Choose from 71 Fun Things to Do in Ontario
Niagara Falls, Ontario
- If you visit the falls on a boat tour, prepare to get wet from the mist—which, of course, is part of the thrill of the ride!
- If your Canada-based tour includes a Maid of the Mist ride, which departs from the US, be sure you have appropriate documentation to enter both countries. Opting for a small-group or a private tour can make the experience feel more personal; though a large-group bus tour is a more economical way to visit.
- Every night after dark, the falls are illuminated by a spectacular light show. A Niagara Falls night cruise is a great way to see it.
Rideau Canal
- Bike and boat tours on the canal run from May through October.
- If you’re going in winter, bundle up, as temperatures frequently drop below freezing.
- Fishing is allowed on some parts of the waterway, including Dow’s Lake. An Ontario fishing permit and outdoors card are required.
Reif Estate Winery
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New City Hall
- New City Hall is a must for history and architecture buffs.
- The two entrances for the underground parking lot are on Bay Street and Queen streets.
- New City Hall is wheelchair accessible.
- Bathrooms are located in the East Hall basement.
Rideau Hall
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Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery
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Niagara SkyWheel
- Bring your camera to take photos of Niagara Falls.
- Each gondola can accommodate six to eight people.
- The ride lasts for about 10 minutes.
- The SkyWheel gondolas are equipped with heating and air conditioning.
- Two gondolas in the Niagara SkyWheel are accessible to wheelchair users via a portable ramp.
Ontario Place
A futuristic amusement park, Ontario Place offers something for everybody inside its five steel-and-glass pods, suspended on columns 105 feet (32 meters) above Lake Ontario. Kids and adults can go from pod to pod and see a multimedia theater, a children's theater, a high-tech exhibit, multimedia displays, and the Cinesphere - an IMAX theater. Parents watch a movie while kids go berserk at soft-play areas like the H2O Generation Station, with its twisting slides, towers, and walkways, and the Atom Blaster, a huge foam-ball free-for-all.
Additional attractions include the human-sized MegaMaze and MicroKids, which is a play area for little ones. At First Flight, you can a ride up in the air in a replica hot-air balloon. If you need a break from the attractions and rides, spend a little downtime browsing the gift shops. In the evening, the Molson Amphitheatre host a variety of concerts.
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Ontario Place sits on Lake Boulevard West, in downtown Toronto. You can easily get here via subway, bus, and streetcar. Ontario Place has plenty of parking, as well. A Play All Day pass gets you to most of the rides and attractions, including walk-up seating at the Cinesphere.
Ripley's Aquarium Of Canada
- Ripley’s aquarium is ideal for families with children.
- Save time by booking skip-the-line tickets in advance. Note that admission is reduced after 7pm.
- There are a café and souvenir shop on-site.
- The aquarium is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Ottawa Locks
The Ottawa Locks 1 to 8 regulate the flow of the city’s signature Rideau Canal as it flows south from the Ottawa River.
The hand-cranked locks provide a gradient of 24 meters (79 feet) on the canal, which runs for more than 200 km (124 miles) from Ottawa to Kingston, a stunning example of 19th-century ingenuity and engineering.
In winter, the 8 km (5-mile) stretch of canal running through the center of the city freezes over, providing the world’s longest skating rink. In summer, walkers and cyclers promenade along the canal’s banks.
One of the best ways to see the canal locks and Ottawa is aboard a scenic canal or river cruise.
The Ottawa Locks 1 to 8 run from the Chateau Laurier hotel to Carlton University. The locks operate from May to October.
Ottawa Notre Dame Basilica (Basilique-Cath edrale Notre-Dame)
- Ottawa Notre Dame Basilica is a must-visit for anyone with an interest in religious art or architecture.
- The basilica is an active Roman Catholic church. Be quiet and respectful of worshippers engaging in prayer or reflection.
- Concerts are occasionally staged at the cathedral; check ahead to see if any are taking place during your stay in Ottawa.
- The basilica is accessible to wheelchair users and strollers.
Hockey Hall of Fame
- The Hockey Hall of Fame is a must for hockey fans.
- If you’re coming during winter, stay warm by accessing the Hockey Hall of Fame via Toronto’s underground PATH network.
- All-day admission means you can leave and re-enter as much as you want over the course of the day.
- The Hockey Hall of Fame is wheelchair and stroller-accessible.
Kensington Market
- Kensington Market is a must for foodies, bargain-hunters, and people-watchers.
- Bring cash. While many vendors accept credit cards, not all do, and there is often an extra charge for purchases under a certain amount.
- Try your hand at haggling. Not all vendors’ prices are fixed.
Ottawa Parliament Hill
- Visitors can observe debates in the Senate and the Commons. Check ahead to make sure the chambers are sitting during your visit and be prepared for lengthy security checks.
- Centre Block tours last between 20 and 50 minutes, depending on parliamentary activity, while East Block tours are typically 30 to 40 minutes long.
- Visitors to Parliament can carry one small bag; other bags must be checked in at the ticket office.
- Tours and access points are wheelchair-accessible.
- State visits and other parliamentary activity can occasionally prevent public access.
Quetico Provincial Park
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Lake Ontario
- Toronto’s waterfront path is shared by cyclists and pedestrians, so stay alert.
- Boat tours and cruises typically run from May through September, and lifeguards are on duty at Toronto city beaches from June to September.
- Popular swimming spots include Cherry Beach, Hanlan’s Point, and Ward Island.
Outlet Collection at Niagara
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Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory
- Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is a must for nature-lovers and families.
- It is the perfect alternative attraction for visitors who have already seen the falls.
- The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is wheelchair-friendly.
- Wear layers. The conservatory is heated so you’ll want to take off warmer, outer garments.
Queen Victoria Park
- Nature lovers, gardeners, and those looking for a break from the tourist hustle will love a visit to Queen Victoria Park.
- The open spaces are ideal for letting your kids run around.
- The park is public and free to visit.
- Queen Victoria Park has groomed trails and is fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Queen's Quay Terminal
- Queen’s Quay Terminal is a must for history buffs and shoppers.
- A variety of food options are available, from takeaway pizza to sit-down dim sum.
- The terminal is wheelchair accessible.