Ontario bucket list travel experiences

Outdoor adventures

Raft the Ottawa River rapids

One of the longest rivers in Ontario and a designated Canadian Heritage River, the Ottawa River is a significant historical, economic and recreational waterway.

For paddlers and adrenaline seekers, the series of heart-pounding whitewater rapids is the river’s most exciting feature. With particularly rough sections named Butcher’s Knife, the Bus Eater and the White Faced Monster, you know it’s going to be a wild ride.

Wilderness Tours Adventure Resort, Owl Rafting and RiverRun Rafting Resort offer high-adrenaline whitewater rafting and sport kayaking trips, as well as softer, family-oriented rafting experiences on the Ottawa River.

Location: Foresters Falls

Lead a team of Siberian Huskies

Experience the thrill of driving a dogsled team through breathtaking winter wilderness trails.

Winterdance Dog Sled Tours, Ontario’s only Iditarod and Yukon Quest kennel, is a family-run operation offering two-hour, half-day and even moonlit dog sledding tours with a team of Siberian Huskies in Haliburton Highlands, on the outskirts of Algonquin Park.

Find more dog sledding opportunities across Ontario.

Location: 1888 Hodgson Drive, Eagle Lake

Sea kayak on Lake Superior

Often called an inland sea, Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area.

Spanning 560 kilometres in length, 260 kilometres in width and boasting an impressive 2,938-kilometre shoreline, Superior’s sheer size is awe-inspiring. Its personality is as vast as its waters—shifting from Caribbean-like calm and sparkling summer scenes to the dramatic power of epic November gales. Steeped in legends, lyrics and lore, the lake holds a captivating mystique.

Due to its size, Superior is the best body of water for sea kayaking in Ontario. Long and narrow, sea kayaks are designed for advanced, open-water paddling. Based in Wawa, Naturally Superior Adventures offers day trips and multi-day kayaking excursions on Superior. Ontario Sea Kayak Centre also leads guided adventures on the lake.

Location: Lake Superior

Beat an Ontario sport fish record

Anglers cast on Ontario’s lakes and rivers in the hopes of catching trophy-sized freshwater fish, such as walleye, muskie and bass.

Learn about the largest species of top sport fish recorded in the province, including Ontario’s record “brookie,” which has the distinction of being the world record brook trout catch. The story is a classic fishing tale, even though the fish was caught over 100 years ago.

Plan a fishing adventure in Ontario and see if you have what it takes to best the current records. And even if you don’t top a record, it’s guaranteed you’ll have fun trying. Ontario’s fishing lodges and resorts cater to every angler, from avid to family fishing trips.

Explore the Trans Canada Trail

Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic coasts, the Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest recreational trail network. It spans over 28,000 kilometres of nature trails, water routes and roadways, connecting hundreds of communities across Canada.

With close to 6,000 kilometres, Ontario is home to the longest portion of the Trans Canada Trail and endless hiking, paddling, cycling and snow-based adventure. It consists of interconnected regional and local trails, including stretches of the Bruce Trail, a legacy trail network along the Niagara Escarpment.

Find shipwrecks in Fathom Five

Canada’s first national marine park, Fathom Five covers over 115 square kilometres of Georgian Bay, in Lake Huron. Significant natural and historical features of the freshwater ecosystem include Flowerpot Island and several other rocky islands, ancient geological formations, unique and rare orchid species and 22 fascinating shipwrecks.

The wrecks date back to the late 19th century, when the waters served as an essential shipping route. The earliest is a well-preserved schooner that ran aground in 1885, while the most recent are two tugboats that sank in the 1950s.

View the submerged vessels by kayak or glass-bottom boat with Bruce Anchor Cruises or Blue Heron Cruises, both based out of Tobermory. Alternatively, experienced divers can scuba dive to the sites for a closer look.

Discover more intriguing scuba diving experiences in Southeastern Ontario, including submerged ruins, lost villages and shipwrecks.

Location: 121 Chi sin tib dek Road, Tobermory

Cross Canada’s longest foot suspension bridge

The Eagle Canyon Adventures suspension bridge spans over 180 metres long and almost 50 metres high, suspended over a deep canyon and a spring-fed lake below.

Open seasonally, the park is located about an hour’s drive northeast of Thunder Bay.

Location: 275 Valley Road, Dorion

Brave the Bon Soo polar bear plunge

Sault Ste. Marie’s long-running annual winter carnival is a high-energy celebration of food, music, entertainment and community spirit.

