Things to Do in Ontario

As the largest park in Toronto, High Park offers a bounty of recreational opportunities. Locals and visitors alike hop from activity to activity, including playgrounds, a dog park, zoo, hiking trails, tennis courts, swimming pools, baseball fields, and an ice skating rink. High Park is a popular spot for concerts and for enjoying nature, especially in spring's cherry blossom season.

Take at least a few hours to enjoy the numerous attractions at High Park while in Toronto. One-third of the park is undeveloped, with trees, shrubs, and flowers, including fragrant Sakura cherry trees, gifts from Tokyo that form a fragrant pink canopy in the springtime. Children love the numerous playgrounds here, as well as the small zoo. Grenadier Pond makes an ideal spot for resting or fishing.

High Park is bordered by the Queensway and Bloor Street West to the south and north, and Parkside Drive to the east. By public transportation, take the TTC Light Rail to High Park Loop, or take the Bloor-Danforth subway line to High Park Station. Parking is free at High Park, but it can be hard to find on busy days.

Ontario holidays and weekends, as well as spring cherry blossom season, tend to be busiest. However, it's worth it to fight the crowds to capture the beauty of the cherry trees in bloom, typically from late April to early May.

There are a few theories behind the naming of Grenadier Pond, but the most intriguing revolves around an oft-told story of three Grenadiers who crossed the pond here to defend themselves against American forces in April 1813. They are said to have died crossing the thin ice on foot or by boat, and the pond was named in their honor.

With scenic vineyards and wineries, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a popular destination for oenophiles during the summer months. With new wineries frequently opening in the region, there is always something to do or a vineyard to explore. One of the newest additions to the Four Mile Creek appellation is Pondview Estate Winery. Family owned and operated, Pondview Estate (who makes the official wine of Canada's Grey Cup) has embraced the traditional art form of Sicilian grape growing and winemaking. By capturing the harmony between earth and vine, Pondview Estate Winery is recognized as a creator of some of the finest wines in the Niagara region.

Drawing on more than three generations of winemaking experience, Pondview Estate Winery has cultivated a warm and inviting environment that makes visitors to the vineyard feel right at home. (The close-knit staff that clearly enjoy their work definitely helps to create that atmosphere.) Owner and winemaker Luciano Puglisi crafts his Ontario VQA wines, rooted in his Italian heritage, with such enthusiasm and reverence for the winemaking process that he earned the title of Grape King in 2008 "” an award given by the Ministry of Agriculture to the finest vineyard operator in Ontario.

Surrounded by acres of scenic beauty, Kurtz Orchards stands as a testament to the land's richness and ability to produce quality foods. At the marketplace visitors can savor the best of the farm's estate products, from honey to wine jelly. Food demonstrations, culinary workshops, and other events are offered throughout the year. Kurtz Orchards also hosts private events, including weddings.The family-owned-and-operated business continually develops new products to capture the flavors of the Niagara region. Visitors can have a walkabout with a complimentary culinary tasting, take one of the Orchards' regularly scheduled cooking classes, request a picnic basket of farm-fresh delicacies and baked goods, and even host an event there with "˜land-to-table' catering done entirely by the Orchards.

Suspended high over the Niagara River, the Whirlpool Aero Car passes directly over Niagara Whirlpool—a swirling, whitewater vortex created by conflicting currents. The antique cable car has been on the go since 1916, carrying passengers out to the bend of the river, where they dangle over and gawk at the dangerous whirling rapids below.

Showcasing the power of the Niagara River’s mighty currents, the Whirlpool Aero Car is an excellent activity for visitors who have come to see Niagara Falls, whether by bus tour, cruise, or helicopter, or from one of the many surrounding viewpoints. Niagara Falls day tours, which make the rounds of the Niagara area’s top attractions, including the Aero Car, depart from Brampton, Ontario; Niagara, NY; Niagara, Ontario; and Toronto, Ontario. Many day tours include free time during which participants can ride the Whirlpool Aero Car—usually at their own expense. You can purchase tickets for the Whirlpool Aero Car in advance or upon arrival.

