Ontario Travel Guide

Casa Loma

Canada's own castle, Casa Loma, is today owned by the City of Toronto and draws plenty of interest standing in medieval splendor on its hilltop site. The castle was formerly the home of Canadian financier, Sir Henry Pellatt, who engaged the noted architect E J Lennox to help him realise a life-long dream of building a castle. Construction started in 1911 and it took 300 men nearly three years to complete the impressive Casa Loma. Inside visitors can see the magnificent decorated suites, secret passages, and 800ft (244m) long tunnel, while outside it is possible to stroll through the beautiful five-acre estate gardens. Self-guided audio tours are available and the castle is open every day.

CN Tower

Standing 1,815ft (553m) high, Toronoto's landmark CN Tower is the world's tallest building, a celebrated icon, an important telecommunications hub and the center of tourism in Toronto. About two million people visit the tower each year to take in the panoramic view and enjoy all its attractions. The tower was built in 1976 by the company Canadian National, who undertook the project simply to prove the strength of Canadian industry and solve the city's communication problems. Since then tourist attractions and facilities have been added, and the revitalized tower opened to the public in 1998, proving a hit with locals and visitors alike. The tower has four look out levels. At the first at 1,122ft (342m) is an outdoor observation deck with a spectacular glass floor; somewhat higher at the next level is an indoor observation deck and the Horizon's café, offering light meals high in the sky; at the 1,150ft (351m) level is a revolving restaurant, which rotates once every 72 minutes, allowing a stunning view of the city below while dining on the award-winning fare; finally comes the top level, at a dizzying 1,465ft (447m), known as the Sky Pod. At the top of the CN Tower visitors stand on the world's highest public observation deck. The tower is situated in the heart of Toronto's entertainment district, on the north shore of Lake Ontario.

Royal Ontario Museum

Pride of place in this large and varied museum is held by the golden mosaic ceiling inside the main entrance to the building in Queen's Park, Toronto. The ceiling is adorned with patterns and symbols representing cultures from around the world throughout the ages, and is made from cut squares of imported Venetian glass. The museum consists of three buildings housing 200,000 square feet (18,581 sq m) of galleries and exhibitions. The more than 40 galleries showcase art, archaeology and science exhibits. Among the most popular are dinosaurs, galleries of Chinese Art, a bat cave, a gem and gold room, exhibits about Ancient Egypt and Nubia, and the Samuel European Galleries.

Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo covers 710 acres (287 hectares) and is divided into 'zoogeographic' regions. It features four major tropical indoor pavilions and several smaller indoor viewing areas, plus numerous outdoor exhibits with more than six miles (ten km) of walking trails. The zoo houses more than 5,000 animals representing more than 450 species; it draws more than 1,2 million visitors each year. It is located north of Highway 401 and is easily accessible by public transport.

Niagara Falls

Straddling the Canadian-United States border and sited between the province of Ontario and the US state of New York, the awesome Niagara Falls attracts about 12 million tourists a year. It makes a spectacular day's outing from Toronto. The Niagara River has been flowing for about 12,000 years but the eroded escarpment over which the falls flow today is much older, having been formed during the ice age. The river plunges over a cliff of dolostone and shale to make it the second largest waterfall on earth, after the Victoria Falls in southern Africa. Apart from appreciating the mighty torrent of the falls itself, perhaps from a spray-filled boat tour, there is plenty more to see and do on the Niagara peninsula, including indulging in some wine-tasting at one of the local wineries; visiting the exotic butterfly conservatory, marvelling at the floral clock in the Niagara Parks Greenhouse; visiting the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum, or playing a round of golf on one of the 34 courses that dot the peninsula.

Parliament Hill

Parliament Hill in Ottawa is a place for decision-making, but also a place for people. Visitors can tour the buildings, watch Parliament in action, and enjoy ceremonial spectacles like the Changing of the Guard ceremony. There are three buildings making up Canada's parliament complex. The center block with its distinctive Peace Tower houses the chambers of the House of Commons and the Senate. Visitors can watch either chamber in action, take a tour of the building, and climb the Peace Tower for a view of the capital city region. The historic east block contains the restored offices of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A Macdonald, and other early statesmen. Tours are offered of these historic rooms and visitors can also interact with historical characters from the period. The west block houses the offices of members of parliament and are not open to the public.

