Though it might seem a surprising place to find a beach, Ontario boasts some of the best swimming and cleanest shores in Canada. The sunsets along Lake Huron are rumored to be the most spectacular in the world, second only to Hawaii. Sauble Beach on Lake Huron is the longest freshwater beach in the world. The cleanest beaches are within the provincially operated campgrounds, but there is no shortage of private and city beaches, as well. Public beaches in Ontario do not permit alcoholic beverages along their shores, but most parks provide picnic areas where you can enjoy a barbecue and a beverage of your choice. Pets are also not permitted along the shores of most provincially operated beaches, but most offer pet-friendly areas. Remember, the larger the lake and the farther north you travel, the colder the water. Lake Superior, by far the cleanest in the province, is also the coldest.
Golf
Ontario is one of the most concentrated golf regions in all of North America with more than 650 courses spanning a dynamic range of settings. Heading this list is the magnetic Niagara Region, with its lush winery landscapes, captivating English-styled countryside and villages full of art galleries. Almost as impressive is the Muskoka Lakes area; world-class courses abound in this cottage playground. Numerous and luxuriously designed championship courses and clubhouses also abound in and around greater metropolitan Toronto.
Hiking & Walking
Regardless of the time of year or where you find yourself in Ontario, you'll discover a trail made for hiking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Whether you prefer a summer climb to the peak of the Niagara Escarpment at Rattlesnake Point or a snowshoeing weekend at Tobermory's Tip O' The Bruce, the variety is endless. To help hikers decide which trail is best for them, many trail associations have adopted the rating system provided by Hike Ontario. Most trails are "blazed," or marked with unique trail markers to help hikers navigate. Individual variations do occur, so carry a map, GPS or cell phone in case you run into trouble. Remember to layer clothing and always wear proper footwear. Also, pack rain gear and a water bottle.
Skiing
From beginner slopes to double black-diamond steeps, Ontario is synonymous with skiing—at least during the winter months. Ontario skiing is remarkably similar in height, condition and temperature to New England slopes. You'll find ski hills and trails scattered across the province, but our favorites include Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood and Calibogie Peaks just outside of Ottawa. Both offer excellent groomed conditions, clearly marked trails and exceptional apres-ski activities. Most resorts offer accommodation, dining and spa options, and cater to families, couples and friends looking for a mid-winter getaway.
Shopping
Next to hockey, shopping is an Ontarian's favorite pastime. And if you're visiting the area for the first time, the selection may quickly overwhelm you.
Ontario is blessed with a rich native history, and the best aboriginal arts are found on the various Native American reservations throughout the province. If you're venturing onto a reservation, remember that all Ontario laws still apply, but because most reservations are dense with wildlife, visitors are asked to strictly obey speed limits. Our favorite place for finding the quirky and the beautiful is the Whetung Ojibwa Crafts and Art Gallery in the Kwaratha Lakes region. The gallery/store is actually a clustering of buildings that link to one another by a series of interesting hallways. There you'll find unique and pricey works of art, as well as trinkets and attention-grabbing snack choices. The moose droppings are a favorite—chunks of chocolate in a paper bag.
Buying someone else's discarded treasure is big business in Ontario. The Christie Antique Show near Dundas in the fall is one of the largest outdoor antiques exhibitions in Canada (more than 300 Canadian vendors). Kensington Market in Toronto's Chinatown is a great place to pick up anything from 1970s paraphernalia to a Sinatra-style fedora. The Forest City Flea Market in London, the Windsor Public Market and the Niagara Falls Flea Market offer ample opportunities for shopping. But the most interesting antiques shopping happens while en route from one destination to another. Along Highway 8 from Hamilton to Kitchener and from Kitchener to Stratford, you'll find a variety of shops that offer antiques, tea and a little bit of hospitality thrown in for fun.
Ontarians love a deal, and their fixation with outlet shopping shows. Toronto, the largest city in Canada, has its fair share of outlet malls that cater to fashion, home decor and just about everything in between. But you'll also find outlet malls in surprising locations. St. Jacobs, in the Waterloo Region, has one of the busiest outlet malls in the region. It's adjacent to the outdoor market, so picking up some freshly picked strawberries and homemade tarts to go with your new shoes isn't as far-fetched as it may seem.
From Windsor, through Niagara Falls and up to Prince Edward County, you'll find boutique, traditional family and even more sophisticated corporate wineries. If you look closely at the map, the Ontario wine region hugs Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The lakes shelter and warm the vineyards to extend the grape-growing season. The Niagara region alone boasts more than 50 wineries. Most offer tours, tastings and a history lesson for travelers wishing to learn more about the industry. Choose your route depending on the wines you enjoy. We love the ice wines produced in the Niagara area.
