40 Second Sunset, Ottawa, Ontario © ViaMoi
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“There’s more to discover in Ontario,” reads the slogan of the province’s tourism board. But what exactly can you do in Canada’s most populous province?
With the summer fast approaching, it’s an ideal time to visit the country as a whole! But here are five trip ideas to get you started specifically in Ontario:
#1: Enjoy a City Break in Ottawa or Toronto
Ontario is home to Ottawa, the national capital, and Toronto, the capital of the province and also Canada’s most populous city. Both cities offer a wide variety of activities, from museums to nightlife to shopping.
In Ottawa, for example, you can take a trip to Parliament Hill to see the seat of Canadian government, while in Toronto you can visit the Royal Ontario Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art or the Textile Museum. As a multi-cultural city, Toronto also boast foods from all over the world.
#2: Explore the Great Outdoors
Ottawa and Toronto provide great entertainment within the urban limits, but are also ideal for a natural adventures. Whether you enjoy walking, hiking, cycling or bird-watching, Ontario offers spectacular landscapes to enjoy all these activities. The summer, in particular, is an ideal time to bask in the country’s warmer weather. The region’s many lakes and rivers, in turn, provide a great refreshment after a day of athletic activity.
#3: Take a Risk and Climb
Travelling is all about experiencing the unknown. If you have never been rock climbing before, Ontario provides a wonderful backdrop to do so. The sky’s the limit for climbers, and even in summer, you could find yourself climbing up an icy crag.
If you’ve never done it before, however, start slowly. You can test the waters in an artificial rock climbing park. Be sure to be accompanied by a certified guide and equipment. This way, the vertical rock faces won’t seem all that scary anymore.
#4: Learn About Aboriginal Culture
Ontario’s Heritage Week is held annually in February, but you can learn about Aboriginal culture year-round. Immerse yourself in long-lasting traditions and witness the spectacle of vivacious swirling dresses at a Pow Wow celebration, accompanied by the sound of drums. But the adventure doesn’t stop at sight and sound; try the native dishes, such as bannock, fried bread, corn soup or blueberry tea. All this as you listen to ancient songs or tales while gathered around a First Nations campfire. Perhaps you will even learn how to read hieroglyphs.
#5: Revel in a Summer Festival
I can say it again and again: summer is the time to go to Ontario. Festival-goers will delight here during the summer months. Here are some highlights to choose from:
- Canada Day (July 1st): Celebrate the nation’s birthday in the capital.
- Toronto Pride Week (June 25 – July 4): Celebrate gay pride with colourful celebrations, a dazzling pride parade, and other fun events. The same week is also the time of the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, with more than 350 music concerts, many of them free.
- Rogers Cup (August 13 – 22): For tennis aficionados; the international championships in August in Toronto.
- Wikwemikong Pow Wow (July 31 – August 2): An annual festival in August on Manitoulin Island at the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve; Central Canada’s largest and longest running Pow Wow.