Historic forts, castles and heritage homes in Ontario
Fort Henry
Ontario’s history spans thousands of years, from its Indigenous peoples through centuries of European colonization and the claims and conflicts of French and English empires. By the 18th century, borders had begun to take shape, and Upper Canada — present-day Ontario — was established.
Tensions between Great Britain and the United States, fuelled by the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, eventually spilled into the New World. The War of 1812 was fought largely on Ontario soil, and when the Treaty of Ghent ended the conflict in 1814, it laid the groundwork for a growing sense of Canadian national identity.
Today, carefully restored forts, castles and heritage homes stand as tangible reminders of these defining chapters. They invite you to explore battle sites, grand estates and historic interiors that bring the people and events of another era vividly to life.
Here’s a selection of historical sites across the province. Throughout the summer, enjoy free or discounted admission to select Canada Park heritage sites with the Canada Strong Pass.
Ottawa Region
Fairmont Château Laurier
Completed in 1912, this landmark Ottawa building was constructed by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Company and was officially opened by its namesake, Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
The hotel overlooks both the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal. Lovely grounds and gardens surround the commanding limestone chateau and complement its French Gothic Revival features, such as the ornate gables, dormers, pavilions, towers and turrets.
Go behind the scenes to uncover hidden details and fascinating stories of the castle and some of its notable guests on the Secrets of the Château Laurier Hotel Tour.
Location: 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa
Greater Toronto Area
Casa Loma
Another mansion built in the Gothic Revival style, which was embraced in Canada in the early 20th century, is Casa Loma. Built as a dream 98-room home by business mogul Sir Henry Pallatt, from 1911 and 1914, this Toronto landmark museum is perhaps the most iconic castle in Ontario.
Spanish for “hill house,” Casa Loma sits high atop Davenport Hill with spectacular views of the city below. Tour the castle and view exhibits about early Toronto and Canadian history with a general admission ticket. Casa Loma also hosts special and seasonal events.
It’s a popular spot, so make sure to get there early if you want to admire and photograph the stained-glass windows, the grand fountain at the entrance and upscale furnishings in solitude.
Location: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
Fort York National Historic Site
Nestled in the heart of downtown Toronto and dwarfed by high-rises and highways, Fort York was once the site where British soldiers, Upper Canada militia and First Nations warriors fought the Battle of York.
The fort was built in 1793 to defend the harbour of the settlement of York, which was to eventually become the city of Toronto. To prevent it from falling into American hands, the fort was destroyed in 1813 and rebuilt the following year. Eight original buildings still stand, including blockhouses and barracks.
General admission is free and guided tours are offered throughout the day. Note that the museum at Fort York will be closed May 1 to July 1, 2026.
Location: 250 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Battlefield House Museum & Park National Historic Site
Step into history at a site once vital for farmers, preachers and Indigenous peoples to trade and gather.
Explore the historic home built in 1789 and a 30-metre-tall (100 feet) battlefield monument honouring a century of peace between Britain and the United States.
Each year in early June, witness a live re-enactment of the 1813 Battle of Stoney Creek and enjoy period games, demonstrations, historical music and food. The event also features Indigenous programming, including a “Great Peace Game” of Haudenosaunee Lacrosse.
Location: 77 King Street West, Stoney Creek
Dundurn Castle National Historic Site
The 40-room Italian neoclassical-style villa on York Boulevard in Hamilton took three years to construct, finally ready in 1835 for lawyer and politician Sir Allan Napier MacNab and his family to take residence.
Admission to the castle is by guided tour only. The tour lasts approximately an hour and includes admission to the Hamilton Military Museum.
Warm golden columns and pale white walls make the mansion perfect for photographing at the golden hour of dusk as the setting sun illuminates the building. As a bonus, Dundurn Castle has the beautiful backdrop of Burlington Bay to the northeast.
Location: 610 York Boulevard, Hamilton
Southeastern Ontario
Bellevue House National Historic Site
Constructed in the 1840’s, Bellevue House was an early Canadian example of Italianate-style architecture with Tuscan detailing, a departure from the prevailing Georgian and Gothic Revival styles.
In 1848, this became the residence of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald and his family. Although the family’s stay at Bellevue House was brief, today the site is a place to learn and engage about the complex legacy of Canada’s first prime minister.
Location: 35 Centre Street, Kingston
Fort Henry National Historic Site
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located just outside of Kingston by the mouth of the Cataraqui River and is easily one of the most impressive forts in the country.
Great wooden gates, strong stone defence walls, the sprawling main square and the award-winning Sunset Ceremonies featuring drill-squad and artillery-detachment re-enactments make for an array of engaging photo opportunities at this 19th-century British military post.
Construction began in 1812, strategically atop a hill called Point Henry to provide a line of sight over the St. Lawrence River and to protect the Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard. Fort Henry, named after Henry Hamilton, former Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec, was rebuilt in 1830, restored 100 years later and is now one of Ontario’s most popular heritage attractions with guided tours, demonstrations and special events taking place throughout the year.
Location: 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston
Fort Frederick
Just across the river from Point Henry, the battery of Fort Frederick experienced action in 1812, defending from an American naval squadron attack. It was destroyed and rebuilt in 1846 after the Rideau Canal opened, requiring further fortification.
The result was the most robust armament of any fort in Kingston, with 32 carronades built into five-metre-thick walls. Despite the investment in reinforcement, Fort Frederick was abandoned just decades later in 1870. Today, it functions as a park for the Royal Military College cadets.
