90+ Interesting and Fun Facts About Ontario That You May Not Know

Fun Facts About Ontario

Having lived in Ontario my entire life, I can tell you that it is an incredible place to visit or call home. Ontario has an abundance of gorgeous lakes, varied landscapes, and vibrant cities. If you are looking to visit, or just want to learn more about this amazing province, we have put together a list of 90+ interesting and fun facts about Ontario that I know you will love.

90+ Interesting and Fun Facts About Ontario That You May Not Know

This post was a lot of fun to research. In fact, Hubby calls me “The Vault” because I have a tendency to remember a ton of useless facts and information.

So I got to geek out and load my brain with new and wonderful information about my home province, that even I did not know about! But just to make it more manageable, we have broken the post down into categories.

Sault Ste Marie to Thunder Bay - Agawa Pictographs - photo taken from edge of the rocky shore

Official Fun Facts About Ontario

From population to the capital city to our official tree, many of these fun facts about Ontario really surprised us!

1. Ontario is the most populous province in the country.

I was pretty surprised to learn that 40% of Canada’s population resides in Ontario! With approximately 15 million people calling Ontario home, this number is significantly higher than any other province.

Just for reference, Quebec is in second with about 8.6 million people in 2021.

It makes sense when you consider that Ontario has five cities in the top ten largest in the country in 2021/2022. In case you are curious, those cities are Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Brampton, and Hamilton.

2. The name “Ontario” comes from the Iroquois word for ‘beautiful water.’

Before the Europeans arrived, Ontario had been settled by both Iroquoian and Algonquin First Nation Peoples for over 12,000 years. It is thought that the Iroquois word for Ontario, ‘Kanadario,’ roughly translates to ‘beautiful water‘.

3. What do you call people who are from Ontario?

People from Ontario are Ontarians. Similarly, people from Toronto are Torontonians.

4. Toronto is Ontario’s capital and largest city.

Toronto, with a population of nearly 6.9 million people, is the capital city of Ontario. This often confuses people, as Ottawa (also located in Ontario) is the capital of Canada.

Toronto is also the most populous city in Canada and the 4th most in North America. Interestingly enough, almost 25% of Canada’s population lives within a 160 km radius of Toronto.

Facts-about-Ontario-Nathan-Phillips-Square

5. Ontario’s Official Motto

Ontario’s Official Motto is “Loyal She Began, Loyal She Remains.”

6. The Official Provincial Bird of Ontario

The common loon is the official bird of Ontario. It appears on our currency with our $2 coin (known as a “Loonie”) and on a previous series of twenty-dollar bills.

Interestingly enough, our neighbours to the south in Minnesota, also have the Loon as their state bird. Not to mention the Loon appears on US quarters. I guess great minds think alike!

7. The Official Mineral of Ontario

In 1975 amethyst was chosen as the official mineral of Ontario. This gorgeous purple quartz-style crystal is found in large quantities along Lake Superior’s north shore, as well as in North Bay and in Bancroft.

Sault-Ste-Marie-to-Thunder-Bay-Amethyst-Mine-Panorama-close-up-of-amethysts

8. The Official Flower of Ontario

The White Trillium became the official flower of Ontario back in 1937. As the story goes, WWI soldiers wanted a meaningful and significant flower to decorate the graves of their fallen brothers.

For many, the white trillium signifies the arrival of spring, rebirth, recovery, and purity. To others, the flower is a symbol of love and beauty.

9. The Official Tree of Ontario

The eastern white pine was designated as the official tree of Ontario on May 1, 1984. Not only is it the tallest tree in the province, but the eastern white pine can live for over 250 years!

Chosen as a symbol to represent the vast forests of Ontario, the eastern white pine was known as “the tree of great peace” by the Haudenosaunee First Nations of Southern Ontario.

10. Ontario’s Official Flag

The flag of Ontario is called the Red Ensign. It includes the Union Jack, which represents Ontario’s ties to Great Britain, and the Coat-of-Arms of the Province.

Interesting and Fun Facts About Ontario Geography

Ontario really has a rich and varied landscape. From tundra to sand dunes, and everything in between, visitors are often surprised by how incredible Ontario’s geography really is.

