Spring activities in Ontario

Nature and outdoors 

Spring flowers across Ontario  

As you explore Ontario’s scenic highways and winding nature trails, vibrant Ontario wildflowers are a constant companion.

Trilliums

Keep your eyes open for white trilliums, the official flower of Ontario. Trilliums were selected to honour those who served Canada in the First World War and you can see the flowers everywhere—from the southern shores of Lake Erie to the northern wilds of Algonquin Park.

Cherry blossoms and botanical gardens

Surprisingly, one of spring’s most stunning displays of flowers happens in Ontario’s biggest city: Toronto. As April turns into May, exotic cherry blossom trees burst with pink and white flowers in parks throughout this busy urban centre. In the northeast corner of Toronto are Edwards Gardens and the adjoining Toronto Botanical Garden where, suddenly, the big city feels very far away.

Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, the largest in all of Canada, about an hour west of Toronto. Circle your calendar for later in May, when one of the biggest and most diverse collections of lilacs in the world is in peak bloom.

From there, drive the Niagara Parkway past the floral clock to Niagara Falls and the nearby Niagara Botanical Gardens. View a stunning display of more than 2,400 roses in a lovely Victorian-era rose garden. Niagara Falls may be one of Canada’s great natural wonders, but these gardens give them competition!

Orchids

Heading north along the shores of Lake Huron, you’ll arrive at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula and Bruce Peninsula National Park. Part of the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve, the park is a diverse ecosystem all its own. It provides the ideal environment for orchids to survive; you’ll find more than 44 species of orchids here. Arrive in late May to early July to see the blossoms at their best.

Tulips

Ottawa’s world-renowned Tulip Festival is the most anticipated and visited floral celebration in Ontario—and the biggest tulip festival in the world! 

During the May event, more than three million tulips cover Ottawa with a kaleidoscope of colour.   In Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake, tulip season also includes pick‑your‑own experiences, such as those offered at TASC Tulip Pick Farm, where visitors can stroll through blooming fields and enjoy seasonal events set among the flowers.

 Birdwatching hotspots

The robin may be the first sign of spring, but warmer days see countless species of migrating birds fill Ontario’s skies. No wonder so many avid birders arrive here each spring!       

Point Pelee National Park 

At the very southern tip of Ontario sits Point Pelee National Park. The park is on a peninsula that is a crossroads for two major migration routes. Its diverse habitats attract nearly 400 species from sandpipers and warblers to ducks and hawks. Each May, the Festival of Birds invites thousands of visitors to take the 100 Species Challenge!

Jack Minor Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Less than 30 minutes away from Point Pelee is the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary. What started in 1904 with a modest duck pond is now 400 acres honouring the man considered “the father of conservation in North America.” It’s dedicated to his vision of creating a natural, educational, heritage environment for birds and bird-lovers for generations to come.

St Joseph Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary

More adventurous bird watching can be found in Northern Ontario.  The St. Joseph Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary’s location in the Great Lakes region creates a perfect rest stop for all manner of migrating birds navigating the long crossings over the vast waters.

Thunder Cape Bird Observatory 

Are you a truly dedicated birder? The remote Thunder Cape Bird Observatory is accessible only by boat or by hiking the 13-kilometre trail to the “Sleeping Giant.” Making the journey rewards you with bright blue skies, soaring cliff sides and heavily wooded forests teeming with rare bird species — including many seen nowhere else in Ontario.

Wherever you travel in Ontario, keep your ears open for the lyrical call of the loon echoing across the lakes. With its distinctive way of communicating with its mate, the loon is so uniquely Canadian that its image adorns Canada’s $1 coin—nicknamed “the Loonie.” 

 Golf 

Tee off in Ontario! Course architects have applied the province’s diverse terrain to their designs, taking full advantage of hills, rock formations and vistas. There are many excellent public golf courses welcoming you in Ontario. 

Eagle’s Nest Golf Club

Consistently rated among Canada’s top public courses, Eagle’s Nest Golf Club lies just north of Toronto and offers panoramic views of the downtown Toronto skyline. 

The Marshes

Ottawa’s leading public course, The Marshes, attracts both golfers and birders — it’s home to PGA events and is also a qualified nature sanctuary.

Cobble Beach Golf Resort

On Georgian Bay’s waterfront, Cobble Beach Golf Resort boasts jagged, fast running, bump and run characteristics comparable to those found in Scotland and Ireland. 

Culture and entertainment 

Theatre festivals 

Ontario’s theatre scene shines each spring, offering everything from world‑renowned festivals in charming small towns to blockbuster productions on big‑city stages. Whether you’re strolling through historic streets before curtain time or taking your seat in one of Toronto’s iconic theatres, you’ll find unforgettable performances that draw visitors from around the world.

Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake 

The Victorian-era town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has been home to the acclaimed Shaw Festival, dedicated to the works of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries for more than 60 years. Each year the stage is set for classic dramas, hilarious farces, beloved musicals and bold new works. Before the show, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride along Queen Street or a waterfront stroll.

Stratford Festival 

In the quaint town of Stratford, the annual Stratford Festival pays homage to the immortal William Shakespeare. Maggie Smith famously played Lady Macbeth here, while Peter Ustinov once starred as King Lear. 

