ONTARIO

Travel in Ontario

Kitchener/ Waterloo/ Cambridge

Enjoy touring through the heart of Mennonite country, exploring picturesque Elora, hiking the Grand River Trail or various 'Rails to Trails' routes, hiking in rich Environmental Areas, canoeing the Grand or Speed Rivers, and visiting many historic sites including Woodside National Park. Waterloo County is rich in many cultural backgrounds and has several performing arts venues well worth a visit. The Farmers' Markets in the area are always colourful with their abundance of local produce and homecrafts. The area boasts the largest annual Oktoberfest this side of Munich, Germany.

Muskoka/ Georgian Bay/Haliburton

This land of lakes, rivers, islands, waterfalls, granite rock, white pines, and maples, is spectacular all year round. Summer is wonderful for camping, hiking, cottaging, canoeing, etc., while the stunning autumn colours attract visitors from around the world. "The Group of Seven" and other painters, photographers and writers have tried to capture its natural beauty.

National Capital Area (Ottawa)

This beautiful capital city is a must for every Canadian and for every visitor. The Parliament Buildings, overlooking the Ottawa River and the Gateneau Hills in Quebec, are a start for a visit to the many historic buildings in this area. Ottawa has some of the best galleries and museums in North America. The Tulip Festival in May is the best display of bulbs this side of Holland. Winter is a time to skate for kilometres along the Rideau Canal.

Niagara Frontier

The Niagara Parkway is one of the most scenic routes in the world, stretching from Fort Erie (opposite Buffalo) at Lake Erie to Niagara on the Lake at Lake Ontario. In-between, the route passes historic sites of battlefields and skirmishes from the War of 1812-1814 as well as the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837. Of particular interest, is the village of Queenston, home of Laura Secord and where General Brock died defending Canada against invading Americans. In Niagara on the Lake, one should visit the restored Fort George, take in a production at the annual Shaw Festival, stroll about this enchanting town with its many homes and churches that are well over 175 years old and finally relax in one of the many inns or restaurants for a charming dinner. Finally, there is Niagara Falls itself. This is a natural site that will be unforgettable for any visitor, no matter the time of day or the time of year. Nearby, are the many vineyards and orchards that make this area famous. Blossom time is a special treat in May.

Toronto

This cosmopolitan provincial capital is home to the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Massey Hall, Maple Leaf Gardens, Thompson Hall, the O'Keefe Centre, the CN Tower, Fort York, Science Centre, the Dome, Toronto Island, Yonge Street, Kensington Market, High Park, Queen Street, and many other places of interest too many to list. This friendly city is safe and deserving of several days of visitation.

Manitoulin Island/Bruce Peninsula

Dividing Georgian Bay from Lake Huron, this unique area is famed for its flora and fauna as well as picturesque land and sea scapes. Hiking trails, camp sites, rural roads and pastoral vistas are never far from the surrounding waters of the Great Lakes. The clear waters enable visitors wonderful viewing of ship wrecks from the last century. Flowerpot Island is worth a day's stop over by itself. The area abounds in wonderful fishing opportunities. Manitoulin Island is a venue for several Pow-Wows as well as a Drama Festival. Visitors always promise to return again and again.

Lake Simcoe § The Trent/Severn Canal § The Kawartha Lakes

Rich farmland surrounds this inland waterway which joins Georgian Bay in Lake Huron to Lake Ontario. Towns, cities and villages along this route feature surprising and interesting attractions. Fresh water fishing, sailing, boating, swimming, cruising, etc. are features of this area just an hour from Toronto.

Algonquin Park

This largest provincial park in Ontario is well-known for its many hiking trails, canoe routes and camp sites. This famous park has been immortalized by many painters and photographers including "The Group of Seven." Visitors regularly see mammals such as Moose, Black Bear, White-tail Deer, Beaver, Porcupine, etc. as well as hear the wolves at night. Birders always find interesting species such as the Spruce Grouse or Gray Jay.

Bruce and Grand River Trails

These trails stretching through large parts of the Province of Ontario attract hikers for one day outings or full holiday excursions for the enthusiastic. Scenic views, cascading waterfalls, mysterious caves, abundant wildlife including many species of birds, mammals and plants unique to various areas of these trails, surprise visitors on a regular basis. Some of the oldest trees in the world are to be found along the Bruce Trail which follows the Niagara Escarpment from Tobermory on Lake Huron to Niagara Falls itself. Details of such outings are available.

Other Areas

Ontario is rich in attractions to residents and visitors alike. See Contact Information for information and details of other Taylor-Made © tours.

Birding in Ontario

Kitchener- Waterloo

"Islands of Green" provide breeding habitat for many species. Over 300 species have been sited in this area. Migration along the Grand, Speed, and Nith Rivers always excite local and visiting birders.

Niagara Frontier

Enjoy many species of Gulls, Jaegers, Petrels, etc. in Autumn. Raptors migrate from February to June. The area is also home to many Carolinian species.

Point Pelee, Rondeau Point and Long Point

These sites on Lake Erie are world renowned for spectacular spring and fall migrations as well as Carolinian species. These areas are worthy of many trips over many days throughout the year. Pelee, with its surrounding area, may well be called the 'Mecca' for birders.

Muskoka

Abundant forests and thousands of lakes provide attractive breeding habitat for many species, while finches and owls enjoy the conifer forests. Excellent birding all year long makes this area of Ontario most attractive.

Owling

Hoot Owls at dusk or before dawn. Ontario boasts 12 species.

Art in Ontario

This Province has a wealth of art, collected in many galleries or on display in venues that are accessible to the public. These galleries are not limited to the major galleries in or around Toronto and Ottawa, but extend to other cities and towns within the province. Some galleries are the former residences of painters such as Homer Watson, Doon (Kitchener), or A.Y. Jackson of "The Group of Seven" in the McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg, north of Toronto. Other forms of artistic expression may be seen in churches, commercial buildings, open space areas, public gardens, or in the diverse architectural forms that are to be found in the Province. A Taylor-Made © tour under the direction of Mr. Taylor will allow one to appreciate the art in this Province. See Contact Information.

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