Canada attractions

A cultural and culinary hub of Vancouver, Granville Island is a colorful collection of artists’ studios, specialty grocers, excellent restaurants, and performance venues. Here, you’ll see kayakers paddling in False Creek and buskers charming the crowds. You'll also get to try plenty of classic Canadian favorites, including candied smoked salmon, Nanaimo bars, and poutine. It’s the ideal spot to spend a leisurely afternoon, or to take in a play, comedy show, or concert.

Just outside of Banff, Lake Minnewanka is everything a mountain lake should be: crystal clear, glacier fed, and surrounded by alpine forests and imposing peaks. A visit to Lake Minnewanka is a perfect introduction to the beautiful Canadian Rockies. It’s also the only lake in Banff National Park that allows privately operated motorboats.

Located just outside Squamish within Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, the Sea to Sky Gondola soars high above the trees, taking travelers up to the top of Mount Habrich while offering brilliant views of Howe Sound, the surrounding North Shore Mountains, and the deep green forest below. The floor-to-ceiling windows mean there are no bad views, while the network of trails at the summit lets you immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the mountain.

Locals and visitors alike flock to Robson Street for shopping, dining, and people watching. It’s the biggest retail street in the city with department stores, chain stores, and high-end shops, plus a variety of eateries, all located near downtown Vancouver’s attractions and waterfront.

Table Rock Welcome Centre—beside Horseshoe Falls—is the place where most visitors start their Niagara Falls adventures. This retail and observation center provides visitor information, ticket sales for nearby attractions, and access to observation platforms that overlook the falls. You can also dine here at the Table Rock House Restaurant, visit casual dining spots at the Table Rock Market, or shop for souvenirs at the Table Rock Shop.

A landmark along Vancouver’s waterfront, Canada Place is hard to miss: The complex was built to look like a ship, and its five large fiberglass “sails” are visible above the Vancouver harbor. The walkway around its exterior is lined with plaques detailing Vancouver’s history, and it’s the ideal place for photos of the harbor and the North Shore mountains.

Tumbling 1,099 feet (335 meters) over granite framed by evergreen trees, Shannon Falls are a scenic highlight of the Sea-to-Sky Highway linking Vancouver to Pemberton. The hike to the falls from the parking lot is a beautiful way to get some fresh air and stretch your legs.

This simulated ride takes participants on an exhilarating virtual journey across the country’s most majestic landscapes, from the remote Arctic north to the Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls, and Canada’s Eastern Seaboard. FlyOver Canada also uses wind, mist, and scents to enhance the sensation of flight.

Established in the 1890s by migrant workers, this Vancouver neighborhood is now among the biggest and most vibrant Chinatowns in North America. It’s packed with Asian grocers, Chinese herbalists, dim sum restaurants, trinket stores, and meat shops filled with tempting displays of hanging char siu and roast ducks.

The biggest ski resort in North America and mountain host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler-Blackcomb Mountains feature 8,171 acres (3,306 hectares) of terrain and over 200 trails. With lift-accessed mountain biking, hiking, and more in the spring, summer, and fall, Whistler-Blackcomb is a world-class resort year-round.

A trim wedge of water rimmed with top landmarks, Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the city’s bustling port. Whether you’re hopping a whale-watching cruise or enjoying a sea breeze, the Inner Harbour is an essential stop when exploring Victoria. Among its highlights are the elegant Fairmont Empress hotel and the narrow streets beyond.

At the Cave of the Winds observation decks, thrill-seeking visitors can get within 20 feet (6 meters) of the thundering Niagara Falls. This is one of the closest ways to experience the natural wonder, and feels like the inside of a tropical storm, with torrents of water and winds of up to 68 mph (109 kph). Safe to say, you should prepare to get wet.

The unofficial slogan of Yoho National Park, “rock walls and waterfalls,” describes the stunning mountain scenery here. Visitors seeking a quieter side of the Canadian Rockies are often drawn to Yoho, which aside from natural beauty is also a destination for outdoor adventure, from hiking to white-water rafting. Those considering a visit should be aware that much of the park is back country, accessible only via winding mountain roads or on foot.

A foodie paradise, the long-running St. Lawrence Market occupies the historic South Market House building, which previously served as Toronto’s city hall and jail. Since 1803, residents and visitors have come here to meet, eat, and shop for food items ranging from Prince Edward Island oysters to peameal bacon to Montreal-style bagels.

Situated between Kistilano and Stanley Park, English Bay is one of Vancouver’s best spots for water sports, such as swimming, kayaking, and fishing. Two popular beaches—Kitsilano Beach and English Bay—face out onto the bay, as does part of the Stanley Park seawall, a waterside promenade used by cyclists and walkers.

