10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Ontario That You Shouldn't Miss

December 19, 2021 Venice Greaves

Discover the best top things to do in Ontario, United States including Lakeside Park Carousel, Sugarbush Hill Maple Farm, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Toronto Island Park, Bruce Peninsula National Park, The Canadian Canoe Museum, Sandbanks Provincial Park, Parkwood National Historic Site, Canadian Automotive Museum, HMCS Haida National Historic Site.
Restaurants in Ontario

1 Lakeport Road Lakeside Park, St. Catharines, Ontario L2N 5B3 Canada +1 905-934-1221 http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/experiencein/LakesideParkCarousel.asp
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 636 reviews

Lakeside Park Carousel

Reviewed By RickandDenise9 - St. Catharines, Canada

This lovely carousel has been here for many, many years and is beautiful! It's a very fun ride for only 5 cents!

2. Sugarbush Hill Maple Farm

2389 Muskoka Rd 10, Huntsville, Ontario P1H 2J3 Canada +1 705-787-9787 [email protected] http://www.sugarbushhill.com/
Excellent
95%
Good
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5.0 based on 556 reviews

Sugarbush Hill Maple Farm

Sugarbush Hill is a "State Of The Art" maple sugaring operation near the Town of Huntsville. We are the largest sugarhouse open to the public on a year round basis in the District of Muskoka. We offer 100% pure maple syrup and other delicious maple products produced right here from our own sugarbush. SUGARHOUSE TOURS and TASTINGS from May to October, please check tour times and hours on our website under "Contact" and "Tours Details". Reservations and payment is required for tours in advance as they fill up quickly. See our huge eco-friendly and highly efficient wood-fired evaporator, many displays of maple antiques and artifacts or stroll our maple forest. We would be pleased to take the time to explain the complete maple sugaring process from the past to the present day. A Canadian heritage at it's finest is waiting for you. For your premium MUSKOKA MAPLE EXPERIENCE come to Sugarbush Hill Maple Farm and see what all the fuss has been about for centuries.

Reviewed By Chriselsis

Overall the tour couldn’t have been better! In his tour around his sugar farm, Tom explained us in detail the entire production of maple syrup, most important things to remember, short maple history lessons included ;) The tour ends with an insight in his valuable antique collections and a nice and delicious little maple products tasting. What we really liked about the tour was the authenticity of everything (it is not one of the farms just created for tourists) and the way Tom is giving the tour by integrating everyone, making some jokes etc. You can feel he’s passionate about the topic ;) We feel confident to be able to open our very own maple farm now :D Thanks Sugarbush Tom, great experience, we recommend it to all our friends! Marco & Christine

3. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Pass Lake, Ontario P0T 2M0 Canada +1 807-977-2526 http://www.ontarioparks.com/park/sleepinggiant
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 488 reviews

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Located on a rugged peninsula of thick forests, several lakes, and high granite cliffs, this scenic wonderland offers nature walks, camping and fishing activities.

Reviewed By lauren5598 - Hamilton, Canada

Sleeping Giant is a beautiful park with great camping. The water front sites on the peninsula into Marie Louise Lake were stunning, and having your own steps down to the water and views of the giant. You could swim right from your campsite although the water was still cold in August. However, beware that the sites can be very windy which made it a challenge to set up a tent! During our stay we did the Sea Lion hike on one day which was an easy walk to a great view of the sea lion. The next day we did the Top of the Giant hike. This is a full day trip even if you bike, it took us 6-7 hours and we only stopped for a quick lunch at the top. Make sure you get an early start, we started at 9am and the trail wasn't busy, but as we came down from the giant the trail was getting very busy around the noon hour. If you choose to bike in make sure you have a mountain bike and are a confident cyclist as the trail is quite rocky and muddy in areas. The walking it self is very strenuous for just over a km, as it is a straight up climb. This hike is possible to accomplish in a slow and steady manner! Once reaching the top the views are spectacular, but be prepared to work hard to get there. I would definitely like to return to explore more of the park

4. Toronto Island Park

9 Queens Quay West Bay Street, Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2H3 Canada +1 416-392-8193 [email protected] http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/
Excellent
65%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,440 reviews

Toronto Island Park

Park consisting of four main islands and containing trails, beaches and children's amusement rides.

Reviewed By chefbynite - Toronto, Canada

Apart from the fact that everything closes at five? The Islands are beautiful and offer stunning views of the Toronto Skyline, the ferries run till midnight and it’s a cheap return fayre, well worth a visit, just pack a picnic if going to be staying to watch sunset!!

5. Bruce Peninsula National Park

120 Chi sin tib dek Rd, Tobermory, Ontario N0H 2R0 Canada +1 519-596-2233 http://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/on/bruce
Excellent
71%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 737 reviews

Bruce Peninsula National Park

When visiting Bruce Peninsula National Park, start your adventure at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Tobermory. Here you'll find information to help plan your visit including tips on where to go when the Cyprus Lake parking lots are full, activities for children, and recommendations on hiking trails. Don't forget the Visitor Centre also includes a natural history museum and just around the corner, a viewing tower and some great hiking trails. While you're at the Visitor Centre take in an Interpretation program. Other visitor attractions in the park include Singing Sands Beach, Halfway Log Dump with incredible views of limestone cliffs and boulder beaches, and of course the Grotto and Indian Head Cove near Cyprus Lake. Bruce Peninsula National Park also includes the popular Cyprus Lake Campground with 232 camp sites and 10 yurt accommodations. Please visit the park website for more information and links to the Parks Canada reservations website. July and August are extrememly busy times in the park so plan your trip accordingly and visit the park website for information on other attractions in the area, fees, hours, park regulations and safety tips.

