13 Finest Locations To Go to In Ontario Throughout Winter

Ontario is a big province with many actions and sights for all types of individuals. Whether or not you’re keen on spending your time within the confines of a metropolis or being out and about in nature, you gained’t go fallacious with these locations to go to in Ontario throughout winter.

The province turns right into a winter wonderland full of dozens of actions through the chilly months. From snowboarding trails and out of doors rinks to Christmas markets and artwork galleries, deciding the place to go in Ontario may be tough.
If you end up in that predicament, don’t fear any additional. We’ve put collectively a complete information on the perfect locations to go to in Ontario in winter. With this information, you’ll be absolutely knowledgeable about your most popular winter getaways in Ontario.

How Chilly Does Ontario Get In Winter?

Irrespective of how one seems to be at it, winter in Ontario can get chilly. Frozen lakes, stunning frozen waterfalls and huge blankets of snow kind of chilly. Being the second-largest province in Canada, Ontario has a wide range of climates, starting from extraordinarily chilly to comparatively gentle.

The key to managing the coldness of Ontario through the winter is to decorate in layers. Strolling exterior, you might end up in temperatures of -30°C or decrease (when taking wind chill under consideration), however the cities usually keep round 0°C. Therefore, we Torontonians begin crying the minute mercury goes beneath 0°C.

A number of layers in your physique show you how to rapidly modify to the temperature adjustments whereas going out and in of buildings.

What to pack for winter in Ontario

You will need to costume appropriately for the coldest months of the yr to benefit from winter. Layering is crucial for staying heat, and supplies like wool and thermal materials are nice selections.

Including a high-performance winter coat and snow pants to your wardrobe can be suggested for out of doors actions. You additionally wish to cowl your extremities, as gloves, a toque, balaclava, scarf, and thick wool/thermal socks ought to all be included in your winter wardrobe.

Lastly, winter boots ought to attain as much as the calf to permit you to traverse the snow simply.

The Finest Winter Locations in Ontario

When you’re set on spending winter in Ontario, listed below are among the finest websites to go to on this wonderland. 

Casa Loma

Casa Loma, a Gothic Revival-style mansion courting again to the flip of the twentieth century, is one in every of Toronto’s most famed vacationer sights.

It’s a in style spot for TV filming, photoshoots, weddings, and particular occasions, boasting the awe-inspiring structure and beautiful property gardens. Yearly, the property is remodeled right into a winter wonderland with enchanting decorations and lights. For an much more magical expertise, guests can discover the fortress and its century-old artifacts.

Toronto Christmas Market

The Toronto Christmas Market is among the most highly-rated Christmas markets worldwide and is a must-see in the event you’re in Ontario throughout this era.

Yearly, in November and December, the market is held within the Distillery Historic District. It presents many sights, corresponding to mild canopies, cobblestone pathways, red-brick buildings, entertainers, and a 50-foot-high, absolutely adorned Christmas tree.

Whether or not you’re searching for distinctive presents, souvenirs, stocking stuffers, garments, handmade jewellery, or perhaps a festive ambiance, the Toronto Christmas Market has one thing for everybody. There are a number of specialty outlets promoting an array of things, from postcards to pottery, and you’ll even take pleasure in some candy treats from Eva’s Chimney Desserts or Brick Avenue Bakery.

To high all of it off, nothing beats a cup of sizzling mulled wine or sizzling chocolate within the wintery climate! Belief us!

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, one in every of North America’s most well-known landmarks, attracts in tens of millions of holiday makers yearly. This pure marvel sits on the Canada-US border by the Niagara River and is a superb go to all yr spherical. Nevertheless, the falls flip right into a peaceable paradise with out crowds within the winter — which is why I like to recommend visiting round this time.

Pathways boasting timber coated in snow, chunks of floating ice, and 50-meter cascades await right here. If girl luck is in your aspect, you might even see frozen elements of the falls. 

You can even take pleasure in 360-degree views from the Skylon Tower or on a 12-minute scenic helicopter flight above the falls. The previous even includes a revolving restaurant that ensures you benefit from the jaw-dropping surroundings with scrumptious delicacies.

Keep till night to benefit from the Niagara Falls Winter Pageant of Lights, the place 8 km of the Niagara Parkway is lit up. This spectacle is particularly mesmerizing in winter because the falls mirror the rainbow lighting.

