But the picturesque location is not the only reason this city is one of the happiest in the U.S. Between its rich history, focus on the arts, and modern amenities, you won’t have any trouble finding things to do in Ontario. The only hard part will be looking away from the majestic mountain scenery!

Ontario Museum of History & Art

There’s no better place to learn about the history and cultural heritage of the city than at the Ontario Museum of History & Art (OMHA). Located in the heart of Ontario’s downtown arts district, the museum itself is a piece of local history — it’s housed in the former city hall, which originally opened in 1937.

The OMHA features a variety of exhibitions, educational experiences, and events throughout the year. Past exhibitions have included “We the People: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” which shed light on the nuances of the phrase “We the People,” and “Her Side of the Story: Tales of California Pioneer Women,” which centered around a ledger featuring over 800 first-hand accounts of pioneer women who arrived in California before 1854.

As for events, the museum has something for everyone. In the past, they’ve hosted family paint nights, emerging artist meet-ups, art classes such as cyanotype printing and mosaics, and even film screenings. Check out the OMHA website to see what’s upcoming!

Planes of Fame Air Museum

History buffs and aviation enthusiasts will be completely enamored with the Planes of Fame Air Museum. The museum is just a short 20-minute drive from Ontario, at the Chino Airport, and features both static displays as well as historic aircraft that visitors can actually watch in flight!

Most of the aircraft collection is housed in seven hangars while other displays and exhibits can be found throughout the 14-acre campus. There are over 160 aircraft here, including a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, a Messerschmitt Bf 109E-7 Emil, a replica of the Wright 1903 Kitty Hawk Flyer, and one of the three experimental Douglas D-558-II Skyrockets built in 1947. If just seeing all of these aircraft just isn’t enough, you can also book a flight on a P-51D Mustang — an actual World War II aircraft!

Ontario Reign Hockey

Enjoy the thrill (and the chill) of a professional hockey match right here in Ontario! The Ontario Reign, affiliated with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Los Angeles Kings, is an American Hockey League team that has been playing at the Toyota Arena here since 2015.

While you can buy single game tickets, the Reign offers a few different membership options as well. You can buy season tickets, get a 10-ticket “flex pass,” preload a ticket bank, or purchase a monthly subscription so you can go to matches as much (or as little) as you’d like. You can also reserve group tickets and get access to unique experiences like a ride on the Zamboni.

Ontario Mills

Did you know that Ontario has the largest outlet and retail shopping mall in California? Ontario Mills, conveniently located at the intersection of the I-10 and I-15 freeways, houses more than 200 stores, including Coach Factory Store, Forever 21, Nordstrom Rack, Sephora, and Nike Factory Store.

Once you’re done shopping, you can also enjoy a bevy of restaurants and entertainment options. See a movie at AMC Dine-In Ontario Mills 30, catch your favorite comedians at the Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre, or grab a bite and play some games at Dave & Buster’s. Once you get to Ontario Mills, you may have a hard time finding a reason to leave.

Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park

Whether you’re planning a family gathering or looking to break out your fishing rod, you’ll want to visit Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park. Ontario’s 150-acre park brings a variety of outdoor recreation activities right into town.

Besides a splash pad, a swim complex with water slides, and picnic areas for groups of all sizes, the park also features two lakes for sport fishing. In fact, San Bernardino County also hosts all-ages fishing derbies at the park, complete with cash prizes. Don’t forget to bring your fishing license!

Chaffey Community Museum of Art

Besides the Ontario Museum of History & Art, the downtown arts district is also home to the Chaffey Community Museum of Art (CCMA). With a focus on the visual arts, the museum has five galleries that each have a different exhibition. You’ll find permanent displays in the Line Gallery, themed exhibitions in the Main and South Galleries, a rotating solo exhibition by a local artist in the Spotlight Gallery, and three-dimensional artworks in the Ruby & Wayne Leavitt Gallery.

The CCMA also hosts the annual Ontario Arts Festival. Visitors can view and purchase art at over 50 artist booths as well as enjoy art activities, food trucks, and a beer garden. This is a free event, so you don’t want to miss it.

Logan’s Candies

Family-owned and operated since 1933, Logan’s Candies sells over 600 different candy items, 200 of which are made by hand in the store! They make chocolates, fudges, peanut brittle, and more, but are most famous for their candy canes.

Besides stocking up on sweet treats, you can also attend a candy making demonstration in the shop. Owners Jerry and Susi Rowley will show you how they make candy canes, ribbon candy, or candy cane pillows, plus you’ll get some free samples. Even better — you will also get the chance to make your own candy cane or ribbon!

California Botanic Garden

At 86 acres, the California Botanic Garden is the largest botanic garden solely dedicated to California native plants. The myriad winding paths will take you by flowering plants such as the California poppy, wooly blue curls, and firecracker penstemon as well as palm trees, junipers, Joshua trees, centuries-old oak trees, and much more.

However, the garden is more than just a place to see local flora. You can also buy native plants at their nursery; peruse a botanical library that includes around 2,200 rare books and literature; and attend public events such as yoga classes, gardening classes, or educational garden walks. And you can feel good knowing you’re supporting a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring, informing and educating the public and the scientific community about California's native flora.

Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center

Parents can plan a day of fun and learning with their kids with a trip to the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center. The center offers a wide variety of exciting things to do. You can stroll through 9 acres of gardens that feature dinosaur sculptures, a turtle pond, and picnic areas; discover an amazing array of fossils — including a dinosaur egg exhibit — in the Museum of Discovery; or shop for succulent plants or cactuses at the Granite Hills Nursery.

While the center is open on Saturdays and Sundays to the general public, weekdays are focused on hosting school field trips and summer camps. Kids can try different education activities such as collecting rocks, minerals, and fossils; participating in a mock dinosaur dig; or panning for gold while learning about the California Gold Rush. Learning can be fun!

Potato Mountain Wilderness Trail

Located at the beginning of the Angeles National Forest, and just a 25-minute drive from Ontario, the Potato Mountain Wilderness Trail allows you to enjoy the serenity of nature without having to drive too far. This 4.3-mile out-and-back trail takes you on a moderate climb through oak forests to the Potato Mountain summit. Once there, you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of the San Gabriel Mountains further in the forest, including Mount Baldy.

When you do drive out to the trail (use this address to find the unmarked trailhead), don’t forget to bring a potato with you. Hikers have traditionally left a potato at the peak. It’s up to you if you want to decorate it first or not.

Your New Home in Ontario Awaits

Whether you want to go shopping, take in art, or carry a spud up a mountain, Ontario has things to do for everyone. And you can enjoy it all year round when you live in Brookfield Residential's New Haven or Edenglen communities. 

At New Haven, you can enjoy amenities galore, such as pools, fire pits, pickleball courts, a fitness area, and more. The New Haven Marketplace also brings retail, restaurants, and other conveniences right to your backyard. Plus, our upcoming Sundance Park will provide the community with even more frills, including a spa, a sparkling pool, and covered cabanas.

Edenglen in Ontario’s charming and established setting brings lush landscaping, community park spaces and resort-style recreation to your doorstep. The amenity-rich clubhouse at Pinheiro Park offers a swimming pool, children’s play area, game room and two half-basketball courts. There’s also a fun calendar of community events and activities – a great way to stay social in the community.

Our sales team is excited to help you find your dream home in your dream location in Ontario, California. Explore our communities and connect with our sales team when you’re ready to learn more. We'll be expecting you!