60 Best Sights in Ontario, Canada

Operating since 1846, when they were wooden-hulled, coal-fired steamboats, the misty tour boats are now run by Hornblower. Double-deck steel vessels tow fun-loving passengers on 20-minute journeys to the foot of the falls, where the spray is so heavy that ponchos must be distributed. From the observation areas along the falls, you can see those boarding the boats in their blue slickers. The very similar Maid of the Mist boat tours operate from the American side. Unless you cower in the center of the boat, your shoes and pants will get wet: wear quick-drying items or bring spares.

One of North America's most impressive natural wonders, the falls are actually three cataracts: the American and Bridal Veil Falls in New York State, and the Horseshoe Falls in Ontario. In terms of sheer volume of water—more than 700,000 gallons per second in summer—Niagara is unsurpassed compared to other bodies of water on the continent.

On the Canadian side, you can get a far better view of the American Falls and a close-up of the Horseshoe Falls. You can also park your car for the day in any of several lots and hop onto one of the WEGO buses, which run continuously to all the sights along the river. If you want to get close to the foot of the falls, the Maid of the Mist boats take you near enough to get soaked in the spray.

After experiencing the falls from the Canadian side, you can walk or drive across Rainbow Bridge to the U.S. side. On the American side you can park in the lot on Goat Island near the American Falls and walk along the path beside the Niagara River, which becomes more and more turbulent as it approaches the big drop-off of just over 200 feet.

The amusement parks and tacky souvenir shops that surround the falls attest to the area's history as a major tourist attraction. Most of the gaudiness is contained on Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls' Times Square. Despite these garish efforts to attract visitors, the landscaped grounds immediately bordering the falls are lovely and the beauty of the falls remains untouched.

One reason to spend the night here is to admire the falls illumination, which takes place every night of the year, from dusk until at least 10 pm (as late as 1 am during the summer). Even the most contemptuous observer will be mesmerized as the falls change from red to purple to blue to green to white, and finally all the colors of the rainbow in harmony.

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Three beloved neo-Gothic-style buildings with copper roofs dominate the nation's capital from Parliament Hill, overlooking the Ottawa River. Originally built between 1859 and 1877, they were destroyed by fire in 1916. The Centre Block was rebuilt by 1920 and is where the two houses of Parliament, the Senate, and the House of Commons work to shape the laws of the land. Masterfully carved stone pillars and provincial emblems in stained glass in the House of Commons are all works of the nationally renowned artist Eleanor Milne. If the House is sitting, be sure to watch Question Period, a lively and at times theatrical 45-minute session during which members of the opposition fire current-events questions at the prime minister and members of the cabinet.

Visitors to the central Peace Tower, completed in 1927, often tour the Memorial Chamber's Altars of Sacrifice, with five Books of Remembrance bearing the names of Canadians killed during military service. Also in the Tower is a 53-bell carillon. From September through June, the Dominion Carillonneur gives 15-minute concerts at noon. In July and August there are one-hour concerts at 2. (All concerts are weekdays only.) Outside on the lawn there's plenty of room to observe the colorful Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place daily at 10 [am], late June to late August, weather permitting. The Ceremonial Guard brings together two of Canada's most historic regiments, the Canadian Grenadier Guards and the Governor General's Foot Guards.

North of the Centre Block and reached via its corridors is the Library of Parliament, the only part of the original Parliament Buildings saved from the fire of 1916. A statue of the young Queen Victoria is the centerpiece of the octagonal chamber, which is surrounded by ornately carved pine galleries lined with books, many of them priceless.

In front of and on either side of the Centre Block are the East Block and the West Block. The East Block has four historic rooms restored to the period of 1872 and open to the public from July to early September: the original Governor General's office restored to the period of Lord Dufferin, 1872–78; the offices of Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir Georges Étienne Cartier, Fathers of Confederation in 1867; and the Privy Council Chamber. The West Block contains offices for parliamentarians and is not open to the public.

Same-day reservations for 20- to 60-minute tours are available at the Visitor Welcome Centre, inside the entrance to the Centre Block. From mid-May to August, make reservations at the white tent on the lawn. Allow extra time to go through security scanners. A free half-hour Sound and Light Show (early July–early September) with highlights of Canada is offered twice nightly. Parliament Hill is also the place to be on Canada Day, July 1, for concerts, fireworks, cultural exhibitions, and free performances by top Canadian entertainers. Note: visiting hours are limited when Parliament is in session, so call ahead.

With a more than 45-year history of exploring ideas and building cultural understanding through its collection of 15,000 artifacts from across the globe, this boutique museum’s exhibitions and programming connect contemporary art and design to international textile traditions.

