Ontario Travel Guide - There's So Much To Discover

Your gateway to adventure

Whoever chose: “Yours To Discover” as the official motto of Ontario could well have had the adventure traveler in mind. No matter what type of outdoor activity you enjoy, your greatest challenge will be selecting which of the many opportunities to explore during your visit to this four-season playland.

From dog sledding to cross-country skiing and snowmobiling across the remote stretches of Northern Ontario, and from whitewater rafting in the Eastern region of the province to tackling the nature trails of the Niagara Gorge in the South, there really is something for everybody here.

Check Your Assumptions at the Border

Ontario isn't just a nature reserve - cosmopolitan cities, such as Toronto and Ottawa, boast world-class theaters, internationally acclaimed rock concerts, museums stocked with the works of the masters and some of the finest restaurants in North America. Because after all, everyone needs to step into the city life once in a while.

Ontario is Canada's gateway to the world, and if you're from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, you're only a short border-hop away. Air, road, rail and water transportation systems provide streamlined access to all parts of this vast province. For the truly adventurous, the province can be explored right up to the shores of Hudson and James Bay in the far North.

Whether you're into a pre-planned package tour or a go-it-alone car or RV adventure, there are accommodation and dining opportunities to fit any budget. Five-star hotels operated by international chains stand ready to pamper the affluent traveler in Ontario's major cities, while equally recognizable smaller hotel and motel chains offer familiar comfort all over the province.

Bed and breakfast establishments, campgrounds and lakeside cottages also abound for those seeking a vacation closer to nature, or one that allows for comparing notes with fellow adventurers.

Dining runs the gamut from gourmet restaurants in the larger cities to mom-and-pop diners in the more rustic areas of the province. And of course, there is nothing quite like frying your own fresh-caught trout over a campfire in one of Ontario's numerous provincial parks or resort areas.

With a landmass larger than Spain and France combined, Ontario invites discovery to all types of visitors, no matter if you're seeking offbeat, thrilling or just plain fun experiences. Whether you're staying in one spot or sampling a number of vacation areas, time and imagination are the only limitations.

Ontario Overview - Your Passport to Adventure

Even seasoned travelers need a way to navigate unfamiliar territory. Let us guide your through all Ontario has to offer:

• Greater Toronto Area - Cosmopolitan, cultural and uber-chic, Toronto is your hip gateway to Ontario.
• Niagara Falls - Fertile soil for all travel adventures, Niagara Falls is so much more than a tourist hot-spot.
• Niagara-on-the-Lake - Just down the road from Niagara Falls is this sleepy little village that offers rustic accommodations while you sample great wine and take in some world-class theater.
• Ottawa - The nation's capital offers just a pinch of French culture to go along with British traditions like the Changing of the Guard at the parliament buildings.
• Ontario South - Cosmopolitan centers such as Hamilton and Windsor vie with the quaint communities of Oil Springs and Grand Bend to entertain visitors year-round.
• Ontario Central - You'll hardly believe your ears when you hear the melancholy howl of a wolf pack in Algonquin Park, just a short drive away from civilization.
• Ontario East - Steeped in the province's history, this area offers such step-back-in-time adventures as Old Fort Henry and Upper Canada Village.
• Ontario North - You don't know what big is until you roam the vast expanse of Northern Ontario, stretching from Hudson and James Bay in the North to Lake Superior in the South.