Reviewed By Vladimiramirela - Mississauga, Canada

Even though the park is beautiful for hiking and sight seeing, my favourite spot remains the Observation Tower, high above the forest, rewarding those who climb all the way to its top with an incredible view of the point where Huron Lake meets Georgian Bay, way on the far horizon.

6. The Canadian Canoe Museum

910 Monaghan Rd, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 5K4 Canada +1 705-748-9153 [email protected] http://www.canoemuseum.ca
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
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4.5 based on 408 reviews

The Canadian Canoe Museum

The Canadian Canoe Museum stewards the world's largest collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft. More than 600 in number, the watercraft and their stories of national and international significance, have a pivotal role to play in our collective future.

Reviewed By 121bw - Perth, Canada

Love this museum, the historic kayaks and canoes from across the North and across the indigenous tribes, plus the history of exploration of Canada. Beautiful recreational canoes and the volunteers can tell you fascinating stories of how the museum was given some of their artifacts. This museum is unique and well worth a visit!

7. Sandbanks Provincial Park

County Road 12, Picton, Ontario K0K 2T0 Canada +1 613-393-3319 http://www.ontarioparks.com/park/sandbanks
Excellent
61%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,388 reviews

Sandbanks Provincial Park

Reviewed By 220Hank

We spent a week with all of our family in Wellington & took them to Sandbanks Provincial Park a number of times as they all loved the wonderful sandy beach & facilities The Grandchildren loved it & had a great time. It is so large & safe for the children as it is shallow for a long ways. Bring chairs & umbrellas & sunscreen.

8. Parkwood National Historic Site

270 Simcoe St N, Oshawa, Ontario L1G 4T5 Canada +1 905-433-4311 [email protected] http://www.parkwoodestate.com/
Excellent
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 374 reviews

Parkwood National Historic Site

An Autobaron's home of innovation and inspiration, and one of Canada's last grand estates. Immerse yourself in the era and lavish lifestyle of R. S. McLaughlin - founder of GM Canada. Beautifully preserved and so evocative of the jazz age & big band styles in automobiles, fashions, sporting life and garden parties. Get up close and personal with extensive access to historic spaces and fascinating stories of achievement and a life well-lived. Learn about the daily life of the large domestic staff that made this grand estate possible, and take a wander through the staff quarters to get a glimpse into the life of service.

Reviewed By lubicah - Toronto, Canada

I am curious how many people outside of Oshawa and surrounding areas know about this beauty. To be honest, I had no clue about the Parkwood Estate until my daughter suggested at the end of August to switch from visiting all the parks and conservation areas in GTA we had been focusing on all summer, to exploring some historical buildings. Excellent choice! Our tour guide Morgan made our visit truly memorable. Her knowledge, engagement, enthusiasm, and a friendly approach encouraged all the members of our small group to ask many questions and discuss interesting details about the life of Samuel McLaughlin, founder of General Motors of Canada, his wife Adelaide and their five daughters. Morgan’s vivid descriptions of life in this house supported our imagination and made us all feel like part of the history. We learned that the luxurious interiors at Parkwood represent early 20th century design and we admired fine artwork from famous artists, as well as housewares, books, furniture… I was also impressed by finding out that Parkwood is one of the most popular locations for filming. There is a long list of films that have been shot at this exciting estate, including Murdoch Mysteries, Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story, Chicago, X-Men, or Reign. Many famous movie stars, such as Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, Jane Seymour, Richard Gere, Jackie Chan, Peter Fonda, and Richard Gere have been filming at the estate. The estate is a lovely place, still full of life and when you listen to the interesting stories about those who have been living here, you almost feel like you know this family. Regrettably, we were able to only see the main floor as the rest of the mansion was not accessible, but the beautiful garden with interesting landscape and full of colorful flowers (at that time) made up for it. If you are thinking about spending your next weekend at a gorgeous place, don’t look further. Parkwood Estate will do.

9. Canadian Automotive Museum

99 Simcoe St S, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 4G7 Canada +1 905-576-1222 [email protected] http://www.canadianautomotivemuseum.com/
Excellent
61%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 257 reviews

Canadian Automotive Museum

The Canadian Automotive Museum collects and displays the history of the automobile in Canada. The museum is open: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4:00pm, Closed Public Holidays.

Reviewed By garycU2116KX

Been there many times over the years It's a great place to visit and learn about Canada's automotive history I learn something almost every time I'm there and I 'll be back soon (Great record store just down the street too! Kops Records )

10. HMCS Haida National Historic Site

658 Catharine Street North Pier 9, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 8B4 Canada +1 905-526-6742 [email protected] http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/on/haida/index.aspx
Excellent
69%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 434 reviews

HMCS Haida National Historic Site

The last Tribal Destroyer in the world, HMCS HAIDA is Canada’s most famous warship. She inspires countless adults and children and draw visitors from Ontario, across North America and from around the globe. This WWII Tribal Class destroyer is now a floating memorial and naval museum.

Reviewed By amclay9 - Toronto, Canada

This is a great place to spend an hour or two, the staff are super friendly and knowledgeable and some were even sailors on the ship in the past (shoutout to Andy for the navigation lesson). The ship is huge and every time you turn around it seems like there is something new to explore.

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