Ontario is Canada's most populous province, home to the nation's capital Ottawa and its largest city Toronto. The province stretches from the Great Lakes in the south to Hudson Bay in the north, offering world-class urban experiences, stunning natural landscapes, and rich Indigenous and colonial heritage.
Best photo spots
Iconic and lesser-known locations worth shooting.
Toronto Skyline from Polson Pier
The classic Toronto skyline shot with CN Tower reflected in Lake Ontario. Best at sunrise when the city glows pink-gold.
Best time: Sunrise (golden hour)
Tip: Arrive 30 minutes before sunrise · Check weather for clear horizon · Summer sunrises around 5:30 AM
CN Tower Glass Floor / EdgeWalk
Vertiginous aerial photography from 342 metres on the glass floor or 356-metre outdoor EdgeWalk. Unique perspective on Toronto's street grid below.
Best time: Any time; clear days essential
Tip: Book EdgeWalk when wind forecast is calm · Polarising filter cuts glare from glass floor
Niagara Falls — Horseshoe Falls at Sunrise
Horseshoe Falls is most photogenic at sunrise when mist glows gold and tourist crowds are minimal. The rainbow appears in the mist on sunny mornings.
Best time: Sunrise (6:00–8:00 AM); also at illumination time after dark
Tip: Morning mist is heaviest in summer · Night illumination changes colour every few minutes · Table Rock viewpoint is closest to falls
Ottawa Parliament Hill at Night
Gothic Revival Parliament Hill illuminated against the night sky, reflected in the Ottawa River. The Peace Tower is spectacular at blue hour.
Best time: Blue hour (30 minutes after sunset) to full night
Tip: From Major's Hill Park for Ottawa River reflection · Canada Day has spectacular fireworks backdrop · Sound and Light Show on the lawn (summer evenings, free)
Algonquin Park Fall Foliage
Some of Canada's most spectacular fall colours — reds, oranges, and golds reflected in Algonquin's hundreds of lakes. Peak typically late September to mid-October.
Best time: Late September to mid-October (varies by year)
Tip: Canoe Lake provides iconic views · Opeongo Lake is vast and reflective · Check Fall Colour Report on Ontario Parks website · Early morning fog on lakes is magical
Tobermory / The Grotto
The Grotto's brilliant turquoise Georgian Bay water against white quartzite cliffs is one of Ontario's most extraordinary natural images. Looks almost tropical despite being freshwater.
Best time: Midday for maximum turquoise colour; morning for fewer people
Tip: Book timed-entry reservation early · Drone photography requires Parks Canada permit · Underwater photography possible with snorkeling gear
Muskoka Lakes Fall Colours
Muskoka's cottage country transforms into a blaze of colour each October. Red maples, yellow birches, and orange oaks frame the granite-shore lakes.
Best time: Mid to late October (typically 10–14 days after Algonquin peak)
Tip: Muskoka Steamship cruise provides elevated lake perspectives · Port Carling locks area is very scenic · Rent a canoe for lake-level fall colours
Rideau Canal Skateway in Winter
The world's longest naturally frozen skating rink provides ethereal winter photography — skaters on a winding ice ribbon through central Ottawa, Parliament Hill in the background.
Best time: Blue hour (dawn or dusk) on clear winter days; February for most reliable ice
Tip: Best shots from Pretoria Bridge looking toward Parliament · Beaver Tails vendors add colour and human interest · Frost and snow-covered trees along the canal (Dow's Lake) are beautiful
Killarney Provincial Park White Quartzite Ridges
The brilliant white La Cloche Mountains rising above turquoise lakes — the landscape that inspired the Group of Seven painters. Ethereal and unlike anywhere else in Canada.
Best time: Summer (ridges are snow-free June–October); sunrise from ridge tops
Tip: La Cloche trail ridge tops provide the best panoramic views · Canoe Killarney Lake for Group of Seven-style reflection shots · No cell service — full attention to photography
Toronto Islands and City Skyline
The 15-minute ferry to the Toronto Islands provides the classic postcard shot of Toronto's entire skyline across Lake Ontario.
Best time: Late afternoon / golden hour facing east (city lit up)
Tip: Algonquin Island bridge is popular spot · Summer sunsets facing west from Centre Island are beautiful · Hanlan's Point faces east — perfect for morning skyline shots
Distillery District Architecture
North America's largest concentration of Victorian industrial architecture — red brick chimneys, cobblestone lanes, cast iron pillars. A photographer's playground for architectural and street photography.
Best time: Blue hour / early evening when warm lighting illuminates brick
Tip: Christmas Market lights (November–December) are spectacular · Less crowded early morning for clean architectural shots · Look up — rooflines and chimneys create great lines
Thousand Islands at Sunrise
1,864 islands scattered across the St. Lawrence River create a labyrinthine waterscape of islands, cottages, and historic castles bathed in early morning mist.
Best time: Sunrise for golden mist; boat tours for varied island perspectives
Tip: Boldt Castle (US side) is a spectacular subject from boats · Sunrise cruises available from Gananoque · Drone photography is dramatic here (check airspace regulations)
Photography tips
Make your shots stand out.
Shoot during golden hour (1 hour after sunrise, 1 hour before sunset) for warm, directional light.
Always ask permission before photographing people, especially in religious or cultural contexts.
Carry spare batteries and storage — opportunities for great shots appear unexpectedly.