Ontario’s cities and towns turn into picturesque snow globes as snow softly falls on frozen lakes and rivers. Take a Winter walk under a canopy of snow-covered coniferous trees, snuggle up by a fireplace on a frozen lake, or sip mulled wine under twinkling lights: Canada in the winter is magical!

Canada’s most populous and southernmost province has loads to offer in the winter, like the European style Christmas markets in Toronto and Ottawa; twinkling lights and undeniable charm inGoderich and Stratford; ski slopes and alpine coasters of Blue Mountain; sleigh rides and hygge in Peterborough, aka“Canadian cottage country;” and ice wine and frozen waterfalls in Niagara-on-the-Lake. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg (pun intended)!

We tapped an Ontario local to create this guide to the best winter getaways in Ontario. Take it away, Mandy!

Looking for more Canada winter travel inspiration? Take a look at some of our other winter posts to help you plan your winter getaway:

Need a handy dandy checklist to help you pack? We’ve got a printable version of our Canada in winter packing list that includes EVERYTHING you’ll need for your trip to Ontario in the winter. Sign up in the box below and we’ll deliver it right to your inbox. Just call us the fairy godmother of packing lists!

Winter Getaways in Ontario FAQ’s

Before you book your trip, here’s what you need to know about visiting Ontario in the winter.

How cold is Ontario in the winter, really?

Ontario is a huge province and different areas experience winter differently. Temperatures in places like Ottawa can drop to -35 Celsius (-31 Fahrenheit) in January whereas more southern destinations like Stratford can experience blustery snowstorms with temperatures hovering around the freezing point. Lakeside Goderich can see wind gusts that may shut down highways for days at a time as snow blows across the vast open spaces.  

But the expression that “there is no bad weather, just bad clothing” is so true. Bring your winter boots, down-filled jackets and fur-lined mitts because, despite the cold, winter in Ontario is beautiful, particularly after a fresh snowfall!

How do I get to Ontario in the Winter?

Your best best to get to Ontario from the USA is to start in Toronto as a jumping-off point Toronto is easily accessible from much of the East Coast by train, plane and automobile and can be a great home base for your winter activities.

Porter Airlines flies to Toronto (and onward to destinations including Ottawa in Ontario) from New York, Chicago, Boston and Washington at reasonable rates. Porter dubs its service as ‘flying refined,’ which means you’ll be sipping Ontario wines from a proper wine glass and eating yummy snacks (all complimentary) on board.

Even better, they fly into downtown Toronto to the Billy Bishop Airport, a small airport on a little island with a footbridge connecting passengers to downtown Toronto. No winter driving is required!

If you fly into Toronto’s (much larger, but further away) Pearson International Airport, take the UP Express to Union Station in the city centre. The efficient service runs from 4:55 a.m. to 10:27 p.m. daily and costs $12.35 one way.

Do I need a car in Ontario in the winter? 

If you’re visiting one of the major cities (Kingston, Ottawa, Stratford), travel by rail from Toronto is possible. But if you plan to travel to more remote areas, you’ll want to rent a car to get around. 

If you do rent a car, make sure you are comfortable with winter driving – and parking – including on snow and ice. Your best bet is to get an AWD vehicle with snow tires. If venturing into remote areas like Goderich or Stratford, you’ll want to monitor road conditions as snowstorms are known to shut down the roads for days at a time. 

• Travel Tip: Booked your flight and rental car yet? We recommend using Kayak to price-compare deals and dates to save money… so you can spend more on food during your trip (#letsbehonest). Also, be sure to book with a credit card that includes primary rental car insurance, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which has saved us heaps of money on rental cars and other travel issues multiple times! More details here.

How to get around Ontario without a car? 

You’ll want to stick to cities accessible by VIA Rail if you don’t have a car. From Toronto’s Union Station, VIA Rail serves Kingston, Ottawa, and Stratford with daily service. 

Toronto has an excellent subway and streetcar service, while the nation’s capital Ottawa has a light-rail service to help travelers around town.

Wandering around the downtown core of smaller cities (like Stratford and Kingston) is possible on foot, just be sure to have warm winter boots and a warm jacket as public transit is limited. 

Who are the original inhabitants of Ontario?

First Nations were the original occupants of the land settlers call the province of Ontario and the territory covers 46 treaties and other agreements.