Blue Mountain

Blue Mountain is well one in every of Ontario’s finest locations to go in winter. This winter wonderland is a treasure trove for anybody who loves winter sports activities. Snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowboarding, tubing, and the like are all provided.

I like to recommend going to the wondrous Blue Village to benefit from your go to. There are 42 tracks and 16 chairlifts, and classes and kit leases that will help you tackle the slopes. As soon as right here, you should definitely skate on the Woodview Mountaintop to take pleasure in panoramic views of the Niagara Escarpment.

Don’t fret in the event you aren’t a fan of adrenaline-filled winter actions — there are many enjoyable issues to do within the city. Absorb waterfront views and misty air whereas strolling by Sundown View Park. As a substitute, I like to recommend visiting a spa and having fun with serenity as probably the most succesful fingers pamper you.
Since I take into account the resort one of many high locations to go to close to Toronto in winter, I like to recommend you go to as a part of a day journey from Toronto.

Rideau Canal Skateway

Rideau Canal Skateway is taken into account one of many quintessential winter locations to go to in Ontario. Each winter season, this UNESCO World Heritage Site hosts 1000’s of holiday makers able to put their toes to make use of. 

As soon as the canal has frozen over, it takes form because the world’s largest skating rink, in accordance with the Guinness E book of World Information. The 7,8-kilometer-long rink presents you 165,621 m² of ice to skate on.

Tie your skates and glide round downtown Ottawa for the perfect stretch of the rink. Skaters right here zoom previous lots of the iconic landmarks uniquely entrenched in Canadian historical past. Maybe my favorite a part of the downtown part of the canal is the chance to take pleasure in some delicacies from one of many kiosks right here.

Ottawa

No winter journey is full with out a go to to the nation’s capital. Throughout winter, the timber, buildings, streets, and every part in between get coated in fluffy white snow that makes for landscapes simply begging to be photographed.

Not solely does Ottawa look good throughout winter, but it surely additionally presents many Ontario winter actions. That’s, after all, along with the marvellous Rideau Canal Skateway.

Prime of the checklist is the Ottawa Winterlude*, a competition with one thing for everybody. For 2 weeks, attendants take part in ski racing, ice sculpting competitions, dancing events and extra.

One other exercise you’ll be able to’t miss is the Gatineau Loppet, a cross-country ski occasion with a number of races. Yearly, over 2,000 skiers take part — and you’ll take part on the enjoyable as anybody can register for it. Arrange on the edges and watch the racers zoom down the slopes in the event you aren’t able to compete within the competitors.

*The Ottawa Winterlude has been cancelled for 2022, however keep watch over their web site for any adjustments.

Kingston

One other metropolis vacation spot to think about as one of many locations to go to in winter in Ontario is Kingston. It’s a pupil metropolis on the Lake Ontario shore famend for its stunning surroundings and limestone buildings.

Begin your Kingston exploration with a stroll round Lake Ontario Park, which boasts scenic lake views. For extra adventurous out of doors enjoyable, go for Frontenac Provincial Park, a haven of trails winding by a lush forest.

Afterwards, go to outdated Kingston to replenish among the finest espresso and meals the town presents. Stroll the snow-covered streets admiring the panorama with a espresso in hand.

Throughout the Christmas season, you’ll discover dozens of Christmas markets promoting every part from baked delicacies and lightweight shows to presents. For the opposite months, I like to recommend skating at Springer Market Sq..

Kingston can be the gateway to the “Thousand Islands,” an archipelago with myriad out of doors actions.

Toronto

With good motive, Toronto is arguably Canada’s hottest vacationer vacation spot. It has a plethora of Ontario winter sights along with the splendour on supply in the summertime.

Many individuals come to Toronto for the Christmas markets, with the Distillery District being probably the most well-known. Throughout the festive interval, raid these markets for spectacular presents, trip a Ferris wheel, and get serenaded by native performers.

When you’re visiting after the Christmas decorations have been taken down, don’t fear, you gained’t be not noted to dry. The primary cease ought to be Nathan Phillips Sq., the place you’ll be able to skate in a rink with stay DJs usually round. Glide throughout the ice beneath brightly lit archways with the enduring Toronto signal within the background.

