Tours & Activities in Ontario
As the second largest province in the world’s second largest country, Ontario's geography is extremely diverse. The Great Lakes, which are more akin to small seas, border the province to the south, thousands of smaller lakes and rivers adorn cottage country and three quarters of the total land mass is blanketed by forest. Factor in the dramatic changes to the province as the seasons change and there is no question that when it comes to recreational opportunities Ontario has it all.
For the adventurous soul looking to experience the great outdoors there is an abundance of choices. Rafting, canoeing and kayaking tours are the perfect way to enjoy one of the many beautiful rivers that meander across the province, while sailing adventures are an excellent choice if hoping to get out on one of the world-famous Great Lakes. For those looking to lose themselves in vast expanses of forest, be it the boreal forests of the north or the deciduous forests of the south, horseback and camping trips are the way to go.
But Ontario isn’t just for the intrepid. Many sightseeing opportunities and leisure activities also await visitors to the province. Tee off on the lush fairways of one of Ontario’s 725 golf courses, five of which rank top 10 in Canada, or relax all day at a premier spa.
ADVENTURE TOURS
Ontario boasts over 250,000 fresh-water lakes, 100,000 km (60,000 mi) of rivers and 3,000 km (2,400 mi) of coastline, all of which provide the perfect setting for all kinds of adventure tours, from canoeing and kayaking to sailing and windsurfing. Esprit Rafting Adventures takes tour groups out onto the stunning Ottawa River for whitewater rafting and the even more thrilling sport of river boarding. Northern Wilderness Outfitters offers multi-day canoe and camping trips in the beautiful Algonquin Park.
Sixty-six per cent of Ontario is covered in beautiful and diverse forests, which can be experienced on a vast network of trails used by hiking, ATV, hummer and horseback tour companies. Eco-explorations is a notable company that offers three- to 10-day backpacking trips in Algonquin and Killarney parks and Haliburton Forestwhere their Canopy Tour allows visitors to experience the scenery from the treetops. South Algonquin Trails Inc. and Niagara Riding Stables are both premier trail-ride operators.
Once winter hits, hiking boots, canoes and horses are traded for snowshoes, dog sleds and snowmobiles. There aren’t many experiences more authentically Canadian than dog sledding, an activity that has become easily accessible through a number of tour companies operating across the province, including Winterdance Dogsled Tours, Borealis Dog Sled Adventures and Raven's Watch Dog Sled Tours. Northern Ontario is a renowned snowmobiling destination, especially in the Grey Bruce region.
SIGHTSEEING TOURS
Ontario is home to a number of unique and beautiful cities exploding with numerous must-see sites. Although individuals can access many of these attractions on their own, tour companies can heighten the experience by offering knowledgeable insight as well as providing access to multiple sites efficiently and cost-effectively. A variety of sightseeing tours can be found all over the province, from Capital Double Decker and Trolley Tours in Ottawa to Muddy York Walking Tours in Toronto to Ghost Walk in Thunder Bay.
LEISURE AND RECREATION
If organized tours are not one’s preference, there are loads of independent activities to enjoy in Ontario. Relax at one of many top-notch spas, or enjoy a round of golf at a first-rate course. Dotted throughout the province in both large and small centres, there are numerous facilities at which to enjoy ice-skating, cross-country skiing, volleyball and much more. Big cities offer everything from paintball and laser tag to yoga, bungee jumping and wall climbing.
For the adventurous soul looking to experience the great outdoors there is an abundance of choices. Rafting, canoeing and kayaking tours are the perfect way to enjoy one of the many beautiful rivers that meander across the province, while sailing adventures are an excellent choice if hoping to get out on one of the world-famous Great Lakes. For those looking to lose themselves in vast expanses of forest, be it the boreal forests of the north or the deciduous forests of the south, horseback and camping trips are the way to go.
But Ontario isn’t just for the intrepid. Many sightseeing opportunities and leisure activities also await visitors to the province. Tee off on the lush fairways of one of Ontario’s 725 golf courses, five of which rank top 10 in Canada, or relax all day at a premier spa.
ADVENTURE TOURS
Ontario boasts over 250,000 fresh-water lakes, 100,000 km (60,000 mi) of rivers and 3,000 km (2,400 mi) of coastline, all of which provide the perfect setting for all kinds of adventure tours, from canoeing and kayaking to sailing and windsurfing. Esprit Rafting Adventures takes tour groups out onto the stunning Ottawa River for whitewater rafting and the even more thrilling sport of river boarding. Northern Wilderness Outfitters offers multi-day canoe and camping trips in the beautiful Algonquin Park.
Sixty-six per cent of Ontario is covered in beautiful and diverse forests, which can be experienced on a vast network of trails used by hiking, ATV, hummer and horseback tour companies. Eco-explorations is a notable company that offers three- to 10-day backpacking trips in Algonquin and Killarney parks and Haliburton Forestwhere their Canopy Tour allows visitors to experience the scenery from the treetops. South Algonquin Trails Inc. and Niagara Riding Stables are both premier trail-ride operators.
Once winter hits, hiking boots, canoes and horses are traded for snowshoes, dog sleds and snowmobiles. There aren’t many experiences more authentically Canadian than dog sledding, an activity that has become easily accessible through a number of tour companies operating across the province, including Winterdance Dogsled Tours, Borealis Dog Sled Adventures and Raven's Watch Dog Sled Tours. Northern Ontario is a renowned snowmobiling destination, especially in the Grey Bruce region.
SIGHTSEEING TOURS
Ontario is home to a number of unique and beautiful cities exploding with numerous must-see sites. Although individuals can access many of these attractions on their own, tour companies can heighten the experience by offering knowledgeable insight as well as providing access to multiple sites efficiently and cost-effectively. A variety of sightseeing tours can be found all over the province, from Capital Double Decker and Trolley Tours in Ottawa to Muddy York Walking Tours in Toronto to Ghost Walk in Thunder Bay.
LEISURE AND RECREATION
If organized tours are not one’s preference, there are loads of independent activities to enjoy in Ontario. Relax at one of many top-notch spas, or enjoy a round of golf at a first-rate course. Dotted throughout the province in both large and small centres, there are numerous facilities at which to enjoy ice-skating, cross-country skiing, volleyball and much more. Big cities offer everything from paintball and laser tag to yoga, bungee jumping and wall climbing.




