Keep Exploring with Signature Experiences

Once-in-a-lifetime experiences found only in Canada

Looking for a unique Canadian holiday?  Choose one of Ontario's fascinating experiences that are part of the Canadian Tourism’s elite Signature Experiences Collection.

A Signature Experience is an exceptional travel experience offered only in Canada.  These unique activities show-case what Canada is all about.  They are authentic, engage your senses, immerse you in Canada’s nature, offer opportunities to experience and learn about Canadian culture, history, cuisine and to meet real Canadians.  They are for people who like to explore and live a life that’s less ordinary.

Which one are you going to do? 

ACTIVE NATURE PURSUITS

Tales, Trails and Ales – Northern Edge Algonquin

After cycling through the scenic forest trails, share tales of your fun-filled day around the fireplace in the century-old rebuilt Explorers Log Cabin. At dinner, savour the best of local fare harvested from their own garden and local farms with award-winning chef Gregor and enjoy local ales from Highlander Brewery. End your day with a lakefront wood-fired sauna experience.

Out of the Ice Age – Scenic Caves Nature Adventures

Your adventure begins with all the excitement of a daring crossing on a walkway high above the ground across Southern Ontario’s longest Suspension Bridge. You reach its centre point; 300 metres above Georgian Bay. You hop on a tractor/wagon ride through the forest as you view the unique ecology of the Niagara Escarpment. You gather your courage, step out onto the 10-inch board, and begin walking amongst the tree tops 60 feet above the forest floor. The perspective is spectacular. 600 metres later you reach the end of your walk, but another thrill awaits you.

A 330-foot forest zip line. You clip on and whisk your way through the trees. Back on solid ground, it’s time to venture below it, exploring a labyrinth of caves and crevices including the ice cave—a crevasse so deep below the surface that snow and ice often remain here through early summer. The grand finale is the exhilarating 1000-foot Escarpment zip line back to the Eco Cabin.

Without a doubt your day at this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve experience has provided you with an unforgettable high.

Heli-Dog Sledding for a Day – Winterdance Dogsled Tours

This truly unique experience guarantees lifelong adventure memories!  From Toronto, enjoy the spectacular panoramic view on your private helicopter ride to the rugged wilderness of the Haliburton Highlands where you will meet your team of friendly huskies and learn how to drive your dogsled.  Then you and your guides are off for a day of fun and fresh air.    

WILDERNESS GETAWAYS

Algonquin Canoe and Log Cabin Adventures – Voyageur Quest 

Voyageur Quest specializes in Algonquin Park canoe trips and camping adventures in Ontario, Canada. Led by expert guides, their Algonquin canoe trips feature amazing wildlife viewing opportunities, fantastic backcountry cuisine and spectacular campsites. Both of the 3 and 5 canoe trips are ideal nature based vacations for people of any level of wilderness canoeing experience. The Algonquin Park canoe trips are convenient as they provide all-inclusive (just bring your toothbrush!) trips every Monday and Friday from Algonquin Park or downtown Toronto.

The Algonquin Park Log Cabin features lodge-based canoe, hiking and dogsled trips at Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada.  Located on Surprise Lake, 8km from the northwest corner of Algonquin Park, the Algonquin Log Cabin Lodge features the warmth of an authentic log cabin in a spectacular wilderness setting. The log cabin is ideal for those people looking for an Algonquin learning/cultural adventure with a comfortable bed at the end of the day. 

 Reliving the Days of the North West Company and the Canadian Fur Trade, Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay 

Fort William Historical Park, one of the largest living history attractions in North America, is devoted to re-creating the days of the North West Company and the Canadian fur trade.  Fort William Historical Park is recognized as one of the Top Ten Attractions in Canada and one of the world's most impressive historic sites.

With over 40 buildings on 225 acres, Fort William offers a vivid and rich tapestry of fur trade life, running the gamut from culture to crafts, medicine to business, domestic life to heritage farming.

Some of Canada's most renowned explorers were also connected to the NWC, including Simon Fraser, Sir Alexander Mackenzie and David Thompson, which is indicative of how the fur trade played a key role in forming the foundations of Canada. Your adventure in the Canadian fur trade awaits!

About Trish Manning

Trish Manning is an adventure travel writer and the content coordinator for Ontario Outdoor Adventures. She is an avid outdoor person who loves to hike, paddle, SUP, snowshoe, cross-country ski and explore Ontario's great outdoors with her golden retriever, Daisy.

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