The Whirlpool Aero Car departs from Canada’s side of Niagara Falls, though it crosses into the US several times during its over-water route. The terminal is around 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) north of Horseshoe Falls, along the Niagara Parkway. The WEGO (green line) bus runs from Table Rock to the Whirlpool Aero Car, and departs at least every 20 minutes during summer, and every 30 minutes from October to May. 

The Whirlpool Aero Car is open April to November. Lines occasionally form during the peak visiting months of July and August; to avoid them, come in early morning or late afternoon. 

The Niagara Whirlpool is located at a sharp bend in the gorge, which causes a spiraling torrent to form. The Class VI white-water rapids in this section of the river are powerful enough to pull logs and other floating debris into the maelstrom. 

Though Toronto’s high-rise skyline is in sight, the Toronto Islands—a chain of islands scattered off the shore of Lake Ontario—feel a world away. The islands, once a narrow peninsula, were cut off from the mainland by violent storms, and now their sandy coastlines and verdant parklands serve as a peaceful escape for the city-weary. 

The three most visited destinations in the Toronto Islands are Centre Island, Ward’s Island, and Hanlan’s Point, which together make up Toronto Island Park. Centre Island features an old-timey amusement park called Centreville, which encompasses a reconstructed turn-of-the-20th-century Main Street, a petting farm, and quaint rides including an antique carousel. Hanlan’s Point is known for its sandy beach—a portion of which is clothing optional—and barbecue-friendly fire pits. Ward’s Island, the easternmost tip of Centre Island, also has an attractive beach. The islands are car-free, so most visitors explore on foot or by bike. Rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboat to get out on the water. To escape the crowds and reach off-the-beaten path locales, try a stand-up paddleboarding tour.

The Toronto Islands are accessible only by boat. City-run ferries depart from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, located at the end of Bay Street on Queen’s Quay, and connect with Centre Island, Ward’s Island, and Hanlan’s Point during spring, summer, and fall. During winter, only the Ward’s Island ferry route operates. Private water taxis also go to the islands.

On hot summer weekends, the Toronto Islands are often thronged. Get there early to stake out a good spot on the beach. Hanlan’s Point and Ward’s Island are usually quieter than Centre Island. Stick around until sunset to see the city skyline light up. 

Swimming is one of the most popular activities on the Toronto Islands, as the waters are calm and offer a great way to cool off from the sweltering summer heat. Centre Island Beach is a common choice for families who want to be near the attractions of Centreville. Quieter options include Hanlan’s Point Beach, half of which is a designated nudist beach; Ward’s Island Beach; and Gibraltar Point Beach, home to a supposedly haunted old lighthouse.

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.

Louis Tussaud was the great-grandson of Madame Marie Tussaud, who created the famous wax museum in London. He followed in her footsteps, creating a waxworks franchise that has spread around the world. In the Niagara Falls branch of the museum with his name, you can mingle with the likenesses of Charlie Chaplin, Michael J. Fox, the stars of Harry Potter, and many more.

Louis Tussaud's Waxworks is part of the Ripley's Believe It or Not! group of attractions, which also operates the Odditorium and the Moving Theater in Niagara Falls. Visitors often book a combo ticket for two or all three of these attractions, which offers good value and a full day of family fun. Organized day tours of Niagara Falls from Toronto often include some free time during which you can stop at the Waxworks.

Louis Tussaud's Waxworks is on Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, Ontario, just a short walk from the falls themselves. If driving, there is plenty of parking nearby.

Louis Tussaud's Waxworks is open every day of the year. Hours are 10am to 11pm Monday to Thursday, 10am to 12am Friday, 9am to 12am Saturday, and 9am to 11pm Sunday. Summer is the busiest time of year in Niagara Falls; spring and fall offer a (slightly) quieter experience.

Waxworks fans can visit another interesting museum on the US side of the border. The Niagara Wax Museum of History in Niagara Falls, New York displays the story of Niagara Falls through wax figures and re-created historical scenes. Be sure you have your passport so you can walk across the Canada-US border.

