Canada is the best part of Canada to visit—all of it. As the second-largest country in the world, Canada offers an overwhelming array of natural wonders and diverse landscapes that make choosing just one destination nearly impossible. From the Canadian Rockies stretching over 3,000 miles to Vancouver Island, the largest island on North America's west coast, I've explored many remarkable places firsthand.
When friends ask me about the best places to visit in Canada, I list vastly different experiences. Should they witness the world's highest tides at the Bay of Fundy, or perhaps spot polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, where up to 40 bears can be seen in a single day during peak season? Historic Quebec City, founded in 1608, offers an entirely different experience than Toronto, Canada's largest city, with 2.9 million residents. Places to visit in Canada range from pristine wilderness to vibrant urban centers, each with its unique charm.
Throughout this guide, I'll share my insights as a local, helping you discover destinations that match your travel interests—whether you're drawn to majestic mountains, fascinating wildlife, rich cultural experiences, bustling cities, or hidden gems off the typical tourist path.
For Nature Lovers: Mountains, Lakes, and Forests
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If mountains speak to your soul, Canada's natural landscapes will leave you breathless. The country boasts some of the most spectacular wilderness areas on the planet, with three regions standing out as must-visit destinations for nature enthusiasts.
The Canadian Rockies and Banff
Nature's grandeur peaks in Banff National Park, the crown jewel of Canada's outdoor spaces. As Canada's first national park and part of the UNESCO Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, Banff offers a perfect introduction to the majesty of the Canadian Rockies.
The park's turquoise lakes reflect towering mountain peaks in a display that seems almost too perfect to be real. Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff, invites visitors to explore its shores through picturesque drives and peaceful picnic spots. Meanwhile, Moraine Lake's vibrant blue-green waters, colored by mineral-rich glacier runoff, create one of Canada's most photographed scenes.
For those seeking remarkable vistas, the Banff Gondola whisks you to breathtaking viewpoints where six mountain ranges and the sweeping Bow Valley unfold before you. Furthermore, Johnston Canyon offers accessible adventure through suspended catwalks past rushing waterfalls and towering canyon walls.
Yoho and Jasper National Parks
Just across the British Columbia border lies Yoho National Park, an often-overlooked treasure that deserves equal billing with its more famous neighbor.
Yoho receives more precipitation than neighboring Banff, consequently creating forests with a more lush, magical feel. The park showcases nature's artistry through:
- Emerald Lake – The largest lake in Yoho, surrounded by the President Range mountains forming a natural amphitheater of the grandest scale
- Takakkaw Falls – At 373 meters high, it's one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in Canada
- Lake O'Hara – A prized alpine lake that spends most of the year locked in ice and requires reservations for visitors
North of Banff, Jasper National Park stretches 11,228 square kilometers, making it the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. As the world's second-largest dark sky preserve, Jasper offers unparalleled stargazing opportunities alongside its daytime splendors. The park houses an astonishing 1,762 lakes, with only 107 named, creating countless opportunities for solitude and discovery.
Cape Breton Highlands and coastal trails
On Canada's east coast, Cape Breton Highlands National Park presents a dramatically different yet equally inspiring natural setting. The park features 26 hiking trails that range from strolls to challenging climbs, all leading to panoramic views of canyons, highlands, waterfalls, or coastlines.
The Skyline Trail is the park's signature hike, offering spectacular panoramic views of the famous Cabot Trail and the vast Atlantic Ocean. For a unique experience, join a guided Skyline Sunset Hike to witness one of dusk's most breathtaking mountain headland views.
The park's diverse ecosystem allows visitors to experience multiple environments daily, transitioning from forest trails to tundra-like flora and hilltops strewn with quartz and mica. The Mica Hill trail, notably one of visitors' favorites, showcases this remarkable diversity.
For ambitious hikers, Parks Canada offers a "10-trails-in-one-day hiking challenge". Complete all ten shorter trails within the park, and you'll receive a special souvenir marking your accomplishment and memories of some of the best places to visit in Canada.
For Wildlife Seekers: Where Nature Comes Alive
For wildlife enthusiasts, Canada offers extraordinary opportunities to witness magnificent creatures in their natural habitats. From massive polar bears to acrobatic whales, these experiences represent some of the best places to visit in Canada for unforgettable animal encounters.
Churchill's polar bears and belugas
Churchill, Manitoba, rightfully earns its nickname as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World." This remote northern town welcomes approximately 1,200 polar bears each autumn as they migrate toward Hudson Bay. These impressive "Lords of the Arctic" can weigh up to 600 kg (1,320 lbs) and stand 3.05 meters (10 feet) tall. Despite their massive size, they move with surprising speed and possess a sense of smell that can detect seals from over 30 kilometers away.
The prime viewing window runs from October to early November, though bears can appear along coastal areas as early as June. Specialized tundra buggy tours operate throughout the season to observe these magnificent creatures safely. These modified vehicles allow visitors to lock eyes with wild polar bears while maintaining safe distances.
