Whether it involves exploring a downtown atmosphere, a place with deep Indigenous roots, or a breathtaking nature scene/historic site, there’s a lot of diverse destinations to explore in Canada.
Listed below are some of the most popular Canadian destinations and what stands out about each of them.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a natural wonder and a popular tourist attraction that draws in visitors from not just only within Ontario, but from other provinces across the country and the U.S. It is made up of three falls: the Horseshoe Falls (located on the Canadian side and the largest of the three), the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls. While spectators can view the falls along trails and other viewpoints within the area, services like the Maid of the Mist boat and WildPlay Zipline offer a closer look of the falls for an additional price. Make sure to view the falls as day turns to night to see when the falls light up in an array of colours.
ByWard Market District
The Parliament Building is not the only exciting attraction in Canada’s capital. The ByWard Market District in Ottawa is a year-round market that serves as a unique heritage destination for both residents and tourists. It is also the largest public market in Canada. The market is home to over 600 businesses that specialize in cuisine, shopping, arts, entertainment and professional services.
Fun Fact: The ByWard Market District was established in 1827 by Lt-Col. John By, making it the oldest market in the country.
The Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies take up most of the northern section of the North American Rocky Mountains, which stretches from Alaska all the way down to New Mexico. The Canadian portion of the Rockies are situated between British Columbia and Alberta, taking up Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Yoko National Park, Kootenay National Park and Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. The Canadian Rockies are a popular attraction for natural beauty lovers with over nine million visitors travelling to the national parks annually. The mountains can be explored through helicopter tours, rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding and biking, just to name a few.
Old Quebec City
Old Quebec City is a UNESCO Heritage site that holds over 400 years of history. Go back in time and travel through the cobblestone walkways and colonial architecture to experience Quebec’s rich history. Must-try activities in Old Quebec City include taking a tour of the Château Frontenac (the world’s most photographed hotel), visiting the remains of Forts-et-Châteaux-Saint-Louis and taking a stroll along Petit-Champlain.
Banff National Park
While parts of the Canadian Rockies can be exposed here, the set of mountains are not the only exciting aspect of this national park. Established in 1885, Banff National Park is Canada’s first and most visited national park. A renowned highlight of the park would be Lake Louise, an iconic and stunning turquoise lake with surrounding peaks of the Victoria Glacier in the background, making for those perfect awe-inspiring photos.
CN Tower
Once the world’s tallest building, the CN Tower is a symbol of Toronto and can be found in the heart of the city’s downtown core. Every year, the tower draws over two million visitors who want to visit and see breathtaking views of the city below and participate in thrilling attractions like the EdgeWalk, where visitors are attached to a harness while walking along the tower’s edge for an additional price. The tower also boasts their award-winning revolving restaurant, 360 The Restaurant.
Wanuskewin Heritage Park
Canada’s deep Indigenous roots play a crucial role in the country’s history as the Indigenous people are the original inhabitants of the land. Across Canada are many places where one can learn more about Canada’s Indigenous history. The Wanuskewin Heritage Park outside of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is one of those places. It is a non-profit cultural and historical centre of the First Nations and also Canada’s longest running archeological dig site. The land continues to be a place of meeting for the nations of the Northern Plains and also welcomes guests from other walks of life. The park offers an Interpretive Centre, a restaurant, gallery spaces, playground, hiking trails and various programming.
Whether it is a natural wonder or a place filled with history, Canada is filled with so much to explore, providing the opportunity to learn more about this rich land.