11. Ontario is larger than France and Spain combined

Ontario is the second-largest province in Canada after Quebec in terms of landmass. Just to give a little perspective, Ontario is larger than France and Spain COMBINED!

12. Ontario is so big it spans 2 time zones!

And speaking of being HUGE, Ontario encompasses more than 1 million square kilometres. In fact, the province is so big that it actually spans two time zones.

The boundary line between the Eastern Time Zone and Central Time Zone is actually just west of Thunder Bay.

Thunder-Bay-to-Winnipeg-Central-Time-zone-Sign

13. More than half of Canada’s best farmland is in Ontario

Most Ontarians over the age of 40 would be familiar with the jingle “Good things grow, in Ontario.” After all, with over 50,000 farms in our province, Ontario makes up almost one-quarter of all farm revenue in Canada.

A wide variety of fruits and vegetables, especially apples, potatoes, corn, and cash crops like soybeans and mixed grains make up the bulk of Ontario’s crops.

14. The highest point in Ontario is Ishpatina Ridge

Located in Northeastern Ontario in the town of Temagami, Ishpatina Ridge is the highest point in the province at 693 metres above sea level or a little over 2,250 feet. The name “Ishpatina” comes from the Ojibwe word ishpadina meaning “high place/ridge.”

If you are thinking that this would be a great place to visit, it’s actually quite difficult to get to it! At just under 100km from Sudbury, the closest highway run about 30 kilometres north of Ishpatina Ridge.

15. The lowest point in Ontario is on Hudson Bay

The lowest point in Ontario is located on Hudson Bay, which is just at sea level.

16. The northernmost point in Ontario

The northernmost point of Ontario sits just east of where Ontario’s western border meets Hudson Bay. It is approximately 125 kilometres northwest of Fort Severn at 6°51′25″N 88°53′05″W Latitude 56×50′.

For reference, this point is as far north as London, England and Warsaw, Poland.

17. The southernmost point in Ontario

The southernmost point in Ontario is located at 41°41’N, 82°41″W (41.685,-82.684), or about 41.7 degrees north latitude. It lies in Lake Erie, just south of Pelee Island, and is part of Point Pelee National Park.

Incidentally, this point is approximately equal to Rome, Italy, and Northern California. Also worth noting, Pelee Island is either completely south or partially south of an incredible 27 U.S states!

18. Only about 1km of Ontario’s border with the US is landbased

Many people don’t realize that the only part of our border with the US that is land-based, is a collection of portages near Minnesota.

The remainder of Ontario’s border follows inland waterways. From the west, the border follows along the Lake of the Wood. And in the east, the border follows along the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River.

19. Ontario is made up of about 15% water

And speaking of water, Ontario is split roughly between 85% land and 15% water.

20. Ontario’s saltwater shoreline

Ontario’s saltwater shoreline is approximately 1,094 km (or 680 miles) in length and can be found along James Bay and Hudson Bay.

21. Ontario’s freshwater shoreline

Ontario’s freshwater shoreline is approximately 3,081 km (or 2,362 miles) in length and can be found along the Great Lakes.

22. Ontario is home to the largest freshwater island in the world

Located on Lake Huron, Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater island in the world at about 2,800 square kilometres.

And to take this a step further, Manitoulin Island is also home to the largest lake within an island within a lake in the world. AND the largest island within a lake, within an island within a lake in the world!

Manitoulin-Island-Misery-Bay-Provincial-Park-inside-gazebo

Interesting and Fun Facts About Ontario History

Ontario has a rich history steeped in culture. From Indigenous beginnings to European settlement, Ontario’s museums and cultural centres have incredible exhibitions filled with our storied past.

23. The first Europeans arrived in Ontario in 1611

Henry Hudson, who was an English explorer, first sailed into Hudson Bay in 1611. Samuel de Champlain was the first one to reach Lake Huron in 1615.

24. Ontario was once called Upper Canada

Upper Canada was established in 1791 by the Kingdom of Great Britain. Its borders reflect that of Ontario’s present-day boundaries.

