Ontario & Great Lakes
Big cities, big lakes, and endless discoveries 🏙️🌊
Ontario is Canada's most populous province, offering a dense concentration of family-friendly attractions anchored by the Great Lakes. Toronto, the provincial capital, is a bustling metropolis where families can visit the CN Tower, explore the underwater tunnels of Ripley's Aquarium, or take a ferry to the Toronto Islands for a car-free day of picnicking and amusement rides. The Royal Ontario Museum and Ontario Science Centre provide interactive learning environments that can occupy kids for days.
A short drive south leads to Niagara Falls, one of the world's most famous natural landmarks. Beyond the falls themselves—best seen from a Hornblower boat tour that takes you right into the mist—the town offers a carnival-like atmosphere with wax museums, indoor water parks, and the butterfly conservatory. To the east lies Ottawa, Canada's capital city. Here, families can visit the Parliament buildings, explore the massive Canadian Museum of History across the river, or skate on the Rideau Canal in winter, which transforms into the world's largest skating rink.
Escape from the city is easy in Ontario's vast "cottage country" regions like Muskoka and magnificent Algonquin Provincial Park. These areas are defined by granite rocks, pine trees, and thousands of freshwater lakes. Families can rent canoes, go hiking on well-marked trails, or stay in lakeside cabins. In the summer, the shores of Lake Huron and Lake Erie offer sandy beaches that rival oceanic coasts, such as those at Wasaga Beach or Sandbanks Provincial Park, where the water is shallow and safe for swimming.
Click a region to explore
Activities & Best Times
Hiking, wildlife, outdoor exploration, ecotourism
Features the iconic Niagara Falls and the vast, pristine wilderness of Algonquin Park and the Bruce Peninsula. Peak summer months offer ideal hiking and wildlife viewing (15-24°C), while shoulder months feature world-class autumn foliage but cooler nights.
Urban tourism, museums, historical sites, architecture
Toronto and Ottawa serve as sophisticated urban hubs with world-class museums, high-end culinary scenes, and vibrant arts districts. Peak months provide mild weather for exploring neighborhoods, while winter temperatures often drop below -10°C, limiting outdoor cultural exploration.
Events, celebrations, seasonal attractions
Home to the globally prestigious Toronto International Film Festival and the world-renowned Stratford Festival. Peak periods include the February Winterlude festival in Ottawa and the summer theater season; off-season periods lack major international-scale events.
Scenic drives, countryside tours, route-based travel
Offers spectacular scenic routes like the Niagara Parkway and the Lake Superior North Shore with high-quality infrastructure. Peak months culminate in an internationally acclaimed autumn color season (October), while winter months are unsuitable due to dangerous ice and snow conditions.
Beach resorts, marine activities: diving, snorkelling, kite surfing, wind surfing, sailing
The white sand dunes of Sandbanks and the vast shorelines of Lake Huron offer a unique freshwater beach experience. Peak summer is the only time water temperatures are suitable for swimming; outside of these months, the Great Lakes remain too cold for recreation.
Learning experiences, scientific sites, historical education
Rich in geological history at Niagara and high-quality institutions like the Royal Ontario Museum and Science Centre. Peak summer allows for accessible guided tours and outdoor historical sites, though extreme winter cold restricts access to many open-air heritage locations.
Spa retreats, wellness centers, peaceful getaways
The Muskoka region offers authentic, high-end lakeside retreats and destination spas like Ste. Anne’s. Peak summer provides the tranquil lake atmosphere expected by discerning travelers, whereas winter months can feel isolated with limited outdoor wellness options.
Sport tourism, fitness activities, active recreation
Excellent facilities for world-class golf, cycling, and sailing on the Great Lakes. Optimal conditions occur during the dry, warm summer months (Jun-Aug); winter weather is entirely unsuitable for outdoor summer sports, with frequent snow and freezing temperatures.
Winter sports, ski resorts, snow activities
Reliable snow making and family-oriented infrastructure at Blue Mountain, though the vertical drop is modest by international standards. Peak months offer the most consistent base, but it lacks the world-class alpine terrain found in the Rockies or Alps.
Amusement parks, family entertainment venues
Canada's Wonderland is a high-quality regional park with major coasters, but it lacks the global immersion and theming of Disneyland or Universal. Peak summer offers full operation, while the park is closed or severely restricted during the harsh winter months.
