Canada attractions

Circling the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, the Cabot Trail takes you along sweeping stretches of open coastline, through swathes of Acadian and boreal forest, and past long-standing fishing villages that have been hauling in their catches for centuries. For road-trip enthusiasts and avid hikers, the Cabot Trail is the ideal way to take in the rugged and remote beauty of Cape Breton Island, part of the traditional ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq.

Pointe-à-Callière traces the history of Montreal, from First Nations’ settlements to the arrival of the Europeans and beyond. As well as immersive and interactive exhibits, the museum also displays authentic archaeological and architectural remains including parts of centuries-old fortifications and a 17th-century cemetery.

Since its completion in 1892, Dorchester Square (Le Square Dorchester) has been a cultural and political focal point for protests, social gatherings, and pedestrian traffic in Downtown Montreal. Adjacent to the Dominion Square Building and Place du Canada, the public park is home to four historic monuments, including a Robert Burns statue and the Boer War memorial.

The childhood home of Canadian painter Emily Carr is a historic site dedicated to her adventurous life and beloved work. Period decor in the old-fashioned gingerbread house evokes 19th-century life in Victoria, and a carefully tended garden comes to life each spring. Rotating exhibits feature the work of local contemporary artists.

Located in the walkable heart of Old Quebec (Vieux Quebec), the Roman Catholic Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church (Église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires) is among the oldest in North America. Construction of the small stone church began in 1688 on the site of Samuel de Champlain’s original settlement, and it remains a beloved landmark.

Atop a hill in Queen Elizabeth Park, the Bloedel Conservatory—also known as the Bloedel FloralConservatory—overlooks downtown Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains. The domed structure is divided into three climatic zones: tropical, subtropical, and desert. It houses plants and free-flying birds with eye-catching plumage.

British Columbia’s spectacular Coast Range is home to numerous glacier-covered peaks. Visitors to Garibaldi Provincial Park will find trails that lead to backcountry lakes, campgrounds, and forests that are near the towns of Squamish and Whistler. The most famous peak in the park is Black Tusk, a pinnacle of volcanic rock that juts skyward.

St. Catharines is a vibrant city on Lake Ontario just northwest of Niagara Falls, known for its lakefront, parks, and vineyards. As a focal point of the 1850s abolition movement, St. Catharines is an important landmark in Black Canadian history. Its rich arts and culture scene also draws visitors from around the Niagara region and beyond.

Once the British Empire’s biggest copper mine, the Britannia Mine’s tunnels, shafts, and structures are now preserved in an award-winning museum. Come to the Britannia Mine Museum to ride a train into a mine, pan for gold flakes, and learn about the lives of generations of miners who worked copper deposits at the edge of Howe Sound.

Fort York was constructed in 1793 by the British Army and Canadian militia troops for the defense of York (now Toronto). Today it’s a National Historic Site with Canada’s largest group of original War of 1812 structures. Explore the stone and wood barracks used during the 1813 Battle of York, when the U.S. invaded and destroyed the fort.

Known locally as Kits Beach, this broad stretch of sand is a popular summer hangout and brims with joggers, tanners, and families. Views of downtown Vancouver skyscrapers, the Burrard Inlet, and the North Shore Mountains are a big draw, as is Kitsilano Pool, a huge heated outdoor saltwater pool that spans 451 feet (137 meters) in length.

The Columbia Icefield Skywalk (aka Glacier Skywalk) juts out from the side of a cliff in Jasper National Park. Only a curved, transparent pane of glass underfoot separates visitors from the Sunwapta Valley floor 918 feet (280 meters) below. This attraction is an exhilarating—if somewhat unnerving—way to experience the epic, untouched landscapes of the Canadian Rockies. From this vantage point, the view of the park’s ice-hatted peaks and glacial valleys is nothing short of spectacular.

Home to the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson Provincial Park and Protected Area draws in mountaineers, photographers, and sightseers. The 12,972-foot (3,954-meter) Mount Robson stands out both because of its size and dramatic geological rings that spiral up the mountain. Visitors frequently spot moose, elk, bear, and caribou.

Now the Canadian Museum of Immigration, Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia served as the first glimpse of Canada for many people who came to make this country their home. Interactive exhibits offer visitors the chance to learn what these new residents faced as they left where they came from in hopes of finding something better.

