Canada has everything. Quite literally speaking. The world’s second-largest country is home to massive mountains, country-sized lakes, an Arctic island, a sprawling network of national parks, and even its desert.
Visitors may spend months gazing at enormous skies, ancient evergreens, and crazy deep valleys. Even the beaches of Canada will make other countries envious.
So, what are your options? Whales, polar bears, and moose, anyone? Musicians of distinction, culinary wizards, indigenous villages, and Inuit art? The possibilities are unlimited, but that is why we are here. These are Canada’s top 17 tourist attractions in 2022
17 Great Places To See In Canada
From historical attractions to places that seem straight out a fairytale, these 17 places should definitely make it to you Canada checklist;
Vancouver
Vancouver is a Canadian city in southern British Columbia. It is Western Canada’s largest city and the center of one of its most populous metropolitan areas. Vancouver is located on the other side of Vancouver Island, between Burrard Inlet (a branch of the Georgia Strait) to the north and the Fraser River delta to the south.
Vancouver boasts one of the most magnificent settings of any city globally, situated between frost mountains on an ocean inlet.
Vancouver is consistently rated as one of the most livable cities globally. In addition, it was recently named the best city in North America to live in.
Visiting Vancouver is a perfect base for year-round exploration due to its gorgeous location near the beach, tucked up against the North Shore mountains.
The city’s coastline provides breathtaking vistas and beautiful beaches, while the highlands provide hiking paths and winter sports.
You can’t go wrong arranging a trip to Vancouver because of its beauty, climate, lively environment, and abundance of things to do. This busy city, located on the Pacific Ocean’s coastlines and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, is known for its year-round outdoor activities.
In the summer, sunbathers can enjoy the beaches, while skiers can enjoy the adjacent ski resorts in the winter. You may walk the seawall or stroll through Stanley Park at any time of year, enjoy exquisite dining or a casual lunch while watching the sunset, or go shopping, from Granville Island markets to high-end stores in the city core.
Toronto
Toronto is the most populated city in Canada and the country’s financial and economic center and is the capital of Ontario in southeastern Canada.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, showcasing ballet, opera, symphony, and Broadway performances. The CN Tower is also located there. There is no limit to the enjoyment when you combine spectacular shopping, fine food, and fantastic museums.
Toronto is a diverse city with many different cultures! Choose a culture to experience, from Chinatown to Little India, and the variety on Young Street. Fabulous restaurants, one-of-a-kind attractions, art, music, cinema, and sports, whatever your interests, there is something for you here. On Saturdays, visit Kensington Market, and don’t miss the CN Tower. Trains, streetcars, and underground walkways make it simple to navigate downtown.
Toronto’s waterfront has been evolving in recent years and now features lovely walking spaces, eateries, outdoor concerts, and cultural acts during the summer.
Beautiful beaches lie outside the city center, in either direction from downtown, and are ideal for hot summer days. A public skating rink opens outside the city hall in the winter, and distinctive winter activities, such as the popular Winterlicious, add to the fun.
Niagra falls
Niagara Falls is one of the world’s most well-known historical sites. It is made up of a series of waterfalls that may be seen near the US-Canada border and is the world’s second-largest waterfall.
The spectacular Niagara Falls, Canada’s most famous natural wonder, has attracted visitors nearly since its discovery. The sight of the massive wall of water crashing over the falls is breathtaking, as is the perspective and access provided to guests. You may walk up to the edge of the falls and watch the water disappear over the top, divided only by a cast-iron fence.
The people and environment created by the falls have had a significant impact on the city that has grown up around them, also known as Niagara Falls. Throughout the decades, stuntmen and daredevils have risked their lives on the falls, creating a carnival-like atmosphere that has come to define this distinctive city. The tourists visiting Niagara Falls enjoy a variety of outstanding features. The Niagara Whirlpool is one of these phenomena created when the Niagara River makes a right bend and the water swirls in a precise way. The Whirlpool has 1000 feet in width and a depth of 120 feet. Hikers mostly visit the concealed trail along with the Niagara River Bank. This staircase-like route descends safely into the Niagara Gorge. Although this is a natural wonder, tourists have only recently discovered it.
