Sights in Ontario
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Stray-Cat Sanctuary
A bizarre, little-known quirk worth seeing is the Stray-Cat Sanctuary, with dollhouse-like shelters. It's on Parliament Hill between the West Block and Centre Block, toward the river. Some say, loftily, that it represents the Canadian ideal of welcoming and caring for the world's needy, but then again, maybe it's just nutty.
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Guinness World of Records Museum
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Ripley's Believe It or Not
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Tussaud's Wax Works
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Dynamic Earth
Most towns in northern Ontario have a mining museum, but Dynamic Earth takes the cake. The main attraction is the underground tour (with a simulated dynamite blast), and visitors will enjoy the extensive geologically themed exhibits. There's also plenty of interactive stuff for the kids and the kids-at-heart. Don't forget to grab a picture in front of the Big Nickel (a 9m-high five-cent coin), which is actually made of stainless steel.
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Eldon House
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Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre
A restored masterpiece, the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre is the world's last operating double-decker theater. Constructed in 1913, the stunning Winter Garden was built as the flagship for a vaudeville chain that never really took off, while the downstairs Elgin theater was converted into a movie house in the 1920s.
Saved from demolition in 1981, the theaters then received a $29 million facelift: bread dough was used to uncover original rose-garden frescoes, the Belgian company that made the original carpet was contacted for fresh rugs, and the floral Winter Garden ceiling was replaced, leaf by painstaking leaf. Public tours are worth every cent.
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Lake Nipissing Waterfront
A walk along scenic Lake Nipissing reveals several enjoyable activities including antique carousel rides and the Chief Commanda II. This passenger liner cruises through the Manitou Islands , along the French River ($35/19) and down to Callander Bay at sunset ($26/14). Three-hour 'Blues Cruises' are a big hit during the summer (one per month).
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Marine & Rail Museum
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Mt Mackay
Mt Mackay rises 350m over Thunder Bay, offering sweeping views of the region's patchwork of rugged pines and swollen rock formations. The lookout is part of the Fort William First Nation, and reveals its most majestic moments in the evening when the valley is but a sea of blinking lights. A walking trail leads from the viewing area to the top of the mountain. Watch your step while climbing – the shale rock can cause tumbles.
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Mural
Just north of Bracebridge, along Rte 118 in Port Carling, is a fantastic mural of an old ship. A closer glance reveals that the mural is actually a mosaic of vintage photographs – truly remarkable. Muskoka's majestic beauty serves as an inspiring backdrop for many other artists in the region. For more information, contact the Arts Council of Muskoka. In September, the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour allows tourists to visit local studios.
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Murals
Midland is known for its murals, which have transformed the downtown core into an outdoor art gallery. The various frescoes animate the region's history through breathtaking designs. They were commissioned throughout the 1990s, and were mostly painted by the gifted Fred Lenz. A handy detailed map is available at the tourist office.
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National Gallery
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Ottawa Locks & Bytown Museum
The series of steplike locks, between the Château Laurier and the Parliament Buildings, marks the north end of the 200km Rideau Canal, which flows all the way down to Kingston. Colonel By, the canal's visionary engineer, set up headquarters here in 1826.
Take the stairs down from Wellington St to find the Bytown Museum, sitting at the last lock before the artificial canal plunges into the waters of the Ottawa River. This well-curated collection of artifacts and documents about Ottawa's colonial past is displayed in the city's oldest stone building. The 1st floor is devoted to a nature exhibit, the 2nd floor details the arduous construction of the canal system, and, if…
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Ottawa's National Gallery
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Prime Minister's House & Rideau Hall
You can have a quick peek at the prime minister's house, although tight security prevents visitors from exploring the grounds. Rideau Hall, home to the governor general, was built in the early 20th century. There are free 45-minute walking tours of the posh residence, with poignant anecdotes about the various goings-on over the years. Tours are offered throughout the day in summer, or you can stroll the grounds all year. At the main gate, the small changing of the guard ceremony happens on the hour throughout the day from the end of June until the end of August.
Both houses are northeast along Sussex Dr. Rideau Hall is off Princess Dr, the eastern extension of Sussex Dr.…
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Six Nations of the Grand River Territory
Southeast of Brantford is Six Nations of the Grand River Territory – the six nations being Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora – and the village of Ohsweken, a well-known aboriginal community. Established in the late 18th century, the territory gives visitors a glimpse of traditional and contemporary First Nations culture. Six Nations Tourismat the corner of Hwy 54 runs the visitors center, with information on local sites, attractions and events in Six Nations.
Across the street from the visitors center, Chiefswood National Historic Site was the home of Mohawk poet E Pauline Johnson, whose best-selling Flint & Feather poems reflected a blend of…
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St Jacob's Country Playhouse
Family-friendly shows such as High School Musical and Peter Pan take the stage at this 385-seat playhouse.
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Todmorden Mills Wildflower Preserve
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Trent-Severn Waterway
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Ward's Island
At the western end of Ward's Island is an 18-hole Frisbee Golf Course. An old-fashioned boardwalk runs the length of the south shore of the island, passing the back gate of the Rectory cafe.
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Wawa Goose
A trip through Wawa would be incomplete without seeing the notorious Wawa Goose located in front of the visitor information center. There are actually two other giant geese in town: a noticeably decrepit (and anatomically incorrect) goose lingers just up the street on the opposite side of the road, and the third bird flaps its wings above the Wawa Motor Inn.
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Algoma Central Railway
The ACR is a 475km stretch of railroad that starts in the center of town and runs due north all the way to Hearst. Constructed in 1899, the iron tracks were laid down to facilitate the mass transport of raw materials from the frigid north to Sault Ste Marie's industrial plants. A couple of decades later, the region was explored by the Group of Seven, who immortalized the unspoiled scenery through vivid landscape tableaux. Today, the railway is largely used for passenger transportation and tours.
As the region's popularity grew, the Agawa Canyon Tour Train started up to serve the new influx of tourists. From mid-June to mid-October, a daily train shuttles passengers along…
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Arts Council of Muskoka
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