14 Best Tourist Attractions Destination in Canada - Canada Travel Guide
Traveling across Canada offers various opportunities
for visitors to enjoy culture, nature, adventure, sightseeing, and all sorts of
activities. As tourists travel through the country, they will find incredibly
diverse landscapes, a mix of cultural influences, unique towns, and interesting
sights.
Western Canada is well known for the beautiful Rocky
Mountains scenery, with cities such as Vancouver and Calgary. Vancouver Island
off the West Coast is home to Victoria's capital of British Columbia, along
with ancient growing forests, beaches and rough coastal scenery. Banff National
Park and Jasper National Park are two of the most famous tourist attractions in
the country, inland and set in the mountains. Postcards and a highlight for
visitors are their turquoise colored lakes, surrounded by peaks.
The prairies are home to Central Canada, and forests
and lakes, including the Great Lakes, are further east. Toronto, Canada's
largest city, and nearby Ottawa's capital, is at the heart of the country.
Toronto is a vibrant city with a large entertainment district where visitors
can find musicals, concerts and shows of all kinds. It also houses many museums
and sights that are internationally recognized, including the Royal Ontario
Museums and the CN Tower. Niagara Falls, one of the most visited tourist
attractions in North America, is an easy day trip from Toronto. Visitors will
find most national museums in Ottawa. Some of the main places of interest are
the National Gallery of Canada, the Parliament Buildings, and the Rideau Canal.
The French-speaking province of Quebec heads further
east. Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in Canada, with a beautiful
section of history that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The grand old Château
Frontenac and the historic Citadel are some of the highlights. Montreal City is
another popular stop on the itineraries of travelers. It also has a famous Old
Montreal town, where historic buildings have been transformed into restaurants
and tourist shops. One of the most impressive attractions is the basilica of
Notre-Dame. Most of the charm comes from walking around the old quarters,
soaking up the atmosphere in both of these cities.
Eastern Canada is less well known internationally,
commonly known as Atlantic Canada, but known across Canada for its friendly
people and maritime lifestyle. Newfoundland's island province is separated from
mainland Canada. Visitors will find remote villages for fishing, beautiful
natural scenery, and a slower pace.
Canada's cities and towns offer a variety of
experiences to travelers, from chic, cosmopolitan centers to mountain resorts
and maritime towns. Toronto, Canada's largest city and the highlight of
Canada's arts and cultural scene are at the heart of the country. Nearby,
Montreal is known for fashion, culture, and history in Quebec's French-speaking
province. In the West, two very different perspectives on West Coast cities are
offered by Vancouver and Victoria, but each has something unique to offer. Whistler
and Banff mountain towns are places where you can immerse yourself in beautiful
mountain scenery and enjoy the great outdoors. With a rich maritime heritage
and friendly people, Eastern Canada has a culture all of its own. The iconic
Niagara Falls is a must-see attraction that never disappoints visitors to
Canada, and a number of other popular cities and lesser-known gems to explore
are scattered across the country.
01. Vancouver
You can't go wrong with planning a trip to Vancouver
for beauty, climate, fun atmosphere, and plenty of things to do. Set on the
Pacific Ocean shores and backed by snow-capped mountains, this is an active
city where locals enjoy year-round outdoor activities. In summer, sunbathers
can relax on the beaches, and in winter, skiers can hit nearby slopes. You can
walk or stroll through the towering trees in Stanley Park at any time of the
year, enjoy fine dining or a casual meal while watching the sunset, or enjoy
fabulous shopping from the Granville Island markets to the city center high-end
shops. If you are spending more than a couple of days in the city and looking
for some interesting outings, take a day trip from Vancouver to some of the
nearby hotspots such as Whistler, Victoria, or some of the small towns in the
mountains or Fraser Valley.
02. Niagara Falls
Canada's most famous natural attraction, since its
discovery, the majestic Niagara Falls has been drawing sightseers. Amazing
sight is the great water wall pounding over the falls, and the view and access
given to visitors is amazing. You can walk up to the edge of the falls
literally, separated only by a cast iron railing, and see the water
disappearing over the crest. The city that developed here, also called Niagara
Falls, was greatly influenced by the people and created the atmosphere of the
falls. Over the decades, stuntmen and daredevils have tempted their fate on the
falls, and as a result, this unique city has been defined by a carnival-style
atmosphere. Niagara Falls is easily reachable just a short drive from Toronto,
and the city is a fun place to spend a day or two.
03. Toronto
As Canada's largest city, Toronto, with ballet,
opera, symphony, and Broadway shows, is the cultural hot spot of the country.
Add extraordinary shopping, fine dining, and fantastic museums, and the
entertainment is endless. Toronto's waterfront has been undergoing ongoing
development in recent years and now boasts beautiful walking areas,
restaurants, and outdoor concerts and cultural performances in summer. There
are beautiful beaches just outside the city centre, in either direction from
the city, perfect on hot summer days. A public skating rink springs to life
outside the city hall in winter, adding to the fun unique winter events,
including the popular Winterlicious.
04. Montreal
Montreal is a unique city with a lovely old historic
district dating back to the 1600s and a modern city center with extensive
underground shopping facilities. Old Montreal is the main tourist hub
throughout the year, with paved streets, fantastic old buildings and
horse-drawn carriage rides. Montreal also houses a large number of fashion
designers, and high-end boutiques, along with quaint hotels and restaurants,
line the historic streets. Located in Quebec's French-speaking province,
Montreal has its own cultural identity, but visitors who speak English will
have no trouble communicating with anyone in the tourism industry.
