Things to see in Ontario: museums, waterfalls and attractions

The CN Tower rises above downtown Toronto. It has a rotating restaurant, an outdoor walkway, and observation decks. From here you can see the whole city and the lake. On clear days, the view stretches far into the distance. The tower has been Toronto's landmark for decades and draws visitors every day.

Niagara Falls is a dramatic waterfall complex on the border between Canada and the United States. The falls are divided into three sections, with Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side being the largest. The water plunges with tremendous force, creating a powerful and natural spectacle. Visitors can get close to the falls from Table Rock Centre or take a boat that travels to the base of the cascade. During the warmer seasons, the falls are illuminated at night for free, lighting up in different colors. The surrounding area is also known for its wineries, which produce ice wine and offer tastings to visitors.

Casa Loma is a Gothic-style castle from the early 20th century located in the heart of Toronto. The building sits on a hill and offers views of the city from its towers. Visitors can walk through rooms with original furniture and decorations. Around the castle are stables, an old garage, and parks. Casa Loma shows how wealthy families lived at the start of the 20th century and is part of the many places in Ontario that help travelers understand Canada's history.

Table Rock Centre sits right at the edge of Horseshoe Falls. From this location, visitors experience the full force of the water up close. The centre provides viewing platforms with direct views of the falls. Visitors can also take boat rides that go down to the base of the cascade or move closer to feel the spray and power of the water.

Parliament Hill rises above Canada's capital city and houses the government buildings. These Neo-Gothic structures with their towers and stone facades shape Ottawa's skyline. The hill sits on the bank of the Outaouais River and welcomes visitors. In summer, the Changing of the Guard takes place here. From the terraces, you can see across the city and the river.

St. Lawrence Market is a two-story building in this part of Toronto. The market sells local products, crafts, and vintage items. The basement is worth visiting. The market has existed since the 19th century and is an important place for fresh foods, bread, and cheese. This is one of the places visitors can discover when exploring Toronto and learning more about Canadian history.

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada in Toronto is part of the city's museum landscape and features interactive tanks and a moving walkway tunnel where visitors can observe sharks up close. The exhibitions showcase the diversity of marine life and teach about ocean creatures. The aquarium sits near the lake and complements other Toronto attractions like the CN Tower and the city's museums.

The Konzelmann Estate Winery in this collection sits in a region famous for ice wine production. The winery offers guided tours through the vineyards and tasting sessions where visitors can sample different wines. The vines benefit from the unique climate of the Niagara region, which allows grapes to ripen to their full potential.

Toronto Island Park consists of several islands connected by pathways and reached by ferry. From the water and the islands, you can see Toronto's skyline across the bay. The park offers green spaces, beaches, and paths for walking and cycling. It sits south of the city, giving visitors a place to step away from downtown and spend time outdoors. People come here to relax, have picnics, and enjoy views of the water and the city.

The Rideau Canal is a historic waterway that runs through Ottawa and its surroundings. It provides walkers and cyclists with a pleasant route along the water, passing by locks and tree-lined areas. The canal connects the capital with the surrounding regions and is a place where locals and visitors enjoy nature and explore the history of the region.

The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto displays collections focused on natural history, world cultures, and art. An entire gallery is devoted to dinosaurs. This museum is one of the places Ontario offers to visitors who want to discover Canada.

The Distillery Historic District in Toronto blends industrial heritage with contemporary cultural life. The site features art galleries, shops, and restored red brick buildings from the 19th century. As you walk along the cobblestone streets, you find cafes and small shops housed in former factory buildings. The neighborhood attracts artists and visitors who appreciate the mix of history and modern activity. It is a place where the past remains visible while vibrant present-day life unfolds around you.

The Château Des Charmes Winery in this collection demonstrates how the Niagara region has built a reputation through wine production. The vineyard offers tours of its facilities and tastings of wines made in Niagara. The grapevines shape the landscape of the area.

This attraction features tunnels built into the rock face behind Niagara Falls. Visitors descend through passages to reach observation platforms where they stand directly in front of the falling water. The roar is loud and the mist surrounds you as millions of gallons plunge down. Viewing the falls from this angle shows their power in a way that viewing from above cannot.

The Rogers Centre is a stadium with a retractable roof in downtown Toronto. It hosts baseball games and offers views of the CN Tower. This building shows the modern side of Ontario and fits into the image of a city that places sports and entertainment at its center.

The Skylon Tower stands near Niagara Falls in Ontario and offers visitors observation decks with views of the waterfalls and surrounding landscape. The building houses a restaurant where guests can watch the falls while dining. The tower provides a different perspective from which to see the power and scale of Niagara Falls while exploring the region.

Reif Estate Winery is located in the wine region of Niagara-on-the-Lake and offers guided tours through the vineyards and winery. Visitors can participate in tastings led by wine professionals who share their expertise. This winery is part of Ontario's wine country, where local producers focus on making ice wine and other quality wines.

The CF Toronto Eaton Centre is a large shopping complex in downtown Toronto. It connects to the subway system underground, making it easy to reach by public transit. Inside you will find numerous stores, restaurants, and cafes spread across multiple levels. The building features modern architecture with glass skylights that flood the interior with natural light. It is a busy hub where people shop, eat, and spend time together. The center sits in the heart of Toronto's business district.

The Art Gallery of Ontario in this collection displays Canadian and international artworks. The building itself is notable for its architectural form and draws visitors interested in art and design. Located in Toronto, a city that also features other cultural sites like the Royal Ontario Museum and historic neighborhoods, the gallery presents works from different periods and styles. Visitors can explore galleries that reflect the diversity of artistic expression.