The province is home to 13 distinct groups of First Nation: Algonquin, Mississauga, Ojibway, Cree, Odawa, Pottowatomi, Delaware, and the Haudenosaunee (Mohawk, Onondaga, Onoyota’a:ka, Cayuga, Tuscarora, and Seneca). Each has its own language, territory and customs.

Today, Ontario is home to 207 reserves which are held by 123 First Nations.

The Best Places to Experience winter in Ontario

While most of Ontario turns into a winter wonderland in the cold months, below are the best places to enjoy all the cold weather has to offer for outdoor fun, cultural attractions, and warming food! There’s nothing like the silence that falls after a fresh layer of snow or a day soaking it up outdoors, regardless of the cold. Dig in!

Ottawa, Ontario: The Capital Winter Wonderland

The nation’s capital, Ottawa, is a city of neighborhoods with the Ottawa River and the impressive historic Rideau Canal running through it.

The Parliament Buildings stand on the banks of the Ottawa River with great views of the Ottawa skyline visible from the Museum of History across the river in Gatineau. Tours of parliament are offered daily and are free of charge. 

The downtown core is where the Museum of Nature, Bank of Canada, Royal Canadian Mint and the imposing Supreme Court of Canada are located. Just further along on 24 Sussex Drive is the Prime Minister’s residence and nearby is the Governor General’s house (the Queen’s representative in Canada). 

With two universities and one college in the city, the downtown Byward Market area in particular has a party vibe with a concentration of nightclubs and bars located in this neighborhood. 

Here are the best things to do in winter in Ottawa:

• Wander around a European-inspired Christmas Market: Check out Marche de Noel Ottawa Christmas Market, where you can wander around checking out Christmas lights, indulging in warm, sweet holiday drinks and snacks, and visit over 35 vendors. They also have plenty of live holiday music, as well as a Christmas tree lighting, and if you’re feeling crafty, a wreath-making workshop.
• Skate along a canal: Skate from Ottawa’s downtown to Carleton University on the world’s largest skating rink – the Rideau Canal – which is almost 5 miles in length. You can spend hours skating around on the canal with the stately parliament buildings in the background, and access to the canal is free and open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week! Skate rentals are available on site. Stopover at Dow’s Lake or one of the stands along the skateway and grab a famed Beavertail, a delicious Canadian fried pastry – try it smothered in maple, of course. Want more skating options? Ottawa has 250 skating rinks – you could literally come here and not skate all of them in one winter!
• Attend a winter festival and winter Pride: Winterlude is a one-stop winter festival that runs from most of February each year and features a lineup of snow sculpture and ice carving competitions, a giant snow playground called Snowflake Kingdome, and plenty of food and drink events across the National Capital Region. Winterlude also coincides with Winter Pride, celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ community – but in winter!
• Taste test some beer at local microbreweries: If you need a nice beer to warm you up, Ottawa is home to a great selection of microbreweries. Check out some of the best ones like Beyond the Pale Brewing Company, Bicycle Craft Brewery and Tooth and Nail, all of which are located in the Hintonburg neighborhood.

• See some holiday lights: Ottawa has no shortage of light events, including one on the Parliament Hill. Every year from early December to January you can visit Parliament Hill between 5:30 pm to 11 pm (until midnight on December 31) and witness a free 15-minute dazzling digital imagery show with music on the impressive backdrop of Parliament Hill’s architecture, with visions of Canada’s landscapes with colorful lights.
• Soak in North America’s largest outdoor spa: Nordik Spa-Nature is no ordinary spa – picture steaming hot springs against a snowy hillside, surrounded by quaint, Nordic wooden buildings, increasing your body’s circulation with the heat and the cold. This is the best way to embrace the winter weather and taking a “treat yourself” day. You can read a great guide to the spa experience here.
• Check out the National Gallery of Canada: Thursday evenings entrance fees are waived at the National Gallery of Canada (permanent collection only) and it’s well worth a visit to see the Canadian and Indigenous Galleries. The collection includes a host of artworks by the famed Group of Seven, and don’t miss the 17th-century Croscup Room from Nova Scotia whose walls are painted by an unknown artist. You can also see more modern works like a sound installation by Janet Cardiff featuring the sound of 40 individual choir voices singing over 40 different speakers inside the reconstructed (and quite beautiful) Rideau Chapel.
• Take a visit to Quebec: Fancy a trip to Quebec while you’re here? A short walk over Alexandra Bridge will lead to Gatineau, Quebec, just across the Ottawa River where the architecturally interesting Museum of History is located. 

