Spring in Ontario is considered the most fragrant season of all. Expect to see vibrant flowers blooming all around you and nature bursting with life. Go outdoors and soak up all this splendid beauty that only places in the province can offer.
However, when planning your trip, keep up with Ontario news updates regarding travel restrictions. Know if travel between zones is allowed or not so you can plan accordingly and make most of your travel itinerary. Don’t forget to bring a map of Ontario so you can easily find your way around. The province offers several captivating sights and experiences for tourists and locals alike.
If you’re looking for adventure, then here are 10 fun and unusual things to do in Ontario.
1. Hiking and Canoeing in Algonquin
Spring is the best time to visit Algonquin Provincial Park and marvel at its maple hills, rugged forests, and glittering waterways. You can hike the forest trails and the rocky ridges, and listen to the creepy call of the loon. Make sure to bring your camera with you. Look out for beavers, wolves, moose, bears, amphibians, reptiles, and colourful birds that inhabit the park. Don’t forget to check out Mizzy Lake Trail which is perfect for wildlife viewing. You can even schedule your trip when Ontario schools are closed so that you can bring your family with you.
2. Discover 1000 Islands
The romantic ambiance of spring is intensified as you explore the narrow channels of this stunning archipelago by boat. This magnificent collection of more than 1,800 islands on the St Lawrence River can be accessed from Gananoque, which is halfway between the cities of Ottawa and Toronto. Go on a day cruise and discover the hidden beaches, luxurious homes, and charming family cottages along Millionaires’ Row. Drop by the legendary Boldt Castle, and discover the tragic story of George C. Boldt who created this enchanting castle for his wife, who passed away in 1904, before it was complete.
3. Experience the Island life
Make most of the warm weather and head to Ontario’s great lakes. Hop on a ferry from Toronto’s lakefront and explore the Toronto Islands with their pristine beaches, stunning lighthouses, and cottages. Unwind on Wards Island Beach and visit Centre Island, which features a cool maze, quaint gardens, and paddle boats. If you’re looking for a more mature scene, go skinny dipping at Hanlan’s Point beach, the official nude beach of the island. Include it in your bucket list for the Ontario 2021 holidays.
4. Tour Around Niagara-on-the-Lake
The alluring town of Niagara-on-the-Lake will surely mesmerize you during spring. It only takes you half an hour to travel from Niagara Falls. This town is considered a World Heritage Site, with charming inns, exquisite boutiques, antique shops, and 19th-century style architecture in every corner. Located in the Niagara wine region, it’s an excellent season for visitors to cycle around its lush orchards. If you are an ice wine enthusiast, then you may want to drop by Inniskillin winery.
5. Wine Tasting in Inniskillin winery
Enjoy a hearty lunch at Inniskillin winery, the first winery licensed in Ontario since prohibition. Inniskillin has a large collection of fine VQA wines, a symbol that signifies quality, varietal percentage, content, vintage, and appellation. The wines are produced by expert winemakers and viticulturists who are committed to creating the best wine in our country. Inniskillin also pioneered the creation of ice wine. Expect to taste award-winning vintages, delicious food, and amusing tours during your visit to the winery.
6. Go Hiking in the Bruce Peninsula
Discover the amazing carved rock formations and dense nature trails of Bruce Peninsula before the peak season of summer. Enjoy the crystal clear waters of Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay which features a grotto, all accessible via the Georgian Trail. Miles and miles of grey-pink granite line its shore, making it a stunning spot for swimming, sailing, fishing, and kayaking. Do visit nearby Hamilton, known as the city of waterfalls and featuring Canada’s largest botanical garden, a must-visit this spring. Don’t forget to take note of the latest Ontario public health news before your visit. Some places are still closed due to the pandemic.
7. Visit the Little House
Built by the famous contractor Arthur Weeden in 1912, the Little House is just that, a little, cozy house. It’s also known as the smallest house in the entire Toronto area.
This simple house has a simple story: Weeden noticed a small open lot located in Day Avenue that was tucked between two houses and decided to build a tiny house. After building the house, Weeden and his wife lived in it for twenty years. When his wife died, he continued to live in the small house for 6 more years. The tiny house has an open concept. It has a living room, a kitchen, and a tiny sleeping area that features a Murphy bed since a normal-sized bed won’t fit inside. There’s also a hatch in the kitchen that goes into a small basement. The weird thing is that the house feels quite spacious despite it measuring only 300 square feet and it even has a tiny backyard. Back in 2007, the most recent owners renovated the house to make it as practical and useful as possible. It has also been featured in various magazines.
8. A paradise for bird lovers
The provincial and national parks in southwestern Ontario are perfect for bird watchers, and spring is the best season to watch the migration of numerous species. Bring your binoculars and look out for swans, hummingbirds, birds of prey, raptors, and various songbirds. If you still want to explore more, then you can hike the wildflower trail. You might even catch a glimpse of the Giant Swallowtail, considered as Canada’s largest butterfly, living at Pelee.
9. Yorkville Rock
Unimpressed with the local stones, the Toronto city planners had the Yorkville Rock broken apart so they could relocate it to the middle of the urban park.
The Yorkville Rock weighs 650 tons and resembles the roots of an old mountain range that has eroded a long, long time ago. It was removed in pieces from a glacial shield and transported in large fragments on several trailers to Yorkville Park. It was then reassembled to minimize the visible joints, yet gaps remain which give it a look of a puzzle.
10. The Extraordinary Maman
Erected outside the Tate Modern at one point, this enigmatic sculpture, Maman (Mother), is a 30-foot tall spider made of stainless steel, marble, and bronze. It’s one of six such spiders made by Louise Bourgeois who was ninety-five years old at the time of their creation. Maman greeted the first visitors of the gallery in May 2000 and millions more while it was displayed until December of that year. It’s very popular among tourists and locals alike and was later returned to the Tate Modern gallery in 2004. Now, you can find Maman standing outside of the National Gallery of Canada’s entrance.
As part of following Ontario restrictions and safety protocols, make sure to wear masks and observe social distancing while traveling. You may also search online by typing Ontario pandemic update or Ontario vaccination schedule to get the latest information about public health.
Are you looking for a dependable bus rental service for your Ontario trip? Parkinson Coach Lines offers various bus services and amenities to meet your needs. Call us at (905) 451-4776 or email us at info@parkinsoncoach.com