The Best Places
to Visit in Canada

From the dramatic sea cliffs of Newfoundland and Labrador on the east coast, the charming alleyways of Montreal, to the snow-capped mountains of British Columbia, Canada has no shortage of unique destinations. The country hosts an incredible array of landscapes no matter where you travel. Here’s a look at our top ten favorite places to visit across the country.

Vancouver enjoys a relatively mild climate year-round, and rainy winters turn into gorgeous mild summers with a multitude of clear, sunny days. Colloquially referred to as “Gastown,” the city is known for being an active arts and music hub in British Columbia and boasts an impressive list of concerts and events each year. If you’re feeling adventurous, leave time to trek across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, perched a whopping 230 feet above the Capilano River. 

In 2017 Montreal was named the best city in the world to study abroad; there are 11 universities within the city and the highest number of university students per capita in North America. Montreal hosts many world-renowned art and music festivals throughout the year, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Montreal World Film Festival. Other must-see sites in the city include the Montreal Botanical Gardens, Old Montreal, the Jean-Talon Market, the Montreal Bio-dome, and the Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal.

For a taste of Toronto's local food scene, head to Kensington Market, undoubtedly the most diverse of all the city’s neighborhoods, where the idea of fusion food is taken to all new heights. Or explore the Queen West neighbourhood’s impressive collection of art galleries and design studios.

Explore Ottawa's vibrant food scene in its neighborhood food markets. Discover local produce and dishes, and introduce yourself to the area's friendly chefs and food artisans at Byward Market. 

Or, experience culture with an authentic Pow-wow dance performance with music by First Nations members at the Museum of History. Take a fascinating interactive beading workshop to learn about the Storyboot Project, a partnership between Manitoba Mukluks and our TreadRight Foundation—a fun and feel-good way to support the revival of these traditional arts.

If you have the chance, take the time to venture out on a whale-watching expedition in the waters off Victoria. While it can’t be guaranteed in advance which of the abundant marine wildlife you’ll see on your journey, chances are you’ll spot magnificent bald eagles, porpoises, or seals. Spring and summer are the best times of the year to see a number of different species of whales including Bigg’s killer whales (orca), humpback whales, South Resident orca, Minke, and gray whales.

In the summer, the falls are illuminated in the evening hours, and boat tours go to the base of the falls during the day. “The Maid of the Mist,” the oldest and best-known boat, has been taking tourists into the spray since 1846. Viewing Niagara Falls from the Canadian side offers guests a unique perspective, as tunnels give the illusion of walking through the water. Above the falls are the manicured gardens of Queen Victoria Park and Skylon Tower. Visitors can see Toronto from the tower’s observation deck on clear days.

Maligne Canyon is a breathtaking place to see waterfalls rushing out of limestone walls. The canyon measures more than 150 feet in depth in some places and follows the Maligne River. Embark on a leisurely walk admiring the sheer limestone cliffs of Maligne Canyon. Or indulge in a delicious meal surrounded by a ring of mountains at the Lake Maligne Chalet, a rustic log building situated on a rise of land offering magnificent views of beautiful Maligne Lake.

Athabasca Glacier, Jasper National Park, Alberta

One of the six toes of the Columbia Icefield, this glacier is a rapidly disappearing part of the Canadian Rockies ice. The icefield stretches across the Continental Divide between British Columbia and Alberta. Athabasca Glacier is about three and a half miles long and ranges from 300 to 900 feet thick; it covers an area of roughly 2.3 square miles. It is one of the most accessible parts of the icefield and the most-visited glacier in North America. Take a guided tour to hike out onto the ice, enjoy a breath-taking walk out on the glass “Glacier Skywalk,” and look down at the glacier from 800 feet above.

Whistler has an average annual snowfall of 40 feet and runs for all experience levels, so every skier can enjoy the mountain resort. Still, the pristine slopes of Blackcomb Mountain attract thrill-seekers year-round. In addition to skiing, you’ll find opportunities to ice skate and snow tube, plus the chance to try dog sledding and zip lining! Make sure you ride the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola, too; it crosses the three miles between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and offers incredible views year-round.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Learn the art of living the good life and you brace yourself for crisp sea breezes and hearty Nova Scotian hospitality in Halifax. Make sure to pay a visit to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. From small craft boatbuilding to World War Convoys, the Days of Sail to the Age of Steam, the Titanic to the Halifax Explosion, you’ll discover the stories, events, and people that have come to define Nova Scotia and its relationship with the sea. Go on an exploration of Halifax's sights including the Citadel National Historic Site, built in the mid-18th century to defend the town from various enemies.

Traverse The Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia

Enjoy the dramatic coastal views and highland scenery, offering an endless source of artistic inspiration as you wind through Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Unspoiled natural beauty and sweeping coastal vistas provide a mesmerizing backdrop for driving along the Cabot Trail. Keep an eye out for moose and bald eagles as you travel in search of whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia

It may be the little, but this maritime province wants for nothing when it comes to picturesque views, quaint towns, and gastronomic perfection. With fewer than 150 000 permanent residents and no actual land boundary, the island is Canada’s smallest province in both landmass and population. Conversely, however, it is the country’s most densely populated province.

Shediac Bay & Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia

Travel to New Brunswick, crossing the Northumberland Strait via the engineering feat that is Confederation Bridge. Head to the waters of Shediac Bay to celebrate all things lobster. Get a closer look at Acadian culture while diving into the lobster industry, learning about old fishing techniques that helped shape the region's way of life. Make sure to savor a delicious lunch of lobster served local style before you journey south to the Bay of Fundy in search of the world’s highest tides.

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Known for its Celtic cultural roots and excellent wildlife view opportunities, Cape Breton is a larger island in Nova Scotia lying just off the mainland. Bras d’Or dominates much of the island's interior, one of the world's largest saltwater lakes.