Visiting Canada For the First Time? Here’s What To See and Do

Niagara Falls is a wonder of the world and offers one of the globe’s most impressive natural spectacles. Spanning three discrete waterfalls on the Ontario–American border, the falls have the greatest flow rate of any on Earth. That translates to a thundering show that will leave you happily drenched, whether you opt for a trip on a Niagara City Cruise vessel or experience Journey Behind the Falls. Prefer to stay dry? Head to the Skylon Tower for aerial views.

Insider tip: Many Niagara Falls day trips also include a stop at Niagara-on-the-Lake. The charming town is home to one of Canada’s most celebrated wine regions, and is a great place to try the local specialty: icewine.

No Canada travel itinerary is complete without Toronto: Canada’s largest city is home to over 3 million people and boasts the country’s top tourist attraction. That honor goes to the CN Tower, the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere and a symbol of the city. Standing 1,815 feet (553 meters) high, the tower offers 360-degree city views, plus daredevil-friendly activities from the outdoor EdgeWalk experience to The Top, one of the world’s tallest observation decks.

After you’re done, don’t stop your Toronto sightseeing there: Hit the Hockey Hall of Fame, explore the historic Distillery District, get cultured at the Royal Ontario Museum, and nosh your way through the St. Lawrence Market.

Attention, food lovers: After New York City, Montreal has the second-highest number of restaurants per capita in North America. That makes it an exceptional place for a culinary crawl. Begin with poutine: The local staple is composed of gravy-doused French fries mixed with squeaky cheese curds, and is ideal warming winter fare.

Beyond its star dish, Montreal offers wide-ranging opportunities for culinary discovery, from its Mile End neighborhood—home to Schwartz’s, which slings traditional smoked-meat sandwiches, plus the famous St-Viateur and Fairmount bagel shops—to the bustling Jean-Talon Market. Then there are its traditional bistros, eclectic international restaurants, and microbreweries. Book a guided food tour for a stomach-filling adventure.

Laid-back Vancouver in British Columbia is known for its historic Gastown neighborhood, foodie-friendly Granville Island, and cultural attractions, including the Museum of Anthropology—it’s Canada’s capital of West Coast cool. But what really makes the city special is its proximity to nature. Take Stanley Park: Spanning 1,000 acres (405 hectares), it is one of North America’s largest urban parks, and offers beaches, rainforest bike trails, First Nations totem poles, and unparalleled mountain views from the Seawall Promenade. For outdoorsy types, it’s one of the must-see spots in Canada.

Insider tip: Extend your time in nature with a visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Alternatively, go farther afield on a day trip to Vancouver Island, where you can visit Victoria and Butchart Gardens.

Thought cowboys and rodeos were unique to the American West? Think again. While Calgary—located where the Canadian Prairies meet the Rockies in Alberta—is plenty cosmopolitan, it’s also known as “Cowtown.” That’s because it hosts the annual Calgary Stampede. One of the world’s largest rodeos (and one of the top Canada attractions), it spans 10 days in July, attracting more than 1 million visitors to its rodeo events, agricultural competitions, First Nations exhibitions, and more. Time to practice your best “yeehaw!”

Insider tip: Once you’ve attended the Calgary Stampede, continue your sightseeing at Heritage Park, a major living-history museum, or at Studio Bell, home to Canada’s national music center.

Here’s a Canada tip for first-time visitors: There’s almost nowhere more beautiful than the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. A collective UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, the contiguous Banff and Jasper national parks (plus the lesser-known Kootenay and Yoho) stretch from British Columbia to Alberta. Along the way, they offer truly staggering natural scenery, from jagged, snow-capped peaks to ice-blue alpine lakes. Thankfully, you don’t need to plan your own mountaineering excursion. Many convenient day trips cover the best of the parks, including highlights such as Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Columbia Icefield. At the latter, you can ride right onto the Athabasca Glacier, or admire aerial views from the Columbia Icefield Skywalk.

Often described as North America’s most European city, Quebec City is also one of its oldest. Founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1608, it’s been a bastion of French language and culture in Canada ever since. The best place to experience that history is in Old Quebec (Vieux Québec), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Book a sightseeing tour that covers highlights from the Place Royale to the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. The traditional architecture and cobbled streets will make you feel like you’ve continent-hopped.

Insider tip: One useful Canada sightseeing tip: It’s worth brushing up on basic French before your visit, both for ease of navigation and to win brownie points with locals.

Canada stretches so far north that several of its territories extend into the Arctic Circle. For aurora borealis hunters, that means just one thing: optimal conditions for viewing the northern lights. Unlike many other destinations to the north, Yukon’s aurora season stretches far beyond winter, from mid-August through to mid-April.

So, you need not brave the deep-winter freeze to witness the phenomenon. Book an evening tour to benefit from a local guide’s knowledge of dark-sky viewing areas—or go for a multi-day trip from Whitehorse to give yourself the best odds of spotting the celestial show.

The northern lights aren’t the only natural show on offer in Canada. At the other end of the country, the easternmost province of Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the best places to go on a whale-watching tour—not just in Canada, but on Earth. Whales can be sighted off the coast all year-round, including the world’s largest population of humpback whales, as well as blue whales, orcas, and minke whales. You can also look out for dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and even bald eagles.

Afterwards, continue your sightseeing in the province’s capital of St. John’s, where you can spot historic lighthouses, admire the candy-colored houses of Jellybean Row, and finish with a food tour.

Situated between Toronto and Montreal, Ottawa is smaller and less visited than either of those flagship cities. But as Canada’s capital, this charming city is absolutely bursting with government landmarks, historic buildings, national museums, and cultural attractions worth discovering. No trip is complete without taking in the landmarks of Parliament Hill, cruising along the UNESCO–listed Rideau Canal, or visiting museums from the National Gallery of Canada to the Canadian Museum of Nature. After all that capital sightseeing, hit up ByWard Market for a bite, and don’t leave before trying a BeaverTail: These doughnut-like fried treats are flavored with cinnamon and sugar, and come loaded with toppings.