The Most Beautiful Places in Ontario You Should See

The Bruce Peninsula can rightfully claim its status as one of the most beautiful places in Canada. Located between Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, the peninsula is home to some of North America’s oldest trees, 44 orchid species and a wide array of wildlife. It’s those rocky cliffs and crystal-clear waters that will really seduce you, though.

Ridges made of white quartzite form a perfect contrast to the sapphire lakes and green forests of Killarney Provincial Park. Located on the shores of Georgian Bay, the park is one of Canada’s best-kept secrets. There’s some great hiking and camping here. It’s a must-visit canoeing destination too, especially because of the impossibly clear waters of its Dead Lakes.

The Muskoka Region is one of those places in Canada you won’t believe exist. Torontonians, however, have been in on the secret for a very long time. With about 1,600 lakes, Muskoka is where they come for a bit of cottaging and unwinding from the stresses of life in the big city.

Flowerpot Island in the Fathom Five National Marine Park is a popular destination for a boat trip. There are caves and shipwrecks to explore, hiking to be done and Instagram photos to take. The features that gave the island its name are two rock formations that millennia of wind and ice shaped into what look like huge flowerpots.

Do you want to rent a cottage for a bit of lakeside R&R but don’t want to go to Muskoka like everyone else? Then Baptiste Lake with its quaint cottages is a great, less crowded alternative. Don’t tell anybody that it’s one of the places where celebrities vacation in Canada, though, or you’ll ruin it not only for yourself but also for Jim Carrey, who apparently owns a cottage here.

Whoever counted the Thousand Islands where the St. Lawrence River flows into Lake Ontario was off by 864. Then again, who wants to fret about numbers when there are all of these islands to explore? Some are big enough to house old forts and castles; others have just enough room for a tree or two. Not all of the 1,864 islands in this archipelago are in Canada, though: some are part of the United States instead, so bring your passport.

With their red soil, they look like they’re straight out of the Australian Outback but the Cheltenham Badlands are actually located in the Greater Toronto Area. They were formed in the 1930s when poor farming practices led to soil erosion, and are one of the more unusual places that you can visit in Canada.

About 1,000 labourers died during the construction of the Rideau Canal, mostly of malaria. Back then, who would have thought that the canal would become the best way to see some of Ottawa’s most beautiful landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right? When you see the buildings of Parliament Hill peeking out to your left, turn around and marvel at the sight of the Fairmont Château Laurier behind you. It’s pretty in summer but absolutely magical in winter, when the canal becomes a massive skating rink.

Stratford is one of the best cities in Canada to visit during summer and it’s not only because it's when the Stratford Festival is on. You can spend days wandering the streets, admiring the Victorian buildings. Another must is to take a stroll along the Avon River and see if you can spot the swans.

There are over 100 waterfalls in and around Hamilton. It’s not just the waterfalls that make Hamilton one of the most beautiful places in Ontario, though. The city is a treasure trove of historic mansions such as Dundurn Castle. If you’re a fan of dystopian TV series, you’ll recognize the Grand Durand on Aberdeen Avenue as the Waterfords’ house in The Handmaid’s Tale.

Dunes in Ontario? Of course there are! Located in Prince Edward County on the shores of Lake Ontario, Sandbanks Provincial Park is home to the largest freshwater sand bar and dune system in the world. There are many beaches here for some time in the sun, including Sandbanks Beach, one of Canada’s must-visit beaches.

The Kakabeka Falls are one of Canada’s must-see waterfalls and with good reason: not only are they the second highest in Ontario but in winter they tend to freeze over. According to legend, it was here that Green Mantle, the daughter of an Ojibwe chief, saved her people from attack by the Sioux. She led the Sioux warriors over the falls, where they plunged to their death.

Tranquil lakes, lush forests that are home to bears and moose, and wild rivers are some of the things that make Missinaibi Provincial Park near Chapleau, one of the most beautiful places in Ontario. A canoe trip on the Missinaibi Riber is one of the great adventure trips every Canadian must try but if you prefer your adrenalin levels a little lower, you’ll love the gorgeous campsites, swimming and fishing spots and the pictographs that were created a thousand years ago.

Located between Georgian Bay and the Ottawa River, Algonquin Provincial Park is home to some of the best hiking trails in Canada. It’s such a beautiful place that it has inspired countless artists over the years, including the Group of Seven. While there’s something to do here no matter the season, the park is truly breathtaking in the fall.

The journey from Sault Ste. Marie to the Agawa Canyon is one of the best train trips in Canada. The train is in fact the only way – other than hiking – to get here. In spring and summer you’ll be rewarded with the sight of waterfalls among the lush greenery; in fall you’ll want to Instagram the kaleidoscope of red, gold and brown; and in winter you’ll want to take the Snow Train so you can come play in the white stuff.

Sometimes Ontario’s beauty is not so much in the surrounding environment but in what lies directly beneath your feet. You can probably tell from the name that Agate Beach on tiny little Agate Island in Lake Superior isn’t made up of sand but of the gorgeous banded gemstones known as agates. Yes, the entire beach.

Of course you can look for cheap flights to go see the White Cliffs of Dover but you don’t even have to leave Toronto to see a landscape just as stunning. The Scarborough Bluffs overlook Lake Ontario and make up part of Toronto’s waterfront. There are several parks here: some provide views from atop the Bluffs while others are great for some beach time.

Even though the Rideau Canal runs right through it, this isn’t the only reason why Merrickville is one of the most beautiful villages in Ontario. With all the Victorian heritage buildings lining the streets, Merrickville could easily stand in for one of those quaint villages you see in English murder mysteries.

The Fairmont Royal York might not be photographed as much as the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City, but it’s still one of the prettiest of Canada’s grand railway hotels. Since its opening in 1929, it’s become one of the places where celebrities go when they’re in Toronto. Even the late Queen Elizabeth II preferred staying here and well, if it’s fit for a queen…

There’s a good reason why Niagara Falls is one of the top tourist destinations in Canada. They’re among the most famous waterfalls in the world and were featured in several movies. They’ve even inspired orchestral pieces. To truly appreciate their beauty and power, be sure to view them from the underground observation rooms: it’s a much safer way to feel like you’re in the falls themselves.