9/15/21, 12:46 PM 12 Best Places to Visit in Canada (with Map) - Touropia

12 Best Places to Visit in Canada

Last updated on September 12, 2021 in Canada

This Commonwealth country is actually the world’s second largest. Most of that land area,
however, is complete wilderness. That is certainly one of the draws of Canada: the utterly
vast expanses of nature to really and truly get lost in. Its national parks are truly massive,
offering picture-perfect vistas. Mountaineering, hiking, boating, swimming, cycling –
there’s a lot of rewards here if you’re a fan of the great outdoors. Spot grizzly bears in Banff
National Park, hit the powdered slopes of Whistler, or taste your way through some of
Vancouver’s freshest wild salmon. There’s something in Canada for everyone.

Away from the stunning nature of Canada – also including the Great Lakes Region – you
can explore its culture and history. Get stuck into the Francophone region of Quebec, the
sparkling skyscrapers and East Asian culture pockets in Vancouver, Toronto’s elegant
Victorian architecture, and Canada’s ‘château style’ grand railway hotels and neo-gothic
public buildings in Ottawa. Plan your trip to this wonderful travel destination in North
America with our list of the best places to visit in Canada.:

12. Calgary

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dreamstime/© Jeff Whyte

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.

 
Most Amazing Ancient Ruins of the World

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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. There are also 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 and dance, the most
famous is the Calgary Stampede, an Old West celebration held over ten days in July with
rodeos, chuckwagon races, parades and competitions.

11. Churchill

It may only be a small town of 1,000 residents, but Churchill draws huge crowds every year
to see its most famous inhabitants, the polar bears. Nicknamed the “Polar Bear Capital of
the World,” Churchill is located in the Manitoba province on the Hudson Bay shore. In

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addition to polar bears, Churchill is also the place to go for viewing beluga whales, birds
and the aurora borealis.

The best time to see polar bears in Churchill is October and November when the bears
migrate to the shores, hunting for marine food. The tourism industry here provides tours
and vehicles called tundra buggies for the safety of both tourists and the bears.

In the summer months, tour operations take people out on the water to see the beluga
whales, which migrate here by the thousands. Some tourists even don swimsuits and
swim with the whales. With more than 270 species of birds, Churchill is also a
birdwatcher’s paradise. Thousands of birders visit the area every summer to glimpse
species like snowy owls, gyrfalcons, stilt sandpipers and tundra swans.

Churchill also presents an excellent spot to see the aurora borealis, or northern lights.
Normally, the peak time to see this natural marvel is between January and March. The
primary ways of reaching Churchill are by airplane and train. Train connections are from
Winnipeg and Thompson.

10. Cape Breton Island

dreamstime/© Paul Mckinnon

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While it’s located in north-eastern Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island was once its own
independent colony until it was forced to merge in 1820. As it welcomed thousands of
Scottish expats in the early 19th-century, it remains the only place in North America where
you’ll hear Gaelic spoken, with a host of traditional Scottish music concerts on offer.

In addition to the Scots, Cape Breton also has a healthy French population, with the 18th-
century Fortress of Louisbourg a major highlight. A fascinating Mi’kmaq community adds
to the pleasant mixture of cultural influences.

Whale watching here is unforgettable. Sightings are just about guaranteed at the northern
tip (the top of the island), which you can reach with a boat or kayak tour – the scenery
alone makes it worth the trip. Among its spectacular landscapes, the highlight is
undoubtedly Cape Breton Highlands National Park with its phenomenal Cabot Trail and
gorgeous lookout points. Don’t forget the scenic fishing villages such as Bay St. Lawrence,
where you’ll find some excellent seafood.

9. Ottawa

flickr/archer10 (Dennis)

Located at the meeting point of three rivers, Ottawa is Canada’s capital city, home to the
sixth-largest population in the country – and growing. Unusually, the city is bilingual. Don’t

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be surprised to hear people speaking a mix of English and French; both are first languages
here.