Perched atop a downtown high-rise, this circular observation platform yields panoramic views of glassy skyscrapers, Vancouver Harbour, and the magnificent peaks of the North Shore and Olympic ranges. A glass-enclosed elevator zooms up to the platform so that street scenes seem to shrink before visitors’ very eyes.

The summit of Grouse Mountain features some of the best vistas in all of British Columbia—spanning from downtown Vancouver to the green expanse of Stanley Park and the entirety of Fraser Valley. Ride the Skyride Aerial Tram or Blue Grouse Gondola to the mountaintop, or hike up to the 3,642-foot (1,110-meter) peak, where you can enjoy four seasons of mountain fun.

The turquoise gem of the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise sits nestled between glaciers, beckoning visitors with its mirror-like waters, serene setting, and plethora of summer and winter activities, from hiking to snowshoeing. Lake Louise is quintessential Canadian beauty, and you’ll feel like you stepped into a glossy postcard.

The Banff Gondola delivers panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies. After an 8-minute ride of 2,292 feet (698 meters) to Sulphur Mountain’s summit, you'll arrive at a complex with several viewing areas, interactive exhibits, and restaurants. With views of towering mountains and glittering rivers, the gondola displays the scope of the region’s natural beauty. Themed events also take place, including the winter Nightrise experience and the summer Sunset Festival.

The smallest of the three waterfalls that comprise world-famous Niagara Falls, Bridal Veil Falls is anything but small. Located on the US side of the falls, the 56-foot-wide (17-meter-wide) waterfall thunders over a 78-foot (24-meter) drop. Its frothy white cascade is reminiscent of a bride’s veil, hence the falls’ name.

The Yukon is the smallest, westernmost, and perhaps wildest of Canada’s northern territories. Its remote mountain landscapes, untamed rivers, and glacier-fed lakes attract casual sightseers and hardcore adventurers alike. Visitors can witness the Northern Lights, hike, snowshoe, or fish in the wilderness, and explore Canada’s First Nations traditions at cultural centers and festivals across the Yukon.

The passing of centuries has had little impact on Quebec's Royal Square (Place-Royale), a 17th-century plaza that has been at the center of Quebec City life since Samuel de Champlain founded the city in 1608. The Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, the oldest stone church in North America, still stands here, and the Fresque des Québécois mural can be seen nearby.

Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) charms visitors with its picturesque squares, grand architecture, and winding cobblestone streets. Whether you’re exploring the Old Port, walking down the main street of Rue Saint-Paul, or people-watching from a cozy café, it’s easy to feel transported back in time—and across continents—here. The historic quarter dates back to New France, and remains among the best-preserved Old Towns in North America.

Known as the “most photographed lake in the Yukon,” Emerald Lake is graced with vibrant hues of green water. The unique colors—created by sunlight reflecting off a layer of white calcium carbonate on the lake’s bottom—set the lake apart from the many others that dot the Yukon. The novelty draws in road trippers traveling the Klondike Highway.

With its narrow, cobbled streets and historic 17th- and 18th-century homes and monuments, there’s no other place in Canada that feels quite like Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec). As the only existing fortified city north of Mexico, it’s full of living history, rich Quebecois culture, and European-style charm. The historic district of Old Quebec—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is a must-see when in Quebec City.

Perched 545 feet (167 meters) above sea level, this well-kept park affords wonderful views over downtown Vancouver. A sunken quarry garden, a 1,500-tree arboretum, a rose garden, floral displays, and public artworks make this 128-acre (52-hectare) recreational space one of the most pleasing outdoor hangouts in the city.

Dating back to 1917, when it was created to protect the city from erosion, Vancouver’s Seawall is the highlight of Stanley Park. The 5.5-mile (9-kilometer) stone wall hugs the edge of the park’s entire waterfront, providing a wonderful place for walkers, runners, and bikers to get their exercise with views of the harbor, sea, and forest.

Named after its gushing thermal springs, Sulphur Mountain rises to a height of 8,041 feet (2,450 meters), towering over the town of Banff and Bow Valley. Banff Upper Hot Springs sit on its lower slopes, while the Banff Gondola carries you up to the summit ridge for views out across the peaks of the Canadian Rockies.

Visiting Bow Lake feels like stepping into a postcard—you’ll half-expect to see “CANADA” emblazoned in the sky in bold font. Its water shimmers an icy blue while the snow-capped mountains rise in the background, offering the quintessential Rocky Mountain view. This idyllic place is a perfect picnic destination, and you can take the chance to stretch your legs as you explore the scenic Icefields Parkway.

A century-old lighthouse and a collection of First Nations totem poles—one of Vancouver’s most-visited attractions—sit on this exposed knob of land at the eastern tip of Stanley Park. The waterfront lookout, set between the Burrard Inlet and Coal Harbour, offers views of North Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains.