Canada attractions

Enter the stone battlements at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site and you might feel like you’ve stepped back to 1744, when French and British forces grappled for control of the region. The fully reconstructed complex now bustles with costumed actors in 18th-century garb, and also features museum-quality historical exhibits, five scenic walking trails, and views of the Cape Breton shoreline.

When Montrealers refer to “the mountain,” they mean Mount Royal. Really, it’s a 764-foot (233-meter) hill, but that’s no matter. Mount Royal Park was designed in 1876 by none other than Frederick Law Olmsted—of Central Park fame—and since then, it’s been the city’s green lung, where locals go hiking, biking, boating, bird-watching, and picnicking.

Halifax Seaport in Nova Scotia is where you’ll land if you’re coming to the city on a cruise. The seaport has plenty to offer visitors, including a daily farmers market. Most attractions are a short walk from the town center.

On Montreal’s Notre Dame Island (Île Notre-Dame) within Parc Jean-Drapeau, the 2.7-mile (4.4-kilometer) Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve hosts the Grand Prix du Canada and serves as a popular spot for biking, inline skating, running, and walking during the rest of the year. The multipurpose track also offers scenic views of Montreal, thanks to its location in the Saint Lawrence River.

Canada’s only national museum located outside of the capital city of Ottawa, the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg is also the first museum in the world dedicated to celebrating the evolution and future of human rights. The museum’s mission is not only to teach the public about this subject, but also to promote and encourage mutual respect among visitors long after they leave.

Set along the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia in eastern Canada, the vast natural harbor in Halifax has welcomed boats for centuries. Still a shipping hot spot, the harbor contains several islands, among them Georges Island, the former site of a British naval station, and the hiking trail–threaded McNabs Island. A bustling boardwalk lines the waterfront.

Situated on Grouse Mountain, this wildlife refuge has a pair of very famous residents: two orphaned grizzly bears named Grinder and Coola. Additionally, the sanctuary also houses birds of prey, including resident owls, plus a hummingbird feeding station, where researchers monitor the tiny feathered fliers in spring.

Stretching for around 84 miles (135 kilometers) from Vernon to Penticton, Okanagan Lake is a popular spot for everything from kayaking to summertime swimming. Beaches and marinas dot the lake, and many of them are right in Kelowna city limits.

British Columbia is known for its natural beauty, which is on prime display at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, this protected reserve is home to pristine beaches and a wide range of outdoor activities, from surfing to hiking to kayaking. During the warmer months, it’s also a popular place for camping.

Easily accessible year-round from the town of Banff, the Tunnel Mountain Summit Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the area for good reason—in just 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometers) and an elevation gain of 872 feet (266 meters), you can reach the summit and enjoy fantastic views of the Banff area and the Bow Valley.

One of the newer wineries in Ontario’s Niagara-on-the-Lake wine region, Wayne Gretzky Estates is among the flashiest. Housed in an ultramodern, 23,000-square-foot (2,137-square-meter) space, the business has the distinction of being the first combined winery and distillery in the region. Founded by the Canadian hockey great, the estate is a year-round destination for visiting drinks enthusiasts.

A major landmark in downtown Edmonton, the Royal Alberta Museum—known as RAM—houses more than five million objects related to human and natural history. Alongside a series of permanent collections, the museum hosts changing exhibitions and boasts an interactive children’s gallery that makes it a firm favorite with families.

Sunshine Meadows is a beautiful natural area not far from Banff in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. As there’s no public road access to the site, people typically hike or take the gondola and chairlift up to the viewing area—or both. There are great views across the Banff National Park, to Mt. Assiniboine, and of flower-filled (and sometimes sunny) meadows in season.

The Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs (previously the Takhini Hot Springs) has drawn visitors to its natural mineral waters for more than 100 years. Water enters the first of two large pools at 108°F (42°C) and gradually cools to 98.6°F (37°C) in the lower pool. Nestled in the Yukon wilderness, visitors have the chance to spot wildlife—and maybe even the northern lights—while basking in the springs.

Located in downtown Calgary in front of The Bow building, the Wonderland Sculpture is a 39-foot (12-meter) tall sculpture in the shape of a young girl’s head. Created by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa out of painted stainless steel, the striking statue is meant to represent the hopes and dreams of the youth of the province.

