Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Canada | Travel Guide

From the urbane streets of Toronto to the mountain peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Canada features a diverse set of vacation destinations with majestic mountains, virgin forests, spacious prairies and arctic tundra to chic cosmopolitan centers, mountain resorts, and maritime cities. So, here's a look at the best places to visit in Canada. 1. Vancouver There are few places on Earth where you can ski, surf, be transported back in time over 5,000 years, watch a pod of orcas frolic in the midst, or take a stroll through the world's best urban park. All in one day, Vancouver is that place. Vancouver is all about embracing the outdoors. Vancouverites spend their days skiing on Grouse Mountain, swimming at Kitsilano Beach, and strolling through sprawling Stanley Park. Plus, this British Columbia city offers plenty of cultural attractions, including museums and outdoor markets such as Granville Island. Part of the University of British Columbia, the Museum of Anthropology deals with cultures from around the world, but places particular emphasis on British Columbia First Nations. Exhibits display native art, including large totem poles in the Great Hall. Other presentations explore ethnographic and archaeological objects representing Asia, the South Pacific, the Americas, Africa, and Europe. The oldest part of the city, Gastown is an area of restaurants, galleries, and shops set in carefully restored Victorian buildings. Heritage structures, cobblestone streets, and iron lampposts give the district its distinctive atmosphere. 2. Toronto The capital of Ontario is the largest city in Canada and also one of the most diverse. It's home to a dynamic mix of museums and galleries. You'll find no shortage of things to do from the vibrant Entertainment District, featuring the latest musicals and fine dining, to the historic Distillery District, home to unique shops and restaurants set in incredibly restored buildings. Towering over the city at 1,815 feet, the CN Tower is Toronto's landmark attraction and is famous for offering unparalleled views of the city. A little-known tidbit is that as the tallest structure in the city, it's no stranger to lightning. In fact, it gets struck around 75 times per year. The renowned Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest museums in North America. The collection of more than 95,000 pieces includes works from around the world, from European masterpieces to contemporary art, but also holds an impressive collection of Canadian art. Moving on to number three, Montreal. Montreal is a unique city, with a beautiful Old Historic District dating back to the 1600s and a modern city centre with extensive underground shopping. Old Montreal is the main tourist hub, with cobbled streets and fantastic old buildings, a perfect place to lose yourself as you wander up and down the historical streets. Major museums and arts venues are in the downtown area, where you'll find Rue Sherbrooke, probably the city's most elegant thoroughfare. It is the spine of the city and the location of many museums and other institutions. Rue Sainte-Catherine is Montreal's main shopping area, a busy street lined with department stores, shops and bistros. The Cartier des Spectacles is the arts and entertainment district of downtown Montreal. Home to everything from sculpture galleries to film conservatories, it's the beating heart of Montreal's arts scene. Its centrepiece is the Place des Arts, a performing arts centre that hosts an orchestra, opera house and world-famous ballet troupe. It's also home to the oldest theatre in Montreal and Grande Bibliothèque, the most visited library in Canada. Number 4. Niagara Falls The Niagara Falls are among the most impressive and best-known falls in the world. They lie in the extreme northwest of New York State along the US-Canadian border, which is formed by the Niagara River. Here masses of water from Lake Erie plunge over an almost 200-foot drop to flow into Lake Ontario, attracting more than 12 million visitors a year. To escape the thunderous falls and tourist crowds, lose yourself in the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. If you like nature, the gardens are a must-see. This 100-acre space is home to dozens of meticulously maintained gardens cared for by students at the on-site horticulture school featuring thousands of species of plants. The park's visitor centre also has a lot to offer, including historical exhibits, a gift shop, multiple restaurants, and the Adventure Theatre where you can watch a 4D presentation that combines film and sensory effects, like Spray from the Falls that provides an immersive experience to watch. Number 5. Banff National Park Nestled amid the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, this tiny mountain town in Alberta appeals to both nature enthusiasts and luxury seekers. You can spend your days skiing or hiking in Banff National Park and floating down the Bow River before retiring to one of the several opulent hotels. The main highlights of this impressive journey along the parkway are world-famous Lake Louise, the aristocratic-looking Canadian Pacific Hotel Chateau Lake Louise, and the huge Columbia Ice Field. You also have a good chance of seeing some of Canada's wildlife. The park is home to a large number of black bears, elk, caribou, wolves, beaver, and grizzly bears. For fabulous views of the town of Banff and the entire valley, one of the best places to visit is Sulphur Mountain. On a clear day, there is a splendid view from the three terrace decks and the mountaintop restaurant. At the top are a number of walking options, including the Banff Skywalk Vista Trail, an easy one-kilometer trail that leads to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada and the Sanson's Peak Meteorological Station. Now, before you plan your next trip to Canada, make sure to check out the first link in the description where you can find the best deals for your flight, hotel, and car rentals