25. Ontario was once home to several First Nations tribes

Before the arrival of the Europeans in the 17th century, Ontario was inhabited by various indigenous tribes including the Ojibwa, Cree, Algonquin, Iroquois, and Petun.

Thunder-Bay-Mount-Mckay-memorial-statues

Fun Facts About Ontario Cities and Towns

Ontario is filled with incredible cities and towns that are picturesque and fun to explore. But some of them really stand out for their unique reputations! While some places have fun attributes, others are just plain weird, or even scary, to think about!

26. Ottawa is one of the coldest capitals in the world

Ottawa is the seventh coldest capital in the world, only behind places like Ulaan-Baatar Moscow, Helsinki, Reykjavik, and Tallinn.

27. Ontario is responsible for some pretty bad emissions

A single smokestack in the town of Sudbury is responsible for 20% of North America’s arsenic emissions, 13% of lead emissions, and 30% of nickel emissions into the atmosphere. Not a good statistic.

28. Ontario is home to the second-largest crater on earth

And speaking of Sudbury, it is also home to the second-largest known crater on Earth. The crater was actually formed by an impact larger than the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs.

29. Ontario has the largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany

Despite having a population of just 200,000 people, Kitchener, Ontario is home to the largest Oktoberfest celebration outside of Germany.

30. The dark side of Ontario

One of the more disturbing fun facts about Ontario that most people aren’t aware of: for about 15 years, London, Ontario had the largest concentration of serial killers in the world.

31. Ontario is home to the “Waterfall Capital of the World”

The city of Hamilton is home to over 100 waterfalls. As a result, it has become known as the “Waterfall Capital of the World.”

32. Niagara Falls is one of North America’s most popular tourist attractions

And speaking of waterfalls, you can’t get any more popular than Niagara. Aside from the main attraction of the Falls, Niagara is home to casinos, restaurants, shops, a midway, and a ton of kitschy attractions.

Once the “Honeymoon Capital of the World,” Niagara Falls still draws over 13 million visitors every year. Stay for a weekend or just visit for the day, you won’t have a problem filling up your itinerary.

Niagara-Falls-in-Winter-Niagara-Falls-in-snow

33. Ontario is the home of the “Flame of Hope”

London, Ontario, is home to the “Flame of Hope.” Lit in 1989 as a tribute to Dr. Frederick Banting and all the people that have lost their lives to diabetes, the flame will remain lit until there is a cure for diabetes.

34. There is a town in Ontario called “Swastika”

Although there have been several attempts to change the name over the years (for obvious reasons), the town always fights back. Their reasoning – “To hell with Hitler. We had swastika first”!

35. Markham has the highest visible minority population

Markham has the highest visible minority population of any major Canadian city. At 72.3%, it is actually one of only eight major cities with no majority racial group.

36. Markham may be the counterfeiting capital of Ontario

Now known as “one of the world’s notorious sources of counterfeit goods,” the Pacific Mall in Markham was raided in 2019 by the RCMP. At the time, they seized over 49,000 counterfeit DVDs, 217 DVD burners and over 100,000 blank DVDs.

37. The city of Brantford was put on the map by a hockey player

Wayne Gretzky, who is the NHL’s all-time leading scorer, was born in Brantford, Ontario in 1961.

38. Highest lightning strike rate

Located in Southern Ontario, the city of Windsor has the most lightning strikes per year in Canada. The city averages approximately 33 days of thunderstorms a year.

Interesting Facts About Ontario Lakes

Ontarians are blessed with an abundance of gorgeous lakes and rivers. Not only do we have fresh, reliable drinking water, but we also have the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of water-related pastimes. We found some of these fun facts about Ontario lakes to be quite astounding!

39. Ontario has more than 250,000 lakes

With more than 250,000 lakes in this province, Ontario is home to about one-fifth of the fresh water in the entire world. That staggering fact was definitely one of the facts about Ontario that I tucked away into my vault! How incredibly lucky are we?

40. There are over 100,000 kilometres of rivers in the province

Ontario is home to over 100,000 kilometres of rivers. To put this in perspective, if you lined up all the rivers end to end, they would reach a quarter of the way to the moon!