Where to Stay in Ottawa

• The contemporary Arc The Hotel is perfect for a stay in Ottawa. An on-site bar and restaurant are great for colder evenings when room service is in order. It’s also located downtown with wonderful access to the transit system, which is helpful for getting to the airport or train station.   
• Located in the lively Byward Market, just steps away from the national museums, the Andaz Ottawa offers sleek rooms with one of the best rooftop bars providing views over the Notre Dame Cathedral, Parliament and the historic Fairmont Chateau Laurier. 
• For a unique budget option, try the Hosteling International Ottawa Jail Hostel. The hostel sits in the former Carleton County Gaol, or the Ottawa Jail, as it is also known, and the stories from guests who have stayed here tend to be on the haunting side. The jail formerly housed inmates awaiting death row. The downtown location means guests are steps away from the top attractions, perfect on cold winter days. 

Kingston, Ontario: The Hip, Food Lover’s Paradise

Kingston, Ontario is an ultimate destination for food and drink lovers and fans of an indie music scene. Legendary band The Tragically Hip hails from this eastern Ontario city, as does Brian Adams.

Historically, Kingston was the first capital of Canada, though in those days it was known as Upper Canada(Upper and Lower Canada existed prior to the unification). It’s also known as the limestone city, and the downtown core is filled with historic buildings made of the building material including the city hall which was once the parliament building. The buildings sit on the shore of the expansive Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes. 

With the prestigious Queen’s University and the Royal Military College located in Kingston, there is a lively student vibe around town, particularly in the center where the colleges are located. 

Here are the best things to do in winter in Kingston:

• Walk along the Waterfront Trail: See all the major sights while wandering on the eight-kilometer-long (5 mile) Waterfront Trail, which meanders along scenic Lake Ontario. Along the way you’ll pass the Bellevue House, home to Canada’s first prime minister; City Hall; Springer Market Square where you’ll find an outdoor public skating rink, and more.
• Take a Kingston food tour: Join Kingston Food Tours for a wander through the city’s best restaurants in the downtown core. Participants also learn about the history and architecture and stories of notable characters who resided in the area. The company also offers a Beer & Bites tour that includes stops at the city’s many microbreweries. 
• Go snowshoeing: Visit Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, just north of Kingston, where you can get out in nature and snowshoe along 13km (8 miles) of trails. They also do snowshoe and skii rentals on site so you can spend an afternoon exploring the groomed ski and snowshoe trails!
• Get everything and anything chocolate: Stop by Cacao 70 for EVERYTHING chocolate. I am talking about sweet charcuterie boards, dessert pizzas, and five (!!!) kinds of hot chocolate. If you need a sugar rush, this is your place!
• Listen to some great music: A trip to Kingston wouldn’t be complete without some indie music. Stop by Musiikki Cafe where you can see live music every single night of the week! They support musicians and artists locally, nationally, and internationally, and have an upstage stage and a beautifil backyard courtyard for music. Even their downstage bar, which has a large selection of fair trade coffee and whiskey, hosts daytime music.

Where to Stay in Kingston

• This Kingston Waterfront Hotel is where you’ll want to stay to be in the heart of the action, yet with views of Lake Ontario. An indoor pool and on-site bar are must-have amenities if storm-stayed inside.  
• For a more intimate experience, book a stay at the Hochelaga Inn set in a 1879 mansion in the city’s downtown. Breakfast is included in the rates, meaning no need to brave the cold for the first coffee of the day, and staying in a snow-covered Victorian mansion definitely adds to the idyllic snowglobe vibes.

Stratford, Ontario: A Charming Winter Town

While Shakespeare didn’t live in Stratford, Ontario, they still pay homage to him!

The city, which sits upon the Avon River, pays homage to Shakespeare during the summer months when the Stratford Festival is in full swing. There you can find a lineup of plays that not only includes Shakespearean tragedies and comedies, but musicals as well. The Festival occasionally organizes concerts in one of its three venues throughout the off-season. 

With the Stratford Chef School in town, the city has a diverse dining scene that caters to a range of budgets, many of which are located off the historic market square in the city’s downtown core.

While roaming around the downtown, imagine Justin Bieber busking on these city sidewalks. Hailing from Stratford, Bieber got his start on these sidewalks in the not-so-distant past.

