12 thrilling adventures to discover across Canada

The vastness of Canada is truly astonishing.

This expansive nation includes everything from the icy, barren Baffin Island to the lush forests and mountains of Banff. Enjoy the mild weather in Victoria, British Columbia, and the brisk climate of St Johns, Newfoundland, located six time zones apart. Explore dinosaur fossils in Drumheller and the sleek skyline of Toronto.

Selecting a dozen attractions that embody the spirit of this immense country is akin to picking your 12 favorite stars in the Milky Way. Here’s our modest effort to highlight the top things to experience in Canada.

1. Hike for a delightful cup of tea above Lake Louise, Alberta

You could spend multiple summers exploring the numerous trails in Banff National Park. However, if you must select just two paths that offer breathtaking mountain vistas along with cozy refreshments, the Lake Louise teahouses are perfect. Established by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the early 1900s, these historic cabins are reachable only on foot or horseback. In the warm summer months, they provide a delightful menu of hot drinks and tasty treats. The Lake Agnes Teahouse is perched in a mountain cirque km (2.2 miles) above Lake Louise, while the Plain of the Six Glaciers Teahouse is located 5.6km ( miles) southwest of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, offering views of the Victoria glacier. Adventurous souls can tackle both in one ambitious trek.

2. Discover the remnants of the Gold Rush in Dawson City, Yukon Territory

Dawson City, one of Western Canada’s most well-preserved and evocative national historic sites, commemorates the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896–98, often referred to as America’s “last grand adventure.” This pivotal event significantly influenced Canadian culture and Yukon folklore. A notable legacy from this period is the tight grid of wooden buildings that remain largely unchanged since the settlement’s peak in the 20th century. In 2023, UNESCO designated Tr’ondëk-Klondike as a World Heritage site, recognizing the often-overlooked effects of the gold rush on the region’s Indigenous communities. It's important to remember that two of the original prospectors, Skookum Jim and Tagish Charlie, were members of the Tagish First Nation.

Planning tip: Parks Canada guides in period attire offer fantastic summer walking tours of the town’s key landmarks. Catch them at the visitor center.

3. Explore the treasures of the reclaimed potlatch collection on Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Travel north to Alert Bay on the small Cormorant Island, just off Vancouver Island, to witness a prime example of Canada’s vibrant Indigenous culture: the U’mista Cultural Centre, a distinctive museum designed like a traditional wooden Indigenous longhouse. It showcases an extensive collection of Kwakwaka’wakw artifacts—including masks, carvings, and totems—recovered after being seized by Canadian authorities in the early 20th century when the practice of “potlatch” gift-giving was shamefully outlawed.

4. Experience a festival in the bilingual city of Montréal

Few cities can match Montréal in its bilingual and bicultural charm, nor its diverse array of festivals. The summer season kicks off in June with Festival Mural, a celebration of graffiti and hip-hop culture. Following closely are Les Francos de Montréal (Québécois music) and the Canadian Grand Prix (motor racing), with July featuring the monumental Juste pour Rire (Just for Laughs, a major comedy festival), capped by the unmatched Festival International de Jazz de Montréal as the pinnacle of the season. And that’s just the beginning—Montréal’s streets are alive with more parades, galas, circuses, and street parties throughout the rest of the year.

5. Fly into the remote Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories

To witness the untouched beauty of Nahanni in the Northwest Territories, you must board a floatplane. This roadless national park is renowned for its wild rivers that meander through the MacKenzie Mountains, navigating deep canyons and a karst landscape filled with interlinked caves. With no residents and no facilities, visits can be costly, but they promise unforgettable experiences. Multi-day guided paddling trips on the South Nahanni River are particularly breathtaking.

Planning tip: Flights should be booked from Fort Simpson in the NWT or Whitehorse in the Yukon. Rafting and canoeing adventures can be arranged with licensed outfitters like Black Feather, which offers 14-day canoeing tours on the South Nahanni River.

6. Explore Anglo-French colonial history in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

Once caught in the crossfire of colonial conflicts during the 17th and 18th centuries, Annapolis Royal in rural Nova Scotia is now a tranquil town that bears little evidence of its tumultuous past. Its crown jewel is Fort Anne, a historic fortification first built by the Scottish in 1629, reinforced by the French in the 1640s, and ultimately taken over by the British in 1713. Beyond this military stronghold, the town also preserves several less contentious cultural treasures, including some of Canada’s oldest surviving homes.