With the two most notable rivers being the Ottawa River (1,271km) and the Saint Lawrence River (1,197km), it’s easy to see how our waterways play an important role in both growth and tourism.

41. The volume of water in the Great Lakes is mindblowing!

The immense volume of water in the Great Lakes would cover North America in approximately 3.5 ft of water.

42. Which came first, the province or the lake?

Although most people think the lake was named after the province, it was actually the other way around! The province was named after the lake.

43. Over 50 people have successfully swum across Lake Ontario

Approximately 50 people have swam across Lake Ontario, many of them being teenagers. In 1954, sixteen-year-old Marilyn Bell was the first to make a successful crossing.

44. The deepest part of Lake Ontario sits at an average temperature of 4 degrees Celcius

At only 4 degrees Celcius, the bottom of Lake Ontario is so cold that skyscrapers use it as a coolant for air conditioning systems.

45. Lake Ontario may be cold, but it rarely freezes over

Even though Canadian winters can get really cold, Lake Ontario is too big and too deep to freeze over completely. The last time this happened, was way back in 1934.

46. There are shipwrecks in Lake Ontario

Built in 1798, the second-oldest of the Great Lakes shipwrecks can be found in Lake Ontario.

Niagara-on-the-Lake-pirate-ship-landscape

47. Lake Ontario is perfect for scuba divers

Apparently, Lake Ontario is a really interesting place to go scuba diving. Not only will divers find the shipwreck we mentioned above, but there are also others to be found and explored. The other notable wreck is that of a U.S. Air Force C-45 aircraft.

48. A significant portion of Canadians live within Lake Ontario’s watershed

In fact, more than 25% of Canada’s population lives within Lake Ontario’s watersheds.

49. On occasion, Lake Ontario turns white – and not from snow or ice

On very rare occasions, Lake Ontario’s water actually changes colour. This phenomenon is due to an increase in calcium carbonate, resulting in the “whitening” of the water.

50. Lake Ontario helps make Niagara wines better

Lake Ontario actually contributes to the betterment of the region’s wine. Because of the lake-effect breezes, microclimates and longer growing seasons are created which is very advantageous for the grapes.

Niagara-Falls-in-Winter-Fielding-Estate-Winery-wine-flight

51. An unbelievable number of people depend on Lake Ontario for their drinking water

In reality, nine million individuals actually depend on Lake Ontario for their drinking water. That’s a HUGE number!

52. Lake Ontario is actually a pretty big lake

Lake Ontario is ranked as the 14th largest lake in the whole world! When you think of how many lakes there are globally, that really is impressive.

53. It takes time for water to move from Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence River

It never really occurred to me that it would take water a long time to move from Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence River. But in actuality, it takes an astonishing six years (give or take)!

54. And speaking of moving water…

This fun fact about Lake Ontario blew my mind! The lake has an eleven-minute oscillating wave rhythm or seiche. A seiche is a standing wave in an enclosed or partially enclosed body of water.

The earth’s rotation, wind, and air pressure fluctuations can dramatically amplify the seiche effect, generally only around two cm.

55. Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes

Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes in terms of surface area, however, its waters are deeper than expected, with a maximum depth of 244 m (800 ft). As a result, the lake actually has four times the water capacity of Lake Erie.

As an added fact, Lake Ontario’s water levels reached their greatest level in 100 years in 2017. Massive flooding, ground degradation, and damages resulted, with unheard-of closures of the Toronto Islands.

Fun Facts About Ontario Nature

Ontario is a gorgeous province filled with a multitude of varied landscapes, vistas, and nature. So we would be remiss if we did not have a section of our fun facts about Ontario dedicated to nature.

56. Polar Bear Provincial Park is the largest park in Ontario

Unfortunately, Polar Bear Provincial Park is more for the bears than for human visitors, with several hundred bears migrating through the area yearly. In fact, there are no visitor centres, you can only reach the park by air, and you will need to get special permission before visiting.

Winnipeg-Assiniboine-Zoo-Polar-bear-swimming

57. Scientists recently found 1.5-billion-year-old water in Ontario

Sherwood Lollar, a geochemist from the University of Toronto, recently found and extracted a water sample that is 1.5 billion years old from a mine in Ontario. Mind blown!