in Canada. Moving on to number six, Ottawa. Canada's capital city, Ottawa, sits on the south bank of the Ottawa River and is dissected by the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal. It is a bilingual city with most locals speaking both English and French. The Rideau Canal divides central Ottawa, and the area to the north of it is known as Lower Town and to the south is Uppertown. Lower Town is where you'll find the National Gallery of Canada, Notre Dame Basilica, and the lively Bywood Market. The fashionable Uppertown extends below Parliament Hill and includes the striking Bank of Canada building, with its plant and fountain-filled atrium. Ottawa's Parliament Hill is a complex of buildings that plays host to Canada's federal legislature. The expansive array of striking neogothic structures sits on the edge of the Ottawa River in the core of central downtown Ottawa. The buildings, while functioning as the official government body, are open to the public for guided tours that go through the interior of the historical complex and around the lush gardens and monuments that cover the grounds. In summer, daily performances of Changing of the Guard occur at Parliament Hill. This elaborate and colorful event complete with a marching routine demonstrates Canada's authentic royal uniforms and is accompanied by a musical performance. 7. Victoria The capital of British Columbia, incorporated in 1862, is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. Victoria is a small city with a friendly small-town atmosphere. With no land connection to mainland Canada, it also has a slightly remote feel. And due to the size, a population of less than 100,000, getting around is quick and easy, and much of the sightseeing can be done on foot. Victoria's scenic inner harbour is the main attraction. Many of the city's top sights are located either on the harbour or within easy walking distance. You can stroll along the waterfront, pass by the Empress Hotel and Parliament buildings, and watch street buskers perform on sunny days. British Columbia's provincial museum and archives is one of the best museums of natural and cultural history in Canada, with many three-dimensional displays offering a feast of sights, smells, and sounds. Outside, Thunderbird Park is home to traditionally carved memorial and house poles. Nearby the small mid-19th century Helmken House is the oldest residence in British Columbia still standing on its original site. 8. Halifax With amazing outdoor adventures on land and sea, the city of Halifax is jam-packed with some of the best restaurants, pubs, and vibrant live music venues on Canada's east coast. Despite the skyscrapers of more recent times, Halifax is still dominated by a star-shaped hilltop citadel. The city is also the commercial hub of Canada's maritime provinces, as well as being an important centre for research, with no fewer than six universities and colleges. Its fine natural harbour cuts deeply into the Atlantic coastline, with docks, piers, parks, and industry along its entire length. The harbour and its seafaring history still shape life in the city. Its museums and tourist attractions all relate in some way to its close relationship with the sea. Overlooking the city, the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is where you can step back in time and learn all about the fort and its inhabitants. The views of Halifax from here are also stunning. McNabs is one of the larger islands in the harbour. You could easily spend an entire day exploring hiking trails, historic forts, and stunning beaches. If you're looking for nature while visiting Halifax, McNabs Island is the perfect place to go. Number 9. Quebec City Quebec City is loaded with history and located in the French-speaking province of Quebec. This is the provincial capital and a city with a history dating back to the early 1600s. The old buildings and curving cobbled streets make this one of Canada's most charming capital cities. This Canadian city charms its visitors with its picturesque centuries-old buildings that make up Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meanwhile, the aromas of freshly baked bread and brewing espresso fill the cobblestone streets of the Quartier Petit Champlain with the Once you've gotten your fill of the city, take a trip to Montmorency Falls Park to marvel at its 272-foot-tall waterfall. Place Royale is the birthplace of Quebec City. Established in 1608, the pretty stone church Notre-Dame de Victoires, dating to 1688, faces the square, along with modern tourist attractions like an outpost of the Musée de la Civilisation. Overlooking Quebec City, the grandiose Château Frontenac is the most iconic building in the provincial capital, visible from miles away. Canadian Pacific Railway constructed the hotel in 1894, and it still welcomes guests from around the world in one of the most romantic settings you can find. At the top of a famous capped diamond lies the biggest British fortress in North America. Built by the British between 1820 and 1850 to defend the city, the citadel is a remarkable military heritage site and home to the Musée Royal 22nd Regiment, where you can learn all about the history of the regiment and the fortress. 10. Whistler Canada's most famous ski resort, Whistler, sits at the feet of two immense mountains, Whistler and Blackham. Together, these impressive peaks form the biggest winter sports area in North America, and the always-bustling Whistler Village provides immediate access to some of the best skiing around. And even if you are not a skier, get on the Peak 2 Peak gondola for amazing panoramic views of the Whistler and Blackham Mountains. The ride offers breathtaking views, connecting the two iconic mountains spanning four kilometers. A tour of the squamish Lilwok Cultural Centre is one of the best ways to connect with the culture and people of the area. The centre is operated by the First Nations people who have lived on this land for centuries and opened this cultural centre to welcome visitors to their ancestral land.