Commonly known for its generous hospitality, fair politics, and a famous migration destination, Canada is an underrated nation in travel and sightseeing. Home to many mesmerizing parks and rivers across vast landscapes, Canada is every adventurer and nature lover’s paradise. From the scenic Vancouver Island to the picturesque Montreal National Park, globetrotters are sure to be satisfied with all the eye-candy locations and experiences that await in this country. Without further ado, here are the top 18 places to visit in Canada
Moraine Lake
Located in Banff National Park of Alberta Province, Moraine Lake is a picture-perfect landscape nestled amidst the Valley of the Ten Peaks. The turquoise waters of Moraine that changes shade during summer and other seasons are one of the many reasons why travellers visit here frequently. Apart from its natural beauty, Moraine Lake also invites countless hikers and adventure lovers to explore and witness the scenic views from the top of the surrounding ten peaks. The waters are usually freezing. It’s also one of the reasons why swimming is not permitted. Although swimming and fishing are not allowed here, a canoe ride would be sufficient to make up an experience of a lifetime.
Old Quebec
Location
Once a French colonial city, Old Quebec is a part of the Quebec City home to several 17th-century landmarks, the upper-town and lower-town. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is also known as the birthplace of French North America. Inside the fortifications of Old Quebec, lies the Petit-Champlain shopping street, Parliament hill, the Citadel fort, the old port and many more destinations. One of the highlights is the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac hotel which looks quite out of the ordinary. An evening stroll would be sufficient to experience the hidden gems of Old Quebec and its French and Irish mix cultural sites.
Yoho National Park
Located on the southeast side of British Colombia, Yoho National Park on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains is one of the most scenic places to visit in Canada. Occupying an area of 1,300 square kilometres, this National Park is acclaimed amongst local hikers and adventure enthusiasts. Guided hikes are common among tourists, and they are totally worth the experiences. The towering cliffs, pine trees, O’Hara and the rest of the teal-blue alpine lakes are a bed of geological gems. Those who love waterfall sights MUST visit Takakkaw while in Yoho National Park. Many travellers visit the Park during July and August, but it’s an all-year-round destination.
Niagara Falls
The famous Niagara standing over 50 meters high is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. Consisting of 3 drops, the waterfall straddles the Canadian-USA border, located in the New York State. The lake begins from Erie and ends in Ontario. The city that is home to these famous falls also has a few other locations such as the State Park, Observation Tower and the Aquarium that travellers must visit on their way to see Niagara. The aquarium is home to Humboldt – the South American penguins, sea lions and seals. That’s not all – Niagara Falls city is also an adored geological treasure.
Stanley Park
Spacious than Central Park in New York, Stanley Park is a public park in Vancouver that takes up around 400 hectares of land space and one of the best places to visit in Canada. Unlike other urban recreational areas, Stanley Park has a captivating history to tell to its visitors. A scenic combination of mountains, forests, lakes and natural beaches existing alongside trendy eateries, historical landmarks and other experiences, Stanley Park is a beautiful place to visit in Canada. Few of the highlights here include its unique wildlife, the scenic sights and the mind-blowing adventure activities for all ages. Stanley Park is also home to Canada’s largest aquarium.
CN Tower
Standing at a height of 553 meters – the CN Tower in Toronto of Ontario is an iconic site in Canada, visited by over 1.5 million travellers annually. It’s taller than the Eiffel Tower and is the tallest tower in Canada. Originally named as Canadian National Tower, the CN Tower is a modern-day engineering marvel that provides a 360-degree view of the Toronto neighbourhood up to New York State and Niagara Falls. The highlight of this tower is the edge-walk experience for adrenaline junkies, and the revolving restaurant for whoever enjoys scenic views, gourmet food and futuristic ambience.
The Butchart Gardens
A magnificent display of floral splendour, The Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Colombia is one of the best places to visit in Canada if you are a nature lover. With its history dating back to one woman who had a dream to build her oasis of flora – Jennie Butchart transformed her backyard into the National Historic Site that stands today. Located close by to Vancouver Island, this pretty gardens receives about a million visitors annually. During summer, the Garden puts up a charming show of its best blooms, hence why it is considered the peak season. Locals advise travellers to visit in mid-day to avoid crowds and to witness Butchart’s natural beauty at your own pace.
Royal Ontario Museum
The largest museum in Canada and one of the largest in North America, the Royal Ontario Museum is located in the Capital city, Toronto. Exhibiting works of arts, natural history and culture, this museum is visited by approximately 1 million travellers annually. Its unique modern-historic building structure is an icon amongst architects worldwide, and regular travellers too. This showcase includes the architecture of Chinese culture, Roman, Middle Eastern, African and Asian cultures and many more. The Egyptian Mummy Gallery is one of the highlights, and visitors are required to get a different pass to enter this particular section.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
A public aquarium located in Toronto, Ontario, Ripley’s Aquarium is one of the three aquariums owned by Ripley Entertainment. Comprising 135,000 square feet this water wonder is home to over 20,000 marine animals and features North America’s biggest underwater tunnel with over 5.7 million litres of water. Some of the touch-exhibit creatures found here include sharks, stingrays, crabs and shrimps. The highlight at Ripley’s Canada – apart from the tunnel – is the daily dive show that happens every once in two hours. If you’re an aquatic admirer, Ripley’s is a must-visit place in Canada.
