Seven Iconic Ontario Experiences

Photo: Divers from Team Canada experience EdgeWalk (photo via CN Tower Facebook page.)

If the weaker loonie and lower gas prices have you considering a trip closer to home, there are plenty of iconic winter experiences begging to be discovered throughout Ontario. From a hockey getaway in Ottawa to a weekend of ice fishing and dog sledding, there's an endless number of ways to discover the Heartland Province. If you’re looking for an overnight stay, consider one of the following experiences:

Hockey Night in Ottawa

Ontario is hockey country and Hockey Night in Ottawa is your ticket to an action-packed getaway. See the Ottawa Senators in action this season. Package rates start from C$159 and include best available tickets to a Sens game (including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and other great NHL teams) as well as overnight accommodation in a hotel of your choice.

Winter Log Cabin Adventure

Travel into the wilderness to enjoy an all-inclusive, three-day winter adventure in Algonquin Park. Snowshoe up to forest lookouts, back country ski across frozen lakes, and learn to mush and dogsled through a snowy wonderland. Relax in the rustic comfort of a 120-year-old Algonquin log cabin located in in the middle of the woods, enjoy a wood-fired sauna then sip a hot drink by the fire. Cap off the day with home-cooked Canadian fare served at a massive harvest table followed by nightly campfire stories about Algonquin Park history. Packages begin from C$697 and include accommodation, candle-lit meals, and some activities.

Jigging for the Big One

There’s something fishy about this winter adventure which takes place on the shores of Boshkung Lake (or Mountain Lake) in Ontario’s Haliburton Highlands, one of the most productive Lake Trout lakes in the region. Stay in comfy cabins, ice fish from a cozy ice hut and learn the best techniques from an expert guide. Learn about the ecology of the lake and the biology of the trout with a biologist, visit a local hatchery to discover Haliburton Gold, and enjoy hot lunches prepared by one of the Highland’s best chefs and delivered to your ice hut. Rates start from C$599.

Gourmet Getaway

The cuisine at Langdon Hall Country House Hotel is inspired by the seasons; wild produce grows in abundance on the property. For the Gourmet Getaway, guests can tap into the culinary expertise of Chef Jason Bangerter and enjoy the bounty from local farmers, foragers and artisans who believe in providing wholesome natural products that have been prepared with care and respect. The package, which starts from $1,210, includes two nights' accommodation with a three-course dinner one night and a five-course tasting menu the second night. A country breakfast table is included each day as well as a half bottle of wine and cheese plate upon arrival.

For travellers with just a short amount of time, plenty of day experiences are also available, including:

Bog to Bottle Discovery

Visit Ontario's cranberry capital and tour a working cranberry farm. Hip waders are not required on the Bog to Bottle Discovery, which also includes a tutored sampling of award-winning wines made from fruit grown in Muskoka, Ont. Tours begin daily at 1 pm, year round, and rates start from C$12.

Canadian Icewine Experience

Niagara's Inniskillin winery is known around the world for its award-winning icewine. Designed for the true icewine enthusiast, this experience includes the Inniskillin Classic Tour which touches on the story of the winery’s founders and their contribution to the Canadian wine industry. The Classic Tour begins from $27 per person.

Sky High Adrenaline

Toronto’s highest point offers plenty of adrenaline pumping experience. Ride the glass elevator (with glass panels in the floor too) for a view of the city and walk out onto the solid glass floor, you are in for a heart-racing good time. Want to take things to the max? Consider EdgeWalk, the world's highest, full-circle hands-free walk. Strap on your security harness and lean over the city, with no hand rails or other barriers to block your view The EdgeWalk experience includes a keepsake video, printed photos, a certificate of achievement and a Tower Experience pass, which includes access to LookOut, the Glass Floor and SkyPod. Rates start from $195.

These packages and more signature experiences can be found on the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC) website, which offers pricing and planning tips.

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