Ontario
5
Day Itinerary •
Canada
Five days in Ontario gives you the full extraordinary depth of Canada's most populous province, from the thundering Horseshoe Falls and the Niagara ice wine estates through Toronto's extraordinary island and distillery culture to the turquoise sea caves of the Bruce Peninsula, the moose-filled wilderness of Algonquin, the Thousand Islands archipelago and the finest freshwater wine country in North America in Prince Edward County. This route covers the complete Ontario experience from the iconic Niagara Falls and multicultural Toronto through the extraordinary limestone landscape of the Bruce Peninsula and Georgian Bay to the heritage waterway of the Rideau Canal, the Thousand Islands St Lawrence cruise and the extraordinary Sandbanks sand dunes of Prince Edward County. Five extraordinary days across the finest corners of Canada's greatest province.
Best Time To Visit
June to October
Getting There
Fly into Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
Getting Around
Car essential throughout Ontario
Budget Per Day
Approx 190 to 545 CAD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, hiking options
DAY 1
NIAGARA FALLS
MORNING
NIAGARA FALLS, THE MOST POWERFUL WATERFALL IN NORTH AMERICA
Niagara Falls is the most extraordinary waterfall in North America, the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side discharging more than 168,000 cubic metres of water per minute over a 57-metre drop in the most powerful curtain of falling water on the continent. The Canadian side gives the finest view of both the Horseshoe and American falls simultaneously. The Journey Behind the Falls tunnel through the bedrock to viewpoints behind the curtain is extraordinary. Journey Behind the Falls approx 32 CAD. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
THE NIAGARA GORGE AND THE WHIRLPOOL RAPIDS, THE FINEST HIDDEN NIAGARA EXPERIENCE
The Niagara Gorge below the falls contains the most extraordinary whirlpool in North America, a permanent 36-metre deep vortex where the river turns 90 degrees through a geological notch and the water reaches 48 km/h. The Whirlpool Aero Car crossing the gorge at 76 metres above the rapids is the finest engineering viewpoint in Ontario. The gorge trail from the falls to the whirlpool is 4km of extraordinary clifftop walking. Aero Car approx 18 CAD. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE PRETTIEST TOWN IN ONTARIO
Niagara-on-the-Lake is the most extraordinary small historic town in Ontario, its extraordinary 19th-century main street of heritage buildings, the remarkable Fort George National Historic Site from the War of 1812 and the extraordinary Niagara wine region surrounding the town producing the finest ice wine in the world making it the finest afternoon destination near Niagara Falls. The Shaw Festival theatre is the finest in Canada outside Stratford. Fort George approx 12 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Dufferin Islands Nature Area just south of Niagara Falls is the most extraordinary and least visited hidden park in the Niagara region, a series of small islands connected by footbridges in the upper Niagara River above the falls, their extraordinary mixed forest, the Black-crowned Night Heron colony and the complete absence of the tourist infrastructure of the falls making it the finest hidden place in Niagara. Entirely free. The winter skating rink on the island is the finest in the region.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: AG Inspired, Niagara Falls Outstanding breakfast at the finest independent restaurant near the falls. Local Niagara produce throughout. | Lunch: Treadwell Cuisine, Niagara-on-the-Lake The finest farm-to-table restaurant in the Niagara Peninsula. Outstanding local wine pairings. | Dinner: Peller Estates Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake Outstanding ice wine dinner at the finest winery estate restaurant in Ontario. Book ahead.
DAY 2
TORONTO
MORNING
TORONTO, CANADA'S GREATEST CITY
Toronto is the most extraordinary and diverse city in Canada, its extraordinary CN Tower at 553 metres the tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere until 2007, its remarkable Royal Ontario Museum with the extraordinary Michael Lee-Chin Crystal addition by Daniel Libeskind, the extraordinary distillery district and the remarkable Kensington Market making it the finest city experience in Canada. The CN Tower glass floor gives the finest urban vertigo in North America. CN Tower approx 45 CAD. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
THE TORONTO ISLANDS AND THE FINEST URBAN ESCAPE IN CANADA
The Toronto Islands, three interconnected islands in Lake Ontario 13 minutes by ferry from the downtown waterfront, are the most extraordinary urban island landscape in Canada, their extraordinary clothing-optional Hanlan's Point Beach, the remarkable Ward's Island neighbourhood of year-round residents and the extraordinary view of the Toronto skyline from Centre Island making them the finest afternoon escape in the city. Ferry approx 9 CAD return. Drive/Travel: 20 min ferry
AFTERNOON
THE DISTILLERY DISTRICT AND THE KENSINGTON MARKET
The Distillery Historic District is the finest preserved Victorian industrial complex in North America, its extraordinary cobblestone streets of 44 heritage buildings transformed into the finest concentration of galleries, restaurants and boutiques in Toronto. The adjacent Kensington Market with its extraordinary multicultural food stalls, vintage shops and the remarkable Augusta Avenue is the finest neighbourhood experience in Canada's most diverse city. Entry free throughout.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Guild Park Estate in Scarborough contains the most extraordinary outdoor sculpture garden in Ontario, a collection of 60 architectural fragments salvaged from demolished Toronto buildings including bank facades, hotel lobbies and newspaper offices arranged in the grounds of an extraordinary Arts and Crafts mansion. The Greek Theatre amphitheatre, the extraordinary stone fragments from the Bank of Toronto and the remarkable Hellenic Canadian garden are all freely accessible. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Forno Cultura, Toronto The finest Italian bakery in Canada. Outstanding sourdough and cornetto in the extraordinary distillery district. | Lunch: St Lawrence Market, Toronto The finest food market in Canada since 1803. Outstanding peameal bacon sandwich and local cheese. | Dinner: Canoe, Toronto The finest restaurant in Toronto. Outstanding Canadian seasonal tasting menu. 54th floor views. Book ahead.
