Canada attractions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The CN Tower defines the Toronto cityscape, piercing the sky and rising high above the neighboring buildings. While it no longer holds the “world’s tallest” title, it remains an iconic symbol of the city, offering the perfect vantage point to gaze out over Toronto and Lake Ontario. At night, the tower lights up colorfully to mark different events throughout the year.

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.

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.

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.

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.

While it may be the smallest of the three waterfalls that comprise the world-famous Niagara Falls, Bridal Veil Falls is anything but small. Located on the US side of the falls, the 50-foot-wide (15-meter-wide) waterfall thunders over a 181-foot (55-meter) drop. Its frothy white cascade is reminiscent of a bride’s veil—hence the falls’ name. This must-see natural wonder is one of the highlights of Niagara Falls and can be admired by land, water, and air.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Situated in Vancouver’s forested North Shore, this hatchery was established in 1971 to help boost depleting salmon stocks in the Capilano River. As well as breeding and releasing steelhead, chinook, and coho salmon, the hatchery also serves an educational purpose, chronicling the life cycle of salmon in an on-site interpretive center.

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.

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.

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.

The exterior of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal may look like any other Gothic Revival church, but the inside is where the true wonder lies. The pale blue ceiling is dotted and traced with gold, and the paintings, statues, and stained glass are richly colored. Despite being located in the busy streets of Old Montreal, the church is a calming respite from the buzz of the city.

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.

It might not be Canada’s tallest or most famous waterfall, but Montmorency Falls is impressive nonetheless; at 272 feet (83 meters), the cascade measures almost 100 feet (30 meters) higher than Niagara Falls. Just minutes from downtown Quebec, Montmorency Falls Park sits at the meeting point of the Montmorency and St Lawrence River, affording spectacular views of the natural wonder from all angles.

Running alongside the famous Château Frontenac in Quebec City, Dufferin Terrace (Terrasse Dufferin) is a wide boardwalk offering views of the city and the St. Lawrence river. In the summer, gazebos along the promenade host street performers and musicians, while in winter, the popular Les Glissades de la Terrasse toboggan run draws locals and visitors alike.

Once a busy shipping hub, the Old Port of Montreal (Vieux Port de Montréal) is now an entertainment center stretching along the St. Lawrence River. In addition to the promenade, the port is also home to the Montreal Science Centre, La Grande Roue de Montréal, an observation wheel, a boat spa, and seasonal outdoor attractions including an urban beach and an ice rink.