Ontario holidays
The name Ontario comes from the Iroquois word ‘kanadario’, meaning ‘sparkling water’. To see why, just spend some time paddling, fishing or relaxing on the shores of this Canadian province’s gorgeous rivers and lakes. Then explore cities like Ottawa and Toronto, delving deep into world-class museums, epic arts festivals and a food scene worth travelling for on your holiday to Ontario.
Top destinations in Ontario
Hamilton
Transcending its industrial roots, this town on the western shore of Lake Ontario packs art, history, and natural wonders into its revived city centre.
London
With diverse museums, eclectic eateries and music around every corner, London promises big-city attractions with small-town charm and nature as far as the eye can see.
Niagara Falls
People come here to witness one of the most awesome natural wonders on the planet. But this Canadian city keeps you hanging around with pretty parks, family attractions and a buzzing wine scene.
Ottawa
Canada’s often-overlooked capital combines outdoorsy charm with a heavy hit of art and culture, making for the perfect year-round destination.
Toronto
Classy and cool, Canada’s largest city boasts more than 150 neighbourhoods. Explore everything from trendsetting restaurants and boutiques to art museums and an unforgettable waterfront.
Windsor
With kilometres of sparkling waterfront and its very own style of pizza, this Canadian city (and next-door neighbour of Detroit) delivers a slice of the good life.
Ontario: fast facts
Language
English
Currency
Canadian dollar (C$)
Time zone
Toronto - UTC−5 (EST) and UTC−4 (EDT)
High season
June – September
Low season
January – March
Ontario holiday highlights
Go wine tasting
Famous for its sweet ice wine, the province boasts three scenic wine regions, making wine tasting one of the best things to do in Ontario. Take a guided tour across the Niagara Peninsula, Prince Edward County and the north shore of Lake Erie. Or spend the day at one of the many vineyards that offer food, snowshoeing and other activities.
Attend an arts festival
Ontario’s calendar is packed year-round with festivals celebrating local culture and global talent. The popular Toronto International Film Festival showcases films from major directors and up-and-comers. The Shaw Festival and Stratford Festival put on dozens of live theatre productions, from Shakespeare to holiday musicals. Celebrate writers and readers at the Word on the Street, Canada’s largest free literary festival.
Great lakes
Home to over 250,000 lakes, Ontario is one of North America’s top destinations for lakeside recreation and relaxation. Take a boat tour through the 19th-century lighthouses and mansions of the Thousand Islands region. Or water-ski the legendary lakes and rivers of Muskoka. Looking to ditch the crowds? Escape into the wilderness in Wabakimi Provincial Park.
Things to do in Ontario
Top attractions
The CN Tower soars above downtown Toronto. On a clear day, you can see all the way to New York state from the top. Niagara Falls straddles the Canadian–US border, but the Canadian side has the most spectacular views. In Ottawa, tour the majestic buildings and grounds of Parliament Hill, the federal government’s seat. You can even watch parliamentary proceedings.
Beaches
Though it’s not often thought of as a beach destination, you’ll find plenty of waterside fun along the Great Lakes. On the shores of Lake Huron, Grand Bend is packed with classic attractions like a boardwalk, jet ski rentals and even a drive-in movie theatre. With 14 kilometres of shoreline, Wasaga Beach is the longest freshwater beach in the world.
Nature
Spanning the US–Canada border, Niagara Falls is an absolute must-see. Hike at Niagara Glen Nature Centre for jaw-dropping views or learn about the natural phenomenon on a guided tour. If you still haven’t had your fill of spectacular gushers, check out Tew Falls outside of Hamilton and Kakabeka Falls. Elora Gorge, Ouimet Canyon and Bonnechere Caves also offer a dramatic background to exploration.
Cuisine
The Greater Toronto Area is incredibly ethnically diverse, and many restaurants in Ontario highlight global flavours. In the city, you’ll find enclaves like Little Jamaica, Koreatown and Little Portugal, with restaurants dishing up favourites from their chefs’ home countries. Check out Markham for authentic Chinese specialities like ‘congee’ (rice porridge) and hot pot, while Ottawa is known for its kebabs.
Culture and museums
There’s no shortage of great museums in Ontario, a province known for its arts and cultural scene. Museums like the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and the Art Gallery of Hamilton reflect the past and future of Canadian art. For something more niche, the Bata Shoe Museum highlights the beauty of footwear through history.
Nightlife
Toronto’s Entertainment District, once dubbed ‘Clubland’, remains the heart of the city’s nightlife, with King Street West offering lounges, dance floors, DJs and rooftop cocktails. Beyond Toronto, nightlife in Ontario takes many forms. Ottawa’s ByWard Market buzzes with live music and late-night eats, while Barrie boasts Canada’s largest country bar for line dancing.
Find the best time to visit Ontario
Weather in Ontario through the year
March – May: Late-season snow is always a possibility as winter gives way to warmer days. Pack an umbrella — the one thing you can count on is plenty of rain.
June – August: Highs can climb above 30°C, and humidity can make things feel even warmer. Cool off with a dip in one of Ontario’s Great Lakes. By late summer, the water is perfect for swimming.
September – November: Nights grow cool as the days get shorter. By November, autumn rain transitions into early snow.
December – February: January is the coldest month of the year in Ontario, when temperatures can drop below −13°C. Southern Ontario often gets heavy snow, creating challenging travel and driving conditions.
Events in Ontario
Winterlude (January and February): Winter vibes are inescapable in Canada, so why not embrace them? This popular Ottawa festival puts a snowy spin on Canadian heritage with ice sculptures, Indigenous cultural events and seasonal treats.
Canadian Tulip Festival (May): Nearly one million flowering tulips make a brilliant backdrop for outdoor movies and arts events. Soak up the spectacle along Ottawa’s Rideau Canal, or buy some bulbs yourself at the Tulip Market.
Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival (June): Hundreds of professional and amateur bakers from across Canada head to Midland to vie for the title of best butter tart. But with over 300,000 of these classic Canadian treats for sale, it’s hard to pick a winner.
Know before you go
Getting around Ontario
Public transport
Buses: Ontario Northland operates intercity service from Toronto and Ottawa into Northern Ontario. Running between Toronto and destinations like Algonquin Provincial Park, ParkBus puts nature at your fingertips, even without a car.
Trains: VIA Rail links major cities in Ontario, from Ottawa to Windsor. Operated by Ontario Northland, the Polar Bear Express carries passengers north to Moosonee, Ontario’s ‘Gateway to the Arctic’, which isn’t accessible by road.
Boats: Ferries carry passengers to scenic islands in the Great Lakes, like Pelee Island in Lake Erie and Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay. Many ferries are seasonal, with some operating from May or June to October.
Domestic flights
Toronto Pearson is Canada’s busiest airport, with lots of domestic and international connections. Porter Airlines and Air Canada offer regional connections through Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, minutes from downtown Toronto. You’ll also find smaller airports in cities like Windsor, Ottawa and Thunder Bay.
Driving and car hire
The Trans-Canada Highway crosses Northern Ontario from the Manitoba border to Ottawa. In the south, traffic can be heavy, especially near Toronto on some of North America’s busiest routes. Highway 407 offers a faster toll option.