Jasper national park
Jasper National Park is a National Park located in the Canadian province of Alberta.
This park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. The dark sky festival is held each October in Jasper, which is famed for its black skies. It features the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve, and one of the most awesome things to do in Jasper is to go out to the lakes at night. Going in October is excellent since it gets dark early, so you don’t have to wait till late at night to see the milky way and northern lights. Also, note that getting up before sunrise allows you to glimpse the stars and the Aurora Borealis.
One of our favorite sights in Jasper is Maligne Canyon. This river flows through a gorge with a 50-meter drop. A 3.3-kilometer walking track follows the valley, providing breathtaking views. It can get quite crowded, so get there early to avoid the crowd. Five bridges cross the canyon with waterfalls, rapids, and incredible vistas. Pyramid Lake is a kidney-shaped lake in Alberta’s Jasper National Park. It is located at the base of Pyramid Mountain, a natural feature that overlooks Jasper. Pyramid Lake is one of our favorite sites in Jasper to see the sunrise. Pyramid Lake is a beautiful lake with a pyramid-shaped peak reflected in the quiet waters. Hike around the lake, and don’t forget to cross the bridge to Pyramid Island.
Jasper National Park is inexplicably gorgeous and one of our personal favorites on this list.
Montreal
Montreal is Canada’s second-most populous city and the capital of the province of Quebec. Yet, Montreal has retained its beauty, vivacity, joy, and absolute modernity. Walking the streets of Montreal is an adventure in itself, particularly in the historic center known as Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal). Its cobblestone streets and architectural styles range from the 16th century to the current day and provide a view into the city’s rich history.
Montreal is a one-of-a-kind city, with a lovely old historic quarter dating from the 1600s and a modern city core with vast underground shops. Old Montreal is a great area to get lost while wandering up and down the historical streets with cobblestone lanes and wonderful ancient buildings. In addition, there are several beautiful parks and beaches in and around Montreal.
Montreal is also home to a huge number of fashion designers, and high-end boutiques and small hotels and restaurants line the old streets. Although Montreal is located in the French-speaking province of Québec, English-speaking visitors will have no trouble connecting with anyone in the tourism business.
Banff national park
Still talking about national parks, Banff National Park, one of Canada’s most recognized destinations, is nestled in the magnificent Rocky Mountains, just 110 kilometers from Calgary.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, soaking in one of several hot springs, and spending time at Lake Louise. Alternatively, see my comprehensive guide to the most pleasurable activities in Banff National Park.
Warm days, shimmering turquoise lakes, and world-class festivals abound in Banff during the summer months. It becomes a snowy wonderland ideal for ice skating, sledding, and winter hiking in the winter.
Castle Mountain is difficult to miss with its distinctive shape, whether going through Banff on the Bow Valley Parkway or the Trans-Canada Highway.
It may take a few minutes to travel the length of Castle Mountain’s road, about 16 kilometers long! The Castle Mountain Chalets are conveniently located near Castle Junction, providing easy access to the Bow Valley Parkway and Lake Louise.
Banff is now one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, comprising a region of breathtaking mountain beauty. Every year, millions of tourists go to Banff to take in its breathtaking scenery and diverse activities.
Quebec city
Quebec City, one of Canada’s oldest cities (celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008), has a distinct old-world style and charm. It is North America’s sole extant walled city north of Mexico, and it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
If you’re looking for a picture-perfect, European-style location on your trip to Canada, go no further than Quebec City. Quebec City, which is only three hours from Montreal, has the only walled North American old town north of Mexico, a solid francophone culture, and a fantastic culinary scene.
The Musée de la Civilisation in Québec City was founded in the 1960s and houses several exhibitions on the human condition. The remains of murder victims are one of the most contentious exhibits at the Musee De La Civilisation.
