Best Canadian things to do in Ontario
Looking for typical Canadian activities? You can enjoy a diverse range of authentic Canadian experiences in Ontario, whether you’re visiting world-renowned cities like Toronto and Ottawa, taking in breathtaking natural landscapes away from cities or engaging in outdoor activities, cottage getaways and celebrations.
Savour classic Canadian flavours
Delicious maple syrup
From our flag to our national sports teams jerseys, the maple leaf signifies Canada – and so does maple syrup.
Every spring red, black and sugar maple trees in Ontario forests await the arrival of maple sugaring season. People from all over come to sample maple delights and maple-infused Canadian cuisine that locals offer:
- Come to charming Lanark County, The Maple Syrup Capital of Ontario, to Wheelers Pancake House. Located at the centre of their 730-acre forest, with huge windows, you’ll feel like the maple syrup on your pancakes is coming to you directly from the trees
- Try maple ale at another Lanark County mainstay, the Perth Brewery
- Visit the Kawartha Buttertart Factory in the Peterborough area, which brings the delights of maple tree tapping to life in their famous maple butter tarts and maple sticky buns
- Savour a burger topped with bacon strips, house-made maple bacon jam and Empire Cheese Whiskey Mustard Cheddar cheese at the Dockside Bistro in Campbellford, not far from the Kawartha Buttertart Factory
- Explore Maple Leaf Place Niagara Falls, enjoy its tasting room, learn about maple syrup’s heritage, flavours, and future and shop maple products. Try maple fudge and traditional ice maple taffy
Learn more about maple syrup in Ontario:
Maple syrup season | Destination Ontario
Sweet Ontario - the home for Ontario maple syrup
Refreshing, sweet Icewine
Icewine is a luscious and concentrated dessert wine made from grapes that have naturally frozen on the vine. Harvested in cold temperatures, typically below -8°C (17.6°F), the frozen grapes yield intensely sweet juice, resulting in a rich, complex and balanced wine with flavours of honey, apricot and citrus.
As with maple syrup, Ontario’s distinctive climate and winter weather makes Icewine possible. In fact, only Ontario has a winter climate sufficiently reliable to ensure an Icewine crop to make Canada’s “liquid gold” every year. Put Icewine on your Canadian bucket list – some of the best produced by the Niagara region’s wineries and you can try it at:
- Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Reif Estate Winery, which has a rich history producing Icewine and offers tastings and tours throughout the year
- Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery, where for six generations the family has farmed the Short Hills Bench sub-appellation of the Niagara Peninsula
Unlike national foods like the American hot dog or apple pie, the unique flavours of traditional Canadian foods are often regional. In Ontario you’ll find quintessential favourites like butter tarts, peameal bacon (Toronto’s Carousel Bakery’s world-famous peameal bacon sandwich is a must-try) perch, pickerel and beavertails along with a rich mosaic of restaurant fare that highlights the province’s expansive cultural diversity. A wide variety of influences define our culinary scene.
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Fast, fluid ice hockey
When most people think of Canada and sports, ice hockey springs to mind. The game is deeply embedded in Ontario’s identity. It unites us and cuts across cultural, geographic and socio-economic lines.
Like so many things in Canada, it's founded on the climate… a frozen pond, long cold winters and back in the day, not a lot to do. Today you can relive hockey’s early incarnation by playing shinny, which is another name for pond hockey or pick-up hockey.
Have a hockey experience:
- Book the Blue Mountain Shinny rink at Blue Mountain, a couple of hours north of Toronto
- Do the typical Canadian thing and find a public rink to skate on in most cities and towns
- Watch professional Canadian ice hockey teams. Toronto and Ottawa have National Hockey League (NHL) teams as well as teams in the Professional Women’s Hockey League
- Watch minor league professional teams and junior league teams offering high-quality, fast-paced games
- Check out the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. It celebrates the sport's rich history and honours its legends. Established in 1943, it showcases artifacts, memorabilia and interactive exhibits, preserving the legacy of iconic players, coaches and builders
Learn more:
Guide to Canadian ice hockey | Destination Ontario
Hockey Hall of Fame | Destination Ontario
Slow, social ice fishing
While Canadians love a game played on top of the ice, they are almost equally enthused by what goes on below it. Once the lakes are coated with four or more inches of ice, ice fishing shacks start to dot the frozen surface. Armed with augers and heated shelters, enthusiasts drill through thick ice to catch a variety of fish like perch, walleye and pike. It's a unique and rewarding Ontario winter experience.
A number of outfitters offer guided ice fishing expeditions at some of the more popular lakes known for ice fishing. The guides provide all the gear and know-how and help you experience all the fun of this genuine Canadian pastime.
Learn more:
Best spots for ice fishing | Destination Ontario
Ice fishing made easy | Destination Ontario
Spectacular freshwater paddling
If hockey says Canada in winter, then canoeing says Canada in the summer. For many Canadians paddling is like coming home. Invented by First Nations and adopted by Europeans, the canoe just made sense to navigate Canada’s natural waterways. Canada and Ontario’s history is inextricably linked to this iconic craft and today the canoe remains part of the country’s psyche and embedded firmly in its culture. Learn more about the history of canoeing in Canada at the Canadian Canoe Museum.
Ontario is an exceptional destination for canoeing. It has an abundance of lakes of all sizes and free-flowing rivers. Many of these have preserved traditional canoe routes, backcountry campsites, portage trails between bodies of water and outfitting companies to guide you to experience it all.