Overlooking the Burrard Inlet at the northernmost edge of Vancouver’s Stanley Park, Prospect Point promises views of the Lions Gate Bridge and the North Shore Mountains. Though it’s home to a restaurant and a historic lighthouse, the big draw is the expansive panoramas. On rare occasions, orcas can be seen swimming through the waters.

Located in the heart of downtown and a hub for the city’s Chinese-Canadian community, Toronto's Chinatown is a bustling neighborhood lined with an appealing range of small businesses. Visitors and Toronto residents flock here to dine at the area’s popular eateries and shop for produce and imported specialty items at corner grocers.

Dating back to the 1840s, Ottawa Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is the oldest church in Canada’s capital. The Gothic Revival structure is full of eye-catching design details, from its two shimmering, silver tin-covered steeples to the interior’s soaring vaults and star-studded blue ceiling.

Halifax’s Old Town Clock has faithfully kept time for the city since its installation in 1803. The clock is manually wound twice a week, and you can hear its chimes throughout the downtown area. With its copper dome, Palladian symmetry, and bright white exterior, the beloved landmark is a fixture of downtown Halifax.

Attracting skiers and hikers alike, Cypress Mountain is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. The title Cypress Mountain is something of a misnomer; there is no peak by this name. It instead refers to a trio of skiable mountains (Black Mountain, Mt. Strachan, and Hollyburn Mountain) that hosted events at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Learn about the seafaring history of Nova Scotia—which comprises the Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island—and its strong connection to the Atlantic Ocean at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. The museum traces the area’s maritime heritage, from the arrival of French, Irish, and Scottish immigrants by boat to the importance of the boatbuilding and fishing trades.

Previously known as the Canadian Museum of Civilization, this cutting-edge museum—just five minutes from downtown Ottawa—underwent a name change and a significant overhaul between 2013 and 2017. The museum’s high-tech exhibitions now tell the history of Canada and its peoples, from the earliest human inhabitants to the present day.

From totem poles to ancient fossils, British Columbia’s history is on display at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria. Explore vast collections covering the natural world and human heritage, with dioramas that place historic artifacts in context. A soaring IMAX screen and special exhibitions add to the museum experience.

Crescent Street (Rue Crescent), situated in the heart of Montreal’s bustling downtown, is the epicenter of the city's nightlife and home of the Grand Prix Festival, a celebration of the annual Formula One race. Lined with row houses, galleries, restaurants, and highly rated nightclubs, the street is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike.

Explore the Great White North’s many wonders at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Set in a historic castle in Ottawa, this five-story museum focuses on the country’s natural history with a fossil gallery, a water gallery (where you can see a blue whale skeleton), mineral displays, and an array of other exhibits.

In addition to being the governor general of Canada’s official residence and the meeting place for foreign dignitaries visiting Ottawa, Rideau Hall is a serene green space beloved by locals and travelers alike. The manicured grounds contain a vast lawn, rose garden, private greenhouse, and more than 10,000 trees—some planted by famous visitors.

In 1875, the North West Mounted Police built a wooden fort—and it became the birthplace of Calgary. Visit Fort Calgary today to learn more about the city's formative years from 1875 to 1914 through interactive exhibits, replica barracks, guided tours, and an interpretive center.

Situated in a narrow canyon abutting Capilano River Regional Park, this city-owned dam boxes in the Capilano Lake—the main water source for much of the Greater Vancouver region. Trails at the dam offer views of the dramatic 300-foot (91-meter spillway, old-growth forests, and the Lions, a pair of spearlike mountain peaks.

Vancouver Aquarium is one of the city’s top family-friendly attractions, with many visitors coming as part of a day out in Stanley Park. Explore more than 120 exhibits and encounter 65,000+ animals, from rescued sea otters and playful sea lions to tropical fish and jellyfish. Prebook your admission to enjoy daily animal presentations, interactive experiences, and the immersive 4D Theatre.

Quebec City’s National Museum of Fine Arts (Musée National des Beaux-Arts) houses one of the largest collections of Quebec art in the world. Situated behind the scenic Plains of Abraham (Battlefields Park), the museum’s pavilions showcase famed Canadian artists such as Jean-Paul Riopelle and an impressive Inuit art collection.

The Canadian War Museum is an architecturally unique building showcasing the history of Canada’s past conflicts. Honoring those who have served the country and putting focus on the topics of regeneration and building a better future, this Ottawa museum is home to themed exhibits, historical artifacts, military tools, weapons, and vehicles.