Ontario is home to over 13 million people, and so you can imagine that there are plenty of Ontario cities to visit. According to Ontario.ca, the province spans 1,568 kilometres (974 miles) from east to west, 1,691 kilometres (1,050 miles) from north to south, making it Canada’s second largest province, second to Québec. And while Ontario holds Canada’s largest economy, it is also rich in natural resources and cultural communities. With so much ground to cover and so much to see and do in Ontario, we’re going to share with you 3 Ontario cities to visit for your next trip.

For a Big City Vibe: Toronto

As Ontario’s capital city, Toronto is well worth a visit. We both grew up in Toronto, and places such as Kensington Market and Queen Street West were woven through our regular lives. The CN Tower (pictured below) continues to be part of the scenery, since it always pokes into the sky, and you can see it standing tall in the skyline, even from far away. Not surprising for one of the world’s tallest buildings.

Admittedly, Toronto continues to undergo huge changes. It’s most evident in the architecture as more and more condominiums are built to house the expanding population. This is mostly people coming in from smaller towns to move to the “Big City.”

Surprisingly, Toronto still maintains a small-town feel in certain places, most notably the multicultural pockets, such as Greek Town, China Town, Little Italy, Little Portugal, Little India, Korea Town, to name a few.

For Charm: Kingston is one of the top Ontario cities to visit

This vibrant city used to be very low-key and mostly known for being home to Queen’s University, one of Canada’s top schools. In recent years, the downtown core has been revitalized while maintaining its charm.

It’s relatively safe, very pretty, and there’s a lot to do socially. It’s also a great place to catch a tour cruise of The One Thousand Islands.

For those driving from Toronto to Montreal (which is in Québec), Kingston is a great stop off point somewhat in the middle of the 6 hour drive.

For an Escape: Niagara Falls

Listed as the 8th Wonder of the World, Niagara Falls is something to visit at least once in your lifetime.

Magnificent.

Overpowering.

Touristy.

Its sheer scope and beauty makes Niagara Falls unique and therefore worthy of being on your list as one of Ontario’s cities to visit. At different times throughout the year, occasion, or time of day, the falls will be lit up in different colours, and during summer weekend evenings, there is a fireworks show over the American falls that is truly spectacular. And in case, you’re wondering, there are falls on the American side as well as the Canadian side; however, the best views are from the Canadian side.

How long does it take to absorb the beauty of a waterfall?

You’d be surprised at how captivating it can be. But aside from the falls themselves, the city of Niagara Falls has other activities for people to do. There are plenty of hotels, and many of them offer great deals. You can visit the casino, browse shops, or indulge in decadent food. Be sure to check out the main strip just north of the falls which has a wide selection of restaurants, souvenir shops, as well as a haunted house and wax museum which gives this part of the city a carnival feel.

(Bonus) To Experience Calm: Niagara-on-the-Lake

Half an hour from Niagara Falls is the wine region of Ontario: Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Known for its vineyards and Hallmark-ish city centre, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a small and quaint town. It’s the perfect weekend getaway where you can rest, relax, and rejuvenate. Pick from the wide selection of bed and breakfasts to stay in, browse charming shops, and discover great restaurants.

There are a lot of vineyards that offer tours and tastings, and you can easily sign up and partake. Sometimes people rent a bike and cycle along the scenic routes. This is a great way to take in the idyllic vineyards, adorable cottages, and Victorian mansions.

Which of these Ontario cities do you want to visit? Let us know in the comments below.

-Isabel & Marilyn

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