DAY 3
THE BRUCE PENINSULA
MORNING
ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK, THE FINEST WILDERNESS IN SOUTHERN CANADA
Algonquin Provincial Park is the most extraordinary wilderness destination in southern Canada, its extraordinary 7,630 square kilometres of Canadian Shield lakes, rivers and boreal forest containing the finest wildlife viewing in Ontario including moose, black bear, grey wolf, loon and beaver. The Highway 60 corridor through the park gives the finest accessible wildlife viewing in Canada from a road. The park visitor centre and the Algonquin logging museum are remarkable. Park day pass approx 22 CAD per vehicle. Drive/Travel: 2.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
THE MUSKOKA LAKES, CANADA'S COTTAGE COUNTRY
The Muskoka Lakes district is the most extraordinary cottage country in Canada, its extraordinary Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph and Lake Muskoka connected by the Muskoka River in a landscape of pink granite, white pine and extraordinary Victorian boathouses. The Muskoka Steamships heritage cruise on Lake Muskoka is the finest lake experience in Ontario. Gravenhurst town with its extraordinary opera house and farmers market is the finest Muskoka base. Steamship cruise approx 45 CAD. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
OTTAWA, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CAPITAL CITY IN CANADA
Ottawa is the most extraordinary capital city in Canada, its extraordinary Rideau Canal, the only UNESCO World Heritage canal still operating as originally built, its remarkable Parliament Hill Gothic Revival buildings above the Ottawa River, the extraordinary National Gallery of Canada and the exceptional Canadian Museum of History across the river in Gatineau making it the finest capital city experience in the country. Parliament Hill tours free. Gallery approx 12 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Bonnechere Caves near Eganville in the Ottawa Valley are the most extraordinary and least visited cave system in Ontario, the only fossil-bearing cave open to the public in eastern Canada, its extraordinary 500 million-year-old coral reef fossils visible in the cave walls, the remarkable underground river and the extraordinary cave tours through formations of selenite crystals making it the finest hidden attraction in the Ottawa Valley. Entry approx 20 CAD.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cache Lake Cookhouse, Algonquin Outstanding wilderness breakfast at the park's finest outfitter. Local Canadian pancakes and wild blueberries. | Lunch: Muskoka Brewery, Bracebridge Outstanding craft beer lunch at the finest brewery in cottage country. Local smoked meats and lake fish. | Dinner: Social at 242, Ottawa The finest restaurant in Ottawa. Outstanding Canadian ingredients. Book well ahead.
DAY 4
ALGONQUIN AND MUSKOKA
MORNING
THE BRUCE PENINSULA AND FLOWERPOT ISLAND
The Bruce Peninsula National Park on the southern Georgian Bay shore is the most extraordinary limestone landscape in Ontario, its extraordinary turquoise water over white and grey limestone bedrock, the remarkable Bruce Trail cliff paths and the extraordinary Flowerpot Island sea stacks in Fathom Five National Marine Park making it the finest natural landscape in southern Ontario. The Flowerpot Island water taxi from Tobermory gives the finest island experience in Lake Huron. Water taxi approx 35 CAD return. Drive/Travel: 2.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
TOBERMORY AND THE SS SWEEPSTAKES SHIPWRECK
Tobermory at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula is the most extraordinary small harbour town in Ontario, its extraordinary glass-bottom boat tours over the SS Sweepstakes schooner sunk in 1885 in Big Tub Harbour, the remarkable Fathom Five National Marine Park with 22 shipwrecks and the extraordinary turquoise water of the harbour making it the finest diving and snorkelling destination in freshwater Canada. Glass-bottom boat approx 30 CAD. Drive/Travel: 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE NIAGARA ESCARPMENT AND THE BRUCE TRAIL
The Niagara Escarpment running 725km from Niagara Falls to Tobermory is the finest UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in Canada, its extraordinary dolomite cliff edge supporting the oldest trees in eastern Canada, the ancient eastern white cedar groves clinging to the cliff face estimated at over 1,000 years old and the remarkable Bruce Trail along the cliff top giving the finest long-distance walking in Ontario. Entry free. Bruce Trail map available at trailhead.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Grotto at Bruce Peninsula National Park, accessible by a 3km hike from the Cyprus Lake trailhead, is the most extraordinary hidden natural feature in Ontario, a large sea cave carved into the dolomite cliff above Georgian Bay with an extraordinary turquoise pool connected underground to the open lake. Swimming in the extraordinary azure water of the Grotto is the finest freshwater swimming experience in Canada. The trail passes Indian Head Cove with its extraordinary turquoise water. Entry via park pass approx 22 CAD.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: C'est Bon Bakery, Owen Sound Outstanding Georgian Bay breakfast at the finest bakery on the Bruce Peninsula approach. | Lunch: Tobermory Brewing Company Outstanding craft lunch at the finest brewpub in the Bruce Peninsula. Local Georgian Bay fish and chips. | Dinner: The Crowes Nest, Tobermory Outstanding harbour-view dinner at the finest restaurant at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula.