While Shakespeare remains at the heart of the festival, each season also features beloved literary adaptations, Broadway‑calibre musicals, powerful dramas and imaginative new works. With multiple theatres set against a picturesque riverside backdrop, Stratford offers an immersive cultural experience that draws theatre‑lovers from around the world.

Toronto’s Theatre District

In Toronto’s Theatre District, shows performed in London’s West End and on Broadway find a new home. At the Princess of Wales Theatre, audiences have applauded productions of The Lion King, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, The Book of Mormon, Aladdin and Hamilton, to name a few. Steps away is the Royal Alexandra, a landmark venue where John Barrymore, Fred Astaire, the Marx Brothers and Orson Welles once performed.

Professional sports 

Canada is famous for ice hockey. But once the season is over, there are still many teams to cheer for.

Baseball

Be there when the umpire shouts, “Play ball!” and the Toronto Blue Jays (Canada’s only major league baseball team) take the field. Grab a hot dog and join the crowd in a rousing chorus of “Okay, Blue Jays!”. The Jays’ home stadium—Rogers Centre—is ready for both blue skies and rainy days. As the world’s first stadium with a fully retractable roof, the weather is always perfect.

Football (soccer)

Football (or “soccer” as it’s called here) is quickly becoming the city’s favourite sport. Take your seat among the 20,000 Toronto FC supporters packed into BMO Field, many wearing the iconic FC red scarf. Wrap one around your neck and fit right in!

Lacrosse

Is there a faster sport on earth? Feel the excitement of professional lacrosse — “the fastest game on two feet.” With lightning speed and amazing agility, the Toronto Rock consistently thrills their thousands of die-hard #RockCity fans.   

Food and markets 

As the flowers bloom and the bees buzz, Ontario’s farmers bring their freshest fruits and vegetables to local farmers’ markets. Rhubarb and asparagus are ready to harvest in early spring, while later in the season the markets are brimming with strawberries, raspberries, lettuce, spinach, carrots and beets.

Southwestern and Central Ontario

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market 

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is a sprawling indoor-outdoor market in the heart of the Waterloo region’s Mennonite community. Wander past baskets piled high with local produce, meats and cheeses, and hand-crafted sausages, jams, preserves and baked goods. Don’t be surprised when you see Mennonite farmers bringing their goods to market in their traditional horse and buggy.

 St. Lawrence Market

Wake up early and spend your Saturday morning at Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market. The doors open at 5 a.m. and that’s when the best produce is ready to be picked. But don’t shop hungry! Fill up first with a Canadian peameal bacon sandwich at the Carousel Bakery. Yes, they open at 5 a.m. on Saturdays too!

Eastern Ontario

Kingston Public Market

Since 1801, the Kingston Public Market has stood at the centre of Kingston’s historic downtown. Say hello to farmers displaying organic produce side-by-side with locally produced honey and maple syrup, and smile at a local artisan as you buy something to bring home.

Ottawa Farmers’ Market/ByWard Market

The Ottawa Farmers’ Market in Canada’s capital city is actually five very different markets in separate locations throughout the city. Rent a bike and visit them all! Downtown, the ByWard Market’s traditional farmers’ stalls and trendy shops, restaurants and galleries make it a go-to destination.

Prince Edward County 

Prince Edward County is an up-and-coming, trendy and picturesque rural area. Beyond fresh produce, you’ll also discover organic microgreens, raw honey, herbs and artisanal cheeses. Those cheeses pair nicely with Prince Edward County wines originating from this preeminent cool-climate wine region.        

Seasonal getaways

Back in 1845, Canada proclaimed May 24th as Victoria Day to commemorate the birthdate of Queen Victoria. While the holiday doesn’t always fall on the 24th, everybody in Ontario knows that “May 2-4” weekend marks the official beginning of summer and “cottage season.” It’s when people escape from the city to the incomparable natural beauty of Ontario.

Muskoka  

Living the cottage life is the ultimate Ontario experience. Find yourself a quiet rental by the lake in the Muskoka region; relax in an iconic Muskoka chair and take in views that are serene and spectacular at the same time. This awe-inspiring area is the gateway to Algonquin Provincial Park, one of the largest and most inviting areas of unspoiled nature in all of Ontario.

Haliburton Highlands 

The Haliburton Highlands, an outdoor wonderland of rivers, lakes and woodlands, border the southern edge of Algonquin Park. Hike along rocky trails, head out for freshwater trout fishing, paddle a kayak on a glassy smooth lake—it’s all in a typical day in Haliburton.

1000 Islands 

Dotting the Canada-U.S. border along the St. Lawrence River, the 1000 Islands region is an archipelago of 1,864 individual islands. Its history is as remarkable as its scenery; book your cottage and stay where pirates, bootleggers and builders of castles once lived.

Experience spring in ways you never have before. From blooming gardens and migrating birds to lively markets, theatre nights and peaceful cottage escapes, Ontario truly comes alive this time of year. With so much to see and do, the season moves fast — don’t miss a moment. Start planning your spectacular spring getaway