Surprisingly, Churchill also boasts exceptional beluga whale viewing opportunities. Nearly one-third of the world's beluga population migrates to western Hudson Bay every summer, with approximately 3,000 belugas inhabiting the Churchill River estuary. These vocal "sea canaries" are known for their chirping, whistling, and clicking sounds, which tour operators help visitors hear through hydrophones. July and August offer optimal viewing conditions, ranging from boat tours to kayaking alongside these gentle, curious creatures.
Johnstone Strait orcas
Johnstone Strait, along the west coast of British Columbia, hosts one of the world's largest pods of resident orcas. This spectacular marine channel also home to roughly 200 killer whales, making it perhaps the most reliable place in the world to see these majestic mammals up close.
The Northern Resident Killer Whales that inhabit these waters are organized into three distinct clans—A, G, and R—each with unique vocal dialects. These highly social creatures form pods led by matrilines, where the eldest female guides her extended family. While kayaking through these waters, visitors might observe humpback whales bubble net feeding, Pacific white-sided dolphins jumping playfully, or the more elusive minke whales slipping quietly beneath the surface.
Although maintaining a respectful distance (at least 400 meters) is crucial for the orcas' well-being, the waters around Johnstone Strait provide unparalleled opportunities to witness these intelligent creatures hunting, socializing, and even performing unique behaviors like beach rubbing.
Bay of Fundy's whale watching
On Canada's Atlantic coast, the Bay of Fundy is among the best places to visit for marine wildlife diversity. The bay's powerful tidal currents create nutrient-rich waters that attract numerous whale species between June and October.
Visitors can spot several impressive species, including:
- Humpback whales with their acrobatic breaching displays
- Massive finback whales gliding through the waters
- Smaller but numerous minke whales
- The endangered North Atlantic right whale, which uses the bay as a nursery
Although rare, lucky observers might glimpse blue whales, sperm whales, or killer whales. August typically offers the most abundant viewing opportunities. Whale watching tours depart from harbors in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with vessel options ranging from traditional boats to exhilarating Zodiac experiences that bring you closer to water level.
Tour operators follow a Marine Tour Operators Code of Ethics to ensure these magnificent creatures remain undisturbed, though occasionally whales approach within 25 feet of boats, creating truly unforgettable moments.
For Culture and History Buffs
History enthusiasts seeking cultural immersion will find Canada's heritage-rich cities among the best places to visit in Canada. The country's colonial past and diverse influences have created distinctive destinations where centuries of stories unfold around every corner.
Quebec City's old-world charm
Step into Quebec City and be transported to another era and continent. As North America's only walled city north of Mexico, this UNESCO World Heritage Site captivates visitors with its remarkably preserved 400-year-old French colonial core. The Historic District of Old Quebec earned its prestigious designation in 1985 for retaining its colonial architecture for over four centuries.
Wandering through the cobblestone streets reveals 37 National Historic Sites, including the impressive fortifications that stretch 4.6 kilometers around the old city. The Citadelle, nicknamed "Gibraltar of the Americas," has functioned as a military base since 1850 and offers panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River.
Moreover, the iconic Château Frontenac hotel dominates the skyline. Built in 1893 by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, it's considered the most photographed hotel globally and exemplifies the grand railway hotels of the 19th century.
Montreal's art and architecture
Just downriver, Montreal showcases a different facet of Canadian culture through its remarkable blend of architectural styles. The city reflects its colonial past and modern evolution, with well-preserved buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries in Old Montreal testifying to its industrial growth.
Indeed, Montreal boasts an extraordinary array of museums and cultural institutions. The Canadian Center for Architecture, founded in 1979 by Phyllis Lambert, operates as an international research institution based on the premise that architecture is a public concern. Subsequently, the city earned recognition as a UNESCO City of Design in 2006.
Religious architecture is a highlight, with Montreal once nicknamed "la ville aux cent clochers" (the city of a hundred bell towers). Saint Joseph's Oratory houses the third-largest dome in the world, after the Basilica in Côte d'Ivoire and Saint Peter's in Rome.
Lunenburg's maritime heritage
Colorful Lunenburg offers a distinctly different cultural experience on Canada's Atlantic coast. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated in 1995 for its British-style street planning and unique architecture, represents the best-preserved example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America.
The town's connection to its maritime past is evident everywhere, from the "widow's walks" atop houses where families anxiously awaited loved ones' return from sea to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Housed in former fish processing plant buildings along the waterfront, the museum's three floors of exhibits reveal the stark contrast between the romance of the sea and the harshness of life dependent on fishing.
Visitors come primarily to see the famous Bluenose II, a replica of the legendary racing schooner that never lost a race and appears on Canada's dime. This 151-foot ship with its 125-foot mast continues the seafaring traditions that defined this remarkable coastal community.
