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There are many fun things in Ontario that will get your heart racing without requiring you to hop on a plane, so you don’t even have to leave the province to have a world-class experience!
Yes, we have done everything in Ontario that everyone suggests, such as traveling to the Royal Ontario Museum, seeing a production at the Stratford Festival, an amusement park, or visiting the Rideau Canal, but aren’t you interested in trying something new?
Something different to test out? Because of these great opportunities in Ontario, this summer is shaping to be one of the most eventful summers ever recorded. So what exactly are you looking forward to? Make plans right now to go on an exciting excursion this coming weekend!
20 Exciting Ways to Have a Blast
1. Learn to Whitewater Kayak – Madawaska River
The reality is that there has never been a better time to mark this item off your list of fun things to do in Ontario, even if it’s probable that you’ve been putting it off for years. However, now is the best time there has ever been! One of our most exciting journeys was spent on the Madawaska River, where we became proficient in whitewater kayaking. In the span of only a few short days, throughout this weeklong training, we were taught how to do a barrel roll and navigate class 3 rapids.
It is widely considered one of the most outstanding venues in North America to learn how to whitewater kayak. The owners contributed to the planning and development of the training area that will be used for the Olympic course. Paddlers from all over the globe congregate at this river.
Because of this, we now have the self-assurance to go rafting on rivers by ourselves, equipped with the knowledge to T-rescue, brace, and perform a quick wet departure if we cannot roll.
2. Learn to Scuba Dive – Georgian Bay
There are many fun things to do in Ontario. One of amongst is scuba diving. Have you ever been to the south and seen folks learning how to dive while at a resort pool? When they can learn to scuba dive right here in Ontario, we’ve never understood why some individuals wait till they’re on vacation to get their training when they can do it right here at home.
We got our start in scuba diving in the lakes of Ontario, and those experiences helped us establish the abilities necessary to make diving in the warm seas of the Caribbean a breeze! The visibility is excellent at twenty feet, and most shipwrecks are located in water just a few feet deep. As a result, shipwrecks are abundant in Ontario’s lakes.
3. Whitewater Rafting Trip – Ottawa River
In order to accomplish whitewater rafting on the Ottawa River, you will need at least two days. On top of that, the tours’ all-inclusive resort stops will allow for longer stays. The Ottawa River is widely regarded among whitewater rafters as one of the finest rivers in the world for sport and as one of the finest sites and most wonderful fun things to do in Ontario.
You can depend on the fact that the rapids are huge. During a two-day excursion with OWL Rafting, you will go down the rapids in a massive raft with several other passengers while your guide does most of the work by navigating with two paddles.
Only the most immense rafts, collectively called “The Staircase,” are permitted to navigate the river’s most challenging section of rapids. After tackling a day on the large raft, you will get the opportunity to run a little sporty raft on the second day, which will provide you with double the fun!
4. Hike the Entire Bruce Trail
This summer could not provide an ideal opportunity to go on a multi-day trip or make progress toward completing an epic hike. From Niagara Falls to Tobermory, the Bruce Route is an 885-kilometer long trail that follows the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve along the Niagara Escarpment.
The most incredible and fun things to do in Ontario include that it is feasible to hike the whole length of the Bruce Trail in only thirty days if you put your head down and hike at a rapid pace. Most people like to go systematically around one location at a time, taking their time while doing so. Why not take a break from work every weekend and pick up your travels right where you left off on your most recent excursion? What do you believe the end of the summer will bring for you in terms of where you’ll be?
5. Take a BiPlane Flight Over Ottawa
Our favorite city in Ontario is Ottawa. While it is famous for its Parliament buildings and the Rideau Canal, the most exciting and fun things to do in Ontario (Ottawa) are aboard a classic biplane and soar over the most famous landmarks in both Ottawa and Gatineau.
These are the fun things to do in Ottawa. In this open-air cockpit, while dressed in complete vintage flight gear, you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Parliament Hill, do some tricks while you’re in the air, and take in the views all without leaving the comfort of your seat.
6. Tackle Ontario’s Mountain Biking Trails
Learning to ride a mountain bike was, without a doubt, one of the most fun things to do in Ontario that we’ve ever done, and this might be one of the fun things to do in Ontario. At Hardwood Hills, which is situated immediately to the north of Barrie, you will have the opportunity to hone your skills and get familiar with mountain biking.
You may start on the trails designed for beginners and work your way up to the more difficult expert and black diamond tracks. We consider it one of the top-day excursions that can be taken from Toronto.
7. Learn to Dirt Bike in Ganaraska
Check out the Trail Tours in Ganaraska Forest if you’re seeking something one-of-a-kind to do in the province of Ontario. In the Ganaraska Forest, you may take your mountain biking skills to the next level by learning to ride a dirt bike. This will be such a thrilling experience and rightly takes its place on the list of fun things to do in Ontario, and it will also help you improve your motorcycling abilities.