The Ed Mirvish Theatre is a historic venue that opened in the 1920s as a motion picture theater and vaudeville. Since then, it has hosted a diverse range of productions, including Broadway shows such as The Lion King and Life of Pi. Visitors flock here not only for the venue’s incredible architecture and rich history but also for its impressive array of performances.

The forested peaks, serene lakes, and quaint villages of the Laurentian Mountains (Les Laurentides) are where Montrealers go to escape the city. In winter, resorts such as Mont-Tremblant and Mont-Sainte-Anne (Beaupré) cater to snow sports enthusiasts, while in summer, the region is a playground for hikers, climbers, paddlers, and white-water rafters.

St. Patrick’s Basilica, located in the heart of Downtown Montreal, was built in 1847 to serve Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Famine. Best known for its church bells and decorative motifs that combine the Frenchfleur-de-lis and Irish shamrock, the basilica holds English-language mass throughout the week.

Standing 22 stories high near Vancouver’s Financial District, the Marine Building is one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the world—it was once also the tallest building in the British Empire. Now mostly offices, both the exterior and the interior are worth a look, and the grand lobby delights with marble, mosaics, stained glass, and more.

Dating back to 1907, The Royal Alexandra Theatre—nicknamed the “Royal Alex”—is a historic Edwardian-style venue known for its regal design and lavish interiors. A national historic landmark, it’s one of North America's oldest continuously operating theaters. Visitors come here for award-winning Broadway shows, musicals, and plays.

Located near Whistler Village, Lost Lake is the most easily accessible lakeside park from the village. A network of trails surround the pretty lake, making the park ideal for swimming, hiking, and mountain biking most of the year, and snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing over the winter.

Located in downtown Halifax, Alexander Keith's Brewery has been serving thirsty Nova Scotians since before the founding of Canada, and remains a popular stop for locals and visitors alike. You’ll spot the brewery’s beers on tap around the city, from India pale ale to lagers, red ale, and light beer. An in-person visit is considered the best way to sample the 1820 brewery’s full selection.

Kick and glide through 56 miles (90 kilometers of trails at the Whistler Olympic Park in Callaghan Valley—the location of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games’ Nordic events. The trails are now a winter playground for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and biathlon; and visitors can stop by to check out the Olympic facilities.

Niagara-on-the-Lake presents quite a contrast to the nearby natural spectacle that is Niagara Falls or the kitsch theme parks of Clifton Hill. The well-preserved buildings of the town’s Heritage District, dating back to the early-to-mid-19th century, house independent boutiques selling local souvenirs, antiques, and crafts. The neighborhood is a beautiful place to stroll, in all seasons.

At the confluence of the St. Charles and St. Lawrence rivers, the bustling Port of Quebec (Port de Québec) offers access to one of Canada’s most well-known tourist destinations: the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec). Passengers dock right in the heart of Quebec, at the Ross Gaudreault terminal.

Road-trippers on the Icefields Parkway usually just make a quick stop at roaring Mistaya Canyon, which really packs a punch. A short, steep, and rocky path from the parking lot leads down to a viewpoint across the Mistaya River, whose waters flow from Peyto Lake. There’s a 1.1-mile (1.8-kilometer) hiking loop if you want to stop for longer.

Visitors to Yellowknife can explore the culture and heritage of the Northwest Territories at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC). Home to hundreds of thousands of artifacts, including clothing, photos, and tools, the PWNHC is more than a museum—it's also the province’s archives, a community space and a cultural center.

Banff’s Sundance Canyon is a moderate hiking and mountain biking trail within easy reach of town. The first couple of miles, open to both hikers and bikers, follow a paved path beside the Bow River. The biking trail ends at the paved path, but the hiking trail continues for a couple more miles uphill into the canyon.

Nicknamed the “Matterhorn of the Rockies,” Mt. Assiniboine is one of Canada’s most stunning peaks. This 11,870-foot (3,619-meter pyramidal peak towers over its neighbors and is the focal point of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. Hikers, photographers, and mountain climbers from all over the world are drawn to the mountain’s beauty and solitude.

Fans of cool urban art won’t want to miss Toronto’s Graffiti Alley. Officially named Rush Lane, located in downtown Toronto’s trendy Fashion District, it’s worth a detour for some colorful inspiration while browsing the boutiques. Some of the murals have been there for years, while others come and go.