Canada is brimming with places to discover! Make your vacation even more exciting by visiting one of the following four hidden gems in Ontario.

Don’t forget to fill your phone with beautiful pictures!

Sir Adam Beck Hydro Power Station, Niagara Falls

Are you fascinated by electricity? Do you find large buildings intriguing?

Visit the Sir Adam Beck Hydro Power Station in Niagara Falls. It’s a true engineering masterpiece! A guide will take you to see the dam, reservoir and other hydroelectric facilities from a specially designed viewing platform.

Here are a few facts to give you an idea of the scope of this massive power station:

• It has 26 generators
• It was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990
• It produces up to 1997 megawatts of power

When you finish your guided tour of the Sir Adam Beck Hydro Power Station, you may want to make a quick stop on the Niagara Parkway (you probably arrived by this route!) to see the Floral Clock. The huge clock sits on the ground and is adorned with stunning flowers and greenery.

Right next door is the Centennial Lilac Garden. This peaceful green space is only 100 metres from the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge that leads to the United States.

Dundurn Castle, Hamilton

Europe isn’t the only place where you can marvel at beautiful castles! Canada has its very own architectural marvels like Dundurn Castle, which dates back to 1835.

Located at 610 York Boulevard, this castle is a National Historic Site and houses several museums, including:

• The Hamilton Military Museum
• The Hamilton Museum of Steam &Technology
• The Hamilton Children's Museum and Griffin House

You can meander around the Fieldcote and Battlefield House parks or enjoy a sunny afternoon in the historic Whitehern House and Garden. You’ll keep busy from morning to night!

Marshlands Conservation Area, Kingston

Is it a park or a forest? You may ask yourself this question when you see the Marshlands Conservation Area on the shores of Cataraqui Bay.

You can enjoy an impressive network of hiking trails just minutes from residential neighbourhoods and educational institutions like St. Lawrence College and Queen's University.

A forest therapy program was started in 2021 to allow people to relax in the heart of nature. While accompanied by a guide, you can walk the trails, admire the trees and clear your mind in the peace and quiet of nature.

After all, you should relax while you’re on vacation!

Lady Dive Amphibus, Ottawa

Sure, you can visit Canada’s capital the traditional way, or you can take a tour aboard the Lady Dive amphibus! 

You'll board what looks like an ordinary bus that travels the roads of Ottawa. However, this magic mode of transportation can also take you out on the water.

Have fun on this beautiful one-hour bilingual tour of the Ottawa River and see the city from a unique perspective.

If going out on the water isn’t your thing, get a ticket for a tour on one of the red double-decker buses. They’re similar to those found in England! You'll get just as good a tour… but on land!

Mariposa Folk Festival

If you’re a folk music fan, this quintessential folk festival in Orillia is for you! This summer event has been around since 1961. The 2022 line-up features over 50 artists performing for large crowds near Lake Simcoe.

This intensive 3-day festival takes place from July 8 to 10. However, keep in mind that you must pay admission to attend. 

St. Jacobs Market District

Buying local makes sense at the St. Jacobs Market District! There are three distinct locations to choose from:

• Farmers’ Market at 878 Weber Street North
• Market Road Antiques at 845 Weber Street North
• St. Jacobs Outlets at 25 Benjamin Road East

Whether you’re looking for a souvenir, a gift, new plants or fresh food for a picnic, this Kitchener market is the place to go. 

You could spend most of your vacation wandering the many aisles discovering local products and merchants!

Tips to Make Your Car Trips Easier

1. There’s nothing more stressful than being afraid of running out of gas while on the road. Instead of panicking about where to fill up when you’re in the red, consider saving gas stations along your route in your GPS app instead. That way, you can drive with peace of mind.
2. Your car’s exterior can quickly become dirty after several days on the road. Consider visiting a car wash along the way to keep your vehicle looking and running its best.

There’s no shortage of activities to do in Ontario. You simply must decide which ones you want to try!