There are additionally some landmarks to cease at, the primary being Casa Loma. The gothic mansion seems to be straight out of a fairytale and is much more majestic when the sunshine shows are delivered to life.

Secondly, go to the enduring CN Tower and cease on the remark deck or the restaurant. As soon as right here, you’re spoiled with 360-degree views of the town’s skyline. When you’re courageous sufficient, people-watch these on the bottom by the tower’s glass ground.

Burlington

The Niagara Escarpment, museums and artwork galleries, a snowboarding middle and mountaineering trails — that’s what Burlington has to supply. This metropolis is among the nicest locations to go to in Ontario in winter, with a wide selection of indoor and out of doors enjoyable.

Within the open air, shred the slopes whereas snowboarding or snowboarding on the Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Heart or take to the snow on a toboggan. Strive snowshoeing by part of the Bruce Path for one thing much less severe. Throughout the hike, you’ll see loads of greenery and awe-inspiring waterfalls.

Afterwards, replenish your power at one of many bars, eating places, and cafés driving the booming culinary scene.

Loads of participating actions await indoors in the event you aren’t down for some frosty out of doors enjoyable. The primary stops ought to be the ECHO Leahy Heart or Eire Home Museum for any historical past buff within the metropolis’s historical past. Try over 1,000 ceramics from nationwide artists on the Artwork Gallery of Burlington for the artwork fanatic.

Hamilton

In relation to pure magnificence in winter, there might not be a metropolis in Ontario that compares to Hamilton. This small city is house to over 100 waterfalls, all of that are price chasing. They make for implausible picture ops and are additionally a marvel.

Moreover Niagara Falls, Hamilton is the perfect place to go to in Ontario for frozen cascades. Usually, the waterfalls right here freeze stable and create a mesmerizing palette of snow whites and pale blues with stone backgrounds. 

When you’d wish to take pleasure in this fantasy-like phenomenon, it’s finest to go to round January. A few of the extra in style cascades listed below are Tiffany Falls, Webster Falls, and Felker’s Falls.

Not like the extra in style cities of Ottawa and Toronto, Hamilton’s downtown space isn’t too energetic. Nevertheless, it boasts unimaginable mild show decorations through the festive season, with a big Christmas tree because the present’s star.

Kitchener

Kitchener isn’t excessive on most individuals’s vacation spot bucket lists for Ontario, which is what makes it a terrific getaway in my eyes. Regardless of its small-town vibe, there are a number of enjoyable issues to do in Kitchener through the chilly months.

On the high of the checklist is skating, skating, and skating. Okay, I could exaggerate a bit, however the city has over 30 out of doors skating rinks, together with these in neighbouring Waterloo. The one at Waterloo Public Sq. is arguably the preferred amongst these rinks.

If skating isn’t your factor, take to the slopes for extra winter sports activities. The Chicopee Ski Membership is most individuals’s go-to, with snowboarding, snowboarding, and tubing all ready for you. You’ll be able to go for Chicopee Tube Park for some kid-friendly tubing for households. McLennan Park is a superb various spot in the event you discover Chicopee too crowded. 

When you’ve had your justifiable share of enjoyable, soak up scenic snow-covered pure greenery and landscapes on the Huron Pure Space.

Indoors, you’ll be able to take pleasure in a number of interactive exhibitions at TheMuseum — they rotate each few months, so I can’t suggest any particular one. If museums don’t pique your curiosity, marvel at modern paintings by native and worldwide artists on the Kitchener-Waterloo Artwork Gallery (closed on Mondays).

Stratford

West of Kitchener, you’ll discover the quaint metropolis of Stratford, which is most well-known for being Justin Bieber’s hometown. Pop sensation apart, the town is one other good place to go to in Ontario throughout winter.

Firstly, make your solution to River Valley Winter Tube Slide and tube slide down one in every of eight lanes. Alternatively, you’ll be able to transfer over snow on foot whereas snowshoeing, mountaineering, or trekking on varied trails in Stratford. This may be performed on the stunning Wildwood Conservation Space and the Avon River Path.

For a path of a special type, take a stroll on the Chocolate Path, that’s well-known amongst these with a candy tooth. This stretch of highway is sprinkled with varied chocolate shops promoting a few of Stratford’s finest candies. Seize a chew on the Stratford Gradual Meals Marketplace for extra filling meals between 10:00 and 13:00.

