Ontario travel guide

Casa Loma

Casa Loma is the only full-sized castle in North America. Formerly the home of Canadian financier, Sir Henry Pellatt, the massive structure is a wonderland of secret passageways and elaborately decorated rooms. Pallet used his immense personal fortune to build the chateau, though financial troubles meant he could not sustain it. Today, the City of Toronto owns the castle and welcomes a daily influx of guests. Visitors enjoy touring the authentically furnished rooms and splendid gardens, and drinking in the stunning views of Toronto from one of the castle's towers.

CN Tower

Standing 1,815ft (553m) high, Toronto's CN Tower was the world's tallest building until 2007. Today, it remains a renowned architectural masterpiece and is arguably Canada's most iconic landmark. One of the tower's top attractions is the award-winning revolving 360 Restaurant, which offers guests breathtaking panoramic views of the city, as well as delectable dishes created with the finest Canadian ingredients. Another drawcard is EdgeWalk. At 1,168ft (356m) above ground, it is the world's highest hands-free external walk and a must for thrill seekers.

Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum treats visitors to displays of art, culture and nature from around the globe and across the ages. It ranks as one of North America's premier cultural institutions, and is Canada's largest and most comprehensive museum. Its 40 galleries and exhibition spaces house 13 million artworks, cultural objects and natural history specimens, including dinosaurs, galleries of Chinese art, a bat cave, a gem and gold room, exhibits on Ancient Egypt and Nubia, and the Samuel European Galleries. Visitors will not be disappointed.

Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world and has a big focus on conservation, with more than six miles (10km) of walking trails spread over 700 acres. More 5,000 animals and over 450 species call it home. Visitors will enjoy touring the zoo's seven geographic regions and encountering animals that are native to them. Favourites include hippos, lemurs, otters, gorillas, bears, Giant Pandas, snow leopards, lions, penguins and cheetahs. Award-winning exhibits await the entire family, as do many seasonal activities. The zoo's interactive wildlife experience is especially popular with kids.

Parliament Hill

Parliament Hill is a grandiose complex where visitors can embark on tours, observe parliament in action and experience ceremonial spectacles such as the Changing of the Guard. Its centre block houses the Senate and Commons chambers, with its distinctive Peace Tower a perfect vantage point for vistas of the capital. The historic east block contains restored offices of Canada's first prime minister and other early statesmen, while the west block houses the offices of parliament members and is closed to the public.

Canadian Museum of History

The Canadian Museum of History was created to enhance the country's understanding of its own past, with tremendously fascinating exhibitions focusing on Canadian history, world history and civilisation. Visitors arriving with kids may want to check out the Canadian Children's Museum too. It offers a child-friendly experience by including games, toys, costumes and hands-on props. The museum also has a 500-seat theatre, and a 295-seat cinema equipped with a giant 3D screen. All told, the combination of attractions should keep the entire family happy for hours on end.

Gatineau Park

Located just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa, Gatineau Park is the capital's conservation and outdoor-recreation haven. Travellers can expect a fun itinerary of activities, regardless of the season. Swimming, hiking, biking, camping, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are all on offer within an area renowned for its hilly woodlands and clear lakes. Visitors typically enjoy exploring the beautiful Luskville Falls, the diversity of forests along the King Mountain Trail, and the marble and geological phenomenon of Lusk Cave.

Fort William Historical Park

Visitors can travel back to 1816 at Fort William Historical Park, an authentic duplicate of the North West Company's inland headquarters. Located at Thunder Bay, this company was a major player in the fur trade, once a massive industry and an indelible part of Canada's colourful past. The fort brings this history to life through recreations of the characters, sounds, sights and smells that would have existed almost two centuries ago. The sprawling 250-acre site contains more than 57 heritage structures and more modern buildings, which visitors are free to explore. Visitors can also enjoy overnight experiences, education programmes, artisan workshops, conferences, banquets and festivals.

Amethyst Mine

Amethyst is Ontario's official gemstone, and is just one of the many natural gifts unearthed on the north shore of Lake Superior. The semi-precious stones native to this area come in various beautiful shades, such as Precious Purple and Thunder Bay Lavender. Visitors can mine their own at the Panorama Mine, 35 miles (56km) east of Thunder Bay, which contains the largest amethyst deposit in Canada. All visitors need is a bucket and spade to enjoy a fun mining experience.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is set on a rugged peninsula near Thunder Bay, where keen hikers can tackle trails running to the tops of granite cliffs and opening onto spectacular views of Lake Superior. These excursions aren't reserved just for sunny weather; winter travellers explore these routes on skis or snowshoes. The park also supports an exceptional mix of plant life, with two rare orchids, the Adder's Mouth and the Striped Orchid, growing in its southern parts. In fact, 24 types of orchid grow in the park, as do ferns, while wildlife includes more than 200 species of bird, white-tailed deer, red foxes, porcupines, moose, bears, wolves and lynx.