Yorkville, situated northeast of the University of Toronto, has transformed into a chic, high-end shopping district lined with luxury stores, art galleries, restaurants, and historic homes. Known in the 1960s as the "hippie capital of Canada," Yorkville was once home to cultural personalities, including Joni Mitchell and Margaret Atwood.

 

As one of Toronto’s historic neighborhoods, Yorkville is a stop on most hop-on hop-off bus tours, a convenient way for visitors to explore without the hassle of navigating on their own. Others opt for private tours, tacking a meal or visit to the high-end “Mink Mile” shopping strip onto their customized itineraries. A private guide provides context about historic landmarks that visitors often miss when exploring alone.

 

 

Located northeast of the University of Toronto, Yorkville is easily accessible via Toronto’s comprehensive public transit system. The nearest Metro stops are Museum Station on the line 1 and Bay Station on the line 2, or take bus 300 or 6 to Bloor Street West and Bay Street. Alternatively, Toronto’s bike-share program offers a more scenic route. A bike dock is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Bloor and Bay streets.

 

As an upscale shopping and dining hub, Yorkville is busiest at dinnertime and on weekends. Visit during these hours to get a feel for the bustle and atmosphere of the neighborhood. For a quieter experience, go just as the shops open around 10am. Yorkville also hosts an annual summer car show, where locals and visitors flock to pedestrian-only streets for luxury car displays, as well as a winter ice festival that showcases elaborate sculptures.

 

After 18 years of lobbying for public green space, residents convinced the city in 1992 to build Yorkville Park on top of a former parking lot. The park is divided into 11 sections that represent Canada’s distinct landscapes, from forests to prairies, and features a 1-billion-year-old rock from the Canadian Shield. Sandwiched between historic homes and upscale boutiques, Yorkville Park is an ideal spot to relax, eat lunch, or people-watch.

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.

 

The Odditorium at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Niagara Falls is a quirky and interactive museum presenting crazy and mind-boggling artifacts from around the world. Exhibits include shrunken heads, decorated skulls, and 2-headed animals. In the Moving Theater, visitors view 4D films and ride along in them. To top off the Ripley's experience, Louis Tussaud's Waxworks allows visitors to "meet" more than 100 wax celebrities and get their photos taken with them.

 

Visitors to Niagara Falls, Ontario, often tour Ripley's on day trips from Toronto. Organized tours either give visitors some free time during which they can choose to visit Ripley's, or a visit will be built into the itinerary. It's also easy to visit Ripley's independently, as it's in the heart of Niagara Falls town, just a few minutes' walk from the waterfalls. There are many hotels in the town for visitors who want to stay longer.

 

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Niagara Falls is located at 4960 Clifton Hill, the bustling street leading west from the falls that's home to many quirky tourist attractions. The building is easy to spot as it looks like the Empire State Building on its side, with King Kong jumping up and down on it.

 

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Niagara Falls is open 365 days of the year. Its opening hours are 10am until 11pm Monday to Thursday, 10am until midnight on Friday, 9am until midnight on Saturday, and 9am until 11pm on Sunday.

 

Ripley's fans who also visit nearby Toronto can check out Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, too. The numerous themed tanks are home to everything from creatures found in the seas around Canada to reef fish and plants. Combo tickets for the Toronto and Niagara Falls attractions can save visitors money.

Head to the Niagara Falls IMAX Theatre, where the films screened teach visitors about the falls' history and culture. From local native people to daredevils who rolled down the falls in a barrel, the IMAX 3D films provide Niagara Falls' backstory and make viewers feel as though they're right there in the middle of the action.

 

Visiting the IMAX Theatre is an exciting enhancement to any visit to Niagara Falls. Learn the human stories behind Niagara Falls in Niagara: Miracles, Myths, and Magic. See the real items used in extreme stunts in the Niagara Daredevil Exhibit, including the barrels that people have used to float in and crash down the falls.

