From Sea to Shining Sea
Canada is an adventurous outdoor lover’s dream destination — there’s just so much to see and so many different landscapes to explore.
From the rainforests and sandy beaches of British Columbia to the snowy peaks of Alberta to the ruler-straight horizon of the prairies to the peaceful forests of Ontario and Quebec to the colorful houses and rocky coastline of the Maritimes, Canada has incredible natural diversity.
If you’re looking for a more concentrated experience in each of these unique locales in Canada, follow our Eastern Canada travel guide, Western Canada travel guide and Northern Canada travel guide.
But if you are looking for the highlights and are planning to hop from province to province, this list of the best places to go in Canada is exactly what you need.
If you are planning a trip across this wild and beautiful country, give yourself plenty of time. The distances between Canada tourist attractions are vast and you will want to linger and get to know the amiable people as you go along — after all, Canada is considered to be one of the friendliest countries in the world.
If you’re driving, expect to spend lots of time behind the wheel. If you’re flying, be sure to fly with one of the country’s best airlines.
If you’re looking for gorgeous and impressive, these are some of the best places to visit in Canada.
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Vibrant Vancouver is certainly a city worth visiting on your travels, but why not take the one-and-a-half-hour ferry across to Vancouver Island as well? You’ll find the city of Victoria, with its British charm and postcard-perfect Inner Harbour, as well as the towering cedars of Cathedral Grove, the surfing beaches of Tofino and much more.
You can even take an outdoor hiking adventure to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, a lush national park with extensive beaches, over 100 small islands and a rainforest hiking trail.
Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler’s snow-capped peaks and thick powdery slopes attract skiers from all over the world. However, this mountain getaway spot isn’t just a winter destination. In the summer you can go hiking, camping, mountain biking or even bungee jumping in this stunning outdoor playground.
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Banff National Park, Alberta
Alberta’s Rocky Mountains are one of the most jaw-dropping natural wonders on Earth. It’s here you’ll find jagged peaks that dominate the skyline, dense pine forests, milky turquoise blue lakes and glittering glaciers.
The pretty little town of Banff is a perfect base for active adventurers. From there you can go canoeing through wetlands, rafting down whitewater, horseback riding through alpine meadows, hiking through the backcountry or gliding on a gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain.
There are plenty of more casual hikes and leisurely activities, too, making this a great place to visit with grandparents. Take a quiet walk down to the Vermillion Lakes from town and marvel at the mountains towering over the water. Visit the Cave and Basin Natural Historic Site and learn about the origins of the park. Drive down the Icefields Parkway and soak up world-class views.
Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario
Known as “The Hill,” you can see the seat of Canada’s government where politicians debate the current and future issues of the country within a striking Gothic-style historic building. Free guided tours are available daily, so you can catch a glimpse of the inside and learn more about Canada’s parliamentary history and traditions.
If you visit during the summer months, you can see the elaborate Changing of the Guard every morning (also a free event).
Signal Hill, St. John’s, Newfoundland
For a view you’ll want to look out at for hours, head to the top of Signal Hill in St.John’s. Park at the top by the tower and look out to the harbor and boats coming in on one side and the Atlantic on the other.
Then hike down the trail to seek out a variety of other viewpoints.
Due to the strategic location of this mountain right at the mouth of the harbor, fortifications were built here during the mid-17th century. Its name comes from the flag signalling between land and sea that took place here from the 17th century all the way up until 1960.
It was also the location where the first wireless transatlantic signal was received in 1901.
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Quebec City, Quebec
If you want to feel like you have traveled to Europe without even leaving North America, just wander the UNESCO World Heritage streets of Quebec City. It is one of the oldest (and most beautiful) settlements in North America, making it a must-visit Canadian destination.
The compact size of the city makes it perfect for walking and the cobblestone streets are packed with restaurants, cafes, museums and lovely little shops. If you visit during January and February you can take part in the Quebec Winter Carnival — one of the biggest and most colorful winter festivals in Canada.
Churchill, Manitoba
One of the most impressive natural sights in Canada involves seeing a huge lumbering polar bear wandering across the frozen tundra. In the town of Churchill, in Northern Manitoba near Hudson Bay, polar bears live so close that they are known to wander right into the town.
You can take a tour in a tundra buggy with caged windows so you can see these enormous bears close up. It’s the perfect adventure vacation for those looking to add some thrills to their trip. The best time of year to see them is from October to November.