each of which celebrates the traditions of their respective culture.
The 10 exhibition greenhouses contain a total of around 3,000 specimens, including collections of orchids, bonsai and penjing, cacti, cycads, and many others. The organization also provides talks, workshops, and other educational materials to help visitors with their own gardening endeavors.
Montreal Botanical Gardens
Also within the same park, the Insectarium is a family-friendly attraction, which introduces rare and common insects, and there is an excellent planetarium, which immerses visitors in the world of astronomy.
Address: 4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal, Québec
A hilly, largely undeveloped forest and serene lakes make up Gatineau Park, located near the city and river of the same name. Within park boundaries, Mackenzie King Estate is the former home to the eccentric Canadian prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King and at Lusk Cave, visitors can take tours of this marble cavern.
Belvédère Champlain (Champlain Lookout) is the park's most popular vantage point, providing photo-worthy views over the river valley and tree-covered hills – an especially impressive sight in autumn. A mix of walkers, cyclists, and dog owners enjoy the park trails, and there are also facilities for camping, swimming, fishing, and skiing.
The far-reaching landscape and waters of Hudson Bay are one of the most remote areas of Canada, covering an area of 637,000 square kilometers. With areas reaching into the Arctic Circle, the harsh terrain is home to rarities of the natural world. Here, you can find over 800 species of Arctic vegetation, including Arctic lupine, polar poppies, and purple saxifrage. Migratory birds, and seals are common, and polar bears sometimes make an appearance.
Hudson Bay
The bay itself is home to a healthy fish population, and Beluga whales are seen occasionally. The Inuit peoples are the traditional residents of the region, and the small outpost communities have stood the test of time.
This wild and rugged national park sits at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, jutting into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Dramatic scenery abounds, with limestone cliffs and the isolated Cap des Rosiers Lighthouse. This lighthouse is the tallest in Canada and is also home to a good information center, which provides education about the area's wildlife. This area of Gaspésie is popular with bird-watchers, and you can find several whale-watching boat excursions here. Those who are willing to take the path along Cap Bon-Ami are rewarded with stunning views of the cliffs along the cape.
Half a million pilgrims come to the quiet, riverside town of Ste-Anne de Beaupré each year, the home of the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. Saint Anne is the patron saint of Québec, and she is credited with many miraculous events. The entryway is covered in discarded crutches, which pay testament to the sick, disabled, and injured people who have reported miracle cures. The existing structure was built in 1926, however the spot has been home to a house of worship dedicated to Saint Anne since the 17th century.
Also in the area, located just northeast of Québec City, there are river canyons and waterfalls at Chutes Ste-Anne and Sept-Chutes. Here, tourists can explore the nature trails and admire the gorge from suspension bridges.
In the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the sand dunes and beaches of the Îles de la Madeleine archipelago are an idyllic and lively spot in summertime. About 90 kilometers of thread-like sand dunes connect six of the twelve islands in the Îles de la Madeleine archipelago. The islands are ideal for water sports, bird-watchers, and anyone who enjoys long walks in the dunes; the best time for a visit is in August.
Île du Havre aux Maisons, with its gentle hills, red cliffs, winding paths, and scattered houses is one of Îles de la Madeleine's most beautiful islands. Traditional homes stand between a heritage school, century-old convent, and Sainte-Madeleine Church. Also on Havre-aux-Maisons, Cap Alright has a small lighthouse and is noted for its impressive offshore rock formations.
Half the people of the archipelago live on Île du Cap aux Meules, and from here, a ferry crosses to Île d'Entrée, the only inhabited island not connected to the others. There is a wonderful view from the Butte du Vent over the surrounding islands, and on a clear day it is possible to see as far as Cape Breton Island, nearly 100 kilometers away. Île du Havre-Aubert is the southernmost island in the archipelago, and its little town has the Musée de la Mer.
17. Bonaventure Island (île Bonaventure)
Bonaventure Island
This island off the Gaspé Peninsula in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is a renowned bird sanctuary, where about 50,000 gannets flock during the summer. The island features the Gaspésie's rugged, picturesque scenery and sheer rocky cliffs. A nature trail provides a bird-watching route, where tourists will also see other seabirds including Atlantic puffins, terns, razorbills, and multiple varieties of cormorants.
The park also encompasses the much-photographed Rocher Percé (Pierced Rock) among other rocky outcrops and magnificent cliffs, which have been carved by the elements. The island's position along the Percé Coast makes it an excellent destination for photographers and nature-lovers during the summer months.