Previously known as Bytown, Ottawa was once a lumber town, with many mills built along
the Ottawa River in the middle of the 19th century. Today, it’s a beautiful green city filled
with blissful parks and waterways. Biking is popular in the summer months, and these
trails are converted to ski trails come winter. Running right through the heart of the city,
the Rideau Canal is a must visit. In winter the canal becomes the world’s largest ice skating
ring.

One of the main things to do is visit the Byward Market. But if you’re interested in history,
you’re in for a treat. While it may not be Canada’s official cultural capital, Ottawa is home
to some spectacular historic buildings, such as the National Library and Archives – the
fourth largest library in the world. As the nation’s capital, Ottawa is home to many federal
establishments including Parliament Hill, the government seat where the ceremonial
Changing of the Guard takes place daily during the summer.

8. Whistler

flickr/couloir

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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 in western Canada, Whistler is a two-hour trip
from Vancouver along Canada’s most scenic drive, the Sea-to-Sky Highway. At the base of
the two mountains are three quaint villages, Whistler Village, Creekside and Upper Village.
The Peak 2 Peak gondola transports visitors from the villages to the mountains.

Whistler had humble beginnings as a logging town. After the 1960 Olympics in Squaw
Valley, a ski resort was built on London Mountain as a potential destination for the 1968
Winter Olympics. However, this wasn’t achieved until the 2010 Winter Olympics. In an
attempt to steer away from its misleading name, London Mountain was renamed Whistler
Mountain because of the whistle-like sound made by the native hoary marmots living in
the mountains here.

Today, Whistler has many world-class ski resorts and offers extraordinary views from its
mountain slopes that bring adventurers back year after year. Aside from snow sports, the
mountains also make for great hiking and rock climbing opportunities.

7. Vancouver Island

flickr/backpackphotography

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Vancouver Island, named after the British explorer George Vancouver, is the largest island
off the West Coast of the North American continent. Surrounded by the waters of the
Pacific, it’s a truly photogenic island filled with glistening lakes, impressive waterfalls,
magical fjords, and glacial mountains that are popularly explored by hikers. Outdoorsy
travelers are attracted by the weather; it has the mildest climate in Canada.

The island is best known for 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. Vancouver Island is also a wildlife hotspot. Not only does it offer some
of the best whale watching in the world – you can even kayak with orca – but it’s also a
great spot for bird watching and grizzly bear sightings. As the island is sparsely populated,
with most of the population living in Victoria – the capital of BC – you can really soak up
the magic of the outdoors.

One of the best places for a walk in nature is in Strathcona Provincial Park, where you’ll
find most of the spectacular scenery on the island. Visit Cathedral Grove with its ancient
forest, or tee off on one of the many fantastic golf courses.

6. Quebec City

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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.

5. Toronto

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flickr/Scarleth White

The sprawling city of Toronto is the most densely populated city in Canada, with nearly
three million residents. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto forms part of the
Golden Horseshoe region, which encompasses the area from the lake to Niagara Falls.

As the provincial capital of the Ontario province, Toronto is also one of the most
multicultural cities in the world, with just shy of 100 ethnic communities calling it home.
It’s one of the only places in Canada where more than half of the residents were not born
in the country. But it’s this melting pot that makes Toronto what it is. Some of the street
signs are written in different languages, and diverse neighborhoods have their own
distinctive cuisine.

There’s so much culture to be found in the inner city proper amongst its towering
skyscrapers and thousands of multi-cultural restaurants. One of the most popular
attractions on the tourist trail is the CN Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the
world (until it was trumped by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai). It offers an extraordinary
uninterrupted view of the city from its observation deck, skypod, and the 360 Restaurant.
But it’s worth it for a ride up in the glass-enclosed elevator alone!

