Your comprehensive guide to exploring Canada's top destinations: urban thrills and natural wonders

Canada enchants visitors with its stunning wildlife, pristine nature, and rich cultural experiences. Spot polar bears, sail along Vancouver’s coastline, delight in Toronto’s culinary scene, or immerse yourself in Montréal's vibrant music culture.

Whether you’re a first-time traveler or revisiting to discover new gems, these are the must-see places in Canada. Remember to plan ahead, as this vast country is the second-largest in the world—you can't take it all in at once. 

Ontario

1. Toronto

Best for Variety

A dynamic blend of cultures and neighborhoods, Toronto leaves you in awe with its urban landscape. Savor the delights of Chinatown, explore Greektown, or indulge in exquisite fusion cuisine. With its eclectic neighborhoods, vibrant art galleries, theaters, and hockey fervor, Toronto stands out as Ontario’s trendiest city. It’s also Canada’s most multicultural metropolis—almost half of its residents hail from abroad.

Insider tip: Capture a shot of the CN Tower (a must-see in Toronto). For an extra rush, try the Edgewalk, where you can stroll around the tower’s edge while enjoying breathtaking views of the city.

2. Niagara Falls

Best for a quintessential travel experience

Canada’s top tourist destination, Niagara Falls, captivates with its breathtaking and powerful waterfalls. Take the classic Maid of the Mist boat tour to feel the thunderous spray firsthand. For those who love hiking, the Niagara Glen trail winds through ancient forests and rugged landscapes, providing a serene escape from the roaring falls.

Enhance your visit with a picturesque biking journey along the Greater Niagara Circle Route or elevate your adventure with the Wildplay Zipline, offering spectacular views of the falls.

3. Manitoulin Island

Best for experiencing Canada’s First Nations culture

As the largest freshwater island in the world, Manitoulin offers a relaxed atmosphere with charming summer cottages and lakeside beaches. Its rugged shoreline, featuring white quartzite and granite formations, provides stunning views. The island’s eight communities celebrate First Nations culture, offering local cuisine and eco-friendly adventures. Powwows enrich the experience with drumming, dancing, and storytelling, creating a deep connection to the land and its people.

4. Rideau Canal

Best for ice skating

Established in 1832, this 200 km-long (124 miles) waterway—comprising canals, rivers, and lakes—links Ottawa and Kingston through 47 locks. The Rideau Canal shines in winter, transforming a section into the Rideau Canal Skateway—the largest skating rink in the world.

Skaters glide along the 7.8 km (4.8 miles) of meticulously maintained ice, stopping for hot chocolate and delicious fried dough treats known as beavertails (a true Canadian favorite). February’s Winterlude festival elevates the experience with the creation of impressive ice sculptures by local artists.

Insider tip: When the canal thaws, it becomes a haven for boating, ensuring you can enjoy its beauty no matter when you visit.

British Columbia

5. Vancouver

Best for vibrant urban living with nature at your doorstep

Surrounded by breathtaking sea-to-sky views, the easygoing, cocktail-loving city of Vancouver boasts skiable mountains nearby, coastal beaches, and Stanley Park’s dense rainforest just moments from the downtown skyline.

Bring a picnic and savor the (permitted) summer park drinking. Explore the eclectic and charming neighborhoods—you might even catch a glimpse of a celebrity. Dubbed “Hollywood North,” Vancouver serves as the backdrop for numerous TV shows and films throughout the year.

Travel tip: With its temperate climate and stunning beaches, Vancouver is undoubtedly one of the top summer destinations in Canada.

6. Vancouver Island

Best for nature, surf beaches, and gourmet food experiences

Charming Victoria is the jewel of Vancouver Island, boasting eclectic shops, cozy coffee houses, and a rich history rooted in English tea traditions dating back to the 1840s. As the capital of British Columbia, this delightful city serves as the gateway to an island filled with stunning natural attractions.

The Pacific Rim National Park’s West Coast Trail showcases enchanting wilderness and the famous waves of Tofino. With an abundance of outdoor activities, it’s a top choice among Canada’s national parks for nature enthusiasts.

Side trip: Food lovers should explore the Cowichan Valley, home to friendly small farms and charming boutique wineries.

7. Whistler 

Best for skiing, mountain biking, and summer paddleboarding

Host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler is among the globe’s premier ski resorts, located just 90 minutes from Vancouver. With over 200 marked runs traversing the two majestic mountains—Whistler and Blackcomb—this alpine village is a dream for skiers.

