Page 48 - 2025-2026 Travel Guide to Canada

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Toronto; National Capital: Ottawa
www.destinationontario.com
Toronto Pearson International Airport, 27
km (16 mi.) from downtown
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, 3 km (2
mi.) from downtown
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International
Airport, 13 km (8 mi.) from downtown
ONTARIO
KILLARNEY LODGE • DESTINATION ONTARIO /PETER LUSZTYK
So Many Choices,
All in One Place
BY LAURA BYRNE PAQUET
Twice as big as Spain and four times the
size of New Zealand, Ontario is exceptionally
diverse. Stretching from the shore of
Hudson Bay to the same latitude as Northern
California, and across two time zones,
Ontario offers everything from secluded
lakes and elegant wineries to raucous music
festivals and whitewater rafting. Ski or scuba
dive, hike or sail, dance or shop—Ontario
gives you endless choices.
Ontario is home to Canada’s capital,
Ottawa, where you can see the grand
temporary chambers of the Senate and the
House of Commons (visit.parl.ca), see the
magnificent Canada Goose Arctic Gallery at
the Canadian Museum of Nature
(www.nature.ca) and learn about Canada’s
military history at the Canadian War
Museum (www.warmuseum.ca).
Leave lots of time to explore Toronto, the
country’s largest metropolis (www.destination
toronto.com). Book early to see world
When you can’t decide whether you want
big cities or small towns, beaches or
boreal forests, or museums or
motorsports, you don’t have to choose—
you can enjoy all that (and much more) in
Ontario, Canada’s second-largest province.
premieres—and, perhaps, a few Hollywood
stars—at the Toronto International Film
Festival (www.tiff.net). And don’t miss the
Aga Khan Museum of Muslim culture
(www.agakhanmuseum.org), Art Gallery of
Ontario (www.ago.ca), the Royal Ontario
Museum (www.rom.on.ca), and the iconic
CN Tower (www.cntower.ca). See animals
such as cheetahs and a critically endangered
Sumatran orangutan at the Toronto Zoo
(www.torontozoo.com). CityPASS offers a
savings pass on admissions to five of Toronto’s
top attractions, including many of those
mentioned above. Once activated, it is valid
for nine consecutive days (www.citypass.com).
Ottawa and Toronto are just the
beginning of what Ontario has to offer. You
can also tour wineries along Lake Erie, in
Prince Edward County or on the Niagara
Peninsula (www.winecountryontario.ca).
If outdoor adventure is more your style,
camp in breathtaking Killarney, Sleeping
Giant or Algonquin provincial parks
(www.ontarioparks.com) or canoe along
the Grand River (www.theheartofontario.com).
TAKE A SMALL-TOWN BREAK
Amble along lanes lined with locally owned
shops. Linger over dinner at a table overlooking
a waterfall, lake or canal, then unwind in a
quaint B&B. Ontario’s many small towns and
cities are havens of relaxation.
Take in a play or build a sandcastle on the
beach in Grand Bend (www.grandbend.com).
Explore one of the most popular small towns
in the province, Niagara-on-the-Lake
(www.niagaraonthelake.com), enjoy a spa
day in Grafton (www.steannes.com) or
unwind at one of Almonte’s many festivals
(www.lanarkcountytourism.com). And
delve into Ontario’s intriguing history at
sites like the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War
Museum in Carp (www.diefenbunker.ca),
the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in