Page 77 - Travel Guide to Canada 2019

ON
Three times the size of Germany and
four times bigger than the United Kingdom,
Ontario off ers unlimited adventures. Enjoy
the view from one of the world’s tallest
towers or delve into the earth to learn the
history of mining. Canoe across a deserted
lake or party with crowds at a rock festival.
From culinary festivals and wineries to
whitewater rafting and moose, Ontario has
it all.
Ontario is home to Canada’s capital,
Ottawa, where you can thrill to the Changing
of the Guard ceremony on Parliament Hill
(visit.parl.ca), see the magnifi cent Canada
Goose Arctic Gallery at the Canadian Museum
of Nature (www.nature.ca ) and learn about
Canada’s military history at the Canadian
War Museum (www.warmuseum.ca ). Bring your camera and binoculars, as you
Leave lots of time to explore Toronto,
the country’s largest metropolis (www.see
torontonow.com ). Book early to see world
premieres—and, perhaps, a few Hollywood
stars—at the Toronto International Film
Festival (www.tiff .net ). And don’t miss the
Aga Khan Museum of Muslim culture (www.
agakhanmuseum.org), the Ontario Science
Centre (www.ontariosciencecentre.ca ), the
newly renovated CN Tower (www.cntower.ca )
and animals such as penguins and cheetahs
at the Toronto Zoo (www.torontozoo.com ).
CityPASS off ers a savings pass on admissions
to fi ve of Toronto’s top attractions, including
many of those mentioned above. Once
activated, it is valid for nine consecutive
days (www.citypass.com ).
Ottawa and Toronto are just the
beginning of what Ontario has to off er. You
can also tour wineries along Lake Erie, in
Prince Edward County or on the Niagara
Peninsula (www.winecountryontario.ca ). If
outdoor adventure is more your style, camp
in breathtaking Killarney (www.ontario
parks.com/park/killarney), Sleeping Giant
(www.ontarioparks.com/park/sleeping
giant) or Algonquin (www.algonquinpark.
on.ca ) provincial parks, or canoe along the
Grand River (www.theheartofontario.com ).
TAKE A SMALL-TOWN BREAK
Amble along lanes lined with locally owned
shops. Linger over dinner at a table overlook-
ing a waterfall, lake or canal, then unwind
in a quaint B&B. Ontario’s many small
towns and cities are havens of relaxation.
Take in a play or build a sandcastle on
the beach in Grand Bend (www.grandbend.
com ). Explore charming shops in Niagara-
on-the-Lake (www.niagaraonthelake.com ),
enjoy a spa day in Grafton (www.steannes.
com ) or unwind at one of Almonte’s many
festivals (www.lanarkcountytourism.com ).
And delve into Ontario’s intriguing history
at sites like the Diefenbunker: Canada’s
Cold War Museum in Carp (www.diefen
bunker.ca), the Canadian Warplane
Heritage Museum in Mount Hope
(www.warplane.com ) and the Canadian
Transportation Museum and Heritage
Village in Kingsville (www.ctmhv.com ).
ENJOY WATERFRONT VIEWS
When Ontarians say “cottage country,” they
generally mean any of a number of rural
regions dotted with clear lakes perfect for
canoeing, kayaking, swimming, water-
skiing . . . or just admiring from the shore
while ensconced in a comfortable hammock.
may well spot deer, loons or coyotes.
Popular cottage areas include Muskoka
(www.discovermuskoka.ca), the Kawarthas
(www.thekawarthas.ca), Ontario’s
Highlands (www.comewander.ca) and the
Rideau Valley (www.rideauheritageroute.ca).
Pamper yourself with a restful weekend at
one of Ontario’s summer resorts (www.
resortsofontario.com).
WHAT’S NEW? District (www.thedistillerydistrict.com).
Pimachiowin Aki—a 29,040 sq. km
(11,212 sq. mi.) stretch of boreal forest on
the Ontario-Manitoba border that is sacred
to the Anishinaabe people—became a
UNESCO World Heritage site last July
(www.pimaki.ca).
Whispering Springs Wilderness Retreat,
90 minutes east of Toronto, off ers luxury
75
camping (“glamping”) in safari tents with
ensuite washrooms and king-sized beds
(www.whisperingsprings.ca).
New fl oor-to-ceiling Window Walls atop
Toronto’s CN Tower make it easier for
guests with mobility challenges to enjoy
the view (www.cntower.ca).
Nordik Spa-Nature is scheduled to open its
third location—a 3.6 ha (8.9 acre) Nordic-
style spa—in the Toronto suburb of Whitby
in the fall (www.lenordik.com/en/).
Yukon Striker, billed as the world's fastest,
longest and tallest dive roller coaster, is set to
open at Canada's Wonderland amusement
park in Vaughan this summer (www.canadas
wonderland.com/play/rides/yukon-striker).
CITY LIGHTS
Toronto is a magnet for cosmopolitan
travellers. Browse for merchandise in
fl agship international stores along Bloor
Street and luxurious shops in Yorkville
(www.bloor-yorkville.com), or unique
boutiques and galleries in the restored
Victorian-era buildings of the Distillery
Teeter 116 storeys above the city on the CN
Tower’s EdgeWalk (www.edgewalkcntower.
ca). Relax on the shores of Lake Ontario at
Harbourfront Centre (www.harbourfront
centre.com), or on the green parkland of
the islands across the city harbour (www.
torontoisland.com). Luxurious hotels,
noted restaurants, and professional
baseball, hockey, basketball, football and
ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK • ONTARIO PARKS