DAY 5
KINGSTON AND PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
MORNING
KINGSTON AND THE THOUSAND ISLANDS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ARCHIPELAGO IN CANADA
Kingston at the junction of Lake Ontario, the St Lawrence River and the Rideau Canal is the most extraordinary historic city in Ontario, Canada's first capital from 1841 to 1844, its extraordinary limestone City Hall, Fort Henry National Historic Site and the remarkable Royal Military College overlooking the extraordinary Thousand Islands archipelago. The Thousand Islands boat cruise through the 1,864 islands of the St Lawrence is the finest river cruise in Canada. Cruise approx 35 CAD. Drive/Travel: 2 hours drive
MIDDAY
THE RIDEAU CANAL SYSTEM, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY HERITAGE WATERWAY IN CANADA
The Rideau Canal from Kingston to Ottawa is the most extraordinary heritage waterway in Canada, its 202km of lakes, rivers and hand-dug canal sections with 45 lockstations all built between 1826 and 1832 remaining fully operational. The hand-cranked locks at Jones Falls with their extraordinary stone dam, the finest masonry dam in North America when built in 1831, and the remarkable Rideau Lake scenery give the finest canal experience in the country. Lockstation viewing free. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, ONTARIO'S FINEST WINE AND ARTS REGION
Prince Edward County on Lake Ontario is the most extraordinary wine and arts destination in Ontario, its extraordinary Hillier Riesling and Pinot Noir vineyards, the remarkable Sandbanks Provincial Park with the finest freshwater sand dunes in the world and the extraordinary Picton arts scene making it the finest hidden destination in southern Ontario. The Sandbanks dunes are the largest freshwater baymouth barrier dune system in the world. Park day pass approx 22 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Presqu'ile Provincial Park sand spit near Brighton on Lake Ontario is the most extraordinary migratory bird concentration point in eastern Canada, with over 100,000 monarch butterflies stopping in September and October and extraordinary spring warbler concentrations making it the finest birdwatching destination in Ontario. The extraordinary lighthouse dating from 1840 is the oldest surviving lighthouse on Lake Ontario. Park day pass approx 20 CAD. The monarch butterfly peak is the second week of September.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pan Chancho Bakery, Kingston The finest bakery in Kingston. Outstanding croissants and full Canadian breakfast. | Lunch: The Grill at Sandbanks Winery Outstanding County wine lunch. Hillier Riesling and local pickerel at the finest estate in Prince Edward County. | Dinner: Agrarian Bistro, Prince Edward County The finest farm-to-table restaurant in the County. Outstanding local produce. Book well ahead.
Where To Stay
Niagara Falls, Night 1 Sheraton Fallsview. Approx 180 to 400 CAD per night. Toronto, Night 2 Hotel X or Ace Hotel. Approx 200 to 450 CAD per night. Tobermory, Night 3 Grandview Designs Resort. Approx 150 to 350 CAD per night. Kingston or Prince Edward County, Nights 4 to 5 Rosemount Inn or Huff Estates Inn. Approx 150 to 300 CAD.
Top Tips
1. Bruce Peninsula Grotto: the morning light in the cave pool is extraordinary. Arrive at the trailhead before 8am.
2. Flowerpot Island water taxi: book ahead in July and August. The sea stacks are finest in morning light.
3. Sandbanks sand dunes: arrive before 10am in summer. The parking lots fill by mid-morning in peak season.
4. Thousand Islands boat cruise: the 3-hour cruise from Kingston gives the finest view of Boldt Castle on Heart Island.
5. Prince Edward County Riesling: the Hillier region produces the finest Riesling in Canada. Visit Norman Hardie estate.
6. Presqu'ile monarch butterflies: peak second week of September. The overnight roost in the cedar trees is extraordinary.
Total Budget
190 to 540 CAD/day