The best things to do in winter in Stratford:

• Take a walk around the town: Enjoy a winter walk on the banks of the Avon River, meandering over to Tom Patterson Island and even the Shakespearean Gardens. Warm up afterwards with a hot drink at Cafe Bouffon or Edison’s Cafe Bar, both on the city’s main drag. Afterwards, head to the European-inspired Market Square, particularly beautiful as the snow falls gently, reminiscent of a snow globe.
• Go snowtubing: About 20 minutes outside of town, you’ll find River Valley Golf and Tube, where you can book at 90-minute session and gently (and somewhat speedily) glide down a snowtube track! It’s all the fun of outdoor sports, but without having to worry about the talent!
• Explore local history: Visit the Stratford-Perth Museum (you’ll want to arrange a taxi there and back as the location is slightly out of town) to see the popular Justin Bieber exhibit and learn more about local history and heritage. Their collection spans over 20,000 artifacts to tell the stories of people and communities in Stratford and Perth County, from the early 1800s to today, which includes relics like CN railway equipment, furniture, quilts, clothing, depression glass, military objects, medical equipment and much more.
• Check out a stunning holiday light display: Lights on Stratford – Winter Festival of Lights kicks off on December 17 until the end of January. The stunning light display that will transfer the downtown core into a winter wonderland extends to nearby the Stratford Festival overlooking the Avon River. The bridge leading to Tom Patterson Island lights up as well and we recommend a winter picnic under the stars lit up by glittering lights strung around the trees.
• Walk one of the many themed trails: Sample the best the city has to offer on one of its themed trails -the chocolate or the bacon and ale trail– that winds its way through the downtown core and beyond. There is even a Christmas Trail between November 1 and December 20 to help you get all your holiday shopping done and shop local. Each trail includes several suggested stops with five to six tastings or gifts included.

Where to Stay in Stratford

• The downtown Mercer Hotel may be the hippest place in town to stay, with some of the best eats available on the main floor, Mercer Kitchen. The trendy decor, on-site bar and restaurant and spacious rooms with views over the main street, you couldn’t ask for a better location. 
• For a self-contained stay, try VRBO’s in Stratford, where you can stay steps away from the downtown core, perfect for exploring the city center on foot in the winter cold. Check out this studio apartment complete with fireplace which is above Bentley’s Bar and Inn, the perfect place to get some delicious food or a drink! There is also this modern box apartment (it’s so square!) which is close to all the action and super adorable.

Toronto, Ontario

The capital of Ontario, Toronto is the most populous city in Canada and one of the most diverse with over 200 ethnic origins residing in the city. Neighborhoods filled with shops, bakeries and restaurants in the likes of Little Portugal, Chinatown and Greektown attest to the city’s diverse heritage. 

The city also boasts the imposing CN Tower which rises 553 metres high (1,814 feet) and is visible throughout the city. It held the title as the world’s tallest free-standing building until 2007 when the Borj Khalifa opened in Dubai. 

The best things to do in winter in Toronto:

• Visit a Christmas Market: The Toronto Christmas Market is a charming European-style Christmas Market, all lit up with fairy lights, a giant Christmas tree and market stalls. It’s located in the Distillery District, which has one of North America’s best-preserved 1800s industrial architecture. Talk about ambiance as you eat your pretzel and drink mulled wine!
• Check out some street art: Bundle up in your warmest winter gear (Toronto can be bone-chillingly windy on the shores of Lake Ontario) and enjoy a self-guided street art tour through Graffiti Alley, probably the most Instagrammable street ever! Join a guided Tour Guys tour to find out more about the artists behind the installations. 
• Skate at one of Toronto’s most iconic ice rinks: Head to Nathan Phillips Square ice rink and rent a pair of skates, and get ready to glide against one of Toronto’s best backgrounds. The rink is covered by arches of lights with a big Christmas tree rink side, the city skyline in the background, and the huge, light up sign which spells “Toronto”. It may be the most photogenic spot in all of Toronto!
• Warm up in a (free) musuem: To get your museum on, the entrance fees to the Art Gallery of Ontario’s permanent collection is free on Wednesday evenings (watch the winter wonderland from inside the Gallery Italia designed by Frank Gehry). The nearby underrated Bata Shoe Museum waives entrance fees on Thursday and worth it to see the extensive collection of celebrity footwear, including monogrammed silver platforms once worn by Elton John, and even a boot that once belonged to John Lennon. 
• Take in Toronto’s Inter