Winter is the perfect time to gather your family or friends together and explore the province of Ontario and capture some picture-perfect memories. While many prefer to stay and bundle up in the comforts of their home, why not plan fun winter in Ontario getaways? Why wait for summer when you can enjoy the Winterland feels and create happy and memorable moments with the whole gang.
As long as you are following the travelling protocols and social distancing guidelines in the province, there’s no reason why you can’t have a bit of fun. Whether you are looking forward to skiing, snowboarding, or tubing, winter activities in Ontario will surely get you loads of Instagram pictures that are worth sharing!
Why Ontario Os the Best Place to Visit in Winter
As one of the most popular winter destinations, Ontario offers plenty of enjoyable adventures and activities to keep everyone involved. Being a huge province, Ontario has something in store for you, whatever you want to enjoy its snowy scenery or enjoy some adrenaline-rush outdoor winter activities.
Here are some must-visit places to include in your bucket list when you travel in Ontario, Canada this cold season:
Natural Sights
- Niagara Falls
If you are looking for a peaceful paradise with a magnificent view and fewer crowds, Niagara Falls State Park is the place to be! Arrive early, and you might just enjoy the place to yourselves. Witness the beautiful and unique scenery at this time of the year — trees blanketed with snowy sparkles and floating chunks of ice. You can even take incredible photographic of frozen parts of the waterfall. Whatever the season is, Niagara is amazing all year round.
Take advantage of some great winter Ontario resort, cottage rentals, or hotel deals during the offseasons. The rooms come with a fireplace, which is perfect for snuggling.
- The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains will give you a real winter playground experience with snowy slopes that is perfect for skiing, sledding, and snow-shoeing. It boasts of far-reaching snowy landscapes, miles of ski runs, cozy and comfortable accommodations, fancy spas, and various outdoor activities that can make your winter vacation in Ontario truly an epic one.
- Inglis Falls
Do not forget to visit Inglis Falls and gaze upon its beautiful and spectacular 18-metre frozen waterfall when you travel to Ontario in winter. Take photographs of its enduring beauty and majestic frozen cascades.
- Rice Lake
Located in Northumberland and Peterborough counties in South-Eastern Ontario, Rice Lake is another spectacular must-visit winter destination known for snow-kiting. Whether you prefer to go on the ice or watch from the sidelines, the snow-kiting is a fun activity that makes your weekend getaway unforgettable.
- Bon Echo Loop
If you have snowmobiling in your mind, Bon Echo Loop in Provincial Park is amazing for outdoor activities. While riding a snowmobile along its 200-kilometre loop, you can view untouched landscapes, abandoned rail lines, well-maintained access roads, and dense lakeside forest while basking in the magical ambiance of the winter forest all day long.
- Torrance Barrens Preserve
Do want to get the best view of the Northern Lights? Ontario has just the spot for you!
The Torrance Barrens preserve is the ultimate spot for sky-watching and the spectacular aurora borealis. Located in the District Municipality of Muskoka in Central Ontario, the Dark Sky Preserve is only a 2-hour drive away from Toronto. What gives the Torrance Barrens a clear view of the sky is that it is away from the light pollution of nearby cities. For a unique and unforgettable winter sky-experience, bring a telescope and see first-hand the rings of Saturn and cloud banks of Jupiter.
- Cranberry Ice Skating Trail
If you are up for some romantic winter getaway, the Cranberry Ice Trail offers a unique skating experience. Enjoy skating through a 1.2-kilometre loop around 12 acres of cranberries. The skating trail is designed to create an intimate feel while you skate holding hands with your loved one. If you are planning an amazing date night, Cranberry Ice Trail has more than 400 torches around the Ice Trail for a magical night skating experience under the stars.
City Sights
Ontario also beholds some of the most wonderful city sights. Explore the different city sights in Ontario when you travel within Canada:
- The CN Tower
One of the most popular, iconic structures in Canada, the CN Tower stands 553-metre tall and lights up at night. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, make sure to take a trip up to the tower and behold an astounding view of the sparkling city lights from the observation deck.
- Royal Ontario Museum
Do not forget to visit and celebrate the festive holiday season at the Royal Ontario Museum. Situated in downtown Toronto, ROM is open to all guests every day from 10 AM to 5:30 PM except December 25. Walk across the beautiful winter wonderland while you identify different tracks of animals. ROM also showcases over 30 galleries of a world-class collection of art, culture, and nature, as well as feature exhibitions for added experience.
- Casa Loma
Casa Loma transforms into an enchanted winter wonderland where you can explore and experience the holiday magic of the Gothic castle. Its snow-kissed gardens and stunning light displays can make you feel as if you just step into a fairytale. Kids can also visit Santa in his work.
- Parliament Hill
Located in downtown Ottawa, Parliament Hill is another fairytale wonderland to visit in winter. As one of Canada’s most icon sites, the building stands majestically tall on a hill that overlooks the pristine waters of the Ottawa River. In winter, the whole place displays a 13-minute magical winter lightscape show in celebration of the Christmas Lights Across Canada.
- National Gallery of Canada
Discover Canada’s premier art showcase, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, multimedia installations, and high-profile visiting exhibitions (from centuries-old to the avant-garde), in the light-filled galleries of the National Gallery of Canada. Located in the capital city of Ottawa, the National Gallery of Canada is the home to the world’s most extensive and diverse collection of Canadian art. Explore over 40,000 art and literary works by some 6,000 renowned creators, as well as the European and Asian’s finest collections of art.
Long road trips with your friends or family are fun but can be stressful enough, especially if you are the one driving. That is why people choose to book a tour bus in Toronto for a more convenient and fun road trip experience with less hassle. With a professional charter bus driver, all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride until you arrive at your destinations.
If you are looking for a coach rental, who can drive you around Ontario for your winter escapade, give Parkinson Coach Lines a call at (905) 451-4776 to request a quote.