Much like its provincial neighbor to the east, Ontario is filled with both urban capitals of culture and wild lands rarely explored. Consider it the best of both worlds. The barrenness of the Hudson Bay shoreline dominates the northern landscape southward until becoming a crowded collection of Canadian cities that mark the shoreline of four of the five Great Lakes. But fear not, the most populated of Canadian provinces have more than its fair share of outdoor escapes for its visitors and locals alike.
Set along the vast shores of Lake Erie, in the area called Ontario’s “South Coast,” travelers will be charmed by this seaside stretch. Enjoy strolling along white, sandy beaches, and exploring quaint fishing villages and lighthouses. Climb aboard the Port Stanley Terminal Railway for a scenic journey throughout the valley. Nearby Long Point Provincial Park encompasses about 25 miles of beaches, marshes, wetlands and sand dunes – making it a habitat for thousands of migrating birds, fish, reptiles and plant species. Take a leisurely stroll along the walking paths of the peninsula, and be sure to visit Long Point Bird Observatory, the oldest, privately funded, avian observation area in North America.
In the middle of the widest part of the St. Lawrence River lies the series of connected islands known as Iles de la Madeleine.
In Ontario’s easternmost reaches, across the St. Lawrence River from New York State, lie the Thousand Islands, a cluster of numerous (probably not a thousand, but lots) tiny islands. First and foremost, it’s a boater’s playground, but anyone who likes to do anything on the water will be pleased with the choice of venues. The waterways attract visitors from Canada and America in huge numbers.
From the Thousand Islands, take Highway 401 south, past Toronto. There, wedged in-between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, you’ll find one of the world’s most impressive sights: Niagara Falls. Formed about 12,000 years ago as glaciers retreated across the region, today the Falls is of course a major tourist attraction. Yet, the grandeur and immensity of this sight can’t be denied, no matter how crowded the area can get during peak season. To get up close, visit Table Rock, where the promenade actually hangs over part of the falls. Otherwise, grab some rain gear and hop aboard one of the boat tours that ventures right up into the falls. Climb aboard the Maid of the Mist tour boat and head upriver for a close-up view of the spectacular Horseshoe Falls, as well as the Rock of Ages, Cave of the Winds and American Falls. Consider visiting Canadian Horseshoe Falls, for one of the most incredible views of raging, rushing, and thundering waters.
For those willing to test the barren and windswept reaches of northern Ontario, the shores of Lake Superior offer a number of exceptional national and provincial parks. The Lake Superior Provincial Park, Pukaskwa National Park and Sleeping Giant Provincial Park all make for wonderful summer destinations when the weather is far more predictable.