PUBLISHED October 7th, 2021 05:00 am | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 03:37 pm
As holiday season is nearing, it’s safe to say we’re all thinking about one thing – travel. And if there is one place you have to visit when travel lanes open more liberally, it would be Canada – one of the many great locations to rest, relax and rejuvenate.
While we joke about their chief export being really, really nice people, the country boasts magnificent landscapes and other world-class attractions, food and more. Ontario, one of the thirteen provinces in Canada and home to capital Ottawa, is one of the most exciting. Plus, it’s on step three of the country’s Roadmap to Reopen, so let us fill you in.
Ottawa
For those who want to truly immerse themselves in learning about Canada, the capital city, is a good place to start. Ottawa initiates you into everything that is Canadian – from trademark wildlife to maple-dotted crimson sceneries to monumental buildings that encapsulate the Canadian heritage.
Learning A to Z about Canada at The Canadian Museum of History
Nothing expounds on Canadian heritage better than the Canadian Museum of History, with constantly updated exhibitions consisting of over four million artifacts, specimens, written documents, and audio and visual recordings. Documenting human history in Canada – inclusive of indigenous history – the museum has an engaging online presence. In addition to captivating virtual exhibitions like Alex Janvier’s masterpiece Morning Star/Gambeh Then’ and the Virtual Museum of New France, their National Collection is available online here.
Visiting Ontario’s UNESCO Heritage Site, Rideau Canal
An expansive 202km waterway connecting multiple rivers and lakes in Ontario, the Rideau Canal was built in 1832 as a defence structure against United States. Today, with its original, partially vintage and partially industrial structure intact, the UNESCO certified World Heritage site serves as a scenic spot for walks, pleasure boating and even camping. For an in-depth understanding of the Rideau Canal, from conceptualisation and construction to current status, check out virtual tours hosted at the adjacent Bytown Museum.
Experience Rideau Canal virtually through photo and video tours at the various lock stations along the canal here.
Appreciating Canada’s Indigenous Population: Cree Village Ecolodge
Cree Village Ecolodge is a property on Moose Factory Island, an island situated in the middle of the Moose River. The lodge is a socially and ecologically sustainable effort designed by indigenous locals to develop and promote indigenous tourism. Not only get to live amongst the indigenous locals and sponge on knowledge about their culture and heritage, the site is also perfect for bird-watching, sunset boat tours, shoreline walks with the Hudson Bay skyline in view and above everything, to catch Northern Lights from the Moose River.
Watch a documentary film about Moose Factory Island by a local here.
Diefenbunker: Ontario’s Cold War Museum
The Diefenbunker was built during the Cold War to house important members of the government and military if a nuclear attack is imminent. Currently, it’s a museum with enlightening exhibitions about its own history, the Cold War and World War II. You can tour parts of the bunker online using any of your devices, but it gets a lot more exciting if you have VR equipment on hand. Oh, and the museum is also home to the world’s largest escape room – Escape the Diefenbunker!
Toronto
Toronto is the vibrant world-class urban centre of Ontario, and like other metropolitan hubs, it offers endless diversity from food to languages to ethnicities which value-adds to the city.
Bask in Nature’s Glory at Algonquin Provincial Park
It’ll be remiss to bring up Ontario’s natural landscapes without mentioning Algonquin Provincial Park. Situated in the heart of the province and spanning a whopping 7,653 km², the park is a three-hour drive from both Toronto and Ottawa. Whether you’re trekking, biking, camping, paddle boarding, canoeing, birdwatching, fishing – the list goes on and on – the park will provide. Enjoy the park’s flora and fauna with the many live webstreams and video galleries.
Feel On Top of The World at The Canadian National Tower
The CN Tower is the most recognised feature of Toronto’s skyline. Catch some of the best panoramic views of Toronto city at any one of their observation levels. Or satisfy the daredevil in your, with the Edgewalk along the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. Either way, your experience will not be complete without indulging in a meal at CN Tower’s 360 Restaurant with a revolving view over Toronto.
Experience a complete 360° CN Tower Tour virtually here.
Canada’s Beloved: The Hockey Hall of Fame
Which city guide about Canada will be complete without bringing up ice hockey? The Hockey Hall of Fame memorialises the heart and soul of the sport dear to many Canadians. Decked out with elements important to the game of ice hockey, expect collections of hockey artefacts from around the world to state-of-the-art games and National Hockey Leagues Trophies. And huddle up at home, because the museum’s visual and audio archives will transport you straight to monumental moments in the history of the sport.
Niagara
Upon mentioning Niagara, most of our heads immediately picture the Niagara Falls. This city, however, offers more than the world’s most famous waterfall. Niagara is a sanctuary for the old souls who simply want nature, art and music.
Niagara on The Lake: Haven of Food, Wine and Culture
Niagara on the Lake is a quaint town littered with wineries and vineyards, which explains its reputation for its world-class wines. If your itineraries are not filled with wine tours and cafes, feel free to take a romantic bike ride around the city, along its tree-lined avenues to explore other attractions like one of the smallest chapels in the world, Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum and King Street Gallery.
Catch A Show At The Shaw Festival
It’s almost a rite of passage for those visiting Niagara on The Lake to catch a theatre play at the world-class theatre, The Shaw. From April through October, its calendar brims annually, with a carefully and thoughtfully curated, exciting line-up of award-winning shows from troupes around the world. So if you’re lucky enough to visit Niagara during this period, The Shaw Festival will allow you to experience a theatre play, the way George Bernard Shaw, its founder, intended it to be – leaving you wanting more.
Witness The Breathtaking Niagara Falls
The world’s geological wonder needs no introduction. But did you know there are a bazillion things you can do at the falls? You can choose to witness the rapids up close with the boat cruise – Maid of Mist. Or take a cable car ride over the waterfall. You can even, literally, Journey Behind the Falls. Other attractions include the botanical garden, the world’s largest butterfly conservatory, caves, whitewater rafting and plenty more.
In order not to miss out on any of the fun, browse through packaged tours here.
Top Image: Courtesy of John Lee on Unsplash