The Musee De La Civilisation is located along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec City’s old quarter. Exhibitions relating to the Maya and Canada’s old fishing legacy are available. A special exhibition dedicated to Canada’s aboriginal cultures is also on display, providing a unique view of the country’s pre-colonial history. These exhibits take you on a journey through traditional Aboriginal practices and art that help to define what it means to be Canadian.
If you’re planning on visiting Quebec during the winter season, definitely keep an eye out for the Quebec Winter Carnival Festival, known as “Carnaval,” the largest winter festival globally.
Whistler
Whistler has long been regarded as a global ski destination, hosting many skiing events at Vancouver’s 2010 Winter Olympics. Despite its image, Whistler is a stunning and popular summer resort, offering hiking, bicycling, golfing, and various other activities.
The settlement has evolved into a thriving, high-end resort town with a diverse range of hotels, restaurants, and shops. Whistler-Blackcomb is known for its magnificent terrain, which draws skiers from all over the world. The Peak-2-Peak Gondola connects the two summits and is open to skiers and non-skiers year-round. It is a 4.4-kilometer journey with amazing views.
Near the summit of the Peak Chair, the resort has added the Cloudraker Skybridge. The Raven’s Nest is reached through a 130-meter metal bridge that spans a tiny alpine valley. The observation deck offers 360-degree stunning views of the landscape, including the world-famous Black Tusk.
The Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway connects Banff and Jasper National Parks in the Canadian Rockies and is regarded as one of the most stunning scenic drives in the world.
The Athabasca Glacier, the Columbia Icefields, reflections in Bow Lake, amazing views of the Canadian Rockies, more than 100 glaciers, and waterfalls along this section of roadway make it one of the most beautiful sites to visit in Canada.
Lake Louise is one of Canada’s most well-known destinations, located within Banff National Park (let alone Alberta). The majestic Victoria Glacier looms above the stunning blue waters of Lake Louise. There are hiking trails just in front of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel that offers panoramic views in all directions and canoeing on Lake Louise. (It’s on my bucket list to visit Canada.)
We recommend leaving Lake Louise around daybreak for your drive down the Icefields Parkway to get to the beautiful lakes along the road before the tourists arrive and the reflections are at their best.
Peggy’s Cove
Peggy’s Cove is known for its gorgeous, East-Coast-style profile, with cottages perched along a narrow inlet and on wave-washed boulders facing the Atlantic. Even though this unique ecosystem has been classified as a preservation area, the fishing community continues to thrive.
Peggy’s Cove, one of the world’s most iconic lighthouses, is Nova Scotia’s most popular tourist attraction. Hiking along the coastal volcanic rocks provides a stunning view of Canada’s East Coast, and visiting Peggy’s Cove is more than just a lighthouse visit.
The Cup & Saucer hiking trail is Manitoulin Island’s most famous hike. It’s even considered one of Ontario’s Quintessential climbs! It begins in a parking area off the main road, and the steep rocky ascent begins within a few hundred meters. Beginner hikers may find it difficult but persevere; the payoff is well worth the effort of climbing through roots, stones, and a muddy track after a rainy night. We weren’t expecting such breathtaking sights.
The overhanging rock plummeting into the valley below is the show’s star. A breathtaking view of the escarpment, lakes, and wetlands will take your breath away. We could have stayed up all night photographing the scenery.
Peggy’s Cove offers a variety of activities, including boat cruises, hiking trails, and touring the gorgeous local villages.
Charlottetown and Prince Edward islands
If you’re heading to Charlottetown, you may spend some time exploring the rest of Prince Edward Island’s province. PEI is a summer playground featuring lovely beaches and significant historical monuments, such as Anne of Green Gables’ fictional home in PEI National Park.
Charlottetown has a long history and was instrumental in the formation of Canada. At Founders’ Hall, Canada’s birthplace pavilion, visitors can learn about the country’s beginnings. The Charlottetown Festival, which features Canada’s longest-running production, Anne of Green Gables – The Musical, attracts locals and tourists.
