Ontario attractions

With more than 100 shops, the Outlet Collection at Niagara is one of the largest outdoor outlet malls in Canada. Opened in 2014, this modern mall offers all kinds of brand-name goods at discounted prices, from outdoor gear to beauty products, making it a must for bargain hunters.

Originally the site of an iconic theme park that closed in 2012, Toronto’s Ontario Place has since been transformed into 155 acres of public parks and paths that offer views of Lake Ontario, downtown Toronto, and Billy Bishop Island. The park’s two man-made islands are also home to Budweiser Stage and outdoor entertainment venues.

Confederation Square is a triangular plaza between Wellington Street and Elgin Street in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The urban space was, together with the National War Memorial, officially completed around 1939. The giant granite memorial sits at the center of the square and was originally a tribute to the Canadians who fought in World War I but has since become a symbol of all Canadians serving in times of war.

PondView at Bella Terra Vineyards is a family-run winery started by an Italian immigrant who put his winemaking knowledge to work in his new country. The winery isn't alone in the Niagara-on-the-Lake area of Ontario, renowned for its landscapes and wines. Visit the winery on a vineyard tour or as a standalone attraction for fine wine.

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown, make a beeline for Philosopher's Walk, a leafy path bordering Trinity College on the University of Toronto campus. Whether you take a book to read on a bench, or pack an alfresco lunch, Philosopher’s Walk is a lovely place to find a touch of nature in the city.

The Ed Mirvish Theatre is a historic venue that opened in the 1920s as a motion picture theater and vaudeville. Since then, it has hosted a diverse range of productions, including Broadway shows such as The Lion King and Life of Pi. Visitors flock here not only for the venue’s incredible architecture and rich history but also for its impressive array of performances.

Dating back to 1907, The Royal Alexandra Theatre—nicknamed the “Royal Alex”—is a historic Edwardian-style venue known for its regal design and lavish interiors. A national historic landmark, it’s one of North America's oldest continuously operating theaters. Visitors come here for award-winning Broadway shows, musicals, and plays.

One of the newer wineries in Ontario’s Niagara-on-the-Lake wine region, Wayne Gretzky Estates is among the flashiest. Housed in an ultramodern, 23,000-square-foot (2,137-square-meter) space, the business has the distinction of being the first combined winery and distillery in the region. Founded by the Canadian hockey great, the estate is a year-round destination for visiting drinks enthusiasts.

Niagara-on-the-Lake presents quite a contrast to the nearby natural spectacle that is Niagara Falls or the kitsch theme parks of Clifton Hill. The well-preserved buildings of the town’s Heritage District, dating back to the early-to-mid-19th century, house independent boutiques selling local souvenirs, antiques, and crafts. The neighborhood is a beautiful place to stroll, in all seasons.

Located in Algonquin Provincial Park, the Lookout Trail is a short but steep loop trail that leads through a young Algonquin forest to a high cliff, offering spectacular views of the park and its geological features. Easily accessible, it’s a popular trail for hiking, bird-watching, leaf-peeping, and snowshoeing.

Fans of cool urban art won’t want to miss Toronto’s Graffiti Alley. Officially named Rush Lane, located in downtown Toronto’s trendy Fashion District, it’s worth a detour for some colorful inspiration while browsing the boutiques. Some of the murals have been there for years, while others come and go.

The beautiful Fathom Five National Marine Park in Lake Huron is a freshwater ecosystem that offers something for almost everyone: boating and birding, cliffs and rock pools, hiking trails, campsites, rare orchid species, and a whole lot of shipwrecks—24 to be exact. Nature and outdoor enthusiasts will love the marine and coastal landscape of the park, especially in the summer.

For fantastic Detroit skyline views without stepping foot in Detroit—or even in the US, for that matter—head to the Windsor Riverfront. The 3.1-mile (5-kilometer) paved trail is a popular walking and biking path for locals and visitors to the Southern Ontario City, running along the Detroit River with parks along the way.

When the sun’s out, the bums are out at Hanlan’s Point Beach, home to Toronto’s favorite clothing-optional strip of sand (plus a suited-up area, too). Located on the Toronto Islands in Lake Ontario, the beach is a short ferry ride from downtown Toronto. In the summer, it’s a rewarding day-trip destination, with good swimming and biking trails.

Aside from the falls themselves, the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark is one of Niagara Falls’ most popular family attractions. Fallsview features 16 waterslides—some as high as six stories—a wave pool, outdoor pool and sundeck, tots pool, adults-only hot tub, and much more. When you need to fuel up, there are great food options as well.

The Ontario Science Centre, northeast of Downtown Toronto, is a museum dedicated to educating the public about science, technology, and society. With a state-of-the-art planetarium, exhibits covering topics such as the limits of the human body, and activities specifically designed for children and young adults, the center is a popular destination for families.

Three fun attractions are part of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Niagara Falls: The Odditorium, which displays quirky exhibits; the Ripley’s Moving Theater motion simulator ride; and Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks. It’s a fun-filled attraction to visit before or after you’ve seen the amazing falls, and is a popular place with both kids and adults.

Soaring above Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, the Peace Tower is one of Canada’s most recognizable symbols. While it’s not the city’s tallest building, the Gothic-style bell and clock tower—which reaches a height of 322 feet (98 meters)—dominates the Ottawa skyline.

Animal lovers in Niagara Falls, Ontario should head to Safari Niagara, where visitors can see more than 1,000 species in a protected nature park. Visit the 150-acre (60-hectare) family-friendly attraction to see the animals, ride the carousel, and enjoy activities like paddle boats and a splash park.

The Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG), the largest botanical garden in Canada, includes five distinct formal gardens on 400 display acres (162 hectares). Known for its colorful blooms, rock garden, rose garden and tea house, and indoor Mediterranean garden, the gardens are set on a total of 2,700 acres (1,100 hectares) of protected land in Burlington, Ontario, just outside Toronto.

Ottawa’s Little Italy is more than a local hub for authentic Italian food and hospitality. It’s also a diverse dining and shopping district filled with culinary offerings from Greece, India, and France, as well as traditional Canadian fare. The area’s mix of architecture, art, graffiti, and cuisine draws foodies and culture fans alike.

Ripley's 4D Moving Theater in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is a fun addition to a visit to the spectacular waterfalls that give the town its name. Kids and adults alike will love the excitement of the 4D movies, which take viewers on a ride right into the action. Sit down, buckle up, and be prepared for a few shrieks and giggles.

Located in the heart of the city’s east end, Toronto's Little India is a small business district best known for its array of South Asian restaurants. Also known as the Grand India Bazaar, the area constitutes North America’s largest South Asian market and hosts the annual Festival of South Asia, one of Toronto’s most popular street fairs.

Learn about the wildlife, ecosystems, and economics of Ontario's waterways by visiting the Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing. This interactive aquarium is home to a multitude of exhibits and activities that range from a massive fish tank that displays the underwater world of the Saint Lawrence River to an educational hydropower exhibit.

Little Italy was established in the early 1900s, when Toronto saw an influx of Italian immigrants, many of whom opened mom-and-pop shops on College Street West. Though some Italian-Canadian-owned businesses remain, the neighborhood has grown to include a wider range of establishments loved by locals, including bars, boutiques, and restaurants.

This 70,000-square-foot (6,500-square-meter) indoor entertainment complex is packed with interactive games. Entertain yourself with video games and arcade classics such as ring toss, air hockey, and Skee-Ball, and enjoy motion simulators and virtual reality rides. Some games distribute tickets to winners, which can be redeemed for prizes.

Set within a former coffin factory, this haunted house preys on participants’ psychological fears. Visitors make their way through a darkened maze where lighting, blood-curdling noises, and other effects are used to shock participants; their petrified expressions are caught on camera, with reaction photographs available for purchase.

After seeing spectacular Niagara Falls, head up the road to Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks for a different kind of fun. The faux Tudor building on the Canadian side of the falls houses more than 100 lifelike wax figures of celebrities, from movie and sports stars to politicians and historical figures.

Also known as the Danforth or Greektown on the Danforth, the neighborhood of Greektown is a little slice of the Mediterranean in Toronto. A settlement for Greek immigrants in the 20th century, Greektown continues to wear its cultural heritage on its sleeve. Despite recent gentrification, it is still dotted with tavernas serving up souvlaki, gyros, and other Greek culinary delights.

African Lion Safari is a wildlife park in Southern Ontario that allows you to drive your own vehicle—or hop on an open-top safari bus—and observe animals in seven large habitats. Dedicated to preserving endangered species, the park houses more than 1,000 animals, including giraffes, lions, and elephants.