One of the more exhilarating traditions during the event is the Polar Plunge, when brave souls leap into the icy waters of St. Marys River.

Discover more unique and exciting ice-based adventures in Ontario, including polar plunges.

Location: 50 Pim Street, Sault Ste. Marie

Cultural experiences

Honour Indigenous culture

Learn about First Nations, Inuit and Métis history, culture, cuisines and peoples in a variety of ways in Ontario.

Attend an annual celebration such as the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival in Ottawa or the Six Nations’ Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow.

Sample Indigenous cuisine, embark on a guided nature-based tour, hear the story of the Ojibwe Spirit Horse and invest in authentic, traditional or contemporary artwork or handicraft.

Tour Canada’s Parliament

Arguably the most influential place in Canada, Parliament is the nation’s legislative body, consisting of the Governor General, the Senate and the House of Commons.

Guided tours are offered in the Senate of Canada Building, formally a train station and in the House of Commons in the historic West Block. During the summer, you can also visit heritage rooms in the East Block for a peek at 19th-century parliamentary life.

Top it off with a tour of Rideau Hall, the residence of Canada’s Governor General, who serves as the head of state and ambassador of the Crown.

Locations:

• Parliament Hill, Wellington Street, Ottawa
• Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa

Visit Ottawa’s national museums

Ottawa boasts seven of Canada’s nine national museums, offering an immersive journey through the country’s heritage, culture and history—all in one city.

View comprehensive collections of Indigenous and Canadian artwork at the National Gallery of Canada and learn about the natural world at the Canadian Museum of Nature. In addition to cultural exhibitions at the Canadian Museum of History, the

Canadian Children's Museum makes learning fun for kids.

Enjoy interactive exhibits at the Canada Science and Technology Museum and diverse programming at the Canadian War Museum. Enter the world of aerospace at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and explore farming heritage at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Look for current and upcoming special exhibits.

Location: Ottawa

Follow the Rideau Canal National Historic Site

The Rideau Canal is a 202-kilometre engineering feat that connects the Ottawa River with Lake Ontario at Kingston. It was built under the supervision of Lieutenant-Colonel John By from 1826 to 1832, following the War of 1812, as a safe alternative route to the St. Lawrence River. The slackwater canal combines natural waterways with constructed elements, including over 45 locks that control water levels for navigation.

While the canal is no longer used for commercial shipping, it remains a popular route for recreational boating and paddling. Today, it’s managed by Parks Canada and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America.

Explore the canal on the water by houseboat, visiting several charming communities along the way, such as Smith Falls, Perth and Westport.

Learn about the Underground Railroad

During the middle of the 19th century, a secret network of routes, safehouses and coded communication was established to facilitate the escape of formerly enslaved Black people from the southern United States into Canada.

Although the journey was long and fraught with danger, over 30,000 courageous freedom seekers reached safety in Canada.

Find out more about this significant chapter of Black History in Ontario at family-friendly museums and heritage sites that celebrate the enduring contributions of Black communities in the province.

Natural wonders

Hike the Sleeping Giant

One of the most challenging trails in Ontario leads up to the top of a massive rock formation with dramatic, towering cliffs overlooking Lake Superior. Featured in Ojibway legends, the landform (from a distance) resembles a person lying on their back, hence its name.

The Top of the Giant Trail is a 23-kilometre round-trip hike in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, approximately an hour’s drive east of Thunder Bay. The trail features strenuous, steep uphill climbs before reaching the breathtaking views from the flat rock top.

Read more about Ontario’s top hiking trails.

Location: R R 1, Pass Lake

See the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, paint vibrant streaks and ribbons of colour and light across the night sky.

This incredible display is the result of charged solar particles interacting with Earth’s atmosphere. Although the science is well understood, predicting the Northern Lights is less precise. Best viewed under dark, clear skies in fall or winter, this natural phenomenon is more visible the farther north you travel in Ontario.

In addition to designated dark sky preserves and parks, learn about stargazing events and programs or book an Ontario skygazing getaway to maximize your night sky viewing.

Witness Pelee’s seasonal migrations

Located in the southernmost point of mainland Canada, Point Pelee National Park is one of the smallest national parks, yet one of the most ecologically diverse.

Positioned at the crossroads of major migratory routes and flyways, the parks’ varied forest, marsh, savannah and beach habitats serve as a vital stop for spring and fall migratory birds and monarch butterflies on their journey south during late summer and early fall.

