WHAT'S NEW IN ONTARIO 2026

ATTRACTIONS

Biidaasige Park, Ookwemin Minising — Phase 2 opening Summer 2026

Toronto continues the development of Ookwemin Minising, a brand-new waterfront community and urban island park, with the Phase 2 opening of its first green space, Biidaasige Park in summer 2026. After the successful redirection of the Don River, competed in 2024 as part of one of the largest and most significant sustainability projects in the world, the drainage has allowed for the naturalisation of the river mouth as well as the creation of Ookwemin Minising. Formerly known as Villiers Island, its name was changed to Ookwemin Minising to celebrate the Indigenous heritage of the land. The new artificial island comes in at an impressive 98 acres, with 48 acres dedicated to developable area, including streets and pavements, and 50 acres dedicated to parks and green spaces. This project will allow Toronto to grow sustainably, reduce urban sprawl and greenhouse gases, while giving Toronto residents and visitors more access to green space. Waterfrontoronto.ca/our-projects/ookwemin-minising

Stone Eagle Winery — opened, November 2025
Opened in November 2025 in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Stone Eagle Winery is a purpose-built estate dedicated to modern luxury, expressive wines, and elevated hospitality. Founded by sisters Angela Marotta and Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli, the team behind the award-winning Two Sisters Vineyards—Stone Eagle offers a curated portfolio of low-intervention, vegan wines crafted from sustainably grown fruit. With sommelier-Led, food-paired tastings, The Nest at Stone Eagle restaurant, and a collection of refined event spaces, the winery delivers immersive experiences where wine, cuisine, and ambience take centre stage. Stoneeaglewinery.com

AIRE Ancient Baths Toronto — Winter 2025
AIRE Ancient Baths brings a candlelit sanctuary of quiet Luxury to the heart of downtown Toronto, transforming a 1912 heritage building in the Fashion District into an immersive thermal bath experience inspired by ancient Roman, Greek and Ottoman rituals. Guests move at their own pace through a series of hot, warm, cold, steam and salt baths, complemented by signature massage rituals and Toronto-exclusive experiences that honour Canada's natural landscapes. This atmospheric urban retreat—lit by hundreds of candles and defined by original brick, timber beams and serene pools—offers a restorative escape from the city, ideal for wellness seekers, couples and small premium groups. relax.beaire.com

Lake Ontario Cruise — June 1, 2026
Set sail on an unforgettable Lake Ontario voyage aboard the Captain Matthew Flinders, departing from the scenic shores of Port Dalhousie Beach in St. Catharines, Ontario. Whether you're looking for a relaxing midday escape or a romantic evening on the water, the ship's lunch and dinner cruises combine fine dining, breathtaking views, and the tranquil charm of Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes, for an experience unlike any other in the Niagara region. lakeontariocruises.ca

Gordie Howe International Bridge — 2026
Travellers will be able to drive, or walk, or cycle across a dramatic new 2.5 km landmark when the Gordie Howe International Bridge opens in early 2026. The longest cable-stayed bridge in North America will be a bold new gateway between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. The bridge carries six lanes of traffic plus a dedicated multi-use path, giving visitors a faster, more efficient route into Ontario and a memorable way to walk or bike across the border with wide-angle views of the river and skyline.

New ports of entry and direct highway links on both sides of the border streamline inspections and connections, so road trippers from the U.S. reach Windsor, Toronto, and other Ontario destinations with fewer bottlenecks and more predictable travel times. gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com

ACCOMMODATIONS

Hårtwood (Fort Treehouse Co.) — January 2026
A first-of-its-kind in Canada, this off-grid treehouse hotel offers an unparalleled experience in nature. Located in the Haliburton Highlands (2 hours north of Toronto) Hårtwood (the Swedish word for hardwood), consists of three individual luxury treehouses and The Hydda, a communal gathering space with curated wine and coffee bar, small event venue and general store, featuring local artisan products. Rooted in sustainability and immersive design, Hårtwood's treehouses are fully powered by solar energy and constructed to preserve the integrity of the trees. The sleek, minimal Nordic-inspired design showcases light-filled interiors, expert craftsmanship, Luxury linens, canopy decks and floor-to-ceiling windows. forttreehouseco.com

Kat Florence Hotel, LaMer Massages, Nordic Spa — January 2026
Kat Florence Hotel is a luxury boutique retreat in the historic village of Elora, Ontario, designed around rest, privacy, and elevated wellness. Set within a beautifully restored heritage property, the hotel combines old-world character with refined modern comforts. A standout feature is its wellness offering: guests enjoy complimentary in-suite La Mer-infused massages, customised to individual needs and designed to promote deep relaxation and muscle relief. The experience extends outdoors to the hotel's new private Nordic spa, which includes hot and cold plunge pools, a cedar-wood sauna, and quiet fireside seating. Together, the treatments and thermal circuit encourage restorative heat-and-cold therapy in a serene, garden-like setting. The overall atmosphere is intimate, indulgent, and tranquil — ideal for romantic getaways or restorative escapes, with wellness woven seamlessly into the luxury hotel experience. katflorencehotels.com