Little Canada in Toronto is a miniature attraction that showcases Canada at small scale. Detailed replicas of Canadian monuments and landmarks fill the space. Visitors can take part in interactive treasure hunts and learn about the country's history and culture. The attraction offers a way to discover some of Canada's most famous places without traveling far.

The White Water Walk takes visitors along the Niagara Rapids. A wooden boardwalk descends toward the rapids and lets you observe the power of the water up close. This attraction is part of what Ontario offers travelers who come to experience more than just the famous falls.

Horseshoe Falls forms the main part of Niagara Falls and is one of the world's major waterfall cascades. Water plunges here with tremendous force. You can view the falls from Table Rock Centre or take a boat to the base of the cascade. The surrounding area has vineyards where ice wine is made and visitors can taste local wines. These falls in Ontario are among Canada's most visited places and draw travelers from around the world.

The Toronto Zoo is home to animals from around the world living in carefully designed habitats. Polar bears are among the most notable residents. The zoo fits into Ontario's broader appeal by allowing visitors to explore wildlife and learn about nature while discovering what the region has to offer.

The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory creates a tropical environment and houses different butterfly species along with botanical gardens. This place complements what the Niagara region offers, where the falls draw visitors with their power and local vineyards produce ice wine.

The Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau explores Canada's past from settlement to the present day. Its galleries cover the cultures of Indigenous peoples, colonization, and the country's development. The museum provides an overview of the history that has shaped modern Canada.

Scarborough Bluffs are cliffs that line Lake Ontario in Toronto. These geological formations display colored layers of stone and clay. From the top, you can look out over the lake and shoreline. The site is a natural feature of the Great Lakes and draws visitors who want to see the geology and enjoy views of the water.

High Park is a large green space in the west of Toronto that offers a quiet retreat within the city. The park has forest trails where visitors can walk and a dedicated area for dogs where pet owners can let their animals roam freely. This place fits into Toronto's offerings for travelers who want to explore the city in different ways - both through historic neighborhoods and museums and through natural spaces.

The Diefenbunker is an underground shelter built during the Cold War that has become a museum. The exhibits tell the story of this period in Canadian history. Visitors can explore the rooms where government officials would have sought protection and learn how Canadians lived through this tense time. The bunker displays documents, objects, and information about the fear of nuclear conflict and how the government prepared for it.

The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa holds a large collection of Indigenous and Canadian art. Visitors can see works from different periods and styles, including the giant spider sculpture and the Rideau Chapel. The museum sits near Parliament Hill and offers views of the city. It is a key place to understand Canadian art history.

Kensington Market is a neighborhood in central Toronto that draws visitors searching for unusual items and authentic experiences. The market consists of narrow streets lined with vintage shops, second-hand clothing stores, antiques, and handcrafted goods. Restaurants and cafes serve dishes from different parts of the world. Street art and murals cover the walls and laneways. The neighborhood is known for its casual character and the mix of locals, artists, and tourists who walk through its streets.

Fort Henry is a 19th-century fortress in Kingston. Visits offer a chance to discover military life from that era and see historical exhibitions. The fort stands in a strategic location and shows how Canadian forces defended the region. You can walk through the buildings and learn about the history of Ontario and Canada.

The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa tells Canada's military history through exhibitions and artifacts. The building itself stands out for its modern architecture. It is located in Canada's capital city, which also hosts Parliament Hill and other historical sites that provide insight into Canada's past and present.

The ByWard Market sits at the heart of Ottawa's downtown and serves as a gathering place for shoppers and visitors. Fresh produce, handcrafted goods, and restaurants fill the stalls and surrounding area. Throughout the day, people come to browse, purchase items, or simply spend time in this central location.

Castle Kilbride in Wilmot is a large house built in the late 1800s. The rooms show how wealthy families lived at that time. You can walk through the spaces and see furniture, decorations, and personal objects from daily life back then. The house gives you a sense of how people in the upper classes lived in Ontario during that era.

Algonquin Provincial Park in Whitney covers a large area of forests and lakes. The park has hiking trails, canoeing routes, and camping areas. Visitors can experience Ontario's natural landscape and escape from city life. This park is part of what Ontario offers alongside Niagara Falls, Toronto's museums, and Ottawa's government buildings, providing natural spaces for travelers who want to discover Canada.

The Notre-Dame Basilica rises above Old Montreal with its striking architecture. Inside, blue and gold decorative elements and wooden sculptures create a rich visual experience. The building's excellent acoustics make it a popular venue for concerts, attracting visitors interested in religious art and history.

Pellegrini Vineyards sits in the Niagara wine region and offers wine tastings to visitors. The vineyard benefits from the area's favorable climate, which allows for quality grape cultivation. Guests can sample wines and learn about the winemaking process. The vineyard is part of the local wine culture that has long been significant in the region.

The Royal Botanical Gardens are located near Burlington and spread across several hectares. They house plant collections, walking trails, and wetland areas. These gardens fit into Ontario's appeal for visitors who want to experience nature and outdoor spaces while exploring the best the region offers.

Mauricie National Park near Shawinigan shapes the landscape with expansive forests and numerous lakes. The park is crisscrossed by a network of trails that lead visitors to different viewpoints over the water. This area allows you to experience Ontario's nature in a direct way.

Old Montreal preserves cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. Historic buildings now house restaurants, galleries and shops. This place shows how Montreal became an important city. The cobblestone streets lead past old facades where people shop and dine. The neighborhood gives a sense of Montreal's history and development.

The Montreal Botanical Garden displays plant collections from around the world. The themed gardens change with the seasons, offering visitors a chance to explore different climates and landscapes. With more than 20 gardens and greenhouses, you can walk through plants from Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The garden is a place for strolling and observing, where you can experience the diversity of plants up close.