Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and a mosaic of cultures, landscapes, and stories. From the Huron-derived name meaning “great lake” to the modern skyline glittering over Lake Ontario, it has always been a crossroads—of trade routes, ideas, and flavors. You’ll feel that pulse in Toronto’s neighborhoods, at Niagara’s thunderous curtain of water, and along Ottawa’s grand boulevards.

Expect a mix of big-ticket sights and local favorites that stretch your dollars. Toronto’s PATH tunnels shelter downtown life in winter; Niagara’s parks and river trail offer miles of free scenery; Ottawa’s national museums often feature free or discounted evening hours. Public transit is solid, tap water is safe, and tipping 15–20% is customary. Sales tax (HST) is 13% in Ontario—factor it into your budget.

This 15-day plan groups days into easy blocks—less repacking, more exploring. You’ll start in Toronto (Days 1–6), move to Niagara Falls with a dip into Niagara-on-the-Lake (Days 7–10), and finish in the capital, Ottawa (Days 11–15). Morning transfers keep afternoons open for wandering and good eats.

Toronto

Toronto is Canada’s cultural capital: street art in Queen West, dim sum in Chinatown, indie coffee in Kensington, and lake breezes at the Harbourfront. The CN Tower anchors the skyline, while the historic Distillery District shows off red-brick Victorian industry reborn as galleries and patios. Toronto is also famously diverse—over half the residents were born outside Canada—so meals can be adventures under $15.

Budget-savvy tips: get a PRESTO transit card for 2-hour transfers, browse discounted museum evenings, and build lunch around markets. Walking is your friend—neighborhoods change every 10 minutes.

• Getting in: Fly into YYZ (Pearson) or YTZ (Billy Bishop). Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com.
• Where to stay (budget-first): Search deals on VRBO Toronto or Hotels.com Toronto. Neighborhoods with good transit and value: Chinatown/Kensington, the Annex, Cabbagetown, and Leslieville. Hostel-style picks locals mention for value include Planet Traveler and The Only Backpacker’s Inn.

Days 1–3: Downtown Core, Harbourfront, and PATH

Start with the lake. Stroll the Waterfront Trail, breathe in the marina air, and catch skyline views from HTO Park. Dip into the Distillery District for indie boutiques and public art, then wander St. Lawrence Market—home to the famed peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery and seafood rolls at Buster’s Sea Cove.

To see more for less, try these budget-friendly tours and admissions:

• Discover Toronto's Underground - PATH walking tour — Navigate the world’s largest underground shopping complex and discover hidden landmarks.

  

• City Sightseeing Toronto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour — Stretch your budget by connecting major sights in one ticket, from the CN Tower to Casa Loma.

  

• 1-Hour Toronto Harbour Tour with Live Narration — Cheap, cheerful skyline photos with fun facts from the water.

  

Eat & drink (budget-minded): Coffee at Dineen for classic tiles and espresso; Dark Horse or Fahrenheit for specialty roasts. Lunch at St. Lawrence Market (Carousel Bakery; Kozlik’s mustard sampling) or Chinatown stalwarts like King’s Noodle and Swatow. Dinner under $20: Seven Lives (Baja tacos) in Kensington, Rasta Pasta (Jamaican-Italian plates), or Ramen Isshin for a warming bowl.

Days 4–6: Museums, Neighborhoods, and the Islands

Culture day: explore Bloor Street’s “Museum Mile.” The Royal Ontario Museum blends dinosaurs with dazzling crystal architecture, and nearby the University of Toronto campus offers Gothic courtyards for free strolling.

• Royal Ontario Museum Admission — Millions of artifacts spanning natural history to design; check for discount times.

  

• Toronto Harbour and Islands Cruise — Or ferry to Centre Island for picnic lawns, beaches, and Toronto’s best skyline views.

  

Shop the indie strips: Queen West (street art, vintage), the Annex (bookstores, cheap eats), and the Distillery’s galleries. Free gems: Graffiti Alley’s murals, Allan Gardens’ Victorian greenhouse, and Harbourfront’s outdoor art.