While skiing is Whistler’s main attraction, summer guests with bikes and paddleboards keep it lively year-round. The village has also nurtured a vibrant arts and culture scene, featuring highlights like the Audain Art Museum and the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, which stand out alongside the renowned slopes.

Alberta

8. The Canadian Rockies 

Best for breathtaking mountain views

Renowned as the most beautiful destination in Canada, the Canadian Rockies stretch across British Columbia and Alberta, offering unforgettable adventures in five national parks. Engage in activities like hiking, whitewater rafting, and skiing.

For a unique perspective, hop on the train and soak in the scenery from your seat: vibrant lakes, fields of wildflowers, and sparkling glaciers pass by as the train chugs through mountain passes and river valleys heading east or west.

9. Drumheller

Best for dinosaur enthusiasts

Dinosaur aficionados will be awestruck in the dust-swept town of Drumheller, where pride in paleontology is evident, thanks to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, which houses one of the world’s finest fossil collections. Here, you’ll also find the largest “dinosaur”—a colossal fiberglass T-rex that visitors can climb and look out of (through its mouth). Beyond the dino attractions, take in the classic Badlands landscape, featuring the haunting “hoodoos,” or rugged rock formations.

Travel tip: Take the scenic driving loops; they guide you past all the must-see sights.

Curious about local favorites in Canada? Discover some of our writers' top picks.

Quebec

10. Old Québec City

Best destination in Canada for romantics

As the capital of Québec, boasting over 400 years of history, this city is a haven of romance and allure. Its ancient stone walls, soaring cathedrals, and jazz-filled cafes evoke the charm of the most captivating European locales. Stroll through the narrow, winding streets of the old town, where street performers, quaint inns, and the delightful scent of café au lait and buttery pastries await.

For those eager to venture outside the city, consider a scenic drive along Québec’s Rte 132, which meanders by the sea, mountains, and picturesque towns, offering stunning views and a glimpse into the region's natural splendor.

11. Montréal

Best destination for music enthusiasts 

As Canada’s second-largest city and its cultural hub, Montréal is a delight for music lovers. From June to August, the city’s parks, beaches, and festivals buzz with energy from vibrant rooftop bars and art-filled streets. The annual Montréal International Jazz Festival showcases the world’s top jazz musicians, offering over 500 performances, many of which are free, drawing enthusiastic crowds. Looking for more? Explore additional things to do in Montreal to enhance your visit.

Travel tip: Visit Tourisme Montréal for the latest updates on live music events, both large and small, happening across the city.

Prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan)

12. The Prairies

Best for expansive road trips under the big sky

In the heart of Canada, solitude prevails. Travel through Manitoba’sSaskatchewan’s

Vast skies herald powerful storms that loom on the horizon for miles. Remote towns include artistic Winnipeg, spirited Moose Jaw, and Mountie-rich Regina, along with pockets of Ukrainian and Scandinavian heritage.

13. Churchill

Best destination for polar bear sightings

The first time you encounter a polar bear up close will leave you awestruck, and there’s no better place for such an experience than Churchill, Manitoba, located directly on the bears’ migration route. From late September to early November, tundra vehicles bring you within reach to meet these magnificent creatures. In summer, you can kayak or paddleboard alongside playful beluga whales.

Atlantic Canada

14. Bay of Fundy

Best destination for whale watching

With its lighthouses, boats, and quaint fishing villages, the Bay of Fundy is far from your typical Canadian bay. Its dramatic tides draw various whales, including fin, humpback, and the endangered North Atlantic right whales, making it an essential spot for whale watching. For more maritime adventure ideas, explore the best places to visit in Nova Scotia.

Northern Canada

15. Baffin Island

Best for Inuit art and stunning landscapes

The rugged terrain of Baffin Island features towering mountains and houses about a third of Nunavut’s population. As Canada’s largest island, it’s an ideal spot for arctic safaris where you might encounter narwhals, belugas, and bears. The highlight is Auyuittuq National Park, meaning “the land that never melts,” where glaciers, fjords, and steep cliffs dominate the eastern region. This park beckons serious hikers and climbers, along with its resident polar bears.

Local tip: Baffin Island is also a hub for Inuit art; many small towns feature studios for exceptional carving, printmaking, and weaving.

Continue planning your journey to Canada:

Discover how to explore Canada by train and by car.

Uncover the best times to visit and the top attractions in Canada.

Find out how to navigate Canada and travel across Canada on a budget.

Get details on the visa requirements for visiting Canada.