Location: 15 Passchendale Drive, Unit 9, Kingston
Fort Frontenac
One of the oldest forts in Ontario, Fort Frontenac was erected as a French trading fort in the summer of 1673 at the spot where the Cataraqui River meets the St. Lawrence.
Although today it’s currently in use by the Canadian military, Fort Frontenac changed hands several times over the last few centuries. It was abandoned by the French in the late 1600s before being rebuilt a few years later. The fort was instrumental in the famous Battle of Fort Frontenac when British forces overtook the French trading post during the Seven Years’ War. By the late 1800s, Fort Frontenac became the property of the Canadian military.
Join Kingston Trolley Tours on the hop-on-hop-off loop through downtown. The full 75-minute ride passes by Fort Fontenac, among other key sites, and includes interesting commentary with a historical overview.
Location: 388 Ontario Street, Kingston
Niagara Region
Fort George National Historic Site
If these walls could speak, Fort George would tell quite the tale. Instead, hear the saga of this military outpost from interpreters dressed in redcoats who reenact significant parts of the battle, complete with scheduled musket fire.
The fort was established in 1796 to replace Fort Niagara, a defensive post ceded to the United States in the Treaty of Paris. During the War of 1812, Fort George and Fort Niagara duelled, with the Americans victorious in 1813, only to be recaptured by the British that same year.
The fort operates seasonally with special events, demonstrations and tours held throughout the summer. Download the visitor guide for historical information alongside a self-guided tour. For a unique guided experience, take a Ghost Tour at Fort George for a candlelit walking tour with a haunted twist.
Location: 51 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Old Fort Erie National Historic Site
Witness the dramatic scene of a fortress under siege with cannon fire and redcoats in action at Old Fort Erie, a key defence site during the War of 1812 that was originally constructed in 1764.
From its construction in 1764 to 1812, Fort Erie battled flooding, ice and stormy weather, not war, until it was captured by the Americans in 1814. They abandoned it that same year, and eventually, the fort was restored in 1939. In 1987, the remains of 28 American soldiers were exhumed and returned to the US with full military honours.
Today, Fort Erie is operated by the Niagara Parks Commission and offers guided tours, demonstrations and fascinating exhibits.
Location: 350 Lakeshore Road, Fort Erie
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Castle Kilbride
Located outside Stratford, Castle Kilbride is a grand Victorian home.
It was built in 1877 in the Italianate style of architecture, complete with a belvedere lookout and decorated to the hilt with Trompe L’oeil (creating optical illusions using imagery and depth), ceiling and wall murals and lavish Victorian-era furnishings.
Purchase tour tickets in advance or at the door.
Location: 60 Snyder’s Road West, Baden
Southwestern Ontario
Fort Malden National Historic Site
Initially named Fort Amherstburg, this was the site of a dizzying back-and-forth volley.
The fort was constructed in 1795. It was burned down by the British in 1813 and rebuilt by occupying American soldiers in 1813, the longest American occupation on Canadian soil. It was restored and renamed in 1819, rebuilt, and maintained by retired soldiers until 1859, when it served as an asylum and a lumber yard, among other things, before being recognized and preserved as a national historic site in 1921.
A large collection of artifacts can be viewed in the museum. Open seasonally with special events, demonstrations and tours held throughout the summer.
Location: 100 Laird Avenue South, Amherstburg
Eldon House
Eldon House is London’s oldest remaining residence. It was built in 1834 in the Georgian architectural style for John Harris, Treasurer of the London District, and his family.
Family heirlooms, period furnishings and well-preserved belongings of the Harris family demonstrate 19th-century luxuries. Take a self-guided tour of the museum and direct questions to the knowledgeable Eldon House Historical Interpreter.
Location: 481 Ridout Street North, London
York, Durham and Headwaters
Parkwood Estates National Historic Site
The neoclassic 55-room mansion built between 1915 and 1917 was once the home of Robert Samuel McLaughlin, a Canadian auto baron and founder of General Motors of Canada.
Guided tours explore the preserved art, furnishings and architecture, as well as the greenhouse and gardens. Make reservations at The Tea House Restaurant overlooking the manicured landscaping and fountain.
Location: 270 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa
Northwest Ontario
Fort William Historical Park
Located on the outskirts of Thunder Bay in northern Ontario, Fort William is one of the largest living history sites in the region and certainly one of Canada’s most distinctive heritage attractions.
The park recreates what a Canadian fur trade post would have looked like in 1816, at the height of the North West Company.
Take a guided tour and then further explore the fort on your own to peer into the fascinating culture of fur trade life from farm to craft to cuisine with costumed re-enactments and events.
Location: 1350 King Road, Thunder Bay
White Otter Castle
Not many know the legend of Jimmy McOuat at White Otter Castle, an incredible three-story wooden structure built single-handedly on the shores of White Otter Lake in 1914.
Just getting to the site of this remote “castle” is impressive enough before you consider what a feat it was for one man to build. White Otter Castle is accessible by float plane or canoe in the summer and snowmobile in winter.
Location: White Otter Lake
Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma
Fort St. Joseph
Set on the southernmost spot of St. Joseph Island, facing Lake Huron and St. Mary’s River, this former British fort included a blockhouse, bakery, powder magazine and storehouse after construction began in 1796. At the time, it represented the most westerly outpost of the British Empire.
Parks Canada maintains the site, preserving the limestone ruins and their stories of struggle and peace.
Ontario’s heritage sites, including War of 1812 forts, historic mansions and even castles, offer insight into the past and help to define the character of the country today.
Last updated: June 1, 2026