58. There are a lot of maple trees in Ontario

This Ontario fun fact will not come as any surprise to locals or even most visitors to the province. As a result of all these gorgeous trees, Ontario is one of the world’s largest maple syrup producers!

Come to Ontario and you will definitely not have a problem finding a place to buy it! There are about 2,673 maple syrup farms in Ontario, which is the second-highest in the country after Quebec.

59. And speaking of having a lot of trees…

There are over 10 million trees in Toronto. The city may have the reputation of being a concrete jungle, but in reality, it couldn’t be further from the truth!

In fact, Toronto actually has over 25% forest coverage, with more than 18% of the city’s total area devoted to parks and green spaces. Not bad for one of the biggest cities in the country!

60. Ontario is home to some of the world’s most dangerous rapids

If you have ever visited Niagara Falls, this should really not come as any surprise. The water between The Horseshoe Falls and the Niagara Falls Whirlpool is home to Class VI Rapids. This is the highest class of white water rapids on earth.

Niagara offers many attractions, including the White Water Walk, which allows you to see these phenomenal rapids from a safer point of view.

61. Ontario is home to 5 Canadian National Parks

Not only can you find 5 of Canada’s National Parks in Ontario, but you will also find that the province is home to the only Urban National Park in the country. In total, Canada has 48 National Parks (including the urban park and several reserves).

Pukaskwa National Park
Bruce Peninsula National Park
Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Thousand Islands National Park
Point Pelee National Park
Rouge Urban National Park

You should definitely make it a point to visit the national parks in Ontario. After all, each park has something incredible and unique to offer.

62. Algonquin Provincial Park is the oldest provincial park in Canada

Algonquin Provincial Park is located between Georgian Bay and the Ottawa River in Ontario. Established in 1893, it is the oldest provincial park in Canada, and definitely one of the most popular in Ontario.

With its current size of about 7,653 square kilometres (2,955 sq mi), there is a lot of nature to explore here. From camping to water sports, hiking, and some of the best leaf-peeping in Autumn, you are sure to fall in love with this park!

And just to give you an idea of its immense size, Algonquin park is about one and a half times the size of Prince Edward Island or about a quarter of the size of Belgium!

63. Ontario is home to about 230 species of animals and plants that are at risk

Unfortunately, this is one of the unpleasant facts about Ontario that we unearthed. There are over 230 plant and animal species, including our once plentiful Lake Sturgeon, that are at risk of extinction in Ontario. And this number seems to be growing every year.

64. Largest freshwater dune system

Prince Edward County is where you will find the largest freshwater dune system on earth.

65. Ontario is home to a ton of beaches

There are over 100 beaches on Lake Ontario alone! Beaches like the one at Sandbanks Provincial Park, are quite popular for both locals and visitors alike during the summer months!

Sault-Ste-Marie-to-Thunder-Bay-Lake-Superior-Provincial-Park-beach-day

More Fun, Interesting or Just Plain Weird Facts About Ontario

This is one of my favourite categories in our list of fun facts about Ontario! It’s a mash-up of miscellaneous tidbits of cool and sometimes weird information we gathered while researching Ontario.

66. Ontario is the birthplace of many stars and celebrities.

The list of famous actors and musicians that were born in Ontario is quite lengthy and impressive. These names include (but are not limited to) Ryan Gosling, Jim Carrey, Rachel McAdams, Neve Campbell, Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, Alanis Morissette, Shania Twain, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Drake, Margaret Atwood, Rick Moranis, Kiefer Sutherland, Keanu Reeves, Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes.

67. Ontarians LOVE their hockey

Although the Toronto Maple Leafs have not won the Stanley Cup in my lifetime (the last time was in 1967), my family, as well as a slew of other Ontarians, still adore their team. Leafs fans are pretty loyal too. Despite their championship drought, games will sell out regularly, and their licenced merchandise flies off the shelves.

Of course, I should also mention that Ontario has a second NHL franchise – the Ottawa Senators. They have a huge following as well, which just adds to the popularity of the sport in this province.