Eat & drink: Breakfast bagels at Nu Bügel (Kensington) or a classic Canadian double-double at Tim Hortons. Lunch at Falafel World or Newcomer Kitchen pop-ups if timing works. Dinner ideas: Pai (Northern Thai; arrive early), Bar Poet (pizza-by-the-slice vibe), or Lahore Tikka House (big portions, family-style).

• Next stop: Niagara Falls (morning departure) — Train: VIA Rail Union Station to Niagara Falls, ~2 hours; often $30–$60 if booked ahead. GO Transit (train/bus combo) runs frequently and is budget-friendly. If you prefer to rent a car after your Toronto stay, compare flight options into Toronto on Trip.com or Kiwi.com for your arrival leg.

Niagara Falls (with Niagara-on-the-Lake)

Few sights rival Niagara Falls up close: sheets of water tumbling 50 meters, mist rising like steam, rainbows arching over the gorge. The parkway is a front-row promenade, and Clifton Hill adds a carnival of arcades, mini-golf, and neon at night. Just upstream, the quiet heritage town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) fills afternoons with theatre facades, 19th-century streets, and Canada’s signature icewine.

Budget tips: walk the Niagara Parkway (free!), use WEGO buses to connect attractions, and bundle admissions with passes when possible. Many attractions are dazzling from the outside—save big by choosing 2–3 paid experiences that matter most.

• Where to stay: For value steps from the action, see Days Inn by Wyndham Niagara Falls Near The Falls. Also browse Hotels.com Niagara Falls and VRBO Niagara Falls. Splurge options if you decide to treat yourself for a night: Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa or family-favorite Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls.
• Niagara-on-the-Lake (optional night): Classic inns include Prince of Wales Hotel, The Olde Angel Inn, and Pillar and Post Inn & Spa, or search broadly on Hotels.com NOTL or VRBO NOTL.

Days 7–8: The Falls, Views, and Clifton Hill

Start at Table Rock Centre for ground-zero views of Horseshoe Falls. Walk the promenade toward the American Falls, then ride up for a panorama—especially stunning near sunset.

• Skylon Tower, Niagara Falls Ontario Observation Deck Admission — Indoor/outdoor decks with the best overhead look at all three falls.

  

• Niagara: Behind The Falls, Skylon Tower Ticket & Tesla Audio Tour — A smart-value combo: feel the roar behind the curtain and add context with the audio tour.

  

• Clifton Hill Fun Pass: Top 6 Attractions — A budget bundle for classic amusements including the Niagara SkyWheel.

  

• Niagara SkyWheel Admission Ticket — Enclosed gondolas mean year-round views of the illuminated falls.

  

Eat & drink (cheap and cheerful): Breakfast at the retro Flying Saucer Restaurant (big portions, small prices). Grab slices at Zappi’s Pizza & Pasta or poutine at Smoke’s Poutinerie. Sweet tooth? Italian Ice Cream on Victoria Ave for gelato; BeaverTails near Clifton Hill for maple-topped pastries. For a pub meal, The Olde Angel Inn (in NOTL) serves hearty plates in Canada’s oldest operating pub building.

Days 9–10: Niagara-on-the-Lake & River Trail

Day trip to NOTL via bus or shuttle. Stroll Queen Street’s heritage shops, see Fort George’s earthworks, and taste regional specialties—especially icewine. Rent a bike and ride the Niagara River Recreation Trail to floral clock viewpoints, pausing for photos at whirlpool rapids.

Eat & drink: Coffee at Balzac’s in NOTL, chimney cakes at Budapest Bakeshop, and wallet-friendly sandwiches at Sandtrap Pub & Grill. Back in the Falls, look for lunch specials along Lundy’s Lane.

• Next stop: Ottawa (morning departure) — Train: Niagara Falls to Ottawa typically routes via Toronto, ~6–7 hours total; good value if booked early. Prefer a faster hop? Take morning train/bus to Toronto and fly to Ottawa (YOW) in ~1 hour; compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Ottawa

Canada’s capital marries grand institutions with easygoing parks. Parliament Hill overlooks the UNESCO-listed Rideau Canal, a summer waterway and winter skating ribbon. The ByWard Market district blends produce stands, indie boutiques, and late-night snacks—don’t leave without a classic BeaverTail.

