Ontario, Canada's second largest province, is a prime tourist spot in North America. For those seeking the best places to visit in Ontario with family, you can choose from numerous historic sites, amusement parks, museums, and playgrounds. There are also stunning natural areas, including lakes, forests, and parkland.
With so many different options, it can be difficult to narrow down the top tourist destinations in Ontario. The travel experts at Canadian Train Vacations help travellers plan their trips to Canada. In this list, we have compiled some of the best spots for family vacations in Ontario.
Let us walk you through the best spots for family vacations in Ontario to plan your trip effortlessly.
You'll find 100 km of scenic shoreline, hundreds of parks, and 15 pristine beaches in Huron County, known as Ontario's West Coast. Located along the coast of Lake Huron, they offer opportunities for picnics, kayaking, canoeing, bird watching, and fishing.
Among Ontario's most visited attractions, Niagara Falls is a combination of three waterfalls at the USA-Canada border. At an elevation of 188 feet, they have the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America. The falls are open throughout the year and you can enjoy various activities, from the aero car and gardens to the newly opened Niagara Parks Power Station Museum and cliffside observation deck.
Designed for kids and adults alike, Grand Exeperiences Outdoor Adventure Company offers a plethora of water sports, such as river rafting, kayaking, and boating. In addition, hiking and cycling are also available.
Georgian Bay is a large bay on Lake Huron that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Popularly known as the "sixth great lake", it spreads almost 5,800 square miles. Georgian Bay is popular for its stunning vistas owing to its diverse geography that includes forests, wetlands, and rocky habitats.
#1 Travel Tip: Book a river cruise
A river cruise down thr Ottawa River is a unique way to enjoy the stunning views of the city. You’ll get to take in the scenery and landmarks like Parliament Hill, Rideau Falls, and the Prime Minister’s residence.
Hannah Poaros-McDermottTravel Writer and Senior Content Coordinator
Canada's Wonderland is Ontario's most popular theme park. This amusement park offers 200 attractions, including 18 roller coasters, two kids' areas, and a 20-acre water park for water splashing. Don't miss the live events and shows organized here at regular intervals.
Formerly known as Orono Exotic Cat World, Jungle Cat World is a wildlife park that opened in 1983. It is a unique tourist attraction open all year long where you can see animals from around the world. The place is home to over 170 animals, including cougars, snow leopards, tigers, lions, and wolves.
Legoland is a popular family entertainment hub and one of the best kids' attractions in Ontario. It features 14 family attractions & activities including a 4D cinema, Kingdom Quest laser ride, Merlin’s Apprentice and more! The major attraction here is the LEGO Brick Flag, the biggest in the world. This place is specially designed for kids from ages 3 to 10 years.
Treetop Trekking offers several zipline adventure parks in Ontario. Each is spread over a vast area, presenting a challenging course where you can participate in adventure activities like ziplining, rope climbing, trekking, and canopy walking.
Known as the Recreational Outdoor Campus, ROC Adventure Park offers several recreational activities. These include ziplining, rock climbing, skiing, skating, and snowboarding. The park also offers courses varying from easy to difficult levels.
Regarded as a paddler's paradise, Sunset Country is a sprawling expanse of Boreal forest in the northwest corner of Ontario, right on the border of Manitoba. With over 70,000 lakes, streams, and rivers, it is a wonderful destination for fishing, warm-water swimming, hunting, hiking, and fun jumping.
Family vacations in Ontario are incomplete without a visit to the Toronto Zoo. Covering 287 hectares of land, Toronto Zoo is the largest zoo in Canada. It is a protected area that houses over 3,000 animals belonging to 300 different species. This zoo is divided into seven different geographic regions, showcasing animals and plants from different parts of the world.
#2 Travel Tip: Visit the Zoo rain or shine
Don’t let showers deter you from visiting the zoo! While sunny days are nice, the animals may be hiding to seek shade – You might see more of them during rainy or cooler weather.
Katherine FoxcroftDirector of Product: Hotels, Tours and Excursions
Established in 1893, Algonquin Provincial Park is another family-friendly destination in the province. Located on the Canadian Shield, northeast of Toronto and northwest of Ottawa, it's known for its maple hills, rocky ridges, and huge forest cover. The park also includes beautiful trails, such as the Whiskey Rapids Trail and the Barron Canyon Trail. You can plan various recreational activities here, such as camping, fishing, and photography.
