The dog days of summer will soon be upon us, so many of us are starting to plan summer vacations – Ontario is the perfect place to visit this summer!

Now, why should you spend your valuable vacation days in the province of Ontario?  The answer to that depends on what you are interested in, as there are numerous attractions appealing to all demographics. If you’re into the hustle and bustle of the city, Ontario is home to the largest metropolitan area in Canada. If you want some rest and relaxation, Ontario has abundant natural attractions and great parks to visit as well.  To get you started, here’s a brief rundown of the top 5 reasons to visit Ontario.

• Niagara Falls – If you love nature and have an appreciation for its sheer power and beauty, why not visit one of the great natural wonders of the world? Not to get too scientific with this, but it is the most powerful waterfall in North America. It’s worth a visit for the breath-taking view alone, but you could also go on the tunnel tours which take you behind the Falls. If you’re feeling adventurous, get soaked on the Maid of the Mist Upwards of 20 million tourists per year agree with us: Niagara Falls is an amazing sight to see.
• Toronto – Canada’s answer to New York! Toronto’s metropolitan area is the fifth most populous in North America, and the population of the city proper recently surpassed Chicago. It has a lively restaurant scene: about half the city’s residents have a mother tongue other than English or French, so you’ll definitely be able to find the cuisine you desire. The tourist attractions themselves are numerous: Toronto Zoo, the CN Tower, and the Art Gallery of Ontario – there’s something for everyone! If you’re a sports fan, Toronto is the home of the Hockey Hall of Fame and fields a team in every major North American sports league, save for the NFL. Simply put, if you make the trip, plan for your schedule to be jam-packed, as there are so many things you can do.
• Ottawa- If you’d like to familiarize yourself with Canadian culture, definitely save a day or two to see our nation’s capital. Tour our government buildings on Parliament Hill, and learn all about Canada’s rich history and traditions. During the summer, you’ll be able to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony being performed by our Mounties daily. Interested in museums? Ottawa is home to the National Gallery of Canada, Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of Nature, and many others.
• Algonquin Provincial Park- Are you an outdoorsy type? If so, this park which is about a quarter of the size of Belgium, offers almost every kind of outdoor activities you can imagine. An official campground offers 18 sites, each able to host up to 40 people. If you’re more adventurous, secluded camp areas can be accessed on foot, by canoe, or by ski and snow-shoe during the winter. Seasonal activities offered in this park include horse-back riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and hiking. Back-country lakes in the park are teeming with fish just waiting to be angled (with a permit of course).
• Strong Exchange Rate – Simply put, Canada is cheap! Right now, 80 American cents will get you one Canadian dollar. Not only will you enjoy these places and attractions in Ontario, your wallet will also thank you for choosing such an exchange-friendly destination.

If you have a criminal record, you may need a Temporary Residence Permit in order to cross the border – be sure to give us a call before planning your trip. We can help you enter Canada so that you can enjoy all that Ontario has to offer!