Canada attractions

Part of Battlefields Park, the grassy expanse of the Plains of Abraham (Plaines d'Abraham) was the setting for a major military clash in 1759, which led to the British takeover of New France—a battle that is well-documented in the Plains of Abraham Museum. The park is an outdoor playground for Quebec City residents who come here to stroll, cycle, jog, sled, and cross-country ski.

Nestled on the shores of Bennett Lake and surrounded by rugged mountains, Carcross is a hub of gold rush history, First Nation culture, and outdoor adventure. The small town is a popular stop for visitors who come for gold panning, totem poles, world-class mountain biking, and relaxing on the lake’s renowned beaches.

Situated at the northernmost point of Montreal’s Plateau, Mile End is known for its array of independent shops, cafés, and underground music venues. The vibrant neighborhood, a cultural hub since the 1980s, is teeming with highly-rated restaurants and historical landmarks, from classic bagelries to scenes from the novels of Mordecai Richler.

Hip Yaletown is one of Vancouver’s most happening neighborhoods, where former warehouses and other red-brick structures now house lofts, fashionable boutiques, and buzzy eateries favored for their patios. Its setting between downtown Vancouver and False Creek makes it popular with both locals and visitors.

Suspended high over the Niagara River, the Whirlpool Aero Car passes directly over the Niagara Whirlpool—a swirling whitewater vortex created by conflicting currents in the river. The cable car has been on the go for more than a century, carrying passengers for a thrilling view of the Class 6 rapids below. Fun fact: While it starts and ends on Canadian shores, the cable car actually crosses the US border four times during the 10-minute ride.

The grand style of the Fairmont Empress hotel sets the tone for Victoria’s Inner Harbour, where boats tie up just steps from the city’s most historic landmarks. Visiting the Fairmont Empress is not just for overnight guests; afternoon tea here has been a Victoria tradition for more than a century.

Once home to the 1832 Gooderham and Worts’ mammoth distilling facility, Toronto’s charming arts and entertainment quarter is now a popular strolling spot for off-duty creatives. The cobblestone streets are lined with Victorian-era industrial buildings, which have been repurposed to serve as contemporary art galleries, third-wave coffee shops, concept boutiques, restaurants, and bars.

An alpine lake surrounded by the rugged mountains of Jasper National Park, Medicine Lake is not only a wildlife watching and recreation destination, it is also a geological anomaly. In summer, the pristine lake is brimming with glacial water. Come fall, sinkholes at the bottom of the lake drain the water, leaving nothing but mudflats.

Overlooking Downtown Halifax, this strategically set hilltop fortification has presided over the capital of Nova Scotia since 1856, with earlier versions of the fort having stood here since 1749. Today, the former British citadel remembers the military history of Halifax, with exhibits focusing on life within the 19th-century fort.

The largest natural lake in Canada’s Rocky Mountains, Maligne Lake is ringed by towering, snow-capped mountains and evergreen forests. This Jasper National Park sight makes for excellent paddling, but visitors also flock here to hike, fish, camp, and snap photos of tiny Spirit Island. Maligne Lake is known as Chaba Imne (Beaver Lake) to the Stoney Nakota First Nation and other Indigenous peoples for whom the lake is ancestral territory.

A concentrated cluster of grand government buildings overlooking the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill is the centerpiece of Downtown Ottawa. At the heart of the complex is Centre Block, a neo-Gothic riot of greening copper turrets, stone-carved gargoyles, and pointed arches built around a soaring central campanile (bell tower) known as the Peace Tower. Parliament Hill is not just a pretty sight; it’s also home to Canada’s most important democratic institutions, including the Library of Parliament and the chambers of the House of Commons and the Senate.

Built between 1826 and 1832 to offer secure passage for British ships from Montreal, the Rideau Canal—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is an engineering masterpiece. It extends for 126 miles (202 kilometers) between Ottawa and Kingston. Ottawa’s most visited stretch lures boaters, cyclists, and strollers in summer, and ice skaters in winter.

The Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff National Park is more than just a neat place to explore. The First Nations who discovered the cave consider the hot springs a sacred site. Today, interactive interpretive exhibits make the birthplace of Canada’s national parks system—known today as Parks Canada—a must-visit.

Montreal's Place d’Armes, meaning parade square, is a major public venue in Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal). The picturesque plaza is bordered by some of Montreal’s most notable architectural landmarks, including the 17th-century Saint-Sulpice Seminary, the Gothic Revival-style Notre-Dame Basilica, and the art deco Aldred Building.

Named after a 16th-century French explorer, Jacques-Cartier Square (Place Jacques-Cartier) is one of the main squares in Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal). It was laid out in the early 19th century, and is lined with cafe terraces where visitors can watch as street performers and caricature artists vie for the attentions of passing tourists.