The Kawartha Lakes are a chain of over 250 lakes and rivers in south-central Ontario. It is known for recreational tourism where tourists can indulge in hiking, boating, fishing, cycling, and bird watching among other activities. Similarly, Muskoka has around 1,600 lakes, consistently named among Canada's top vacation spots. Like Kawartha Lakes, you can indulge in swimming, water skiing, boating, and fishing among other activities.
Locally known as Rideau Waterway, Ottawa's Rideau Canal connects the city of Ottawa to Lake Ontario. The canal stretches over 202 km and its construction was completed in 1832. Ottawa's Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The waterway turns into a popular skating rink during the winter.
Home to Canada's federal government, Parliament Hill is where Canada's representatives assemble to make laws for Canada. The buildings in Parliament Hill, designed in the gothic style, first opened in 1866. Parliament hill overlooks the Ottawa River and you can take a walk around its impressive architecture and landscape.
Also known as the Centennial Museum of Science and Technology, the Ontario Science Centre is a prominent science museum in Ontario. It has several interactive and permanent exhibits featuring geology, nature, astronomy, music, and technology. It is a great place for kids to explore in a day.
This one-day scenic train ride transports tourists through Algoma's wilderness, including the Montreal River, northern lakes, and granite formations. Tourists can further explore the Agawa Canyon on foot once the train reaches Wildeness Park.
Prince Edward County is located on Lake Ontario’s northeastern shore. Its coastline is known for sand beaches, limestone cliffs, and Sandbanks Provincial Park. There's so much to do and explore in Prince Edward Country including water activities, skateboarding, wineries, and music festivals.
Here are our top 5 picks of the places to eat in Ontario with family:
Barque Smokehouse in Toronto is a family restaurant featuring a special kids' menu. The restaurant serves special menus on weekends and organizes family-themed nights.
This unique restaurant that serves the Toronto's best pizzas and pasta. Here, pizzas are baked fresh and delivered to your doorstep. You can choose from seafood to vegan pizzas at Magic Oven.
Reflecting true Italian culture, Terroni in Toronto is a perfect place to begin your day. Featuring a classic Italian menu, Terroni is a special food joint that becomes crowded, especially during the holiday season. If you're a fan of pizzas and pasta, head to Terroni with your family.
Pizzeria Libretto is an iconic destination to enjoy mouth-watering gourmet pizza. It is another Italian restaurant in Toronto frequented by families. The major attraction here are the activities conducted regularly like painting, drawing, and coloring.
The Ace is an ideal lunch and dinner spot while you're in Toronto. The restaurant features a special kids' menu, featuring plenty of healthy and tasty options.
Our list of 10 family vacation rentals in Ontario:
People living in Ontario go to places like Muskoka, a quaint town regarded as Canada's cottage country. Locals also head to Stoney Lake and Algonquin Park.
The best family vacations in Ontario in summer are, Bay of Quinte, Muskoka, Niagara Region, Ottawa and Prince Edward County.
If you've kids or toddlers, some of the best places to travel in Canada are Niagara Falls, Vancouver and Banff.
The most popular family vacation spots in Ontario are Algonquin Provincial Park, Kawarthas and Muskoka and Prince Edward County.
The most famous family resorts in Ontario are: Severn Lodge, Hidden Valley Resort, Glen House Resort, Deerhurst Resort, and Sheraton Fallsview Hotel
If you're traveling to Canada, places like Ontario and Toronto are considered the best cities in Canada. These are family-friendly locations with historical housing sites, amusement parks, museums, and playgrounds.
About the author: Samantha Edwards is the Content and Social Media Coordinator at Fresh Tracks Canada. A creative storyteller, she enjoys sharing her local expertise with visitors. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, her favourite Canadian destination is Sooke on Vancouver... Read more
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With so many different options, it can be difficult to narrow down the top tourist destinations in Ontario. The travel experts at Canadian Train Vacations help travellers plan their trips to Canada. In this list, we have compiled some of the best spots for family vacations in Ontario.
Let us walk you through the best spots for family vacations in Ontario to plan your trip effortlessly.
You'll find 100 km of scenic shoreline, hundreds of parks, and 15 pristine beaches in Huron County, known as Ontario's West Coast. Located along the coast of Lake Huron, they offer opportunities for picnics, kayaking, canoeing, bird watching, and fishing.
