These are the best places to travel this summer

Ontario

British Columbia & the Canadian Rockies Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Cycling in front of the skyline from Tommy Thompson Park in Toronto Ontario Canada.

©Bill Brooks/Alamy Stock Photo

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in Ontario

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

The breathtaking four-seasonal palette of Ontario's vast wilderness, endless forests and abundant wildlife awaits. Around 40% of Canada’s population lives here for good reason: Ontario is larger than France and Spain combined. Over 250,000 lakes, including the Great Lakes bordering the US, contain a fifth of the planet's fresh water.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • October 15, 2013: Exterior of the Royal Ontario Museum on a sunny day.

    Royal Ontario Museum

    Toronto

    Opened in 1914, the multidisciplinary ROM is Canada's biggest natural-history museum and one of the largest museums in North America. You'll either love…

  • Toronto, Ontario / Canada - May 16 2019: Spring scene of people enjoying the views of white full bloom cherry blossom at High Park. Men, women, kids spending time outdoor, spring season concept.; Shutterstock ID 1400380913; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: Toronto Top Things to Do Article 1400380913

    High Park

    Toronto

    Toronto's favorite green space is a wonderful spot to unfurl a picnic blanket, swim, play tennis, bike around, skate on 14-hectare Grenadier Pond or – in…

  • (GERMANY OUT) Hull: Canadian Museum of Civilisation(Außensicht)- 1996 col (Photo by Merten/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

    Canadian Museum of History

    Ottawa

    Allow plenty of time to experience this high-tech, must-see museum across the river, in Hull, Québec. Documenting the history of Canada through a range of…

  • Ottawa, Canada - September 17, 2017: Maman (1999) is a bronze, stainless steel, and marble sculpture by the artist Louise Bourgeois. It is in front of The National Gallery of Canada, located in the capital city of Ottawa, Ontario, is one of Canada's premier art galleries. 960641114

    National Gallery of Canada

    Ottawa

    The National Gallery is a work of art in itself: its striking ensemble of pink granite and glass spires echoes the ornate copper-topped towers of the…

  • Aerial of Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls. 546768265 aerial, amazing, american, awesome, beautiful, beauty, blue, boats, bridge, canada, canadian, color, drop, fall, flow, helicopter view, horseshoe, landmark, landscape, light, maid, majestic, mist, natural, nature, new, niagara, north, ontario, outdoors, park, power, powerful, rainbow, rapids, river, rock, rocky, scenic, sky, spectacular, speed, stunning, toronto, tour, tourism, travel, view, water, waterfall

    Horseshoe Falls

    Niagara Falls

    The centerpiece of any visit here are the Horseshoe Falls. Named after their 670m curved shape, they have the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North…

  • Boldt Castle - Thousand Islands region, St Lawrence River, near Alexandria Bay.

    Boldt Castle

    Thousand Islands

    This lavish turn-of-the-century island castle in the middle of the St Lawrence is only around 25km from Gananoque, but technically in the USA, so you'll…

  • McMichael Canadian Art Collection, an art gallery with a focus on the Group of Seven

    McMichael Canadian Art Collection

    Toronto

    Handcrafted buildings (including painter Tom Thomson’s cabin, moved from its original location), set amid 40 hectares of conservation trails, contain…

  • February 6, 2016: Crowd of skaters at Harbourfront Centre public skating rink.

    Harbourfront Centre

    Toronto

    An artistic powerhouse, this 4-hectare complex educates and entertains Toronto's community through a variety of year-round performances, events and…

View more attractions

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Places to Visit

Explore Ontario’s top 11 destinations, from Niagara Falls to Algonquin Park, Toronto’s skyline, and the Great Lakes’ scenic shores.

Read article

Best Time to Visit

Explore Ontario with festivals, fiery fall colors and epic winter adventures. Find the best time to visit with this seasonal guide.

Read article

Plan with a local

Articles

Latest stories from Ontario

Activities

The 11 best places to visit in Ontario

Mar 12, 2025 • 11 min read

Read more articles

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Ontario

Go Beyond

Ontario and beyond

Beyond Ontario