A public square at a major downtown crossroads, Toronto's answer to New York's Times Square is surrounded by oversize billboards and bright light displays. Visitors and locals converge on the tables and chairs that are scattered across the square when the weather is fine, and kids (and the young at heart) frolic in the 20 water fountains that shoot out of the cement floor like miniature geysers. From May to October, there's something happening every weekend—it could be an artisan market, an open-air film viewing, a summertime festival, or a live musical performance.

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A former Algonquin trading post on an island in the middle of the Ottawa River, close to the new War Museum, shows the history of the First Nations people. Tours take visitors through tepees and a longhouse where traditional dances are performed twice daily. An open-air café serves buffalo burgers, venison sausages, and grilled salmon. At the craft workshop, you can make a dream catcher, talking feather, or medicine wheel.

The region's only surviving example of a 19th-century tavern, this clapboard building originally opened to serve early visitors to the battleground of the War of 1812. There are displays of the lives of settlers during the war, native artifacts, and military attire.

A tropical respite from the crowds and Las Vegas–style attractions, Bird Kingdom is the world's largest indoor aviary, with more than 400 free-flying birds and more than 80 bird species from around the world in the 50,000-square-foot complex. For creepy-crawly lovers, there are also spiders, lizards, and snakes—including a 100-pound python that you can hold. Parking is an additional C$3 per half hour, but there's a public lot on nearby Hiram Street that is C$10 per day.

In the former commissariat used by the Royal Engineers and Colonel John By during the building of the Rideau Canal—the oldest stone masonry building in the city—are exhibits that record the life and times of Bytown and Ottawa.

Excellent fresh produce and maple products have been attracting shoppers to this farmers' market since 1826. Surrounding the market stalls are permanent specialty food shops, some well over 100 years old, as well as restaurants, nightclubs, cafés, and boutiques.

Exhibited here is Canada's most comprehensive collection of vintage aircraft, including a replica of the model that made the country's first powered flight, and myriad aeronautical antiques. You can also book a flight over Ottawa in a Cessna 172 or a de Havilland Chipmunk.

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Across the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Québec, is one of the area's most architecturally stunning buildings, with striking, curved lines that appear to have been molded more by natural forces than by human design. Exhibits trace Canada's history from prehistoric times to the present. Six west coast longhouses, towering totem poles, and life-size reconstructions of an archaeological dig are in the Grand Hall. Kids can enjoy hands-on activities in the Children's Museum. The Cineplus holds the larger-than-life IMAX and Omnimax.

In a castlelike building, the museum and its exhibits explore the earth's evolution, plus the birds, mammals, and plants of Canada. The High Definition Cinema shows nature documentaries that let you dive with whales and sharks or step back to when woolly mammoths roamed North America.

Emerging from the ground on a slant that reaches a peak of 24.5 meters (80 feet), the dramatic architecture of the new Canadian War Museum echoes the undulating European landscape where Canadians fought in the two World Wars. A path leads onto the grass-covered roof; the greenery symbolizes earth's regeneration over formerly bloody battlefields. The $136 million museum, opened May 2005, traces Canada's military history with artifacts and a re-creation of a walk-through trench, complete with bursting shells, to a replicated Peacekeepers' command post. In one cavernous gallery, you can walk around a huge collection of artillery and military vehicles including Hitler's Mercedes-Benz. The restaurant's outdoor patio overlooks the Ottawa River.

Many museums are closed Monday, particularly in winter, but the staff at the kiosk can help you locate the ones that are open.

Smaller and more low-key than Fallsview, Casino Niagara has slot machines, video-poker machines, and gambling tables for blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. There are also several lounges, a sports bar, and an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant.

Worth a border crossing, Cave of the Winds takes you 175 feet into the gorge to an observation deck less than 20 feet from thundering Bridal Veil falls.

You will get drenched; you are provided with a poncho and footwear for a reason.

This is undeniably the most crassly commercial district of Niagara Falls, with haunted houses, wax museums, and fast-food chains galore (admittedly, the Burger King here is unique for its gigantic Frankenstein statue). Attractions are typically open as late as 2 am in summer or 11 pm the rest of the year, with admission ranging from about C$10 to C$16. One of the most popular attractions is the 175-foot SkyWheel (C$15) with enclosed, climate-controlled compartments. Next door, Dinosaur Adventure Golf (C$11.99) combines minigolf, ferocious mechanical dinosaurs, and an erupting mini-volcano. The Great Canadian Midway is a 70,000-square-foot entertainment complex with arcade games, a bowling alley, air hockey, and food. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum is creepily fascinating, while Movieland Wax Museum has such lifelike characters as Harry Potter and Barack and Michelle Obama. Hershey's Chocolate World is 7,000 square feet of truffles, fudge, and the trademark Kisses, marked by a six-story chocolate bar.

Crush on Niagara tour packages include overnight stays, meals, and winery tours.

