◆ Explore Ontario
Ontario Attractions: Things to See & Do
From world-famous falls to quiet provincial parks — the best of the province, in one place
Explore
6 categories
Coverage
All Ontario
Season
Year-round
Good for
All ages
Ontario is enormous, and there’s far more to it than Niagara and the CN Tower. Browse by what you’re in the mood for — big natural wonders, quiet parks, sandy beaches, museums, family days out, or the buzz of the cities.
🌊 Natural wonders 🏞 Parks & trails 🏛 Museums & history 🎢 Family fun
💡 Many of Ontario’s best attractions pair perfectly with a festival weekend nearby — check the region page for whatever you’re visiting to see what else is on while you’re there.

🗺 More Than Niagara and the Tower

Everyone knows Niagara Falls and the CN Tower — and they’re worth the hype — but they’re a tiny slice of what Ontario offers. The province runs from the vineyards of Niagara to the wilderness of Algonquin, the Great Lakes beaches, and the granite and pine of the North.
This hub sorts it all into six simple categories so you can jump straight to what you’re after, whether that’s a big family day out, a quiet paddle, or a museum afternoon out of the rain.

🧭 Explore Attractions by Type

Six categories covering the best of Ontario. Tap any one to see the full list of places to visit.

🌊 Natural Wonders

Ontario’s showstoppers. Niagara Falls is the headliner, but the province is full of them — the cliffs and grottos of the Bruce Peninsula, the granite and pine of Georgian Bay, and the endless waterfalls of the Canadian Shield.
Browse Natural Wonders →

🏞 Parks & Outdoors

From Algonquin’s canoe routes to hundreds of provincial parks and conservation areas, this is where Ontario goes to hike, paddle, camp and slow down — with trails and lookouts for every level.
Browse Parks & Outdoors →

🏖 Lakes & Beaches

Four of the five Great Lakes touch Ontario, and the beaches prove it — the long sands of Wasaga and Sauble, the dunes of Sandbanks, and countless inland-lake spots for a summer swim.
Browse Lakes & Beaches →

🏛 Museums & History

Ontario’s story, from Indigenous heritage to War of 1812 forts and world-class city museums. Galleries, science centres and historic sites you can happily spend a whole day inside.
Browse Museums & History →

🎢 Family Fun & Theme Parks

Big days out for all ages — Canada’s Wonderland, aquariums and zoos, safari parks and science centres. The attractions kids remember, and parents don’t mind either.
Browse Family Fun →

🌆 Cities & Landmarks

The urban icons: the CN Tower and Toronto’s skyline, Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and the neighbourhoods, markets and rooftops that make Ontario’s cities worth a trip on their own.
Browse Cities & Landmarks →

⭐ Must-See Ontario Landmarks

If it’s your first trip through the province, start here — five of Ontario’s most iconic places, each an easy anchor for a day or a weekend.

Niagara Falls

One of the most famous waterfalls on earth, about an hour and a half from Toronto — plus wineries, the Niagara Parkway and Niagara-on-the-Lake right alongside it.

CN Tower

Toronto’s 553-metre icon, with a glass floor, a revolving restaurant and one of the best city views anywhere — right by the harbourfront, Ripley’s Aquarium and Rogers Centre.

Algonquin Provincial Park

Ontario’s most beloved wilderness — canoe routes, backcountry campsites, moose sightings and, come late September, some of the best fall colour in the country.

Parliament Hill

Ottawa’s Gothic-revival seat of government above the Ottawa River — free to visit, with tours, the changing of the guard in summer, and the ByWard Market a short walk away.

Thousand Islands

A scenic maze of nearly 1,900 islands where the St. Lawrence leaves Lake Ontario, between Kingston and Gananoque — boat cruises, Boldt Castle, and the pretty Thousand Islands Parkway to drive.

❓ Common Questions

What are the top attractions in Ontario?
Ontario’s best-known attractions include Niagara Falls, the CN Tower and Toronto’s skyline, Algonquin Provincial Park, the Thousand Islands, and Parliament Hill and the national museums in Ottawa. Add the Great Lakes beaches, Canada’s Wonderland and the Bruce Peninsula and you’ve got a full itinerary.
What is Ontario best known for?
Ontario is best known for Niagara Falls and the Great Lakes, Toronto’s skyline and cultural scene, cottage country and wilderness parks like Algonquin, and Ottawa, the national capital, with its Gothic Parliament buildings and museums.
What can you do in Ontario for free?
Plenty is free: touring the grounds of Parliament Hill, visiting public beaches, chasing waterfalls, wandering city neighbourhoods and markets, and catching free-admission evenings at some major museums. Note that provincial parks usually charge a small day-use fee.
When is the best time to visit Ontario attractions?
Summer is peak season for beaches, parks and theme parks. September and October bring spectacular fall colour, especially in Algonquin and Muskoka. Winter is the time for skiing, skating and Ottawa’s Winterlude. Many indoor attractions and city museums are worth visiting year-round.
Are Ontario attractions good for families?
Yes. Canada’s Wonderland, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, African Lion Safari, science centres, zoos and the province’s many beaches are all family favourites, and most provincial parks have easy trails and swimming suited to younger kids.
Hours and admission change seasonally — always check the attraction’s official site before you go.