There are many places to rent everything you need to go for a paddle, whether for an hour or a multi-day foray deep into lake country or down one of the province's many rivers. As well, most lakeside resorts provide canoes and kayaks for their guests, often at no cost, just ask when booking. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Paddle the Grand River. A heritage river with deep significance to Indigenous people as it runs through the Six Nations Reserve, the only First Nation community that includes all six Haudenosaunee nations. Visit Grand River Rafting (Paris to Brant)
- Experience Algonquin Park up close and personal. Try a Beginner Canoe Trip with Voyageur Quest in Algonquin Park and Algonquin Outfitters
- Canoe down the Rideau Canal with Perth Outfitters
- Take the family down the historic French River. Contact Beginner Canoe Trip for families on the French River
Head north to explore the endless lakes, rivers and breathtaking scenery. Canoe or kayak, there is so much to experience. Try these outfitting and education companies:
- Temagami Outfitting Co. (wilderness and adventure outfitting)
- Naturally Superior Adventures (paddle Lake Superior, the world’s largest inland sea)
- Madawaska Kanu Centre (canoe and kayak whitewater courses)
Learn more:
Beginner’s guide to canoeing in Ontario | Destination Ontario
10 iconic rivers to canoe in Ontario | Destination Ontario
Quintessential cottage country getaways
Once the winter ice has given way to spring breezes and summer heat, there may be nothing more Canadian than heading to Ontario’s cottage country for a relaxing week or weekend at a lakeside cabin or resort. Tranquil lakes, lush forests and outdoor activities define Cottage Country. You can kick back in a quaint cabin or splurge on more luxurious accommodations like those found at Jayne’s Cottages. No matter where you stay, cottage country means canoeing, swimming, hiking, barbecuing, fishing, stargazing, board games, curling up with a good book and so much more.
Here are a just a few of the many resorts available:
Muskoka
Lake Simcoe
Kawartha Lakes
Learn more:
Lakeside summer getaways| Destination Ontario
Ontario Resorts | Destination Ontario
Fall cabin and resort getaways in Ontario, Canada
Breathtaking natural attractions
Stunning landscapes and natural wonders are celebrated Canadian features and you’ll get that experience at Ontario's 340 provincial parks, which offer breathtaking natural beauty and diverse outdoor adventures. From the iconic Algonquin Provincial Park’s pristine wilderness to the wild Georgian Bay landscapes of Killarney Provincial Park, visitors can explore forests, lakes and trails. Ontario’s parks showcase Canada's rich biodiversity and provide a serene escape into nature's wonders.
Hiking, biking, bird watching, swimming, paddling, fishing and boating are just some of the activities you can enjoy in Ontario’s provincial parks. Note that parks require a fee or permit and visits must be booked in advance.
Learn more:
Top parks to visit in Canada | Destination Ontario
Outdoor wellness in nature | Destination Ontario
Glorious Fall colour viewing
Ontario experiences vibrant fall colours primarily due to its diverse mix of deciduous hardwood trees – maples, oaks and birches – and climatic conditions that cause them to undergo a stunning transformation in the fall. Every autumn brings visitors to Ontario to experience them firsthand. Some of the best places to take in the striking foliage include:
- Haliburton Highlands: The Highlands’ hiking trails and lookouts are vantage points from which to enjoy the view as Maple, Aspen and Tamarack transform the forest canopy into a wonderful sea of red, orange and yellows
- Muskoka: This popular cottage country region is surrounded by lakes and dense forests. The combination of maple, oak and pine trees creates a picturesque autumn landscape which you can see on a scenic drive or by exploring the hiking trails
- Niagara Parkway: Following the Niagara River, this scenic route offers stunning views of the changing leaves. The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory are also excellent spots to enjoy the fall foliage
- Prince Edward County: This charming area, known for its wineries and beaches, is equally enchanting in the fall. The changing leaves complement the historic architecture and vineyards
- Algonquin Provincial Park: Known for its diverse forests, Algonquin Park offers an array of deciduous trees, providing a breathtaking canvas of fall colours. The park's lookout points, hiking trails and waterways showcase the vibrant foliage
- See the colours from the water. Try the 1000 Islands Cruise in Kingston or the RMS Segwun (North America’s oldest operating mail steamship) and Wenonah II in Muskoka
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Appreciate art inspired by Canadian landscapes
The Group of Seven (also known as the Algonquin School) was a group of Canadian landscape painters who made up the country’s first major art movement. Inspired by European impressionists, the group believed distinct Canadian art could be developed through direct contact with nature.
The artists focused on capturing the rugged and pristine landscapes of Ontario, bringing attention to the province's unique natural beauty. Their works helped define a Canadian art identity that emphasized the importance of the Canadian wilderness and played a role in fostering a national appreciation for the country's landscapes. You can see a collection of works by the Group of Seven at the McMichael Gallery.
Learn more:
Group of Seven | Destination Ontario
Group of Seven route: Ontario Collection | Destination Ontario
Canada Day is celebrated on July 1 and marks the anniversary of Canada's confederation and the union of provinces in 1867. Festivities nationwide include fireworks, parades, concerts and cultural events. Ontarians proudly display their national flag, take part in festivities and reflect on the country's history, diversity and shared identity.
Ottawa is the definitive place for Canada Day celebrations. No matter where home is, it is hard not to feel like a Canadian on July 1 in the nation’s capital. Activities usually start at 9 a.m. and run all day, highlighted by a parade. Various events, including a special Citizenship Ceremony, celebrate who Canadians are as a people. In the evening, a free concert features some of Canada's top musical acts and the day culminates with a spectacular fireworks display.
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Last updated: May 7, 2025