18 Best Sights in Side Trips from Toronto, Ontario

On a wide stretch of parkland south of town sits this fort that was built in the 1790s but lost during the War of 1812. It was recaptured after the burning of the town in 1813 and largely survived the war, only to fall into ruins by the 1830s. Thankfully, it was reconstructed a century later, and you can explore the officers' quarters, the barracks rooms of the common soldiers, the kitchen, and more. Staff in period costumes conduct tours and reenact 19th-century infantry and artillery drills.

Operating since 1846, when they were wooden-hulled, coal-fired steamboats, the misty tour boats are now run by Hornblower. Double-deck steel vessels tow fun-loving passengers on 20-minute journeys to the foot of the falls, where the spray is so heavy that ponchos must be distributed. From the observation areas along the falls, you can see those boarding the boats in their blue slickers. The very similar Maid of the Mist boat tours operate from the American side. Unless you cower in the center of the boat, your shoes and pants will get wet: wear quick-drying items or bring spares.

A tropical respite from the crowds and Las Vegas–style attractions, Bird Kingdom is the world's largest indoor aviary, with more than 400 free-flying birds and more than 80 bird species from around the world in the 50,000-square-foot complex. For creepy-crawly lovers, there are also spiders, lizards, and snakes—including a 100-pound python that you can hold. Parking is an additional C$3 per half hour, but there's a public lot on nearby Hiram Street that is C$10 per day.

This is undeniably the most crassly commercial district of Niagara Falls, with haunted houses, wax museums, and fast-food chains galore (admittedly, the Burger King here is unique for its gigantic Frankenstein statue). Attractions are typically open as late as 2 am in summer or 11 pm the rest of the year, with admission ranging from about C$10 to C$16. One of the most popular attractions is the 175-foot SkyWheel (C$15) with enclosed, climate-controlled compartments. Next door, Dinosaur Adventure Golf (C$11.99) combines minigolf, ferocious mechanical dinosaurs, and an erupting mini-volcano. The Great Canadian Midway is a 70,000-square-foot entertainment complex with arcade games, a bowling alley, air hockey, and food. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum is creepily fascinating, while Movieland Wax Museum has such lifelike characters as Harry Potter and Barack and Michelle Obama. Hershey's Chocolate World is 7,000 square feet of truffles, fudge, and the trademark Kisses, marked by a six-story chocolate bar.

This 30- to 45-minute tour starts with an elevator ride down to an observation deck that provides an eye-level view of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the Niagara River. From there a walk through tunnels cut into the rock takes you behind thunderous waterfalls, and you can glimpse the back side of the crashing water through two portals cut in the rock face.

A theme park with a marine show, wildlife displays, and rides—as well as a beluga whale habitat with underwater viewing areas—Marineland is 1½ km (1 mile) south of the falls. The daily marine shows include performing killer whales, dolphins, harbor seals, and sea lions. Children can pet and feed deer at the Deer Park. Among the many rides are Dragon Mountain, the world's largest nonstop roller coaster, and tamer fare like Ocean Odyssey for the kids.

In warm weather, the best way to experience Muskoka Lake is aboard one of these historic vessels. The restored 128-foot-long, 99-passenger RMS Segwun (the initials stand for Royal Mail Ship) is North America's oldest operating steamship, built in 1887, and is the sole survivor of a fleet that provided transportation through the Muskoka Lakes. The 200-passenger Wenonah II is a 1907-inspired vessel with modern technology. Reservations are required.

Restored to resemble a circa 1869 pharmacy, the apothecary has glass-fronted walnut cabinets that display vintage remedies such as Merrill's System Tonic, which "purifies the blood and builds up the system." Among the boxes and bottles is a rare collection of apothecary flasks.

These 100 acres of immaculately maintained gardens are among the most captivating attractions around Niagara Falls. Here you'll find the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, housing one of North America's largest collections of free-flying butterflies—at least 2,000 butterflies from 50 species around the world are protected in a climate-controlled, rain forest–like conservatory. Between May and mid-October, for C$25 per person, you can tour the gardens in a horse and carriage.

Learn how Niagara Falls formed over thousands of years on this 20-minute simulation ride. Standing on a mesh platform surrounded by an uninterrupted 360-degree viewing screen, you feel snow falling, winds blowing, the floor rumbling, and waves crashing as you watch glaciers form, collide, and melt, creating the falls as we know them today. In certain spots you will get wet; ponchos are provided.

In connected side-by-side buildings—one the 1875 former Niagara High School building and the other the first building in Ontario to have been erected as a museum, in 1906—this extensive collection relates to the often colorful history of the Niagara Peninsula from earliest times through the 19th century. From June through September the museum offers guided walking tours of the town at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday.

Explore ancient caves, hike along craggy hilltop trails, get a thrill on zipline rides, or brave the suspension footbridge—25 meters (82 feet) above the ground with amazing views of the bay 300 meters (985 feet) below. Hiking boots or sneakers are required.

Rising 775 feet above the falls, this is the best view of the great Niagara Gorge and the entire city. The indoor-outdoor observation deck has visibility up to 130 km (80 miles) on a clear day. Other reasons to visit include amusements for children, a buffet restaurant, a revolving dining room, and a 3-D theater that lets you experience the falls up close. Admission is free if you're enjoying a meal in the dining room.

A Jesuit mission was originally built on this spot in 1639. The reconstructed village, which was once home to a fifth of the European population of New France, was the site of the first European community in Ontario; it had a hospital, farm, workshops, and a church. Workers also constructed a canal from the Wye River. A combination of disease and Iroquois attacks led to the mission's demise. More than 20 structures, including two native longhouses and two wigwams, have been faithfully reproduced from a scientific excavation. Staff members in period costume demonstrate 17th-century trades, share Native stories and legends, and grow vegetables—keeping the working village alive.

Voyageur Quest has a variety of adventure wilderness canoe trips year-round in Algonquin Provincial Park and throughout northern Ontario, including a number of family-geared vacations.

In operation since 1916, this antique cable car crosses the Whirlpool Basin in the Niagara Gorge. This trip is not for the fainthearted, but there's no better way to get an aerial view of the gorge, the whirlpool, the rapids, and the hydroelectric plants.

An hour-long thrill ride, these tours veer around and hurdle white-water rapids that follow Niagara canyons up to the wall of rolling waters, just below Niagara Falls. Children must be at least six years old for the open-boat Wet Jet Tour and four years old for the covered-boat (dry!) Jet Dome Tour; minimum height requirements also apply. Tours depart from Niagara-on-the-Lake or Niagara Falls, ON (June to August only) and Lewiston, NY.

A self-guided route involves taking an elevator to the bottom of the Niagara Gorge, the narrow valley created by the Niagara Falls and River, where you can walk along a 1,000-foot boardwalk beside the Class VI rapids of the Niagara River. The gorge is rimmed by sheer cliffs as it enters the giant whirlpool.