The Stratford Winterfest might be the town’s most well-known occasion. This implausible competition is an actual winter wonderland, with ice carving competitions, fats biking, sledding, and igloo constructing on supply. It’s unimaginable enjoyable for your complete household and shouldn’t be missed.

Algonquin Provincial Park

A nationwide park ought to at all times be a part of any journey itinerary for nature lovers. Ontario doesn’t disappoint in that regard, with Algonquin Provincial Park a quintessential go to for having fun with the province’s pure magnificence.

The park has a community of trails various in issue and size, so deliver your snowshoes and prepare for a scenic hike amongst snow-covered timber. There are additionally some ski trails in the event you’d somewhat slide your means across the park, with the Fen Lake Ski Path among the many in style selections.

For the adrenaline junkies, you’ll be able to discover the vegetation atop a snowmobile on the Bon Echo Loop. With 200 km of pathways and diners scattered across the space, you may make this a frosty full-day escape.

Huntsville and Muskoka

Muskoka and the city of Huntsville are among the most unimaginable locations to see in Ontario throughout winter. It spoils guests with many winter actions whereas surrounded by stunning timber draped in snow.

In Hunstville, you’ll be able to return to when canine have been the chosen technique for sledding. The trusted husky crew will take you on a winter journey by the winter wonderland in Muskoka.

When you’d somewhat rely by yourself two toes, go forward and canopy among the snowboarding trails in Muskoka. For anybody who desires to transcend the floor, seize your snowshoes and enterprise deeper into the backcountry.

Some out of doors skating rinks are begging to be shredded, providing glorious skating by a snow-covered forest.

Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park

Visiting the Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park in winter is a good way to chill out and luxuriate in the fantastic thing about the snow-covered panorama. The park is surrounded by Lake Huron, providing a peaceable setting to discover on foot or cross-country skis. You’ll be able to admire the majestic icicles, snow-covered timber, and cozy cabins for hire for longer stays. For many who take pleasure in winter actions, there are many trails to discover. Pack some books and heat garments, and you should have a memorable winter expertise!

Lake Nipissing

When you’re a Canadian or have been within the nation for some time, you know the way in style the game of ice fishing is. Yearly, tens of millions of individuals carve holes and wait with bated breath (no pun supposed) to catch a giant one.

For this exercise, Lake Nipissing is well one of many high locations to go to in Ontario. Create a gap on high of the frozen lake, get out your rod and wait. Whereas the chilly could also be an impediment, it is going to be definitely worth the quantity of pleasure of catching a fish.

When you’ve caught one, get again into your cabin and begin working in your meal. You’ll be able to sink your tooth into it or take pleasure in a stroll exterior whereas admiring the lake’s panorama.
Tip: Since you might be exterior for a very long time, layer up for the perfect heat.

Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is the place to go in the event you’re seeking to expertise nature and its distinctive winter landscapes.

This park is the right winter getaway with its scenic mountaineering trails, lookouts, and beautiful rock formations. For a really unforgettable expertise, take the 1.3 km Spillway Path and weave by vertical rock partitions, frozen canyons, and caves whereas admiring the snow-covered timber and valley from the lookout level.

To keep away from crowds, it’s finest to plan your journey through the low season and reserve a allow prematurely if visiting in peak season, as parking is restricted. Regardless of being near Toronto, you gained’t be the one one there, however it should nonetheless be a peaceable and memorable go to.

Torrance Barrens Darkish Sky Protect

The Torrance Barrens Conservation Space is right for sky-gazing, with its notably clear evening sky, unobstructed horizon, and a restricted variety of timber. On a transparent evening, guests to the Darkish Sky Protect can observe the Milky Approach, satellites, and maybe even capturing stars!

Remaining Ideas: Locations to Go to in Ontario in Winter

Ontario is a large province with many large and small cities and cities, parks, and pure sights. Every place has a singular profile that gives myriad winter actions in Ontario for anybody keen to courageous the chilly. From tubing with household and zooming down the slopes to marvelling at native artwork and skating open air, there’s no scarcity of enjoyable right here.

Pack your warmest gadgets and put together for an unimaginable winter wonderland. Whether or not you go to Ottawa, Hamilton, the Blue Mountains, or every other locations right here, you’re in for a satisfying, frosty time.