05. Banff
The charming mountain town of Banff, in the stunning
Banff National Park, is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore
the Rocky Mountains and see some of the most beautiful scenery in Canada. This
is undoubtedly a tourist town that serves international travelers from all over
the world. Two of Canada's most prominent ski resorts are just a short distance
from the city: Lake Louise and Sunshine Village. In summer, a glorious sight is
the nearby turquoise lakes and glacier-capped mountains. But you don't even
have to leave the city to enjoy a gondola ride to the top of a mountain for
dinner, soak in a hot springs-fed swimming pool, find fabulous shopping,
discover beautiful walking trails, and maybe see elk and woodland caribou that
often make their way into the city.
06. St. John's
The historic and friendly St. John's city is located
in the far eastern province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. This is
Newfoundland's main gateway for air travelers, but many people just come to
enjoy the city. Colorful buildings line sloping streets running along hills
overlooking the harbor. There are also numerous historical sites and
attractions in the city, including Signal Hill, but the real appeal is the
vibrant atmosphere, people, and maritime culture that makes this city so unique
from mainland Canada.
07. Ottawa
As the capital of Canada, Ottawa is home to some
exceptional national museums and historical sites, as well as Parliament Hill,
and enjoys a beautiful setting along the Rideau Canal. It is also a small town,
making navigation easy and enjoyable to explore. Summer is a great time to
visit, with a host of events taking place throughout the season, including the
spring Tulip Festival and the ever-lavish July 1st Canada Day Celebrations. The
canal transforms into a 7.8-kilometer-long skating rink in winter, when the
weather is cold enough, and the annual Winterlude celebrations attract huge
crowds in February. There is no bad time to visit Ottawa, and it is only a few
hours by car or train from Toronto.
08. Victoria
The beautiful capital of British Columbia has a
quaint, small-town atmosphere, perhaps because of its location on the island.
Set on Vancouver Island's southern tip, the city has a mild year-round climate
with mild wet winters and warm, glorious summers. Overlooking the harbor, south
over the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Washington State, or across the mountains on
the mainland of British Columbia, views are stunning in every direction. Most
of the tourist activity is centered around the Inner Harbor of Victoria, where the
Parliament Buildings and the historic Empress Hotel are located. A sunny day
walk along the waterfront is beautiful. Just outside the city center are
beaches and lovely coastal areas, as well as parks and hiking areas.
09. Halifax
Halifax is a great city for anyone seeking an
introduction to the maritime provinces of Canada. The Halifax waterfront is the
city's main tourist hub, with a few historic buildings and plenty of activity,
especially during the summer months. The Halifax Citadel National Historic
Site, one of the main attractions of the city, overlooks the city. There are
several small coastal villages outside the city that offer a good glimpse of
Maritimes life. Peggy's Cove, home to the most photographed lighthouse in the
Maritimes, is one of the most famous villages. A little further afield are
Lunenburg and Mahone Bay, also well worth a visit. Taking a day trip from
Halifax is highly recommended.
10. Québec City
Québec City, like Montreal, is charged with history
and is located in Québec's French-speaking province. This is the provincial
capital and a town with an early 1600s history. The old buildings and curving
paved streets make this one of the most charming capital cities in Canada.
Québec City is also relatively small and easy to navigate, one-third the size
of Montreal. While summer is the busy season, Carnaval de Québec, the famous
winter carnival, attracts huge crowds and is the most popular event in the
city.
11. Whitehorse
A visit to Whitehorse provides an opportunity to see
life in the far north of Canada. This is the Yukon's capital and a gateway to
further north areas, including Alaska and the beautiful Nahanni National Park.
The history of the city dates back to the gold-rush of Klondike, when
prospectors made their way to Dawson City on their way through here. Many of
the city's attractions offer insight into the gold-rush days, and some
beautiful natural areas are to be explored beyond the city limits. If you're
lucky, a display of northern lights will bring the night sky to life.
12. Whistler
Whistler has long been known as a world-class ski
destination and has been the site of many of the skiing events that took place
during Vancouver's 2010 Winter Olympics. Whistler is an equally impressive and
popular summer destination despite this reputation, offering hiking, biking,
golfing and many other activities. Over the years, the village has grown and is
now a vibrant, high-end resort town with hotels, restaurants and shops of all
kinds. The ski hills of Whistler-Blackcomb are known for their amazing terrain
and bring skiers from all over the world. The Peak-2-Peak Gondola, which joins
the two hills, is an 11-minute, 4.4-kilometer-long ride, with spectacular
views, and is open to skiers or non-skiers year-round.
13. Charlottetown
and Prince Edward Island
If you're visiting Charlottetown, you might take the
time to explore Prince Edward Island's entire province as well. PEI is a summer
playground with lovely beaches and interesting historical sites, including Anne
of Green Gables ' fictional home in PEI National Park. Charlottetown is the
capital and main town, but it has an almost small-town atmosphere, with
numerous heritage buildings in the Victorian style. PEI is small enough that
even on a short vacation you can see the entire island. During the summer
months, many visitors, especially families, rent beach houses or cottages on
PEI.
14. Kelowna
The lovely city of Kelowna is located inside British
Columbia. This city is Canadians ' favorite spot, but less internationally
known. Picturesquely set on Lake Okanagan's shore and surrounded by rolling
mountains, Kelowna attracts tourists during the summer months when walking,
golfing, or enjoying the lake is possible. It is a popular summer holiday in
this area to rent a houseboat to explore the surrounding waters. The
surrounding mountains are a skier playground in winter, with easy access to the
popular nearby Big White and Silver Star ski resorts.
Comments