Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Canada

Awe-inspiring scenery, vibrant cities and a welcoming atmosphere all make Canada a popular tourist destination. As the largest country in North America, Canada is a vast land encompassing majestic mountains, spectacular coastlines, virgin forests, spacious prairies and Arctic tundra. While much of the nation is of British and French descent, Canada is home to a mosaic of multicultural communities. An overview of the best places to visit in Canada:
1Vancouver

Situated between the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean in British Columbia, Vancouver is favored for its majestic landscapes that present a natural playground where tourists can swim in the ocean, rollerblade through scenic parks and snow ski in the mountains all in one day. The third largest metropolitan area in the country, Vancouver is one of the most poplar places to visit in Canada. Vancouver’s star attraction is Stanley Park which covers a huge area of woodlands, gardens and green spaces. Some of the city’s other top sites include Granville Island’s remarkable food market and Chinatown’s vibrant array of shops.See also: Where to Stay in Vancouver

2Banff National Park

Located in the province of Alberta, the Banff National Park is not only Canada’s first national park, but also one of the nation’s largest and most visited national parks. Covering miles of forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, glaciers and a few small towns, Banff National Park remains more than 93 percent untouched. The park’s breathtaking scenery and wildlife draw many tourists every year along the Trans-Canada Highway, which passes through the park.

Banff National Parks large concentration of wildlife includes mammals like black bears, grizzly bears, bison, moose, bighorn sheep, wolves and cougars in addition to 280 species of birds like bald eagles, Canada geese, red-tail hawks and osprey.

The town of Banff is the park’s primary settlement, offering the most variety of lodging, shopping and dining. There are a number of pubs and restaurants here specializing in local game and produce. Accessed by the Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise offers luxurious accommodation in a gorgeous setting of turquoise lakes and majestic mountains. Lake Minnewanka and Sunshine Meadows are other smaller villages.

Other attractions include historic sites, museums, waterfalls, hot springs and the three alpine skiing mountains of Lake Louise, Sunshine and Mount Norquay.

Summer activities include golf, hiking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, whitewater rafting, ATV adventures and horse riding while winter fun involves ice fishing, ice skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Visitors can get around Banff National Park by driving or a year-round bus service that connects Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise.See also: Where to Stay in Banff National Park

3Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a series of three awe-inspiring waterfalls situated on the border of Canada’s Ontario and the United States’ New York. The Ontario side of the Falls is called Horseshoe Falls and offers the best views and most attractions. The immediate area surrounding the Falls is a premier tourist spot teeming in observation towers, restaurants, souvenir shops, casinos and high-rise hotels. One of the best places to view the Niagara Falls on the Ontario side is from Queen Victoria Park where the Falls are illuminated and fireworks are displayed nightly during the summer.

4Montreal

The second largest city in Canada after Toronto, Montreal is the cultural and financial capital of the Quebec province. Boasting the largest French-speaking community outside of Paris, France, Montreal is a bustling metropolis comprised of a downtown district, a historic quarter, entertainment district and several distinctive neighborhoods.

Montreal’s main sights include downtown skyscrapers like the Olympic Tower, the historic buildings of Old Montreal and family attractions like theme parks, zoos, hands-on science centers and water parks.

Montreal is interspersed with many scenic parks and gardens like the impressive Montreal Botanical Garden and the city’s most popular park, Mount Royal Park, which offers year-round outdoor recreation.

As a leading culture capital, Montreal is home to an abundance of museums, art galleries, theaters, concert halls and performing arts centers. The city is also host to a number of annual festivals celebrating comedy, beer, music, film and heritage.

Regarded as one of North America’s best culinary cities, Montreal offers a wide variety of restaurants and food choices including the local specialty, poutine, a dish of French fries topped with gravy and cheese.

Exciting shopping districts include the downtown underground complex, the Carrefour Laval mall and the colorful Bonsecours Market.

Sports are important in Montreal with several stadiums and professional teams including ice hockey, football and soccer in addition to a racing circuit that hosts annual NASCAR and Formula 1 Grand Prix races.See also: Where to Stay in Montreal

5Toronto

The capital of Ontario, Toronto is the most populated city in Canada as well as one of the largest cities in North America. With a large number of ethnic districts like Chinatown, Little India and Little Italy, Toronto is also one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities.

The city’s main tourist draws range from impressive landmarks such as the iconic CN Tower and the fairy tale castle of Casa Loma to family attractions like Canada’s Wonderland theme park and one of the world’s largest zoos. Additionally, the Toronto Islands are a popular destination with beaches and outdoor activities.

Home to some of Canada’s most prominent museums, art galleries, theaters and performing arts venues, Toronto is one of the nation’s leading cultural centers. The city is also host to globally celebrated events like the Toronto International Film Festival and the Canadian National Exhibition.

Toronto’s nightlife scene is among North America’s best with a wide spectrum of choices from corner pubs to sports bars, flashy nightclubs and comedy shows.

Boasting the world’s largest underground shopping complex, North America’s largest Asian mall and Canada’s largest farmer’s market, Toronto’s shopping experiences are exceptional.

Sports are popular in Toronto with several major league teams of hockey, baseball, lacrosse and football playing at Air Canada Center and Rogers Center.See also: Where to Stay in Toronto

6Quebec City

Quebec City may be the capital of the Quebec province in eastern Canada, but its French heritage, architecture and language make it appear more like a charming European village.