Detour: Located about 14km (9 miles) northwest of Annapolis Royal, the Port Royal National Historic Site is a replica of one of the earliest permanent European settlements in North America, founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1605.

7. Discover Vancouver’s “back garden” in the North Shore Mountains

The untamed landscape of mountains and valleys just north of Vancouver serves as the city’s proverbial backyard—and, for many, its greatest attraction. With a network of well-marked trails and easy access via public transport, this backcountry is close enough to explore in a single day. You could be spotting bears in Hanes Valley by lunchtime and belting out “Mr Brightside” at a downtown karaoke bar by evening. Most visitors reach the North Shore through the Grouse Mountain gondola, but a mere 20-minute walk from the bustling summit restaurant reveals a realm of pristine subalpine forest and steep ridges.

Planning tip: Recommended hikes on the North Shore include the rocky ascent to Goat Mountain, the challenging backcountry rollercoaster through Hanes Valley, and the popular, root-strewn path to the viewpoint at St Mark’s Summit.

8. Experience ancient Viking sagas in L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland

Nearly 500 years before Columbus arrived in North America, a brief yet groundbreaking Viking settlement emerged on the northern tip of Newfoundland. You can explore its misty legacy through several reconstructed sod houses at L’Anse aux Meadows, a national historic site first unearthed by two Norwegian archaeologists in the 1960s. In the evenings, modern guides gather in traditional kitchens to share captivating Viking tales.

9. Take a stroll through the Plaines d’Abraham in Québec City

Québec City stands as one of the oldest European-founded settlements in Canada and the only walled city north of Mexico. It’s also the site where the continent’s future was determined in a brief yet decisive battle between the British and French on the Plaines d’Abraham (Plains of Abraham) in 1759. You can delve into the historical context at the Musée des Plaines d’Abraham, which presents the conflict through artifacts and maps. Afterward, enjoy scenic river views and have a picnic in the adjacent park, then visit the formidable Citadelle de Québec, a fort built by the British atop former French defenses in the early 1800s.

Detour: Nestled between the Old Upper Town and the waterfront, the Petit-Champlain neighborhood features the city’s most fascinating museums, along with numerous outdoor cafes and restaurants lining its pedestrian-friendly streets.

10. Encounter a Tyrannosaurus rex in Drumheller, Alberta

Paleontology takes center stage in the dusty town of Drumheller, where the Royal Tyrrell Museum showcases one of the world’s premier fossil collections, many of which were discovered locally. Adding a touch of kitsch, the city is home to the largest dinosaur in the world—a hefty fiberglass T. rex that visitors can climb to peer through its gaping jaws.

Detour: Beyond the dinosaur attractions, this arid region of eastern Alberta is renowned for its dramatic Badlands landscape and peculiar, mushroom-shaped rock formations known as hoodoos. Several scenic driving routes wind through this striking geological terrain.

11. Experience the flavors of Toronto—literally

A rich tapestry of cultures and neighborhoods, Toronto stands as Canada’s urban giant. This diversity is most deliciously showcased in the city’s culinary landscape. With around 7,000 restaurants, the metropolis offers an incredible variety of flavors, cultures, and dining experiences. You can explore and savor everything from upscale dining in the Financial and Entertainment Districts to hidden gems in Kensington Market and Chinatown.

Detour: Old Town’s iconic St Lawrence Market has served as a neighborhood gathering spot for over two centuries. The beautifully restored South Market features more than 120 specialty food stalls and shops—think cheese makers, fishmongers, butchers, bakers, pasta artisans, and much more.

12. Enjoy winter and summer adventures in Whistler, British Columbia

Charming, compact, and ruggedly appealing, Whistler is the stylish alpine village that co-hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics. Nestled across two mountains and just 120km (75 miles) north of Vancouver, Whistler is famous for its massive 8,171-acre ski area (one of the largest in the world). Nowadays, thanks to clever marketing and thoughtful infrastructure improvements, summer visitors now surpass those in winter. No matter the season, you’ll have immediate access to an expansive backcountry of wild mountains and pristine recreational lakes.

Planning tip: Both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains are accessible via high-speed gondolas that operate year-round. Even better, the two peaks are connected by the world’s second-longest free-span gondola, the Peak 2 Peak.