Claramount Club — Opened, December 2025
A landmark of Prince Edward County, the historic Claramount mansion has undergone an extensive restoration and expansion to become the county's latest hotel. The storied property with its distinctive butterscotch façade is in the town of Picton and reimagined as the Claramount Club, a contemporary hotel and club. Referencing its past while embracing a new era, the Claramount is poised to set a new standard in the county, offering refined accommodations, exceptional dining, and an inspiring sense of place along Picton's beautiful waterfront. The property consists of 20 hotel rooms of varying types, state-of-the-art gym, indoor swimming pool, tennis court, meeting and event space, two restaurants with patios overlooking the harbour and a bakery counter. With stately appeal and elevated culinary and guest experiences, Claramount Club will be a flagship destination for those looking to immerse themselves in the charm of one of Canada's most picturesque lakeside towns. claramountclub.ca

The Wellington Hotel — Opening Winter 2026
The Wellington Hotel will bring a refined boutique experience to the heart of Prince Edward County's wine and culinary scene. Once a mid-century inn, it is being transformed into an elegant 19-suite retreat with rooms spread across the restored main house, newly built garden suites and a quiet annex. The Spa at Wellington offers a calming, nature-inspired wellness experience, including hammam rituals and tailored treatments. Guests can enjoy seasonal dishes in the dining lounge, sip crafted cocktails in the cosy speakeasy, and host intimate weddings or gatherings in the outdoor event space under the stars. Designed with warmth and intention, the hotel aims to offer one of the County's most memorable new stays in 2026. thewellingtonhotel.ca

Le Meridien Toronto Pinnacle — 2026
Le Méridien Toronto Pinnacle Hotel is a new Luxury hotel in downtown Toronto located at 1 Yonge Street in the revitalized waterfront district. It is expected to open later in 2026 and occupies part of the base of the Pinnacle SkyTower, one of Canada's tallest skyscrapers. Once completed, it will be Canada's tallest building as well as Canada's first building to exceed over 100 floors. Marriott.com

Ste. Anne's Spa, Spa Village — Opening January 2026

Ste. Anne's Spa in Grafton, Ontario — a heritage countryside wellness destination about 90 min from Toronto — is currently expanding its facilities with a new “Spa Village” on its 500-acre property. This spa village expansion is focused on additional guest accommodations and wellness-oriented spaces to give visitors more options for extended stays, group retreats, or solo restorative getaways beyond the original inn and spa areas. Construction is underway to build these new accommodation areas alongside broader upgrades like a larger eucalyptus inhalation space and a new yoga studio, all designed to deepen the spa's focus on rest, renewal, and holistic wellbeing. steannes.com

Leeward House, Thornbury — Opening July 1, 2026
Leeward House is a new nine-room boutique hotel bringing a thoughtfully designed hospitality experience to Thornbury in Grey County. Designed for travellers who value character, comfort, and a strong sense of place, the hotel offers an alternative to standardised resort experiences near Blue Mountain Resort. Leeward House is intimate, considered, and intentionally woven into the fabric of the town. The property is composed of two buildings totalling approximately 4,000 square feet. The Main House features a lobby bar and lounge on the ground floor, along with two guest suites above, each offering king beds, built-in bunk beds for flexible quad occupancy, vaulted ceilings, and private balconies with partial lake and town views. The adjacent Guest House includes seven king suites, each with a private exterior entrance and deck, with select rooms offering connecting layouts for adjoining stays. A heated pool anchors the courtyard, complemented by a hot tub, sauna, and commercial cold plunge designed for use across all seasons. Leewardhouse.co

OTHER NEWS

Ottawa's 200th Anniversary — Throughout 2026
Canada's capital city celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2026, marking two centuries since the establishment of Bytown on September 26, 1826 and the beginning of the Rideau Canal project. The city was founded in 1826 as Bytown by Colonel John By, with its name officially changed to Ottawa in 1855. ottawatourism.ca/en/see-and-do/ottawa-200

Countdown to FIFA World Cup 2026™ — June 12, 2026

FIFA World Cup 2026™ is coming to Canada, with Toronto hosting six matches:

• June 12 - Canada vs. Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina
• June 17 - Ghana vs. Panama
• June 20 - Germany vs. Cote d'Ivoire
• June 23 - Panama vs. Croatia
• June 26 - Senegal vs. Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname
• July 2 - Round of 32 match

This marks the first-ever men's FIFA World Cup match on Canadian soil, with Canada's Men's National Team competing. Significant upgrades are underway at BMO Field stadium, which will be dubbed Toronto Stadium for the games, to ensure the stadium is ready, including 17,000 additional seats, bringing total capacity to 45,000. The FIFA Fan Festival™ takes place at Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway where visitors can watch live broadcasts of matches on large screens and experience music, art, food and unforgettable vibes at this free, all-aged festival. Fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/canada/toronto

WNBA - Toronto Tempo — May 2026

The Toronto Tempo are a newly established professional women's basketball team set to begin play in the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) in the 2026 season as the league's first franchise based outside the United States. They'll compete in the Eastern Conference and play home games at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto. The team's name “Tempo” was chosen to reflect the rhythm, pace, and energy of the city and the sport. tempo.wnba.com

Casino Niagara's 30th Anniversary — December 9, 2026

Casino Niagara celebrates 30 years of providing excellence in gaming for the Niagara region. Casinoniagara.com