Ontario, Canada, home to 40% of Canada’s population, has some of the world’s top-rated tourist attractions. Ontario has stunning sights and attractions during all four seasons. The province has several lakes, several architectural wonders and is the national and cosmopolitan capital of Canada. Here are the top 10 tourist attractions in Ontario.
1. Parliament Hill
Designed with grand arches, copper-adorned turrets, and Gothic-style gargoyles, Parliament House is another top Canadian destination. One of the main features of Parliament Hill is the Center Block, the main building of the Canadian Parliament. In the middle of the central block is the iconic Peace Tower. The clock and bell tower rise a little over 300 feet and are covered with carved stone gargoyles. The center block was developed in the mid-19th century and was one of the first Canadian government houses.
2.CN Tower
The CN Tower is the most iconic sight in Canada. It’s an engineering marvel from the 1970s and is consistently listed as one of the top places to visit in all Canada travel guides. It looks like a gigantic hypodermic needle but its main function is to act as a communications tower. It is one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world stretching to a height of 1,815 feet.
3. Killarney Provincial Park
Killarney is also known as the “crown jewel of Ontario parks,” with one of the highest-rated kayaking destinations in the world. In Killarney, people can spend days exploring the more than 50 lakes and the network of trails that provide spectacular views of the lakes and Georgian Bay.
4. Elgin Theater and Winter Garden
This is a restored work of art which is considered to be one of the last fully functioning double-deck Edwardian theatres. The Winter Garden was initially developed as the flagship for a vaudeville chain that never started, while the ground floor was converted into a movie theater. Visits to the theater take place on Thursdays and Fridays.
5. Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum celebrated its centennial in 2014 and is considered one of the largest natural history museums in North America. With the addition of “The Crystal” entrance on Bloor St. in 2007, the museum building blends traditional heritage buildings with modern architecture to great effect (and controversy). It is a memorable destination to visit with friends.
6. Tower of the 1000 Islands
Found on the island of Ivy Lea, approximately 20 kilometers from a place known as Gananoque, is the Tower of 1000 Islands. This 130 meter high observation tower provides exceptional views of the archipelago from two open locations and has exceptional exhibits on the glass roof design. Although it is a historical site, it has an elevator for added convenience.
7. National Gallery of Canada
This location is more than a tourist destination, it is also a work of art. It has a unique set of pink granite and glass spiers that complement the copper towers of the nearby Parliament. The interior section features vaulted galleries, a Canadian art exhibit, and several other notable traditional American art forms.
8. Canadian Museum of Canoes
Showcasing one of the world’s largest collections of kayaks and canoes, this museum is also a top tourist destination. It has an exceptional display of 150 canoes and also documents the country’s long history of water navigation. This occurred between the 17th and 19th centuries, when North America was one of the main destinations for canoeing.
9. Boldt Castle
This luxurious and traditional American castle is located in the middle of St. Lawrence. Boldt Castle was developed by George C. Boldt, who was one of the developers of the notable Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City. Several thousand tourists pass through this place every year to enjoy the scenic structures.
10. Ripley’s Aquarium
This aquarium is located in Ontario and is one of three aquariums owned by the Ripley Entertainment network. The aquarium holds 1.5 million gallons of water and showcases marine life from around the world. It is organized into nine galleries, displaying a variety of fish, marine animals, and marine habitats.