The 3-million-square-foot Eaton Centre shopping mall has been both praised and vilified since it was built in the 1970s, but it remains incredibly popular. From the graceful glass roof, arching 127 feet above the lowest of the mall levels, to artist Michael Snow's exquisite flock of fiberglass Canada geese floating poetically in open space, there's plenty to appreciate.

Such a wide selection of shops and eateries can be confusing, so here's a simple guide: Galleria Level 1 contains two food courts; popularly priced fashions; photo, electronics, and music stores; and much "convenience" merchandise. Level 2 is directed to the middle-income shopper; Level 3, suitably, has the highest fashion and prices. Named for the store (Eaton's) that once anchored it, its biggest tenants are now Sears and H&M. The southern end of Level 3 has a skywalk that connects the Centre to the seven floors of the Bay (formerly Simpsons) department store, across Queen Street.

Safe parking garages with spaces for some 1,800 cars are sprinkled around Eaton Centre. The building extends along the west side of Yonge Street all the way from Queen Street up to Dundas Street (with a subway stop at each end).

Canada's largest gaming and resort facility crowns the city's skyline, overlooking the Niagara Parks with picture-perfect views of the falls. Within the 30-story complex are Canada's first casino wedding chapel, a glitzy theater, spa, shops, and plenty of restaurants. Gaming enthusiasts will find more than 100 gaming tables and 3,000 slot machines on one of the world's largest casino gaming floors. The Las Vegas–style Avalon Ballroom showcases a wide array of talents, from Al Pacino to Jon Stewart.

Beautifully landscaped with willows, manicured hedges, and flower-bordered infield lakes, the Fort Erie Race Track has dirt and turf horse racing, with the year's highlight being the Prince of Wales Stakes, the second jewel in Canada's Triple Crown of Racing.

Operating since 1967 in a historic pump house, Gallery Stratford exhibits high-profile Canadian visual artists all year and, in summer, local up-and-coming artists.

The floral emblems of Canada's 10 provinces and three territories commemorate Confederation in this park.

A series of 63 islands in Lake Huron's Georgian Bay, the park can be visited only via boat. Organized boat tours with the park or private companies operate from the weekend closest to May 24 through mid-October, weather permitting. To explore one of the islands on foot, book a trip on the park's DayTripper boat, bring your own boat, or take a water taxi in Honey Harbour.

The park's own boat, the DayTripper (C$15.70 June–early Oct.), makes the 15-minute trip to Beausoleil Island, which has hiking trails and beaches, from Honey Harbour, 15 km (9 miles) north of Port Severn at Highway 400 Exit 156.

Two companies do cruises through the Georgian Bay but don't allow you to disembark on any of the islands. The 300-passenger Miss Midland, operated by Midland Tours (C$36), leaves from the Midland town dock and offers 2½-hour sightseeing cruises daily at 2 mid-May to mid-October. The company can arrange departures from Toronto, which includes time to explore the town of Midland. From the Penetanguishene town dock, Penetanguishene 30,000 Island Cruises takes passengers on Penetanguishene Harbour and the Georgian Bay islands tours, including 1½- and 2½-hour cruises of Penetanguishene Harbour and 3½-hour cruises of the 30,000 islands of Georgian Bay, on the 200-passenger MS Georgian Queen. Lunch (C$55) and dinner (C$63) cruises are available with reservations. Captain Steve Anderson, the owner and your tour guide, has operated these tours—a family business—since 1985. Cruises depart one to three times daily in July and August; less frequently (but usually Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday) in May, June, September, and October.

The Gerrard India Bazaar isn't a place, exactly. It's a strip of Gerrard Street that's home to dozens of shops and restaurants with a South Asian flair. One of the city's top cultural landmarks, it's the place to find colorful saris, ceramic incense burners, Indian sweets, and fresh grilled corn and cane juice from streetside vendors. It's also home of the Festival of South Asia every summer.

Grape and Wine Tours runs day trips and one- or two-night packages from Toronto and Oakville. Pickup and drop-off at Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls hotels is included.

Nearly 1 million artifacts on Native and maritime history are on display at the museum building, and there's also a replica Native American village. Visitors can expect contemporary art and extensive photography pieces, in addition to traditional Native art and archaeological collections.

This 30- to 45-minute tour starts with an elevator ride down to an observation deck that provides an eye-level view of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the Niagara River. From there a walk through tunnels cut into the rock takes you behind thunderous waterfalls, and you can glimpse the back side of the crashing water through two portals cut in the rock face.

Just a 10-minute walk east on the boardwalk from Woodbine Beach, the officially merged stretch of Kew Beach, Scarboro Beach, and Balmy Beach is a bit pebbly and slightly more secluded, making it ideal for those seeking a quiet stroll or a dip in the lake. Look for the historic Leuty Lifeguard Station, which was built in the 1920s. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard rental shops sit along the shore. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: walking; sunrise; swimming.