Among Ontario's most visited attractions, Niagara Falls is a combination of three waterfalls at the USA-Canada border. At an elevation of 188 feet, they have the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America. The falls are open throughout the year and you can enjoy various activities, from the aero car and gardens to the newly opened Niagara Parks Power Station Museum and cliffside observation deck.
Designed for kids and adults alike, Grand Exeperiences Outdoor Adventure Company offers a plethora of water sports, such as river rafting, kayaking, and boating. In addition, hiking and cycling are also available.
Georgian Bay is a large bay on Lake Huron that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Popularly known as the "sixth great lake", it spreads almost 5,800 square miles. Georgian Bay is popular for its stunning vistas owing to its diverse geography that includes forests, wetlands, and rocky habitats.
#1 Travel Tip: Book a river cruise
A river cruise down thr Ottawa River is a unique way to enjoy the stunning views of the city. You’ll get to take in the scenery and landmarks like Parliament Hill, Rideau Falls, and the Prime Minister’s residence.
Hannah Poaros-McDermottTravel Writer and Senior Content Coordinator
Canada's Wonderland is Ontario's most popular theme park. This amusement park offers 200 attractions, including 18 roller coasters, two kids' areas, and a 20-acre water park for water splashing. Don't miss the live events and shows organized here at regular intervals.
Formerly known as Orono Exotic Cat World, Jungle Cat World is a wildlife park that opened in 1983. It is a unique tourist attraction open all year long where you can see animals from around the world. The place is home to over 170 animals, including cougars, snow leopards, tigers, lions, and wolves.
Legoland is a popular family entertainment hub and one of the best kids' attractions in Ontario. It features 14 family attractions & activities including a 4D cinema, Kingdom Quest laser ride, Merlin’s Apprentice and more! The major attraction here is the LEGO Brick Flag, the biggest in the world. This place is specially designed for kids from ages 3 to 10 years.
Treetop Trekking offers several zipline adventure parks in Ontario. Each is spread over a vast area, presenting a challenging course where you can participate in adventure activities like ziplining, rope climbing, trekking, and canopy walking.
Known as the Recreational Outdoor Campus, ROC Adventure Park offers several recreational activities. These include ziplining, rock climbing, skiing, skating, and snowboarding. The park also offers courses varying from easy to difficult levels.
Regarded as a paddler's paradise, Sunset Country is a sprawling expanse of Boreal forest in the northwest corner of Ontario, right on the border of Manitoba. With over 70,000 lakes, streams, and rivers, it is a wonderful destination for fishing, warm-water swimming, hunting, hiking, and fun jumping.
Family vacations in Ontario are incomplete without a visit to the Toronto Zoo. Covering 287 hectares of land, Toronto Zoo is the largest zoo in Canada. It is a protected area that houses over 3,000 animals belonging to 300 different species. This zoo is divided into seven different geographic regions, showcasing animals and plants from different parts of the world.
#2 Travel Tip: Visit the Zoo rain or shine
Don’t let showers deter you from visiting the zoo! While sunny days are nice, the animals may be hiding to seek shade – You might see more of them during rainy or cooler weather.
Katherine FoxcroftDirector of Product: Hotels, Tours and Excursions
Established in 1893, Algonquin Provincial Park is another family-friendly destination in the province. Located on the Canadian Shield, northeast of Toronto and northwest of Ottawa, it's known for its maple hills, rocky ridges, and huge forest cover. The park also includes beautiful trails, such as the Whiskey Rapids Trail and the Barron Canyon Trail. You can plan various recreational activities here, such as camping, fishing, and photography.
The Kawartha Lakes are a chain of over 250 lakes and rivers in south-central Ontario. It is known for recreational tourism where tourists can indulge in hiking, boating, fishing, cycling, and bird watching among other activities. Similarly, Muskoka has around 1,600 lakes, consistently named among Canada's top vacation spots. Like Kawartha Lakes, you can indulge in swimming, water skiing, boating, and fishing among other activities.
Locally known as Rideau Waterway, Ottawa's Rideau Canal connects the city of Ottawa to Lake Ontario. The canal stretches over 202 km and its construction was completed in 1832. Ottawa's Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The waterway turns into a popular skating rink during the winter.
Home to Canada's federal government, Parliament Hill is where Canada's representatives assemble to make laws for Canada. The buildings in Parliament Hill, designed in the gothic style, first opened in 1866. Parliament hill overlooks the Ottawa River and you can take a walk around its impressive architecture and landscape.