Eclectic, diverse, and graffiti-slathered, Toronto's Kensington Market neighborhood is one of the city’s most distinctive enclaves. The district is packed with produce vendors, food sellers, vintage clothes shops, bric-a-brac boutiques, buskers, cafés, and restaurants, and attracts a steady stream of bohemian types.

Open to the public since 1867—the year Canada achieved confederation—the Halifax Public Gardens is one of the oldest Victorian gardens in North America. This National Historic Site of Canada was built on two formerly adjacent gardens, and today the idyllic urban green space is home to a variety of trees, flowers, and even tropical plants.

Houseboats bob alongside shops, food kiosks, and commercial fishing vessels at Fisherman’s Wharf near Victoria’s Inner Harbour. A former hub of the city’s once-industrial shoreline, the wharf is now a popular hangout.

Built in the 1840s, this neoclassical silver-domed building has served as a farmers market, theater, and for a brief stint as Montreal's city hall. It was threatened with demolition before being converted into the current market complex, which contains cafes, restaurants, galleries, and shops selling Quebec-made crafts and design items.

First opened in 1933, Jean-Talon Market (Marché Jean-Talon) is a local institution. Montrealers come to shop farm-fresh ingredients, from Quebec-reared pork and seafood from the country’s east coast to colorful vegetables, everything from purple carrots to orange cauliflower and strangely shaped gourds—all of which are artfully stacked in sellers’ stalls.

An outstanding feat of engineering, the Spiral Tunnels in Yoho National Park were the ingenious early–20th-century solution to climbing or descending the impossibly steep 4.5-percent grade to cross Kicking Horse Pass by rail. Watch long freight trains cross themselves as they travel the tunnels in different directions at the same time.

Bubbling up from beneath the Canadian Rockies at a toasty temperature (98–104℉, or 37–40℃), these hot springs have been drawing visitors to Western Canada since the late 19th century. For weary travelers, a soak in the warm, mineral-rich pools overlooking Mount Rundle is the ultimate tonic for sore muscles—though it’s great for the not-so-weary, too.

Artsy and laid-back, Plateau-Mont-Royal, aka the Plateau, captures the spirit of Montreal perhaps more than any other neighborhood. Spiraling iron staircases crawl up Victorian-era residences on tree-lined streets, while magnificent street murals add color to commercial thoroughfares. Restaurants, cafés, bars, and boutiques abound.

Just offshore from downtown Toronto, the Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands beside Lake Ontario that feel a world away from the buzz and high-rise skyline of Toronto. Once part of a single peninsula, the islands were separated from the mainland by violent storms in the 19th century. Today, visitors come here to enjoy sandy beaches, car-free areas, and beautiful parklands that are ideal for walking, cycling, or having a picnic.

What starts out as meltwater from the Bow Glacier in Banff National Park turns into the stunning turquoise-colored Bow River, which winds steadily through the Canadian Rockies and the outdoor and adventure towns of Banff and Canmore. The Bow River provides a natural habitat for wildlife and several species of trout, as well as many opportunities for hiking, paddling, and fishing.

Set at the eastern edge of False Creek, Science World’s geodesic dome—originally built for Expo 86—is an icon of the Vancouver cityscape. Experience its wide range of curiosity-igniting exhibits that cover topics ranging from the human body to sustainability.

The family-owned Reif Estate Winery is one of the oldest wineries in the Niagara-on-the-Lake area. Located on the banks of the Niagara River, and not far from Lake Ontario, it’s in an attractive setting, with views across the river to the United States. The estate offers wine and food tastings and events, including some more unusual wine events that mix good food, drink, and fun.

Built for the 1976 Olympic Games, the Montreal Olympic Park (Parc Olympique de Montréal) now houses several attractions that form Montreal’s Space for Life museum district. There’s the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, the 56,000-seater Olympic Stadium, the Biodome, an indoor zoo with around 4,500 animals, as well as the Botanical Gardens and Insectarium in neighboring Maisonneuve Park.

In downtown Toronto, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada houses approximately 16,000 water-bound species from across the world. The displays are arranged by region, and visitors can explore the tropical Rainbow Reef, check out the Dangerous Lagoon shark tank, and learn more about the marine life found in the waters around Canada.

New City Hall, which replaced Old City Hall in 1965 to accommodate a rapidly growing city, is the current seat of Toronto’s municipal government. Designed by Finnish architect Viljo Revell, winner of the city’s international competition, Toronto City Hall is comprised of two curved towers as well as Nathan Phillips Square, Canada’s largest public square.