Shopping Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am-9 pm. Weekend hours vary, but most stores are open Saturday and Sunday 9 am-6 pm. Some malls have reduced hours on Sunday (noon-5 pm), but not all, so call ahead.
Day By Day
Seeing all of Ontario in one or two weeks is simply not manageable. The following itinerary concentrates on the southern part of the province, but even that area creates some difficulties for visitors flying to the region, because most of the destinations are spread out in a long east-west line.
If you're unable to split your arrival and destination cities—as indicated below—you might consider a circular route that would include Ottawa, the north shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto, Niagara Falls and then back through Algonquin Park and the Kawartha and Muskoka Lakes areas before your return to Ottawa.
Day 1—Arrive Ottawa.
Day 2—Ottawa. Be sure to tour the Parliament buildings, the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Rideau Canal. If you travel during winter, take along your skates for an exciting afternoon on the canal, and if you arrive in May, enjoy the tulip festival.
Day 3—Get an early start and drive south out of Ottawa on Highway 31 to Morrisburg. Head east on Highway 2 to Upper Canada Village. Spend the morning there, and then head west on Highway 2 and spend an hour or two at Fort Wellington National Historic Park. When you're ready, continue west through Mallorytown to Gananoque and overnight there.
Day 4—Take a brief cruise of the Thousand Islands in the morning. When you're ready, continue west on Highway 2 to Kingston. See the attractions that interest you, and then pick up Highway 33 and go west. Overnight along the coast or in Belleville.
Day 5—Visit one of the provincial parks in the morning as you make your way to Highway 401 and head west to Toronto. We recommend Presqu'ile Provincial Park. One of the prettiest parks in the province, it's best known as a bird sanctuary where you'll find migrating birds and waterfowl, as well as millions of butterflies in early fall.
Day 6—Toronto. Try to stay in the core of downtown, as that will allow you time to visit the best sights without the use of a car. A good starting point is the Royal Ontario Museum on Queen's Park. After a lunch in nearby Yorkville, put on your walking shoes and head south on Yonge Street all the way to Harbourfront. Once there, you will find many fine-dining restaurants in close proximity, as well as live theater, concert halls, the CN Tower, Chinatown and much more. Don't miss the Distillery Historic District in the old Gooderham & Worts Distillery, the 19th century's largest Canadian distillery, which has a new life as a marvelous cultural village that includes art galleries, performance troupes, restaurants, cafes, artists studios, a museum and live music venues.
Day 7—Head out of Toronto on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) to Niagara Falls. Spend the rest of the day there. Spend the night in Niagara-on-the-Lake and take in a play at the Shaw Festival, if your visit coincides with a performance. Niagara-on-the-Lake is a historic town with many unusual shops and dining options.
Day 8—Drive west on Queen Elizabeth Way to the Highway 8 exit, and then head for the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Kitchener's Farmers Market, Christkindli Market in December and Oktoberfest celebrations in October guarantee that your visit will be thoroughly enjoyable. When you're ready, continue on Highway 8 to Stratford. Overnight there and attend one of the plays (if you're there May-September). Be sure to drop by the city hall where a 150-year-old oak tree, originally shipped from England, graces the front lawn. Stroll along the Thames River for an afternoon of quaint shopping or feeding the swans.
Day 9—Follow Highway 19 south to Highway 2 into London, stopping at Fanshawe Pioneer Village east of the city. Spend the rest of the day in London and overnight there. Known as the Forest City, you'll find an abundance of pathways and garden markets to explore. If your sojourn falls during the summer, be sure to visit the famous Storybook Gardens for day of fairy tales come to life.
Day 10—Take Highway 401 toward Windsor, getting off at Exit 48 for Leamington and Point Pelee National Park, the most southerly point in all of Canada and an excellent birding site. Spend several hours exploring the boardwalk and the beaches. Meander along Highway 18 west to Fort Malden, and then head into Windsor to spend the night. Windsor is known as Bingo City and is also home to the International Blues Festival in February each year.
Day 11—Depart Windsor by crossing to Detroit, Michigan, via a bridge or tunnel. (Windsor is actually south of Detroit and the only spot in Canada where you have to travel north to enter the U.S.) If you are returning home by plane, fly out of Detroit's Metro-Wayne County Airport (DTW).
Visitors with less time can omit days 8-11 and return to Toronto for departure.