Canadian Museum of Civilization

One of dozens of museums in Canada's capital region, the Museum of Civilization is one of the most fascinating with its artifacts on display including interesting things such as the world's oldest known boat, several mummies, and the story of the 'bog people' of north-western Europe. The museum celebrates the diversity of humankind and showcases the achievements of cultures, past and present, using not only exhibits but live performances, giant screens and animations. The complex incorporates the Canadian Children's Museum, Canadian Postal Museum, an IMAX Theater and a restaurant.

Gatineau Park

Gatineau Park is a giant wedge of land measuring 140 square miles (363 sq km) to the northwest of Canada's Capital Region. It is a recreational haven for locals and visitors alike, and contains many features of interest. The Luskville Falls are inspiring; the Lusk Cave made of marble can be explored with a hard hat; the King Mountain Trail has 10 observation points and takes an hour to complete; the Mackenzie King Estate, a 231-hectare landscaped space in the heart of the park, was the summer residence of William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada's 10th prime minister.

Old Fort William

Visitors can travel back in time to 1815 at an authentic duplicate of Old Fort William, the inland headquarters of the North West Company of Montreal, located at Thunder Bay just nine miles (14km) upstream from the site of the original fort on the bank of the Kaministiquia River. The North American fur trade is a part of Canada's colorful past that has been brought to life at the fort, with recreations of the characters, sounds, sights and smells of the operating fort as it would have been almost two centuries ago. The sprawling 20-acre site contains more than 42 fully-equipped historic buildings to be explored, among the assortment of fort inhabitants who include Ojibwa Natives, Scots gentlemen, French Canadian voyagers, craftsmen and farm laborers, dressed in period costume and busy with their daily chores.

Amethyst Mine

Ontario's official gemstone, amethyst, is one of the many natural resources found on the north shore of Lake Superior. The colored crystalline silica mineral quartz found in this area comes in beautiful shades, like Precious Purple and Thunder Bay Lavender. Visitors can mine their own amethyst at the Panorama Mine, 35 miles (56km) east of Thunder Bay, which is the site of the largest deposit of amethyst in north America, discovered in 1955. The mine currently produces 40 percent useable amethyst by volume and has a large digging area open to the public that contains 20 percent useable amethyst. All one needs is a bucket and spade to enjoy a mining experience.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

This 24,400-hectare provincial park is set on a rugged peninsula near Thunder Bay resembling a sleeping giant. Known as the 'park of legends' it was inhabited for 9,000 years by natives who fished and hunted in the rolling, forested terrain dotted with lakes, which is still roamed by lynx and wolf. It is possible to hike to the top of granite cliffs for spectacular views of Lake Superior, or in winter to explore the trails on skis or snowshoes. The park also supports an exceptional mix of plant life, and in a bog in the park's southern end grow two rare orchids, the Adder's Mouth and the Striped Orchid. There are 24 types of orchid growing here altogether, and ferns abound. More than 190 species of bird have been recorded in the park, which is also home to white-tailed deer, red fox, porcupine, moose, bears, wolf and lynx.

Distillery Historic District

The brick-paved streets of the pedestrianized village have been designated a National Heritage Site, containing the finest collection of Victorian era industrial architecture in North America. The historic Distillery District, spread across 13 acres (5 hectares) in downtown Toronto, is a development dedicated entirely to arts, culture and entertainment with its plethora of art galleries, restaurants, bars and live music venues. Founded in 1832, the Gooderham and Worts Distillery became the largest distillery in the British Empire until it ceased operations in 1990 after 153 years of production, and was opened in 2003 as the pedestrian-only village it is today. It is also a popular film location and its numerous festivals and special events attract thousands of people every month.

Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art

Formerly the Art Gallery of North York, the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art opened its doors in 1999 keen to display modern Canadian art that addresses current Canadian narratives. Situated in trendy downtown Toronto, Mocca boasts a collection of 400 artworks by 140 different Canadian artists, despite its small size. With most works created since 1985, Mocca offers great insight into contemporary Canadian society. A country once renowned for its loose immigration laws, Canada is home to a mix of cultures, which makes for a stimulating art world. Look out for group exhibitions with international artists and the annual Mocca Award in Contemporary Art.