Perched on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence River is Vieux Quebec, the city’s historic district, which is the only North American city still retaining its original walls. A walk along the cobblestone streets of the Old City offers encounters with old buildings like the Citadel and historic sites like the Place-Royale, the area where explorer, Samuel de Camplain, established the first North American-French settlement. Cafes, shops and bars are peppered throughout the Old City.

The city’s icon, the stunning Chateau Frontenac, is regarded as the most photographed hotel in North America and offers tours even without an overnight stay. Another impressive hotel is the Ice Hotel. Open from January to April, this unique hotel features rooms with beautiful ice sculptures.

Outside the city center are several beautiful and historic parks like Montgomery Falls and Plains of Abraham, which offer breathtaking waterfalls, outdoor recreation and history of the area.

Quebec City is home to a number of notable art galleries and museums such as the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Civilization. The city’s history, culture, traditions, music and food can all be experienced during annual festivals like the Saint-Jean Baptiste Celebration and Winter Carnival.

A funicular gets people around the historic quarter while buses and express shuttles offer public transportation throughout Quebec City.See also: Where to Stay in Quebec City

7Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island, named after the British explorer George Vancouver, is the largest island off the West Coast of the North American continent. Located across from Washington State, it is accessible by ferry through the San Juan Islands from Anacortes, from Port Angeles on the state’s Olympic Peninsula, or from Vancouver on mainland British Columbia. It’s famous for the quaint city of Victoria, the gorgeous Butchart Gardens, the surf town of Tofino and the wilderness in the north, where one can catch a ferry to Prince Rupert, and another to Alaska from there.See also: Where to Stay in Vancouver Island

8Whistler

Thanks to a couple of spectacular mountains called Whistler and Blackcomb, the Whistler resort is the largest and most famous alpine ski destination in North America. Located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Whistler is a two-hour trip from Vancouver along Canada’s most scenic drive, the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Prized for its exceptional beauty and premier winter sports, Whistler also offers year-round activities and charming villages brimming in tourist attractions.

More than two million people visit Whistler every year, primarily for alpine skiing. A variety of terrain, a vertical drop of 5,000 feet, 37 ski lifts and 200 runs make this resort popular. Whistler Mountain ski season lasts from the end of November to April while Blackcomb Mountain often stays open until June. In addition to skiing, other winter activities are available such as snowmobiling, snowboarding and dog sledding.

At the base of the two mountains are three quaint villages, Whistler Village, Creekside and Upper Village, which offer outstanding restaurants, bars, shops, hotels and stunning villas. The Peak 2 Peak gondola transports visitors from the villages to the mountains.

Whistler is not just about skiing. Other attractions include championship golf courses, a children’s play zone, a mountain bike park, brewery, luxurious spa, museum and cultural center. Nearby lakes and gorgeous landscapes provide summer activities like camping, swimming, canoeing, fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain climbing and wildlife viewing.

See also: Where to Stay in Whistler

9Ottawa

Located at the confluence of the Ottawa, Gatineau and Rideau rivers in southeastern Ontario, Ottawa is the capital of Canada. After several surrounding communities were consolidated together with Ottawa in 2001, the capital city has since prospered as one of North America’s fastest growing cities.

As the nation’s capital, Ottawa is home to many financial, commercial and federal establishments including Parliament Hill, the government seat where the ceremonial Changing of the Guard takes place daily during the summer.

Ottawa’s star attraction is the Rideau Canal. Running right through the heart of the city, this wide canal becomes the world’s largest ice skating rink in the winter. Other places of interest are the Royal Canadian Mounted Police training center, the Museum of Civilizations and the National Gallery of Canada.

Distinguished museums, art galleries, theaters and concert halls all compose a rich arts and culture scene. More than 60 annual festivals are hosted in Ottawa, including Canada Day and Winterlude.

Ottawa is a green city with many beautiful green spaces, parks, cycling paths and cross-country skiing trails. Additionally, the nearby rivers and lakes all offer a variety of outdoor recreation.

The city is home to a large number of immigrants representing cultures from around the world, so tourists will find a wide range of restaurants offering a variety of food from the traditional Beaver’s Tail pastry to international cuisine. Shopping choices include several malls, plazas and the popular ByWard Market. Additionally, there are plenty of pubs and clubs for nightlife entertainment.

See also: Where to Stay in Ottawa

10Calgary

The largest city in Alberta, Calgary is situated between the Canadian Prairies and the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. After oil was discovered nearby in the early 1900s, Calgary boomed into what is now one of Canada’s largest metropolitan areas, attracting thousands every year to its world-famous rodeo event, the Calgary Stampede.

While Calgary is comprised of several neighborhoods, the downtown core is where the commercial, entertainment and shopping districts are located. Stephen Avenue Walk and Barclay Mall are two popular pedestrian zones.

Calgary is home to a large number of skyscrapers with observation decks offering incredible views of the city and Rocky Mountains. The most notable of these are The Bow and Calgary Tower.

Calgary offers many family attractions including a world-class zoo, amusement parks, botanical gardens, a hands-on science center.

While the city plays host to several annual festivals of music, film, heritage and dance, the most famous is the Calgary Stampede, an Old West celebration held over ten days in July with rodeos, chuckwagon races, parades, competitions, crafts and food.

The nightlife scene in Calgary rocks with a wide variety of pubs, bars and clubs. The Beltline and 17th Avenue are the city’s most popular entertainment districts.See also: Where to Stay in Calgary