Lake Superior

Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes of North America, and the biggest freshwater lake by surface area in the world. Ontario shares this vast expanse of water with the American states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The lake's rugged shoreline and beautiful wilderness landscapes make for great hiking, while the lake itself presents endless opportunities for all manner of watersports, fishing and boating.

Distillery Historic District

The Distillery Historic District is a much-loved centre for arts, culture, food and entertainment in Toronto. Said to contain the finest collection of Victorian-era industrial architecture in North America, it is indeed a worthy national historic site, and certainly worth a visit.

The district had its beginnings in 1832 and eventually became the largest distillery in the British Empire. It assumed its current role as an arts and culture centre during the 1990s, doubling as one of Canada's most popular film locations. As of 2003, it has been a pedestrian-only village dedicated to the arts. Anyone visiting Toronto should explore the district's many art galleries, artisan boutiques and restaurants, and make sure they book tickets for one of the many festivals and special events held here.

Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada

The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada (MOCA) aims to exhibit, research, collect and promote innovative art by Canadian and international artists whose works tackle the most relevant issues of our times. Formerly the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, the institution has been praised for its incisive, artist-centric approach to its programmes, and its friendly visitor experience. The MOCA is very much a hub for creative exchange and is definitely worth a visit.

Gardiner Museum of Ceramics

Housed in an award-winning piece of architecture, the Gardiner Museum of Ceramics showcases a craft that has existed for centuries. With earthenware of all different shapes and sizes from the ancient Americas, China, Japan, the Italian Renaissance and more, a tour through the museum will shape visitors' understanding of the ceramic process and its place in world history. The museum hosts classes for both kids and adults, and the accompanying Clay restaurant provides the finest of seasonal produce to complete a busy day browsing the museum.

Kensington Market

Kensington Market embodies Toronto's multicultural society. Since the 1960s, immigrants from Eastern Europe, China and the Caribbean have injected their customs into the market, creating an area that is a model of open-mindedness. Today, this national historic site remains one of Toronto's oldest, most diverse and liveliest neighbourhoods, containing an eclectic mix of cafes, restaurants, vintage stores, bars and speciality food shops where nobody is really foreign.

Harbourfront Centre

The Harbourfront Centre remains at the heart of what's current and creative in Toronto. The innovative non-profit cultural organisation has been around for more than 40 years, and specialises in creating events and activities that charm and entertain a diverse public. Locals gather at the centre's distinctive waterfront venues for some weekend gallery hopping, biking and concerts. Visitors also enjoy strolling along the promenade, indulging in theatrical performances and browsing craft boutiques, or they head to Queen's Quay Centre for some superb retail therapy. Year-round features at this urban playground include film, dance, theatre, music, kids shows and marine events.

Hockey Hall of Fame

Avid ice hockey fans should make a point of it to visit Toronto's Hockey Hall of Fame. Within this shrine to Canada's favourite pastime, visitors can learn about the history of the game through memorabilia from every era, hockey artefacts from around the world, themed exhibits, multimedia stations and images of great moments in hockey history. Iconic players' gear, skates and sticks are also on display. Visitors usually relish having hands-on access to the Stanley Cup, and trying out state-of-the-art games that challenge shooting and goalkeeping skills.

Canada's Wonderland

Boasting more than 200 attractions, including Splash Works and a huge variety of roller coasters, Canada's Wonderland is deservedly the country's favourite theme park. Its inviting array of rides includes carousels, train rides and the Time Warp ­â€' Canada's only flying roller coaster. The park also has lots of shopping and dining options. The sheer variety of rides and amusements here ensure that everyone will have a good time regardless of age, making it a must for the entire family.

High Park

Besides being Toronto's largest public park, High Park is also one of the city's most important natural areas. Visitors will encounter woodland, wetlands, a beautiful lakefront, prairie habitats and a preserved slice of the black-oak savanna ecosystem that once covered most of southern Ontario. It all makes for an idyllic setting in which to enjoy the park's playgrounds, zoo, dog park, hiking trails, greenhouses, picnic areas, eateries and sporting facilities. Parking is convenient and public-transport access is easy. All said, High Park makes for a fun family day out.