Family Fun in Ontario, Canada

Ontario's cities and towns are packed with fun activities - you're going to have a hard time deciding when to stop travelling!

Ontario offers a treasure trove of world-class experiences. The lakes in Ontario make up about one-third of the World’s fresh water, hence its name meaning “sparkling or beautiful water”. Sample great entertainment, culture, dining and shopping in Toronto and Ottawa, discover charming towns and villages and be awed by one of the wonders of the world – the mighty Niagara Falls.

Toronto, Canada’s largest city, is a fabulous metropolis, overflowing with multicultural arts, museums, entertainment, and eateries. A ‘Waterfront City’, it is eminently walkable with a green urban landscape. The city is bursting at the seams with exciting stuff to do this summer. Dino bones, a shoe museum, fun science, a world of wizardry, a ride above the skyline and your family’s favourite sporting and music events are just some of the attractions awaiting you.

Explore this vibrant city from the top of the CN Tower to the Toronto Islands. Discover world-class shopping, entertainment, dining and nightlife in the cosmopolitan capital of Ontario.

This year, Toronto is hosting IIFA's 2011 celebrations from June 23–25, 2011. The IIFA Weekend and Awards consists of fun-filled activities that bring fans close to their favourite stars. Year round, Ontario celebrates its diversity with festivals from Stratford’s Shakespeare to Kitchener’s Oktoberfest.

Ottawa, Canada’s capital, displays its British heritage proudly on Parliament Hill. Immerse yourself in this young, vibrant and bilingual city that uses French and English. Journey through 300 years of Canada’s history at the ultramodern Museum of Civilization. Walk along the Rideau Canal, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll among the boutiques and award winning restaurants.

Head over to Niagara Falls to marvel at one the Natural Wonders of the World. The thundering Falls is just the beginning of any trip to Niagara Falls – it’s the perfect destination for kids with lots of energy. Visit Clifton Hill to find new and exciting ways to delight the whole family, like a wax museum, a haunted house and more. And don’t forget about everything around Niagara Falls either: the Welland Canal, British forts and lots of natural wonders to explore.

Don’t miss the Niagara Wine trail. Taste the wonderful ice wines and be sure to stay in lovely Niagara-on-the-Lake on your gourmet expedition.

Also easy to access is Algonquin Provincial Park, a mere 3 hours' drive from either Toronto or Ottawa, which means you could be shopping in the morning in a major city and paddling on a lake, totally immersed in nature before supper.

One of the other jewels in Ontario is Killarney Provincial Park. One of the best scenic drives will see you leaving from Toronto, going towards the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, take the ferry across to Manitoulin Island and then reach the mainland again to access Killarney, its white cliffs make it a totally different landscape to Algonquin.

Ontario supports an astounding variety of wildlife. From the haunting call of the loon – Ontario’s official bird – to the sight of the industrious beavers – Canada’s official animal, there are many ways to experience nature’s gift to Ontario.

Venture to Northern Ontario’s Chapleau Crown Game Preserve, the largest game preserve in the world where moose and bear are all part of the scenery. Or swim with furry friends at Cochrane’s Polar Bear Habitat and Heritage Village.

Whether you want to experience the incredible beauty of Ontario by rail or fly above it all, Ontario can offer you a whole array of train and aerial adventures. Board the Dream Catcher Express, go on the Agawa Canyon Train tour or the Polar Bear Express. Or simply easily connect from Toronto to Ottawa with VIA Rail.

Get high above Ottawa on a hot air balloon or see the Niagara Falls on a helicopter tour. Soar high over deep, clear waters and thousands of pine-clad islands on a float plane tour of Georgian Bay.

Spend a quiet evening along the picturesque Thousand Islands near Kingston. Ontario awaits you!