68. Ontario was home to a WWII spy school

During WWII, Ontario became home to a Canadian spy school that was known only as “Camp X.” Located in Whitby, the camp supposedly trained spies in several skills from lock picking to combat techniques, and sabotage to espionage.

Interestingly enough, two famous men were apparently students at Camp X. These were Ian Fleming, creator of the James Bond series of books, and Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Today, you will an interpretive plaque at Camp X, which is now Intrepid park.

69. I’m sorry, what?

In Ontario, there is actually a law stating saying “sorry” is not an admission of guilt. As a Canadian, I can definitely say this makes me feel pretty relieved!

70. And speaking of other old and obscure laws…

If you don’t pay a hotel bill in Ontario, there is a law that says that the hotel can sell your horse. Why are these laws still in the books??

71. While we are on the subject of horses…

Another obscure and outdated Ontario traffic law states that it is illegal to operate a horse-drawn sleigh on public roads with fewer than two sleigh bells attached to it. The penalty, which is just as funny as the law itself, states that upon conviction, you may receive a fine not exceeding $5.

72. The largest nuclear power plant in the world can be found in Ontario

Not only is Ontario home to the largest nuclear power plant in the world, but its security force is also worth noting. This impressive security team has won the US National SWAT Championship four times! I’m guessing the plant is in good hands!

73. Teachers are major investors?

The Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board is one of the world’s largest institutional investors. Their assets actually total over $175 billion, which is mind-blowing!

74. A monopoly on beer

Around 87% of Ontario residents don’t realize that The Beer Store monopoly is not run by the Ontario government. I definitely had no idea!

75. Babe Ruth hit his first home run in Ontario

The legendary Babe Ruth hit his first home run while playing for a minor league baseball team in Ontario in 1914. It occurred at Hanlan’s Point Stadium in Centre Island.

76. Not one of Ontario’s finest hours

Born in 1934, the Dionne quintuplets were the first to survive for more than a few days. The quints were removed from their parents by the Ontario government, only to be tested, studied, and examined.

Unfortunately, they became the country’s biggest tourist attraction and a $500 million asset to the province. Three million people made the trip to “Quintland” to watch the babies at play behind a one-way screen.

77. Women can walk around topless in Ontario

In 1996, women in Ontario won the right to be topless in public. However, very few, if any, actually take advantage of this law.

78. Free fishing licences for disabled Ontarians

If you are in legal possession of any disabled service documents, you do not need to obtain a fishing license in Ontario. These documents are seen as equivalent to a fishing license.

79. Ontario has the highest hydro rates

This one is definitely NOT a fun fact about Ontario! Ontario residents pay the highest rates for electricity in all of North America.

80. Ontario’s Highway of Heroes

On August 24, 2007, the 170 km stretch of Highway 401 between Glen Miller Road in Trenton and the Don Valley Parkway / Highway 404 Junction in Toronto was designated the Highway of Heroes. This is the route travelled by funeral convoys for fallen Canadian Forces personnel from CFB Trenton to the coroner’s office in Toronto.

As a way to honour those who fought for our freedom, The Highway of Heroes tree campaign is an incredible initiative looking to plant two million trees—one for every Canadian who has served in uniform since the War of 1812. By Remembrance Day, November 11, 2022, it is anticipated that all 2 million trees will be in the ground.

Fun Facts About Ontario Landmarks and Attractions

Ontario is home to several notable landmarks and attractions. There are a ton of fun facts about Ontario tied to these sites, so we chose some of the best ones for this post.

81. The CN Tower used to be the tallest freestanding structure in the world

At 553.33 metres high (1,815 ft 5 in), the CN Tower used to be the tallest freestanding structure in the world. It was surpassed by Burj Khalifa, another skyscraper located in Dubai, in 2007.

Interestingly enough, today the CN Tower still holds on to a couple of claims to fame. For instance, it holds the world’s record for the highest wine cellar, as well as the record for the world’s highest external walk on a building for the EdgeWalk.

82. Yonge Street in Toronto is the longest street in the world

Yonge Street, which is located in Toronto, holds the record for being the longest street in the world. It is about 1896 km or 1,178 miles long. The road starts at LakeShore and extends to Rainy River at the Ontario/Minnesota border.