Trail Tours will take you deep into the Ganaraska Forest, where there are hundreds of kilometers of dirt riding routes, so bring your mountain bike! They will provide you with bicycles and gear and teach you how to ride logs, bridges, and other obstacles.
8. Learn to Rock Climb – Niagara Escarpment
One of our favorite and fun things to do in Ontario and kinds of outdoor recreation is rock climbing, and Ontario is a fantastic place to go for it. The Niagara Escarpment, which runs across Ontario, is home to several great rock climbing routes.
This UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere is one of Ontario’s Natural Wonders and encompasses a total area of 1900 square kilometers! (733 miles), and it has several incredible cliffs that may be climbed. Day tours from Toronto are an excellent option for seeing the Niagara Escarpment and surrounding areas.
Before venturing into the great outdoors, we honed our climbing skills at Joe Rockhead’s Climbing Gym in Toronto. However, you may learn how to put up top ropes and ultimately lead climb your routes by taking a course in the great outdoors.
9. Hornblower Adventure Cruise
It is commonly considered one of the most amazing places to visit in Ontario and one of the most fascinating and fun things to do in Ontario. When you visit Ontario, one of the sites you just must go to is Niagara Falls, and when you do, you should ride the Hornblower to have the most exhilarating experience of your life.
A thrilling experience awaits those who take this boat straight into one of the most incredible waterfalls in the world. If you want to go to the heart of Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, you may ride the Hornblower, one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Ontario.
On the Maid of the Mist, guests from the United States are also permitted to enter Horseshoe Falls. You’ll get drenched and get a true sense of the force behind the waterfalls.
10. Whirlpool Jetboat
The Whirlpool Jetboat trip is even crazier if you’re looking for fun things to do in Ontario to the next level of crazy. At Niagara on the Lake, you may catch a ride on a jetboat that will carry you down rapids as challenging as class 6 to the whirlpool in the Niagara River.
Both the Whirlpool Jetboat and the Hornblower are kid-friendly. However, the former has specific height requirements for riders, and the latter does as well, making both of these attractions in Ontario excellent options for families.
11. Take a Canoe Trip – Algonquin Park
Taking a canoe excursion in the wilderness is the epitome of a classic Canadian experience. In Algonquin Provincial Park, one of our favorite destinations and fun things to do in Ontario, one can pick from several different canoe routes. However, the province of Ontario is home to several really fantastic canoe routes.
Paddleboarders and canoeists will enjoy the proximity of our new home to the Grand River, which is only stepping away. Canoe routes are also available on Lake Superior’s north shore and the upper Ottawa River. In addition, there are several different canoe routes to select from in Killarney Provincial Park.
Search for routes ranging from single-day excursions to multi-day journeys, and double-check that you have enough supplies and can navigate the portages. Some might be as little as a few meters or as much as a couple of kilometers.
12. Learn to Fly Fish – Sault Ste. Marie
We’ve been interested in taking up fly fishing ever since we saw Brad Pitt do it in A River Runs Through It. It seems to be a tranquil setting. Sault Sainte-Marie on Lake Superior provided us with this opportunity. However, few sites can compare to Saint Mary’s River Rapids when riding fly fishing.
The Saint Maries River flows through Canada and into the United States and is a popular destination for fly fishing. Fly rods, hip waders, boots, and fishing lessons/guide services are available at the Soo North Fly Shop in Ste. Sault. As outdoor pursuits go, this is among the fun things to do in Ontario. You enter into a meditative frame of mind.
13. Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
It is generally agreed upon that the Royal Ontario Museum, which can be situated in the middle of Toronto, is one of the top museums in the province and is among the most fun things to do in Ontario. It houses an extensive variety of collections, ranging from those about natural history and science to those showcasing cultural artifacts worldwide.
This museum, more often known as the ROM, had an expansion in 2007, which resulted in the creation of a cutting-edge and one-of-a-kind extension known as the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. As a result, the building has a fascinating combination of ancient and modern architectural styles, giving it a unique aspect.
It is possible to reach the intriguing Gardiner Museum and the upscale boutiques on Bloor Avenue on foot from the Royal Ontario Museum.
14. Art Gallery of Ontario
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), which can be found in the heart of Toronto, is widely regarded as one of Canada’s most prominent art galleries. It is home to a collection of Canadian paintings that is especially noteworthy, with a concentration on works by painters from Ontario and Toronto.
To have a lot of fun things to do in Ontario, The museum also has the largest African and Oceanic art collection in the United States. Highlights also include collections of modern and contemporary art from North America and Europe and works by European masters in painting and sculpture. Check the Art Gallery of Ontario’s website for the most up-to-date listing of the many temporary exhibits hosted during the year.
15. Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada
Built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the historic Trent-Severn Canal is a network of canals connecting Lake Ontario with Georgian Bay on Lake Huron. The channel travels through various rivers and lakes in eastern Ontario, including the Trent River and Lake Simcoe.
The fluctuating levels are accommodated by more than 40 locks, including the world’s tallest hoist, constructed in 1905 at Peterborough and measuring 20 meters in height.
Once mainly utilized for transporting grain and lumber, the Trent-Severn Waterway is now part of Parks Canada and is formally known as the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada. Tourists and recreational boaters mostly use it. At several of the locks, camping facilities and picnic spots are available.
16. Fort William Historical Park
Fort William Historical Park is a replica of the inland headquarters of the Canadian fur trade controlled by the Northwest Company from 1803 to 1821. Located south of Thunder Bay on the banks of the Kaministiquia River, the Fort consists of 57 structures on 250 acres.
Each summer, fur merchants, voyageurs, and first nations people would gather at the Fort for the annual “rendezvous,” which included the transfer of tonnes of furs from western posts and trade items from Montreal through birch bark boats. This technique allowed the Nor’Westers to become dominant in the fur trade.
The Fort provides an interesting perspective on life during the fur trade, ranging from furs and food to muskets and medicine, and showcasing a cultural mosaic of Scottish pelt merchants, French Canadian voyageurs, farmers, and artists, as well as aboriginals and Métis.
However, the park is not just about the fur trade. The David Thompson Astronomical Observatory is situated on the same property (DTAO). The observatory has one of the giant public telescopes in Canada.
17. Stratford Festival
Residents of Stratford, England, honor William Shakespeare and his works with an exceptional summer festival that is renowned all over the globe. Shakespeare would be pleased that this celebration takes place every year. Stratford is situated around 60 kilometers to the northeast of London, Ontario, and is a popular tourist destination for those living in the Greater Toronto Area.
From May till October of each year since 1953, the 2,250-seat Festival Theatre has been staging productions of plays, with Shakespeare consistently earning top billing. There are now four different theatre spaces, and plays written by both well-known and up-and-coming playwrights are presented there. In most seasons, there are a minimum of 12 projects.
18. Eat Some Olives
It is a common misconception that to taste some of the best olives in the world, and one must go to the Mediterranean. However, this is not the case.
Pay a visit to the Graber Olive House, where the illustrious Graber Olives have been grown and farmed by the Graber family since 1894. The locals will tell you nothing else quite like it, and you will want to fill your bag with these delectable delicacies that taste like gourmet food.
In addition, the Graber Olive House is the enterprise that holds the record for being Ontario’s longest continuously running business. Visit for a guided tour, particularly during harvest season (Oct-Dec. ), where you can watch firsthand the grading, curing, and canning procedures that go into a small jar of olives. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to taste the produced olives.
19. Hit the Golf Course
If you would rather play a few rounds of golf than splash about in the waterpark, you have the option to do so at the Whispering Lakes Golf Course. The 18-hole, par-72 course is owned by the city, and it has just undergone extensive renovations, including the addition of a brand-new clubhouse and additional facilities.
If you think you may need some help with your game, the PGA Head Golf Professional at this course, Gary Nicholas, is available for consultations if you’d like to. Since of the relatively flat landscape, the system is easy on both your skills and your feet. You don’t need to rent a golf cart because you can walk around the course instead.
20. Visit a Botanical Garden
Culturing native species from the U.S. state of California is the exclusive focus of the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, the enormous botanic garden in the world that adheres to this singular mission. It is around fifteen minutes outside of the central part of the city. There are so many different kinds of plants and animals that have made their home in this area that it is often referred to as a “living museum,” It will be a lot of fun for you to learn about them.
You will have the chance to engage in hands-on activities and many fun things to do in Ontario; in the botanical garden, there are seasonal plant displays, peruse all of the plant collections, and even register for a class while at this school. You might want to plan your trip so that it falls during one of the horticultural or botany programs, or you might want to come during one of the free bird walks held on the first and third Saturdays of every month. Either way, you’ll want to ensure that your visit falls at the right time.
Conclusion
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Southern California? It’s probably a combination of cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, along with other coastal communities, all teeming with happy Californians basking in the sun’s warm rays. It’s safe to suppose that if I asked you if you wanted to know about some fun things to do in Ontario, you’d picture the Canadian province of that name.
On the other hand, there is a location in California called Ontario, and this particular location takes excellent satisfaction because it is “forty-five minutes from anyplace you want to go.” There are many fun things to do in Ontario itself and the places immediately around it, in addition to the fact that it makes an excellent home base from which to explore the rest of California.
You may learn more about Ontario and discover other fun things to do in the province by following the link. This will allow you to make the most of your time in Ontario.
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