Toronto Islands

A chain of small Lake Ontario islands just offshore from the city, the Toronto Islands were created from a series of continually moving sandbars connected to the mainland by a frail peninsula, which finally disintegrated after a major storm in 1858. Only a short ferry ride from the mainland, the Toronto Islands provide a peaceful green refuge from the hubbub of the city and afford attractive panoramic views of downtown Toronto. Hire a bike or relax on the beach, take the kids for a day at Centerville Amusement Park or have a languid picnic in one of the many designated leafy areas.

Gardiner Museum of Ceramics

Housed in an attractive building across from the Royal Ontario Museum, the Gardiner Museum of Ceramics is one of the city's finest examples of modernist architecture. Giving visitors a glimpse into a universal art form that has spanned centuries, the Gardiner Museum exhibits over 3,000 historical and contemporary ceramic pieces. 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 development of the ceramic process. On Friday evenings visitors can try their hand at sculpting and wheel throwing in the open clay studio or attend free films and seminars.

Kensington Market

A National Historic Site, Kensington Market embodies Toronto's multicultural society. Founded in the early twentieth century by eastern European Jewish immigrants and Italians, the area was renowned for its open-air market, evocative of those found in Europe. Home to immigrants from the Caribbean, China, East Africa and Vietnam War veterans, Kensinton Market is an infusion of world cultures, all of whom have left an imprint in the music, shops and restaurants of the area. A hybrid of cheap eclectic clothing retailers, fresh produce stores, cheese merchants, fishmongers, cafés and general bric-a-brac stores, the Kensington Market area offers a rambunctious downtown atmosphere. The most prominent streets are Augusta Avenue and Kensington Avenue.

Harbourfront Center

With an idyllic setting right beside the lake, the Harbourfront Center is the spiritual heart of the city where locals gather on weekends for some gallery hopping, shopping, biking and concerts. Used as an industrial docklands for decades the abandoned warehouses and disintegrating factories have been transformed into a treasured recreational and cultural public space. Stroll along the waterside promenade, indulge in theatrical performances and browse craft boutiques or head to Queen's Quay Center for some superb shopping. Year round events at this urban playground include film, dance, theater, music, children's events and marine events.

Hockey Hall of Fame

Any avid hockey fan must make a turn at Toronto's Hockey Hall of Fame, an ode to hockey's greatest players and most prized teams. A shrine to Canada's national sport, visitors can learn about the history of the game through memorabilia from every era, hockey artifacts from around the world, interactive exhibits and images of great moments in hockey history. Marvel at Terry Sawchuck's goalie gear, Newsy Lalonde's skates and the stick used by Max Bentley. The Stanley Cup never fails to delight visitors and most fun is had trying a hand at shooting or goalkeeping in the interactive displays. You won't be disappointed.

Lorraine Kimsa Theater for Young People

The largest theater for young audiences in Canada, the Lorraine Kimsa Theater for Young People is also a drama school, creating theater for the youth, by the youth. The productions put on here aim to have a lasting emotional and educational impact on the youth of today. Children will love watching performances here.

African Lion Safari

Children of all ages will love the African Lion Safari where they can take a drive through the game reserve, cruise on the 'African Queen' boat, watch bird and animal performances, experience an 'elephant round up', pet some baby goats, or even enjoy the Misumu Bay Wet Play area.

Ontario Place

A fantastic day out for the kids and the family, Ontario Place offers hours of action packed entertainment and some exhilarating rides that kids of all ages will enjoy. Attractions at Ontario Place include the

0 Generation Station, the Atom Blaster, First Flight, Free Fall and Super Slide, to name a few.

Paramount Canada's Wonderland

Boasting over 200 attractions and more than 65 exhilarating rides, Splash Works and a huge variety of roller coasters, Paramount Canada's Wonderland is Canada's favorite theme park. Kids will enjoy the fastest and biggest roller coaster, the Behemoth as well as carousels, train rides and Canada's only flying roller coaster, the Time Warp. This park is a must for a great day out with the family.

High Park

High Park is Toronto's largest park and features sporting, cultural and educational facilities, gardens, playgrounds and a zoo. A great place for a stroll or a family picnic, High Park also features two children's playground, a communal swimming pool which is manned by lifeguards, and plenty of open space to tire the little ones out.