Ontario

Ontario is Canada’s most populated province with Toronto, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls. Great Lakes shoreline, forests up north, and wine country. It’s huge and takes 24 hours to drive across. Winters are cold and snowy, summers are warm and humid. Two weeks covers the southern highlights. French is less common here than Quebec but signs are bilingual.

Ontario Toronto and Ottawa

Toronto is the biggest city with the CN Tower and diverse neighborhoods. The waterfront along Lake Ontario has parks and paths. Kensington Market and Queen West have the cool shops and street art. The city feels international with food from everywhere. Ottawa is the national capital three hours east. Parliament Hill has the government buildings and the changing of the guard. The Rideau Canal freezes in winter and becomes the world’s longest skating rink. ByWard Market has restaurants and local food. The National Gallery has Canadian art.

Ontario Niagara Falls and Wine Region

Niagara Falls is the famous waterfall on the US border. The Canadian side has better views. Horseshoe Falls is the big curved one. The mist soaks you even far back. The tourist strip has wax museums and haunted houses and feels tacky. Niagara-on-the-Lake nearby is a pretty town with shops and theaters. The wine region around here makes ice wine from frozen grapes. Wineries offer tastings with vineyard views. The area is beautiful with orchards and farms.

Ontario Muskoka and Algonquin Park

Muskoka north of Toronto is cottage country with lakes and forests. Wealthy people have summer homes on the water. Gravenhurst and Huntsville are the main towns. The lakes are clear and perfect for canoeing. Algonquin Provincial Park further north has wilderness camping and moose. Canoe routes go deep into backcountry. Fall colors are amazing through the maple forests. The park is huge and remote. Highway 60 crosses through with campgrounds and trails.

Food is poutine, butter tarts, peameal bacon, maple syrup, Tim Hortons coffee.