The Confederation Centre for the Arts and Art Gallery and the Peakes Wharf summer concert series, which features great musicians in a free outdoor setting, are also must-sees. The Charlottetown Farmers’ Market and the downtown Farmers’ Market offer a broad selection of food, arts, and crafts during the summer and fall. Walking through downtown is an aesthetic excursion, with artisan shops ranging from soap makers to glassblowers, pottery spinners to jewelers.
Charlottetown, the province’s capital and largest city, has a small-town feel, with many Victorian-style heritage buildings. However, PEI is tiny enough that even a short stay will allow you to see the entire island. Many people, particularly families, rent beach houses or cottages on PEI during the summer.
Tofino
The small town of Tofino on Vancouver Island, Canada’s unofficial surfing capital, is one of the most distinctive destinations to visit in the country, drawing a diverse multitude of visitors. People come to Pacific Rim National Park to surf, explore in old-growth woods, and relax on the beaches. This is also a terrific area for wildlife watching, kayaking, storm watching in November, and relaxing at one of the opulent resorts or nice camping among towering trees.
The town itself is small and has an end-of-the-world air, but great eating is available at a few of the lodges and restaurants in the area.
A small number of shops, galleries, and coffee shops give the town a distinct personality.
Despite its tiny size, the town has a hefty feel to it. With so much to see and do, you’ll want to spend at least a few days here, though a week or more is easy to fill.
Rideau canal
The Rideau Canal, which runs from Ottawa, Canada’s dynamic and spirited national capital, to Kingston, the limestone city, is regarded as one of the finest architectural accomplishments of the nineteenth century and the nation’s best open water waterways. This 185-year-old, 200-kilometer-long waterway, which connects Ottawa and Kingston via 47 locks, comprises canals, rivers, and lakes. It’s at its best in the winter when it transforms into the world’s largest skating rink.
People swoosh by on the manicured ice, pausing for hot chocolate and delectable slabs of fried dough known as beavertails. In February, the Winterlude celebration takes things to the next level, with residents creating gigantic ice sculptures. The canal will become a boater’s delight once it thaws.
The Fundy Bay
This isn’t your typical Canadian bay, despite the presence of lighthouses, boats and trawlers, fishing settlements, other nautical landscapes, and frequent sightings of deer and moose on land. Fundy’s unusual terrain causes the world’s most extreme tides, which can reach 16 meters (56 feet), or the height of a five-story structure.
They stir up substantial whale food, with krill and other plankton attracting fin, humpback, blue whales, and endangered North Atlantic right whales, making a whale-watching trip here an unforgettable experience.
Baffin
The Inuit’s desolate, harsh geography, Baffin is home to cloud-scraping mountains and a third of Nunavut’s people. Auyuittuq National Park, whose name means “land that never melts,” is the island’s crown treasure, with glaciers, fjords, and sheer cliffs dotting the eastern horizon.
Hardcore hikers and climbers, as well as a few polar bears, flock to the park. Baffin is also a hotbed for Inuit art, with studios dedicated to high-end carving, printmaking, and weaving in several small settlements.
Winnipeg
Winnipeg, Canada’s most central city, is the capital of Manitoba, the province’s most populous center, and one of Manitoba’s top tourist destinations. In addition, Winnipeg, named after Winnie The Pooh, is a cultural and artistic hub on the prairies.
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, quirky districts (particularly Osborne Village and the Exchange District), the historic Forks Junction, and the Royal Canadian Mint are must-sees in Winnipeg. I also suggest taking a day trip from Winnipeg while you’re there. Some of my favorites include Riding Mountain National Park, Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park, and Gimli.
Churchill
Visiting Churchill, Manitoba, should be on everyone’s Canada bucket list, whether as part of a trip to Winnipeg or as a stand-alone excursion. Churchill, known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World and thus one of Canada’s most unique locations, stands exactly on a polar bear migration path. During the late fall months, polar bears outnumber their human counterparts in this area.
As if that weren’t enough, the Northern Lights can be seen in Churchill 300 days out of the year, and the town hosts a Beluga whale migration every summer. We recommend this wonderful Churchill tour from Winnipeg; although it is expensive, you’ll get the whole animal experience!
Originally posted 2022-05-28 19:41:08.