The Best Hidden Treasures in Ontario

Earlier this year, ClimateCare published a blog focusing on great spring activities to do in Ontario.

So we thought, “why not do the same for summer?”

With that in mind, here are some other off-the-beaten-path hidden gems for you to discover.

Beautiful hiking trails throughout the province

If you don’t mind getting away from your air conditioner and working up a bit of a sweat, Ontario is full gorgeous trails for hikers of all kinds.

In fact, hiking trails in the province are categorized in three levels:

Level 1

Well-defined trails.
Gentle inclines.
Hiking boots not needed.
Suitable for beginners and newcomers.

Level 2

Hike can sometimes venture off-trails.
Moderate hills.
Light bushwhacking may be required.
Rough terrain or obstacles.
Boots are recommended.

Level 3

Rough terrain.
Extensive bushwhacking.
Steep hills, climbs, and descents.
Navigating rocks.
Boots and proper hiking gear required.
High level of fitness essential.

With that in mind, here are some lesser-known, but still enjoyable, hiking trails throughout all regions of Ontario:

Hiking Hamilton

Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail.
Burk Trail (east of Oshawa).
Kortright Centre Trail (Vaughan).
Bennett Heritage Trail (Niagara Region).
Casque Isles Section of the Voyageur Trail (between Sudbury and Thunder Bay).
Rattlesnake Point (Milton).
Meadowlily Trail (London).
Manitou Mountain Trail (Ottawa).
Ganatchio Trail (Windsor).

W.J. McCallion Planetarium

Located on the campus of McMaster University in Hamilton, the W.J. McCallion Planetarium brings the mysteries of the solar system straight to you.

On a clear summer night, you’ll be able to:

View constellations through high-powered telescopes.
Visit planets and their moons.
Learn just how big the solar system is.
See just how far away things and places are from us.

Visiting the W.J. McCallion Planetarium is a family-friendly activity that’s fun, awe-inspiring, and educational.

Best of all, it’s incredibly affordable too: Admission is $7.00/per person. In the case of certain shows or observation events, admission is free for everyone.

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

Although baseball is considered “America’s pastime”, the sport has quite a long history right here in Ontario (and Canada too).

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

As a matter of fact:

Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run on September 5, 1914 at Hanlon’s Point in Toronto.
Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s colour barrier in 1946 playing for the Montreal Royals.

Canadian baseball history comes alive at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, located in St. Mary’s (north of London).

In addition to the museum itself, there are 4 baseball fields throughout the property. So, should you decide to visit, make certain to bring your bat and glove.

Finally, if you time your visit just right, you may end up walking into a hall-of-famer or two, as they sign autographs and share stories of the game.

Hot air balloon festival

Just across the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Canada’s largest hot air balloon festival takes place over the Labour Day weekend.

Starting at 6:30am each morning, pilots take their gas-powered balloons to the sky, accompanied by the sound of live music.

Ottawa Hot Air Balloon

It’s an incredible sight to see: The early morning blue sky turns into a moving rainbow of vibrant colours.

Now, if the thought of getting up at the crack of dawn doesn’t appeal to you, there are evening launches for you to attend.

In addition to the balloons themselves, the festival is full of other things to see and do:

Music stages.
Rides and games.
Fireworks.
Classic car exhibits.

Finally, you’ll also have the opportunity to meet the balloon pilots. And if you wish, you can also go up for a ride yourself.

Terry Fox Memorial

In 1980, after losing his leg to cancer, Terry Fox set out to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

Terry Fox Thunder Bay

His Marathon of Hope began in St. Johns, Newfoundland. Each day, he ran the equivalent of a marathon (26 miles/42 kilometers).

He bravely made it through six provinces:

Newfoundland.
New Brunswick.
Nova Scotia.
Prince Edward Island.
Quebec.
Ontario.

He was in Thunder Bay, around 500 kilometers from the Manitoba border when the cancer spread to his lungs, forcing him to stop.

To celebrate and commemorate his achievement, the Terry Fox Memorial and Lookout features a statue of Terry in motion and offers beautiful views of Thunder Bay too.