Montreal Botanical Garden
Located in Montreal, Quebec, the Montreal Botanical Garden is a manmade park that houses some of the most alluring plant cultivation architectures in the world. Taking up an area of 75 hectares, the Garden is home to over 21,000 plant species including ferns, cactus, medicinal plants, succulents, bonsai, alpines and many more. Seasonal attractions such as Butterflies Go Free, The Great Gardening Weekend, The Magic of Lanterns and The Great Pumpkin Ball at Montreal Botanical Garden attracts over 1 million travellers from around the world.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Crossing the scenic Capilano River in Vancouver, the suspension bridge offers a view of the simple natural beauty of the overlooking park. The Bridge in length is a total of 137 meters and 70 meters high and is unsteady even though safety is pretty much guaranteed. The name Capilano is derived from the Squamish word Kia’palano, meaning “beautiful river”. The Park too is a beautiful place, comprising thousands of acres of dense rainforests that are home to many species of plants and insects. Whilst the Bridge takes up most of the attention, travellers are promised more experiences here in Capilano, such as the Treetops adventure and the mighty cliff walk.
Calgary Stampede
An annual rodeo exhibit, Calgary Stampede held at Stampede Park, is a gathering place for those who enjoy the wilderness in a sophisticated setback. The Calgary Stampede is considered to be the largest outdoor rodeo tournament in the world. It is quite a thrilling sight to witness in Canada when compared to the laid back scenic landscapes of the country. One of the most unique factors about the Calgary Stampede is that team roping is not permitted during the rodeo show. Team roping is considered as being abusive towards the horses. Travellers who enjoy a little adrenaline-rush find themselves living up to their thrill expectations here at the
Calgary Stampede.
Casa Loma
A Spanish Gothic palace located in the heart of the urban Toronto city, Casa Loma is a 19th-century antique museum and mansion built as a residence for a multimillionaire. Surprisingly this is the only palace and the most extensive private housing ever built in Canada. Casa Loma is visited by over 350,000 tourists annually. Its Edwardian grandeur and intricate architecture is one of the highlights. Casa Loma’s name in English means ‘Hill House’, dedicated to its distinct setting mid-town. Comprising of 7 floors and 98 rooms in total, the palace-like mansion is a treasured yet beautiful place that boasts Canada’s unique heritage of colonization and urban life.
Royal BC Museum
Located in Victoria, British Colombia, the Royal BC Museum is an icon of Canada that features 550 million years of natural history and 9000 years of human history. It was founded in the late 1900s. Possessing a wide array of exhibit units the museum is the ideal place for travellers to learn about Canada’s social history and heritage as a whole. Annually close to 1 million travellers set foot in this information-rich museum. Activities and entrance tickets in Canada may not be cheap, but for those who love history and its marvels, Royal BC is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Canada.
Victoria Inner Harbour
Located in British Colombia, the Inner Victoria Harbour is a captivating site that every traveller should visit during their journey in Canada. Since the early days, it has been a gathering place for the indigenous Lekwungen people, and now it’s a scenic space that exhibits markets and ecotourism. One of the most famous wildlife activities here is whale watching. Marine adventurists would come across blue whales, orcas and humpback whales here in Victoria. Apart from whale watching, travellers can enjoy the laid-out structural views of the causeway marina and the ship-point where luxury yachts dock.
Banff National Park
Sitting beside the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Banff National Park is the first, the oldest and most visited natural haven in Canada. Unlike any other national park, Banff’s shading lakes and dreamy hills are simply out of a storybook. Encompassing 26 kilometres of sheer landscapes, over a million travellers visit this National Park annually. The highlights to witness here in Banff is the Emerald Lake Louise and the Sunshine Meadows. According to local guides, travelling during summer promises the best views in comparison to the rest of the seasons. Apart from the scenic views, adventure lovers can take part in hiking, canoeing or even enjoy a wildlife escapade. Banff National Park is undoubtedly one of the best scenic places to visit in Canada.
Gros Morne National Park
Another one of Canada’s majestic parks of natural beauty, Gros Morne National Park is surely the best place to visit in Canada. Located on the eastern side of Newfoundland, this ancient landscape is home to waterfalls and glaciers turned to fjords and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to geographical factors, the dramatic hills of Gros Morne Park took 485 million years to form. It comprises 1,805 square kilometres. Hikers and nature lovers have the opportunity to walk on ancient sea beds, ocean avalanches or discover the park’s dense greens, endemic plants, animals and birds.
St. Lawrence Market
Located in Toronto, St. Lawrence Market is a place for everyone. A famous shopping complex for locals, travellers too can take a glimpse of an ordinary Canadian’s life in the urban city. Featuring cheap home-grown and fresh produce of trusted farmers, St. Lawrence Market’s history dates back to the early 1800s. Back in the day, it was the City Hall and a major hub for gatherings. With over 100 vendors shopping their products, it’s a one-stop shop where visitors can purchase food ranging from Chinese to Greek, bakery products, meats, dairy products, artisans and antiques. For those visiting Toronto, this is a must-visit place in Canada.
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