Ready to be wowed by some impressive scenery? Head to Flowerpot Island inside Fathom Five National Marine Park, a 3-hour drive northwest of Toronto. Flowerpot Island is known for its rugged-looking coastline, stunning turquoise waters, and rock structures which are known as ‘flowerpots’. The best way to see this wonder is via a drop-off cruise tour, available during the peak and shoulder seasons (May-October). A trip to Tobermory makes for an ideal road trip from Toronto, so turn your visit into a long weekend and explore the nearby Bruce Peninsula National Park. There are plenty of hiking trails around, and you can even go camping under the stars during the summer.

These world-famous waterfalls border Ontario and New York State and have become one of Canada’s top attractions and most-visited falls in the world. From the Canadian side, you get an amazing view of all three waterfalls including the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls. For a real thrill, go on a boat cruise through the falls, giving you an up-close-and-personal experience with this natural wonder. Niagara Falls is consistently one of the best places to visit in Ontario for a weekend getaway. Stay at one of the amazing hotels here, from stylish boutiques to historic buildings turned bed and breakfasts.

Located about 2 hours north of Toronto, Georgian Bay Islands National Park is one of the best places to visit in Ontario for nature lovers. It’s made up of 63 small islands in Georgian Bay and only accessible by boat. Once you’ve reached the islands, spend your days kayaking, fishing, cycling, hiking, swimming, or simply relaxing on the stunning beaches. The total area of the Georgian Bay Islands covers only 14 square kilometres, making it the smallest of Canada’s National Parks. Make a weekend getaway out of it and take the Georgian Bay Coastal Route, which takes you through many of the best landmarks in Ontario including Blue Mountain, Manitoulin Islands, Sauble Beach, and Sudbury. It’s one of the most epic road trips in Canada.

Named the “Niagara of the North”, Kakabeka Falls is Ontario’s second-largest waterfall and one of Canada’s hidden gems. This powerful waterfall plummets from a height of 130 ft into a gorge carved out of the Precambrian Shield. Located about 30 minutes from Thunder Bay, the entrance to Kakabeka Falls is right off the highway, and the waterfall is less than 100 feet away from the parking lot. There is a large boardwalk that surrounds the river basin, where you get an incredible view of the falls. Afterwards, take a hike up the various viewpoints and explore the park’s pristine nature. Kakabeka Falls are part of the Lake Superior Circle Tour, a bucket list road trip that takes you through many of the top attractions in Ontario.

Thousand Islands is a group of islands in the St. Lawrence River that spans across the border of Canada and the U.S. There are over 1,800 islands here, offering visitors plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation along its stunning shorelines. The best way to explore the islands is on a boat tour, where you can see lighthouses, castles, and local wildlife along the way. As the boat tours only operate between May and October, this is one of the best places to visit in Ontario in summer. After a day of fun on the water, check out the Kingston Waterfront, and the Fort Henry National Historic Site nearby.

For a romantic weekend or a fun getaway with some of your best friends, head to beautiful Prince Edward County. Located in southeastern Ontario, this region has the largest number of wineries outside of Niagara-on-the-lake. The County is made up of several small towns, each with its own distinct charm and fun things to do. Eat your way through the Taste Trail, enjoying the many artisan shops, breweries, and restaurants that coined The County as Ontario’s gastronomic capital. If you want to bring home some of the flavours, head to the Wellington Farmer’s Market where you can buy gourmet local produce and homemade delicacies.

Looking for one of the most unique places to visit in northern Ontario? Try a train ride through the Agawa Canyon. About an hour and a half drive north of Sault Ste. Marie, the journey brings you through breathtaking Ontario scenery that inspired the Group of Seven to create some of Canada’s most well-known landscape art. The Agawa Canyon Tour Train isn’t your typical passenger train. It exists with the purpose of providing passengers with a memorable experience, taking you through some of the most spectacular Ontario scenery. One of the highlights of this train route is the descent down 500 feet to the canyon floor.

A little history (and nature) lesson lies just 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa. Hog’s Back Park and Falls is a great nature escape in the nation’s capital, where you can easily spend an afternoon walking the well-marked paths while learning the story of the development of these falls (bring your camera!). Hog’s Back Park and Falls are located near Mooney’s Bay, a quaint beach in Old Ottawa South that’s family-friendly – perfect for a day of relaxing and maybe even some beach volleyball.

Named after the Algonquin Indigenous peoples, this Ontario provincial park covers an area of over 7,000 square kilometres of rugged Canadian Shield. Book a place to stay in Algonquin that has canoe rentals, as there’s over 2000 (!) km of canoe routes in the park that follow lakes, streams, and portage trails. It’s not only home to some of the most beautiful lakes in Ontario, but along the way you may be able to spot black bears, deer, moose, bald eagles, beavers, wolves, and a variety of birds. Open year-round, Algonquin Provincial Park has plenty of trails where visitors can go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter months, making it one of the best places to visit in Ontario in winter.

If you’re looking for a fun weekend trip from Toronto with some natural wonders to boot, be sure to check out the waterfalls in Hamilton. It’s just an hour away from the city and makes for a perfect place to visit with many natural attractions and interesting cultural history. There are over 100 waterfalls to explore, and its location on the Niagara Escarpment makes it an ideal spot to go hiking. Spend the day on the trails searching for waterfalls – the city of Hamilton even has a waterfall guide to help you find them all. Aside from its wonderful nature, Hamilton has thriving art, music, and craft beer scene making it one of the best cities to visit in Ontario. Check out the Art Gallery of Hamilton, a century-old gallery that is home to more than 10,000 works including Canadian historical, contemporary, and international art.

A beautiful gem along Ontario’s Lake Erie coastline, Point Pelee National Park is located near the southernmost tip of Canada. With hiking trails, beaches, and warm breezes in the summer months, Point Pelee is one of the best places to visit in Ontario. A main attraction here is Pelee Island, which you can get to after a 90-minute ferry ride from the mainland. This area was established as a National Park to keep conservation in mind, and travellers can enjoy the marshes, coastline, and wildlife responsibly here at this unique landscape in southern Ontario.

Located east across the water from Thunder Bay, this provincially-run park in northern Ontario is filled to the brim with natural beauty. The park is huge (244-square kilometres, to be exact) and it’s possible to visit any time of year. Plan for some rewarding (yet challenging) hikes, camping opportunities, and amazing views along the way. One of the highlights of Sleeping Giant is definitely the Top of the Giant Lookout. While the hike is recommended to do during the summer months when the path isn’t snowy or icy, the views and sparkling blue waters of Lake Superior you get will definitely be worth the trip.