Close to 400 species of birds have been recorded in Point Pelee, making it one of the top destinations for bird watching in North America.

Location: 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington

Catch sundown in Sunset Country

Northwest of Thunder Bay, stretching to the Manitoba border, is a region famed for endless lakes, rivers and streams, vast boreal forest and big skies. From extensive water systems like Lake of the Woods, Lac Seul and Rainy Lake to smaller lakes and tributaries, sundowns across the horizon are epic.

In Southern Ontario, Lake Huron’s west coast also boasts celebrated sunsets!

Cozy up with a blanket and catch the show from the beach at Inverhuron Provincial Park, Pinery Provincial Park or Grand Bend. Or view sundown from Queen’s Lookout or the pier in Kincardine, the bluffs in Goderich or from Millard Boulevard in Southampton.

Hear wolves howl in Haliburton Forest

Part of the Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve, the Haliburton Forest Wolf Centre is home to a pack of wild grey wolves, also known as timber wolves. The modern educational facility features museum exhibits, a theatre and a unique, one-way glass observatory overlooking the expansive enclosure.

On select summer evenings, the public wolf howl program invites guests to gather for an informative presentation, followed by an expert guide who howls to elicit a response from the wolves. It’s a sound you’ll never forget.

Location: 1305 Redkenn Road, Dysart

View the Agawa Canyon by rail

The Agawa Canyon Tour Train is a one-day scenic rail excursion departing from Sault Ste. Marie. It travels 180 kilometres through rugged Canadian Shield terrain, descending more than 150 metres into the ancient, glacier-formed canyon.

At the canyon floor in Agawa Canyon Park, riders can disembark to explore hiking trails, view waterfalls and climb the Lookout Trail for stunning views.

The train runs from early June to mid-October—book seats well in advance, especially for the fall season.

Location: 87 Huron Street, Sault Ste. Marie

Feel the power of Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is the largest waterfall by volume in North America.

The combined falls (the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and the Canadian Horseshoe Falls) pour an average of more than 168,000 cubic metres of water per minute from the Niagara River into Lake Ontario, generating hydroelectricity on both sides of the border.

There are several ways to experience the tremendous power, thunderous roar and perpetual mist of this globally recognized natural spectacle.

The Niagara City Cruises Voyage to the Falls brings you to the action at the base of the falls, while Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours will plunge into the turbulent whitewater currents of the Niagara Gorge.

Zipline to the Falls, descend 38 metres and explore 130-year-old tunnels to Journey Behind the Falls or take in the majestic sight from above with Niagara Helicopters.

Location: Niagara Falls

Visit Manitoulin, the world’s largest freshwater island

Manitoulin Island is a place like no other, steeped in natural beauty and spiritual significance. It lies in the clear waters of Lake Huron and is a living tapestry of rich Anishinaabe culture, historic communities, scenic shorelines, trails and waterfalls.

As the largest freshwater island in the world, Manitoulin is a wonder in itself, boasting over 100 freshwater lakes, including Lake Manitou. It’s a rare opportunity to visit the largest freshwater lake on the world’s largest freshwater island.

From cultural tours to hiking trails and beaches, learn more about all there is to see and do on Manitoulin Island. Even getting to the island is an enchanting experience, as you cruise across Georgian Bay from Tobermory to South Baymouth on the MS Chi-Ceemaun ferry.

Location: Manitoulin Island

Island hop in the 30,000 Islands

Recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, the 30,000 Islands dotting the eastern coast of Georgian Bay make up the world’s largest freshwater archipelago.

A popular destination for boating and kayaking, you can also view the expansive cluster of islands on the Island Queen Cruise Line or on a scenic floatplane tour with Lake Country Airways.

Location: Both tours set out from the Parry Sound Harbour

Come face-to-face with a Polar Bear

The Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat is the only not-for-profit sanctuary in the world dedicated to caring for polar bears in need.

Home to two resident polar bears, Ganuk and Henry, the sanctuary features a 9.7-hectare environment designed to closely replicate their natural Arctic habitat. Visitors can book customized experiences and tours, including the chance to observe and photograph these majestic creatures from a private walkway overlooking the Arctic Enclosure.

Location: 1 Drury Park Road, Cochrane

Reach the highest point in the province

North of Sudbury and west of Temagami, the Ishpatina Ridge is a dome-shaped landmark in Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park, an operating wilderness park. At just under 700 metres above sea level and approximately 300 metres above the surrounding area, it is the highest point of land in Ontario.