Also known as the Centennial Museum of Science and Technology, the Ontario Science Centre is a prominent science museum in Ontario. It has several interactive and permanent exhibits featuring geology, nature, astronomy, music, and technology. It is a great place for kids to explore in a day.
This one-day scenic train ride transports tourists through Algoma's wilderness, including the Montreal River, northern lakes, and granite formations. Tourists can further explore the Agawa Canyon on foot once the train reaches Wildeness Park.
Prince Edward County is located on Lake Ontario’s northeastern shore. Its coastline is known for sand beaches, limestone cliffs, and Sandbanks Provincial Park. There's so much to do and explore in Prince Edward Country including water activities, skateboarding, wineries, and music festivals.
Here are our top 5 picks of the places to eat in Ontario with family:
Barque Smokehouse in Toronto is a family restaurant featuring a special kids' menu. The restaurant serves special menus on weekends and organizes family-themed nights.
This unique restaurant that serves the Toronto's best pizzas and pasta. Here, pizzas are baked fresh and delivered to your doorstep. You can choose from seafood to vegan pizzas at Magic Oven.
Reflecting true Italian culture, Terroni in Toronto is a perfect place to begin your day. Featuring a classic Italian menu, Terroni is a special food joint that becomes crowded, especially during the holiday season. If you're a fan of pizzas and pasta, head to Terroni with your family.
Pizzeria Libretto is an iconic destination to enjoy mouth-watering gourmet pizza. It is another Italian restaurant in Toronto frequented by families. The major attraction here are the activities conducted regularly like painting, drawing, and coloring.
The Ace is an ideal lunch and dinner spot while you're in Toronto. The restaurant features a special kids' menu, featuring plenty of healthy and tasty options.
Our list of 10 family vacation rentals in Ontario:
People living in Ontario go to places like Muskoka, a quaint town regarded as Canada's cottage country. Locals also head to Stoney Lake and Algonquin Park.
The best family vacations in Ontario in summer are, Bay of Quinte, Muskoka, Niagara Region, Ottawa and Prince Edward County.
If you've kids or toddlers, some of the best places to travel in Canada are Niagara Falls, Vancouver and Banff.
The most popular family vacation spots in Ontario are Algonquin Provincial Park, Kawarthas and Muskoka and Prince Edward County.
The most famous family resorts in Ontario are: Severn Lodge, Hidden Valley Resort, Glen House Resort, Deerhurst Resort, and Sheraton Fallsview Hotel
If you're traveling to Canada, places like Ontario and Toronto are considered the best cities in Canada. These are family-friendly locations with historical housing sites, amusement parks, museums, and playgrounds.
About the author: Samantha Edwards is the Content and Social Media Coordinator at Fresh Tracks Canada. A creative storyteller, she enjoys sharing her local expertise with visitors. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, her favourite Canadian destination is Sooke on Vancouver... Read more
Useful Links
Train Trip FinderWhere to go in CanadaJourneys Across CanadaCanadian Rockies and West CoastEastern Canada and The MaritimesCanadian North and ArcticSummer Train TripsWinter Train TripsFall Color Train TripsTours for SeniorsRoad Trips and Self DrivesFamily AdventuresVacations for Active SeniorsHistory and Culture TripsWildlife Viewing TripsExplore Canada
The Canadian TrainTrain Across CanadaCanadian Sleeper TrainLuxury Trains Across CanadaVIA Rail VacationsRocky Mountaineer Train ToursCanadian Rockies Train ToursTrain Tours for SeniorsCanadian Pacific RailwayBest Train Trips in CanadaNational Park Train ToursTrain Tours from VancouverCanadian Snow TrainAlaska Cruise and Train ToursCanadian East Coast Train ToursCanadian West Coast Train ToursPopular Train Trips
Vancouver to Toronto Train JourneyAcross Canada by TrainComplete Canadian Rockies by TrainCanadian Cross-Country JourneyClassic Eastern Canada by TrainTrans Canada Rainforest RouteCanadian Rockies Voyage by TrainCanada Coast to Coast by TrainRockies Winter Wonderland by TrainDiscover Whistler and the Canadian Rockies by TrainMontreal and Quebec City Getaway by TrainCanadian Cross-Country Journey in WinterLords of the Wilderness Bear ViewingTrans Canada by Train in WinterEssential Rockies with Alaska CruiseCanadian Train Vacations
© 2025 Fresh Tracks Canada