 

Many visitors to the IMAX Theatre come on day trips from Toronto. Such excursions may include a visit to the falls, a ride on the Hornblower boat, and a stop at vineyards in the Niagara region.

 

 

The IMAX Theater is located next to the Skylon Tower and the Niagara Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It's within walking distance of the falls, so is a convenient place to stop at when visiting town. If you're on a day trip to Niagara Falls, there may be time to stop and watch a film. If you're traveling independently, it's easy to combine a visit with other sightseeing activities.

 

The IMAX Theatre is open every day, except Christmas Day, and shows films throughout the day, from 9am to 9pm. Schedules change periodically, so check the website before planning a trip.

 

Niagara Falls is located both in Canada and the US. While visitors can have a good experience seeing the falls from either side of the border, try to see it from both sides for the best all-around views. Bring your passport (as long as you have the right to enter both Canada and the US) and walk over the Rainbow Bridge, to see which side you think has the better vistas.

Ripley's 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.

 

The films shown at Ripley's Moving Theater combine sight, sound, and movement, for a full sensory experience. The theater has state-of-the-art 6-channel digital surround sound. Strap yourself in tight, as you're in for quite a ride. Enjoy two movies in a row, with a short intermission between them. The movies are for the whole family, so this is an ideal attraction for most ages, and it's open until late at night, so you can visit whenever the urge strikes.

 

As Ripley's Moving Theater is part of the Ripley's Believe It or Not! attraction, many visitors combine a trip with a visit to the Odditorium"”which shows a variety of weird and wonderful exhibits"”as well as Louis Tussaud's Waxworks. Single-attraction or combined-entry tickets can be purchased. Many Niagara Falls day tours from Toronto include some free time, during which it's possible to drop by Ripley's Moving Theater.

 

 

The theater is located at 4915 Clifton Hill, right in the heart of the tourist area of Niagara Falls, Ontario. It's a short walk from the waterfalls. The building, an upended Empire State Building replica with King Kong standing at the top, is easy to spot.

 

Ripley's Moving Theater is open 365 days a year. Monday"“Thursday, it's open 10am"“11pm; Friday, from 10am"“midnight; Saturday, 9am"“midnight; and Sunday, 9am"“11pm.

 

If you want some more action-packed fun after visiting Ripley's Moving Theater, check out the nearby Great Wolf Lodge. This 100,000-square-foot (9,000-square-meter) indoor water park includes thrilling water-based rides for adults and older kids, and fun play areas for younger kids. It's also a hotel, so you can stay and have days of fun.

The flashy urban scene of Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square is reminiscent of New York City’s Times Square. More than 56 million people visit this iconic spot every year, making it one of the busiest intersections in Canada. This is where you find glowing billboards, Eaton Centre, Ed Mirvish Theatre, and great spots to people-watch.

Yonge-Dundas Square is a one-acre (half-hectare)outdoor space centered around the intersection of Yonge and Dundas streets. There is always something going on, from free concerts to cultural celebrations to yoga and more. Dancing fountains and giant digital signs draw visitors, as do Toronto’s famous shopping mall, Eaton Centre, and several other leading Ontario businesses. Visit Yonge-Dundas as part of a hop-on-hop-off bus tour or as part of a group tour of the city.

Yonge-Dundas Square is at the center of downtown Toronto. By car, take the Gardiner Expressway to Yonge Street, and head north until you reach Dundas. There are some paid parking lots, but they can be difficult to find and pricy. Walking or taking public transit is recommended. By public transportation, take the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line to Dundas Station.

Spring and fall are great seasons for visiting Toronto and taking advantage of the mild weather. Kids and adults splash around in the square’s iconic fountains, turned on from mid-April to mid-October. Check city event listings for upcoming programming at Yonge-Dundas, such as free concerts, yoga classes, and films.

One of the signature entertainment options in this area is the buskers and street performers that crowd Yonge-Dundas Square, showing off their talents in return for tips. Street performers have a long tradition in Toronto, and they participate in the annual Toronto International Buskerfest happening on Labor Day weekend each year.