When Donald Trump says he wants to make Canada the 51st American state, there is a method in the apparent madness. Ontario is the most populous province in the country, the largest economic center, and is rich in natural resources and beauty.
Canada’s second largest province is as big as France and Spain combined and has a diverse range of things to do that are must-do blue ticks. From the busy city life of Toronto to hiking through national parks, wild nature and thrilling landscapes, a careful schedule will give a great experience of all sides of the heartland of Canada. It is advisable to pick a couple of areas to cover in a week and perhaps about three in a week and a half as a general rule.
Niagara Falls is the Top of the Tourist Charts
At the top of any “things to see before leaving” will be Niagara Falls. For those planning itineraries, it takes approximately an hour and a half to travel from Toronto to Niagara. It has been described in some quarters as the eighth wonder of the world and the whole experience is more than just watching from a distance.
There’s a chance to go behind the scenes with appropriate waterproofs by elevator and see the incredible waterfalls from different viewpoints. There’s even the opportunity to get close to the falls that split the U.S. and Canadian border. A Niagara Falls cruise is also a chance to sail along the American coast and take pictures that will live long in the memory.
For those who like the thrill of the casino, Niagara is also part of Canada’s growing gaming industry with among others the Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara offering a magnificent location to play. The huge force of nature that is the Falls together with the gaming resorts is a tour de force that draws visitors and is part of a bigger picture across the province. Overall, there are 74 regulated online casinos in Ontario and gambling has become very much part of the furniture for residents who don’t need to see Table Rock to get their entertainment.
Iconic Must-See Landmarks in Toronto City
Most visitors landing on Ontario will come via Toronto which is the largest city in both the province and the country itself. Called the “Queen City”, Toronto is a hotspot of multiculturalism with some iconic days out that should include at least one or two of the CN Tower, Ontario Art Gallery and the Royal Ontario Museum. The latter is one of the largest museums in North America and hosts millions of artworks and natural specimens.
For shopping malls that are bigger than dreams, there is the Eaton Centre and the nearby World Food Market offers the best of Toronto’s diverse street food. The Distillery District is a trendy 21st century pedestrian-only space that is a mix of popular cafes, restaurants and Victorian-era buildings which bring together the old and new.
To get the best temperatures for the rich outside world of Ontario, visits should be planned between May and October with the warmer climate coming in the second half of that six-month period. To access the best cities and destinations in Ontario, it is advisable to rent a vehicle as there is no reliable transit system to cover the vast range and territories of the province.
Ontario is The Prince of National Parks
Once the city buzz is done and dusted, some of the best green spots for summer camping are Arrowhead Provincial Park, Pinery Provincial Park or the stunning Algonquin Provincial Park. The latter is the largest provincial park with seven major rivers and over two thousand lakes. In the fall, the leaves are at their most colorful and moose, wild bears, deer and birds can be seen.
Beaches and Sand For Families
One of the most popular sites for families is on the shores of Lake Ontario. Sandbanks Provincial Park contains dunes and sand with swimming possible at Dunes Beach, Lakeshore Beach and Outlet Beach. The latter is particularly suitable for young families with shallow waters and the area provides a good starting point for a wider tour of the Prince Edward County with bicycle touring, wineries and food and antiques to discover.
Ontario is such a unique mix of culture, color and natural awe that is it any wonder that it continues to rank highly in the most visited sites in Canada. If there was a highlights reel of things to do, then going from the Falls to the food halls to the largest freshwater island in the world has an appeal that is almost unmatched. The only problem is where to start.