83. Ontario is home to the busiest airport in Canada

Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga is the busiest airport in Canada. Every year, in excess of 40 million travellers pass through the airport.

84. Home to one of the largest waterfalls in the world

Niagara Falls is in the top 5 largest waterfalls in the world, with Victoria Falls in Africa occupying the top spot. Angel Falls in Venezuela is considered the tallest.

85. The longest skating rink in the world is in Ontario

Every winter, Ottawa’s Rideau Canal becomes the longest skating rink in the world. At 7.8 km long, this attraction draws in an average of 19,000 visitors PER DAY! And speaking from experience, if you visit Ottawa during the winter, you really should head down to the Rideau for some skating fun!

Winterlude in Ottawa - Skating the Rideau

86. There are over 700 museums in Ontario

Ontario is home to an astounding 700 museums! These museums come in all shapes and sizes and are dedicated to every theme imaginable.

Some of the most popular museums include the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), TIFF Bell Lightbox, Bata Shoe Museum, Gardiner Museum, and Canada Agriculture & Food Museum. With so many options to choose from, museum lovers can spend months trying to explore them all!

87. And speaking of museums…

The Royal Ontario Museum is one of the largest museums in North America and the biggest in Canada. Attracting more than one million visitors every year, the ROM is also the most visited museum in Canada.

88. The largest urban car-free community in North America

The Toronto Islands are the largest car-free community in North America. They are home to around 650 inhabitants living in roughly 262 homes.

There are no cars, public transportation, or stores on the island. All inhabitants rely on ferries or water taxis to allow them to access the mainland and the necessities of life.

89. Ontario’s home to over 160 wineries!

Considering the Niagara region is known worldwide for its incredible wines, it should come as no surprise that Ontario is home to over 160 wineries. With several varieties of wine to choose from, including Niagara’s incredible ice wine, your choices are seemingly endless. Cheers!

Niagara-on-the-Lake-grape-vines-in-Jordan

90. Ontario has an amazing public transportation system

Ontario is home to a world-class public transportation system. Not only do we have extensive subway lines, trains, and buses, but we also have several rideshare and taxi companies to help you get to where you need to go. Whether you hop on Go Transit or take a local bus, most large cities in the province are pretty accessible.

91. Ontario has a movie industry and a lot of Hollywood movies are shot here

Often referred to as “Hollywood North,” Toronto has a pretty incredible film industry. As one of only 4 major locations in the country, about 25% of Hollywood movies are shot in Toronto.

92. The largest Canadian zoo is in Ontario

With over 16,000 species of animals, The Toronto Zoo is the largest zoo in Canada and the third-largest in the world. Established in 1888 with the donation of some deer, it was originally known as the Riverdale Zoo. Today, the Toronto Zoo now encompasses 287 hectares (710 acres).

93. Canada’s Wonderland is one of North America’s oldest amusement parks

Bringing in over 3 million visitors per year, Canada’s Wonderland is the largest theme park in Canada. And although it has been surpassed in popularity by many others, it is still one of the oldest theme parks in North America.

94. Ontario is home to North America’s only castle

Located in Toronto, Casa Loma is considered to be North America’s only authentic castle. This gorgeous Gothic Revival-style mansion was built in 1914 as a private residence.

Today, the castle is open to the public. Not only can you take a guided tour, but there are Escape Rooms located in the castle, an incredible restaurant, cooking classes, as well as seasonal festivities like the Holiday Light Show or the Legends of Horror during Halloween.

95. There are 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ontario

The two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ontario are the Rideau Canal in Ottawa and Pimachiowin Aki on the border of Ontario and Manitoba.

The Rideau Canal currently holds the record for the oldest continuously operated canal in North America (since 1832), as well as for the longest skating trail in Canada.

Pimachiowin Aki is a series of sacred Indigenous sites, including burial sites, stunning limestone cliffs, and unique rock formations.

Final Thoughts on Our List of Interesting and Fun Facts About Ontario

We learned so much from researching this list of fun facts about Ontario. I can definitely say that more than a few pieces of information made their way into my ‘vault.’ Our hope is that you have also learned some new things and that maybe, it has put Ontario on your list of places you would love to visit!