In addition to Ishpatina Ridge, a remote and challenging location to reach, park highlights include gorgeous lakes, waterfalls and Maple Mountain, which boasts a higher vertical rise than Ishpatina. This hike is a little easier; approximately a three-hour return trip, plus the time you’ll want to spend soaking in the view from the top.

Location: 24 Finlayson Park Road, Temagami

Travel to Ontario’s saltwater coast

Remote and wild, northern Ontario stretches up to the shores of Hudson Bay. This saltwater shoreline crosses the Hudson Bay Lowlands and Polar Bear Provincial Park (Ontario’s largest provincial park) from the Manitoba border to the James Bay bordering Quebec.

The lowlands are home to ecologically significant peatlands and wetlands, which are vital habitats for migratory birds and polar bears. Predominantly First Nations communities include Fort Severn, Fort Albany and Moosonee, known as the “Gateway to the Arctic” on James Bay, where beluga whales and seals are often viewed.

Creegonquin and James Bay Adventures offer guided wildlife viewing and fishing excursions. Managed in partnership with Moose Cree First Nation, Tidewater Provincial Park is Ontario’s northernmost operating park with backcountry camping sites and hiking trails.

While most of the region is accessible only by air or boat, Ontario Northland operates the Polar Bear Express passenger train between Moosonee and Cochrane.

Location: Hudson Bay

City attractions

Go to the Ex

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), fondly known as “the Ex”, is one of the largest annual fairs held in Canada and the ultimate end-of-summer Toronto tradition.

Held at Exhibition Place from the third Friday of August to the first Monday in September, the carnival is an extravaganza of exhibits, live music, midway rides and kid-friendly entertainment, quirky eats, shopping galore and the iconic air show.

Location: 100 Princes' Boulevard, Toronto

Descend into a mine at Dynamic Earth

In partnership with Science North, Dynamic Earth is an interactive museum that explores the region’s geological history and mining heritage.

On this family-welcoming guided tour, guests are fitted with a hard hat before descending seven storeys underground to a demonstration mine to experience the life of a miner.

Location: 122 Big Nickel Road, Greater Sudbury

Do the CN Tower Edge Walk

Dare to take a walk around the outside of the top of the CN Tower. At 350 metres above ground, approximately 116 storeys up, this is the world’s highest hands-free walk (you will be secured with a harness).

The CN Tower, which operates as a communications tower, remains the tallest freestanding structure in North America. It features several observation decks and a revolving restaurant.

Location: 290 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto

Dine at a MICHELIN restaurant

Make your next dining out experience a meal to remember.

Over 100 restaurants have been recognized by the prestigious MICHELIN Guide for exceptional dining and culinary excellence.

Book a table at one of 17 restaurants that were recently awarded a MICHELIN star, including Restaurant Pearl Morissette, which received two stars. Explore the menus at dozens of Bib Gourmand, Green Star and recommended restaurants in Toronto, Niagara, Hamilton and beyond.

Ride Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland

Climb aboard the ride of your life on Leviathan, Canada’s tallest and fastest roller coaster. Ascend to 93.3 metres before plunging an 80-degree drop and racing the 1,672 metre track at speeds of up to 148 kilometres an hour.

A total of 18 thrilling roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland, plus more rides, water park attractions and entertainment, as well as a kiddie park for the little ones, make this theme park one of the most popular summer experiences in Ontario for all ages.

Location: Vaughan

Pose with the Stanley Cup

The ultimate prize for hockey fans, the Stanley Cup is North America’s oldest sports trophy, first awarded in 1893 by Lord Stanley himself. Today, the original trophy resides in Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame, where visitors can snap a photo with this legendary icon.

Dive into Ontario’s rich hockey history and culture.

Location: 30 Yonge Street, Toronto

Attend the Toronto International Film Festival

Considered a major launchpad for new filmmakers and a milestone on the road to the Oscars, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is one of the most prominent and influential film festivals globally.

Founded in 1976, TIFF showcases a diverse range of cinema, encompassing all genres and styles, from documentaries to contemporary films. The star-studded event takes place over ten days in early September and features screenings, gala events, talks, workshops, celebrity sightings and more.

Location: various venues in downtown Toronto

This is just a sample of the incredible things to do and see in Ontario. Once you’ve accomplished this list, search for more bucket list adventures and experiences.