See also: Top Tourist Attractions in Toronto

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4. Montreal

flickr/Trodel

Montreal is the second-largest city in the Quebec province, located where the St Lawrence
and Ottawa Rivers meet. Montreal is Canada’s capital of culture. It’s also one of the most
diverse, energetic, welcoming, and forward-thinking cities in North America, with modern
street art, an energetic breed of musicians, and a great party scene in its newer parts.

While English is spoken, it’s not the most common language; it’s actually the second-
largest city in the world to speak French as a first language outside of France. So it’s easy to
see why it’s earned its nickname as the ‘Paris of North America.’

Montreal’s cityscape is a pleasure to visit all year round. It’s especially beautiful in autumn
when the trees turn burnt orange around the iconic cityscape. Old Montreal is the highlight
with its cobbled streets, quaint museums, and historical buildings, some of which date
back to the 17th-century. Don’t miss the chance to climb up the clock tower in the Quai de
l’Horloge for some exceptional views over the St. Laurence River and the city in the
distance.

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

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3. Niagara 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.

Its sister city in New York is known as the ‘honeymoon capital of the world,’ and one of the
only places where you can get a marriage license without a waiting period. Those looking
for both romance and adventure will find it here, with a long list of exciting things to see
and do.

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. See them from above or below – it’s your choice – with helicopter tours, jet boat
tours, an observation deck next to Skylon Tower, and elevators that take you down behind
the falls.

2. Vancouver
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flickr/3dpete

The massive city of Vancouver is one of the largest in Canada. Located in south-western
British Columbia, it’s a famous foodie hotspot – especially for seafood, like its celebrated
freshly caught prawns and wild salmon. Because of its melting pot of cultures, you’ll find
no shortage of mixed cuisine here, making dining out one of the city’s simple, but by no
means underrated, pleasures.

Vancouver’s star attraction is Stanley Park. Covering 1,000 acres of woodlands, gardens
and green spaces, this park features an aquarium, water park and the picturesque Seawall.
Some of Vancouver’s other top sites include Granville Island’s remarkable food market,
Chinatown’s vibrant array of shops, restaurants and stunning gardens, and Canada Place’s
waterfront complex housing the Vancouver Convention Center.

Nicknamed the ‘Hollywood of the North’ because of its huge TV and film industry,
Vancouver is also home to the fourth-largest cruise ship terminal in the world. As many as
900,000 passengers pass through the terminal every year, with many cruises making their
way onwards to Alaska.

With both beaches and ski slopes within easy reach, Vancouver has been rated as one of
the world’s best cities to live in. Home to happy, tanned, and active people who spend
their days rollerblading, jogging, and dog walking along in the Seawall or playing a game
of volleyball on Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver is a big destination for outdoorsy activities.
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Don’t leave without the chance to take a dip in Canada’s longest pool – it’s almost three
times the size of a normal Olympic swimming pool!

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Vancouver

See also: Top Tourist Attractions in Vancouver

1. Banff National Park

flickr/satoru_kikuchi

Tucked away in the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park is the oldest national park in
Canada, and also one of its largest. Because of its sheer size and remote location, many
people are drawn to this untouched piece of the globe for the isolation alone – outside of
Banff and Lake Louise – the park’s two points of civilization – that is.

There are two popular routes through the park, but it doesn’t matter too much which you
choose. Both are filled with jaw-dropping scenery, from glistening multi-colored lakes and
dramatic canyons to beautiful viewpoints and majestic waterfalls. Whether you have your
own car is not important, as shuttles service most of the key attractions in the park.

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Active travelers will be in their element here with the chance to snowshoe or paddle the
lake, while wildlife watchers will have an adventure all of their own. Banff National Park is
filled with animals – the most eagerly anticipated sighting being, of course, the grizzly
bear.

The town of Banff is the park’s primary settlement, offering the most variety of lodging,
shopping and dining. 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.

See also: Banff Attractions

Map of Canada

© OpenStreetMap contributors © MapTiler © Touropia

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