Budget tips: many national museums feature free evening hours once a week; bikes unlock the flat river pathways; and the city’s compact core makes walking practical. Snap Gothic-revival details at the Château Laurier and the Parliament buildings—golden at sunset.

• Where to stay: Center yourself in ByWard Market or Centretown for walkability. Browse VRBO Ottawa or Hotels.com Ottawa. Wallet-friendly names locals cite include Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel (a historic lockup turned hostel), Ottawa Backpackers Inn, and Barefoot Hostel.

Days 11–12: Parliament, ByWard, and the Canal

Walk Parliament Hill’s grounds and the Ottawa Locks, then loop Major’s Hill Park for river views of the spired Library of Parliament. Cross to the National Gallery’s glass atrium and the silver Maman spider sculpture—great free photos.

• Secrets of the Château Laurier Hotel Tour — A behind-the-scenes look at Ottawa’s iconic “castle hotel” and its hidden stories.

  

• Ottawa Murder Mystery: Self-Guided City Detective Game — A low-cost, playful way to explore downtown while solving clues.

  

Eat & drink (on a budget): Breakfast at Art-Is-In Bakery (industrial-chic sourdough and pastries) or Wilf & Ada’s (diners’ favorite). Lunch around ByWard: shawarma is an Ottawa staple—Shawarma Palace is beloved. Snack on an original BeaverTail. For dinner, walk Elgin Street for pub classics, Pho Bo Ga La for steaming bowls, or Kettleman’s for late-night Montreal-style bagels.

Days 13–15: Museums, Neighborhood Wanders, and River Paths

Pick your museum day based on free or reduced evening hours: National Gallery of Canada (landmark Canadian and Indigenous art), Canadian Museum of History (across the river in Gatineau; sweeping Great Hall), and the Canadian War Museum (striking architecture and compelling galleries). Check schedules for free nights to save.

Explore Hintonburg and Westboro for indie shops, coffee (Little Victories; Happy Goat), and river-path sunsets. If you’re keen on day trips, Gatineau Park’s lookouts and short trails are accessible by bus or rideshare in warm months; in winter, it’s a snow-dusted wonderland.

Eat & drink: Coffee flights at Little Victories, maple treats at Moulin de Provence in ByWard, and doughnuts at SuzyQ. For hearty, affordable dinners: El Camino’s taco counter, The Manx (cozy pub on Elgin), or Sidedoor’s happy-hour snacks when available.

• Flying out: Depart from Ottawa (YOW) or loop back to Toronto if you snag a cheaper fare. Compare prices on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Estimated Travel Times and Costs (Budget-Oriented)

• Toronto → Niagara Falls: Morning departure. VIA Rail ~2 hours (~$30–$60+ with advance purchase). GO Transit train/bus combo is often the cheapest, ~2–2.5 hours.
• Niagara Falls → Ottawa: VIA Rail via Toronto ~6–7 hours total (plan a snack break at Union Station). Faster option: Niagara to Toronto in the morning, then a ~1-hour flight Toronto→Ottawa booked on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Money-Saving Essentials

• Transit: PRESTO card in Toronto for 2-hour transfers. WEGO in Niagara connects major sights. OC Transpo in Ottawa covers buses and the O-Train; look for day passes if you’ll ride often.
• Free & low-cost time-fillers: Waterfront and Islands in Toronto; Niagara Parkway from Table Rock to Clifton Hill; Ottawa’s Parliament grounds, Major’s Hill Park, and river pathways.
• Food strategy: Markets for lunch (St. Lawrence, ByWard). Neighborhood bakeries for breakfast. Take advantage of early-bird or weekday specials.

Fifteen days in Ontario gives you three personalities of Canada: cosmopolitan Toronto, spectacular Niagara, and stately Ottawa. With smart transit, free parks, and a few well-chosen paid highlights, you’ll keep costs low without skimping on experiences. Safe travels—and save room for poutine and a BeaverTail.