I’ve been itchin’ to do some traveling these days. (Maybe because I’m coming down to the time when traveling won’t be an option for a while, ha!) We had trips to Boston and New York slated for this year, but then I got pregnant, and we decided to be responsible and save that money instead. Definitely the right choice, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still dream about a little wanderin’ around the globe. And lately, I’ve been thinking about Canada – specifically Ontario! So I thought I’d share with all of you. (Plus, I know I have some Canadian readers – I’d love for y’all to chime in!

Being larger than the countries of France and Spain combined, the province of Ontario has a lot to offer in the way of scenery and things to do. In fact, there’s so much to do that choosing a list of activities can be a difficult task if you’re not familiar with the must-see destinations. If you’re planning a trip to the city and are wondering which places you should visit before leaving, check out the following list of the top seven things to do in Ontario:

1. See Niagara Falls

By far the most amazing scenic feature to be found in this province is the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls, displaying the sheer power of nature with a massive waterfall that is constantly dropping about 800,000 gallons of water from the Niagara River into a pool more than 130 feet below. If you visit be sure to take a ride on the Maid of the Mist – a boat that takes you along the base of the falls – and take a walk through one of the tunnels that brings you behind the falls. There are a number of hotels near Niagara Falls that provide a great view of the falls in all their glory.

2. Visit the CN Tower

The CN Tower used to be the world’s tallest building from the time it was constructed in 1976 until it was surpassed in 2007 by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. This amazing structure is still visited by more than 1.5 million people every year, and the views from the top are absolutely unbelievable. In many places you can even see the curvature of the Earth on the horizon. You get an unbeatable panoramic view of Toronto and Lake Ontario. On a clear day you can see all the way to Niagara Falls, and you can even get an overhead view of planes taking off from the Toronto City Airport, which is located not far from the base of the tower.

3. Go Fishing on Lake Ontario

If you’re into trout and salmon fishing, Lake Ontario is perhaps one of the best bodies of water to visit. As the 14th largest lake in the world, it’s home to a wide variety of fish species, including the famed Chinook salmon, Rainbow trout (also called Steelhead trout), brown trout, Coho salmon, and lake trout. Some of the most fun fish to catch are the Chinook salmon, as they are a very aggressive and large species.  

4. Stop By Ripley’s Aquarium

Ripley’s Aquarium is known for being one of the best in the world, with more than 16,000 aquatic animals housed in state-of-the-art exhibits that make great backdrops for memorable photo shoots. Nestled in downtown Toronto, just south of the famous CN Tower, the 135,000 square foot facility is conveniently located near some of the city’s best shopping and dining establishments.

5. Check out the Royal Ontario Museum

With a collection of more than 6 million items, the Royal Ontario Museum showcases some pretty incredible stuff, including the world’s largest collection of fossils. There’s also an amazing art deco section and no shortage of fine arts, prototypes, fashion, archaeology, and just about any other category you could think of. With more than a million visitors per year, this is easily one of the most popular tourism destinations in Ontario.

6. Spend the Day at Canada’s Wonderland

This 330-acre amusement park is located about 25 miles north of downtown Toronto in the town of Vaughan. The park is seasonal and is therefore only open from May to September (nobody wants to ride a roller coaster in the snow). Canada’s Wonderland has a total of 16 roller coasters, giving it the third-most in the world behind only Six Flags Magic Mountain and Cedar Point.

7. Sail By the Thousand Islands

Aptly named “Thousand Islands,” this archipelago actually consists of closer to 2,000 islands (1,864 to be exact) that line the Saint Lawrence River between the Canada-US border. The chain of islands continues for about 50 miles and some of them are home to extravagant homes owned by celebrities, including Boldt Castle, which was built by George Boldt near the turn of the 20th century.

If All Else Fails, Explore the Capital

Finally, once you’ve done all of the above, why not take a stroll through the streets of Toronto? If you ever run out of things to do, exploring Ontario’s clean, illustrious, and modern capital should help you quell the boredom.

Have YOU ever visited Ontario? Or maybe you live there? What do you recommend?!

Due to the amount of comments from all of my wonderful readers, it is not always possible for me to respond to each one. However, I absolutely do read them all, and if you’d like to address something specific, or have a question for me, please don’t hesitate to email me at Kristen@theroadtodomestication.com. I will respond to your email as soon as possible! Thank you for visiting the blog!