Canada attractions

Named after a 16th-century Greek explorer, the Strait of Juan de Fuca is sandwiched between Vancouver Island and Washington state, connecting the Salish Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The international border between the US and Canada cuts through the channel, and marine creatures—including whales, porpoises, and seals—abound.

Calm and free from crowds, this forested island off Vancouver serves as a retreat from the stresses of the city. With hiking trails, kayak-friendly coastline, and sheltered bays, the island offers plenty of opportunities for fun in the fresh air, while a smattering of small villages showcase its vibrant art, craft, and food scenes.

The vast green space and wooded trails of Point Pleasant Park, on the southern tip of the Halifax peninsula, contains 185 acres (75 hectares) of oceanside parkland. Bustling with walkers, joggers, and visitors to the seaside city, this park is home to statues, events, and memorials including the Halifax Monument erected in 1969.

The action in Montreal's Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin) centers on Saint-Denis, a street lined with funky shops and bistros. The area really comes into its own in summer when it hosts festivals. Locals, tourists, and French-speaking students from University of Quebec at Montreal pack the neighborhood’s many cafes, bars, theaters, and live music venues.

With its Douglas fir features and a curved roof that resembles a bald eagle in flight, the striking design of the Squamish Adventure Centre references its surroundings. The center is a hub for visitors to the area, offering information on outdoor activities in Squamish and views of the imposing granite dome of the Stawamus Chief.

More than 50 Prince Edward Island artists and artisans are represented among the collections at this small gallery, where you’ll find everything from paintings and carvings to pottery, jewelry, and homeware on display. Dine at the popular on-site café and wander the pretty gardens, which are dotted with sculptures and exotic blooms.

Located on the banks of the Yukon River, the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site celebrates the history of riverboats in the Yukon. During the Klondike Gold Rush, the S.S. Klondike played an important role in moving ore, goods, and people up and down the river between Whitehorse and Dawson City. The boat is now a museum and monument to the era of riverboat transportation.

Housed inside a 1930s building topped with an art deco clock tower, Atwater Market (Marché Atwater) is one of the city’s top foodie hot spots. Food sellers hawk local artisanal produce including Canadian ice wine, maple syrup, Quebec cheeses, charcuterie, fresh-from-the-oven pastries, and all kinds of farm-grown fruit and vegetables.

Perched on a grassy hilltop above sweeping red sands, Covehead Harbour Lighthouse is one of the most photographed spots on Prince Edward Island (PEI). While this lighthouse is one of the island’s shortest at just 27 feet tall (8.2 meters tall), its charming white and red-trimmed exterior and panoramic coastal views make it one of the most popular.

Just outside of Whitehorse, the Yukon River carves its way through a basaltic lava flow, revealing colorful cliffs of volcanic rock. During the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 19th century, the fierce rapids of Miles Canyon were a vital artery for prospectors. However, the canyon has since been tamed with a dam, and it’s now a popular recreation area for locals and visitors alike.

Head to the Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market for a great selection of locally grown and crafted items. Foodie travelers will be in their element here, as the market features 250 vendors selling everything from fresh seafood to local cheeses and handmade desserts.

Yorkville, situated northeast of the University of Toronto, has transformed into a chic, high-end shopping district lined with luxury stores, art galleries, restaurants, and historic homes. Known in the 1960s as the "hippie capital of Canada," Yorkville was once home to cultural personalities, including Joni Mitchell and Margaret Atwood.

Dedicated to the rehabilitation and protection of Canada’s native wildlife, the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops is home to over 200 animals, including Arctic wolves, bison, and cougars, most of which have been rescued. Visitors can engage in activities ranging from observing grizzly bear feedings to holding a snake.

Just north of Whistler Village, Green Lake—named for its vibrant emerald hue—is a popular recreation area for activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The glacier-fed lake, surrounded by mountains, makes for a great picnic spot too. It’s also a landing zone for seaplanes, which connect Whistler to Vancouver and Victoria.

Designated a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Jasper is a stargazing paradise. Come to the 40-seat Jasper Planetarium for a glimpse at the area’s star-studded skies, with interactive planetarium shows and powerful outdoor telescopes.

Halifax City Hall stands at the north end of the city’s historical Grand Parade, which dates back to when Halifax was founded in 1749. The building was constructed between 1887 and 1890 and is now one of the oldest public buildings in Nova Scotia. Using a combination of sandstone and granite, the building’s architecture stands out from other nearby buildings.

The aptly named Outremont (French for “beyond the mountain”) is situated northwest of Mount Royal. Since its establishment in the 1800s, Outremont has remained one of Montreal’s most upscale Francophone areas and a hub for the city’s Hasidic population. Today, the neighborhood features parks, historic homes, and hidden gem bars.

The Bay of Fundy separates New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Close to shore, the red rocks of the coastline have eroded into fantastical shapes, and the trees that perch atop them seem like they should topple into the sea at any moment. Located within the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'gmaq people, the bay is home to the highest tides in the world.

Housed in a castle-like structure, Canada’s original mint no longer produces currency for circulation—that now happens at Winnipeg’s Royal Canadian Mint. However the Ottawa facility is still functioning, churning out special-edition collector coins and precious metal bullion. Tours of the facility reveal the processes of coin-making.

Canada’s highest peak, the world’s largest non-polar ice fields, and North America’s most genetically diverse grizzly populations are all located within the Yukon Territory’s Kluane National Park and Reserve. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is packed with postcard-worthy glaciers, mountains, rivers, and lakes, and visitors can spot wildlife such as caribou, wolves, grizzlies, and more than 100 different species of birds.

Situated in the wine-growing regions of Niagara Peninsula and Okanagan Valley, the award-winning Jackson-Triggs is one of Canada’s leading wine producers. The winery’s Niagara estate, planted with chardonnay, pinot noir, and riesling, offers visitors the chance to learn about the winemaking process and taste their acclaimed wines.

Quebec City visitors in the mood for a scenic stroll won’t want to miss the Promenade Samuel-De Champlain. Popular with cyclists and runners, the waterfront park is a must for city goers looking to escape the busy streets for a few hours.

Stretching along the rugged north coast of Prince Edward Island, this national park features some of the province’s most dramatic scenery. It encompasses red sea cliffs, sandy beaches, towering dunes, salt marshes, and sprawling birch forests inhabited by red fox, muskrat, and mink.

As the largest park in Toronto, High Park offers a bounty of recreational opportunities. Locals and visitors alike hop from activity to activity, including playgrounds, a dog park, zoo, hiking trails, tennis courts, swimming pools, baseball fields, and an ice skating rink. High Park is a popular spot for concerts and for enjoying nature, especially in spring’s cherry blossom season.

Located on the Saanich Peninsula, Church and State Wines is proof that you don't have to stray far from Victoria to grow fantastic wine grapes. The Saamich location is one of two Church and State outposts in BC—the other is in the province's celebrated Okanagan wine region.

The Yukon River stretches nearly 2,000 miles (over 3,000 kilometers) from its source in British Columbia, across the entire width of Alaska, before emptying into the Bering Sea. During the Klondike Gold Rush, the river was one of the few transportation routes for gold prospectors and many historic gold rush sites and relics can be viewed along the river today.

Part of the University of British Columbia campus, Vancouver’s Museum of Anthropology displays a variety of works of art and cultural artifacts from around the world, with a focus on First Nations pieces. Visit to see a variety of items, including huge carved sculptures, hand-built canoes, traditional masks, and ceramics.

The Lachine Canal (Canal de Lachine), which runs 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) from Montreal’s Old Port to Lake St. Louis, was built in 1824 to allow ships to bypass the dangerous Lachine Rapids. Today, the canal is lined with parks, bike paths, public art, and bustling residential neighborhoods, as well as the Fur Trade National Historic Site.

Explore the artwork of British Columbia from the 18th century to the present day at Audain Art Museum. Head to Whistler to see the museum's permanent collection of works from some of Canada’s most celebrated artists, including First Nations artists, as well as visiting exhibitions from around the world.

Mt. Edith Cavell exemplifies the grandeur of the Rockies in Jasper National Park, Alberta. This prominent mountain, named after the heroic British nurse Edith Cavell, captivates visitors with its rugged beauty. On the north face of the mountain lies the Angel Glacier, a soft blue monolith that resembles an angel with outstretched wings.