Canada Travel Guide:       Best Places to Visit

Map of the leading tourist destinations in Canada

The team at ThereArePlaces has developed a proprietary method for evaluating the attractiveness of towns and regions as tourist destinations. We used this methodology to create our list of the best places to visit in Canada. We believe that the cities and regions described below are the country’s key tourist destinations, contain Canada's best attractions and urge you to visit them during your travels in Canada.

• Québec

  • Québec Province offers scenic delight and two cities that may rank as the best of Canada.

    • Québec City

      
      

      • Québec City, located on the St. Lawrence River, has an  Old Town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city combines its charm, history, and architecture to take on a European flavor. Québec displays its French heritage in a variety of ways and the French language is preferred by the majority of the city's citizens.

      • Be sure to see the Quartier Petit-Champlain, a  neighborhood  bordering Place Royale, the Fortifications of Quebec (several miles of fortifications that defended the Old Town), La Citadelle of Quebec - often referred to as America's Gibraltar (guided tours only) and the Québec Old Port, for views into the early settlement of North America.

      • Although it is a commercial hotel, every tourist should visit the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, which dominates Old Quebec and is based on the architectural styles of the Renaissance and Middle Ages.

      • Visit the City's official website for more information.

    
    

    • Montreal 

      • Montreal is beautiful, culturally diverse, and a great place to visit. It is the second largest French speaking city in the world and mixes old word charm with a modern infrastructure. 

      • Be sure to see picturesque "Old Montreal, the Montreal Museum of Fine Art, the Park Olympique built for the 1976 Olympics and the impressive Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal. 

      • Take in the eclectic but charming Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood and the Quays of the Old Port of Montreal, which is a tourist center for many activities, including cruises and other excursions.

      • For more information visit the city's official website.

      
      

• Ontario

  • Ontario's main attractions hug the Lake Ontario Shoreline.  If you have not toured the Lake, put it on your agenda of things to do.

    
    

    • Toronto 

      • Toronto is the trendy city of Canada: it has great entertainment, fantastic restaurants, and several modest attractions.

    
    

    • Niagara Falls

      • The Falls are glorious: it's a shame that you have to pass through an embarrassingly plastic town to see this glorious attraction.

    
    

    • Niagara On The Lake

      • This town is a delight. It has a high-quality summer theater series and is a wonderful place to stay when exploring Lake Ontario.  The town provides a restful atmosphere and is a great setting for cycling and outdoor activities.

      
      

    • Ottawa

       

      • Ottawa, near the border of Quebec Province, is a pleasant town that is known for its festivals (particularly its Tulip Festival), Winterlude (billed as "America's greatest winter festival), numerous museums and overall pleasantness. 

         

        • Favorites include touring the Parliament of Canada, visiting the Canadian Museum of Civilization (a history of Canada's people) and the National Gallery of Canada. Ottawa has a number of fine restaurants, good nightlife and an active performing arts community that will keep your evenings busy during a visit.

         

      • The Capital of Canada is located on the Ottawa River where it is joined by the Gatineau River and  the Rideau Canal Waterway.  The Rideau  connects beautiful lakes and rivers between upstream Ottawa and Kingston, which is located on Lake Ontario.  If you have time, arrange  a sightseeing cruise along the Rideau. In addition,  trails are available for some great bicycling.

        • If you prefer to drive, the Rideau Heritage Route, which wanders through impressive scenery eventually connects with the Thousand Island area and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

         

      • Gatineau National Park, just across the river in Quebec Province, is a delightful place to visit any time of the year, but in autumn the changing colors of its forests makes it one of the most beautiful places in the world.
        

   

  
  

• Alberta

  • Alberta marks the front of  the Rocky Mountains in Canada: the "Rockies"  seem to get better the further north you go.

    
    

    • Banff National Park

      • Banff is incredibly beautiful mountain country.  You can drive and observe the scenic beauty of the area or you can  participate in any number of outdoor activities.

    
    

    • Lake Louise

      • The Banff area was highly glaciated in the past and the resulting topography created many lakes but only one Lake Louise.  Lake Louise is one of the most gorgeous lakes in the world.  In addition, it is one of Canada's most popular attractions and you will need to make reservations a year in advance.

    
    

    • Jasper National Park

      • Jasper National Park continues the string of beauty  north from Banff.  Drive the Icefields Parkway in Jasper for one of the world's most scenic drives.

  
  

• British Columbia

  • Magical may not be exactly the right word for British Columbia but the province is incredibly beautiful and you will not regret a visit.

    
    

    • Vancouver 

      • Placed in a gorgeous setting, Vancouver offers something for everyone.   You will run out of time before you run out of things to do in Vancouver. Art, museums, parks, beaches, and good food abound.

    
    

    • Victoria

      • There are a number of things to do in Victoria but  to the north, Butchart Gardens steals the show: although, high tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria is quite a treat. In addition, the Royal British Columbia Museum provides fine examples of the region's history.

    
    

    • Whistler/Blackcomb

      • If you like mountain resorts, this is the place for you. World class skiing in the winter and great golf in the summer.

    
    

• The Atlantic Provinces

  • Canada's Atlantic Coast offers a beautiful coastline, startlingly attractive villages, and wilderness in abundance.  Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are popular locations but Newfoundland and Labrador beckon to the outdoor enthusiast (You do remember the  "Lure of the Labrador Wilds" by Jack London?).

If you need information about another travel destination, try Googling our site or the Web

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