For Urban Explorers: Canada's Best Cities
Urban adventurers will discover that Canada's cities offer remarkable contrasts in character and experiences. Each metropolis tells a unique story through its skyline, neighborhoods, and distinctive cultural energy.
Toronto's skyline and neighborhoods
Toronto's dramatic skyline, punctuated by the 553-meter CN Tower, creates one of North America's most recognizable urban silhouettes. As Canada's largest city, Toronto welcomes over 27.5 million visitors annually, drawn to its extraordinary diversity of experiences.
The city's true character emerges through its unique neighborhoods. Kensington Market showcases Toronto's multicultural identity, with over 50 nationalities in its shops and eateries. In contrast, Yorkville presents a refined shopping district with over 700 designer boutiques, galleries, and restaurants catering to upscale tastes.
Vancouver's mix of nature and city life
On the western coast, Vancouver achieves the impossible—a thriving urban center perfectly integrated with spectacular natural surroundings. The city consistently ranks among the world's most livable cities, partly because residents can hike mountain trails in the morning and enjoy world-class dining by evening.
Stanley Park is Vancouver's crown jewel. It is a 1,000-acre urban forest surrounded by a 5.5-mile seawall that offers breathtaking views of mountains, the city, and the ocean simultaneously. Ancient cedar, hemlock, and fir trees create a primeval forest experience minutes from downtown skyscrapers.
Halifax and the East Coast vibe
Halifax delivers an entirely different urban experience with its intimate scale and maritime personality. This walkable city centers around one of the world's longest downtown boardwalks (4.4 km), where harbor views accompany every stroll.
Unlike its larger counterparts, Halifax embraces a deliberately slower pace. The city's rich naval history shapes its character, with the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic preserving artifacts from defining moments, including the Titanic disaster (Halifax was the closest major port to the sinking site). Its historic downtown features colorful Victorian-era architecture alongside pubs where traditional East Coast music sessions spontaneously erupt most evenings.
Ultimately, these urban centers offer compelling reasons why cities should be considered among the best places to visit in Canada, each delivering distinctly different yet authentically Canadian experiences.
For Off-the-Beaten-Path Travelers
Adventurous souls seeking Canada's hidden treasures will find magic in destinations where tourist crowds thin and authentic experiences await. These off-the-beaten-path gems reveal a different side of the true north.
Yellowknife and the Northern Lights
Nicknamed the "Northern Lights Capital of North America," Yellowknife offers unparalleled aurora viewing with displays visible approximately 240 nights per year. The Northwest Territories' capital sits perfectly under the auroral oval, creating ideal conditions for witnessing this natural phenomenon. Prime viewing seasons run from mid-November through early April, plus late summer to early autumn.
First-time visitors should plan for multiple viewing nights to maximize chances of catching the display. Indigenous-owned tour operators like North Star Adventures drive guests to viewpoints around Yellowknife, relying on expert knowledge to track the elusive lights. Prepare for extreme temperatures, as nighttime lows of -20°C and below are common during winter viewing season.
Prince Edward Island's slow pace
PEI's unhurried rhythm provides a perfect counterbalance to our fast-paced world. The newly established Island Walk (nicknamed "PEI Camino") circles the province on a 700-kilometer route, passing through beaches, forests, and picturesque red dirt roads.
What truly distinguishes PEI is its community spirit. As one traveler noted, "everyone looks out for someone else". This interconnectedness creates unexpected moments of genuine hospitality, from farmers spontaneously gifting freshly harvested potatoes to strangers offering directions. According to visitors, "the beauty of Prince Edward Island is that it forces you to slow down".
Cape Spear and Newfoundland's rugged coast
Standing at Cape Spear—North America's easternmost point—puts the entire continent at your back with nothing ahead but ocean until Ireland. The site's historic lighthouse, constructed in 1836, stands as Newfoundland's oldest surviving lighthouse. The Cantwell family maintained this vital beacon for mariners navigating these treacherous waters for generations.
Beyond Cape Spear, Newfoundland's Granite Coast Drive reveals hidden treasures like Rose Blanche Lighthouse, where a restored 19th-century granite structure overlooks countless shipwreck sites. Particularly adventurous travelers can take passenger-only ferries to remote communities like La Poile or explore abandoned settlements that offer glimpses into traditional coastal life.
Conclusion
Throughout this journey across Canada's magnificent landscapes, we've explored vastly different experiences that truly showcase why choosing the "best" part of this incredible country remains nearly impossible. From Banff's turquoise lakes reflecting majestic peaks to Quebec City's cobblestone streets echoing with 400 years of history, Canada offers remarkable diversity for every type of traveler. Undoubtedly, wildlife enthusiasts will find themselves mesmerized by Churchill's polar bears or the orcas of Johnstone Strait. At the same time, urban explorers might prefer Toronto's vibrant neighborhoods or Vancouver's perfect blend of city amenities and natural beauty.
After traveling extensively throughout Canada, I've learned that the country's magic lies not just in its postcard-perfect destinations but also in unexpected moments—spotting the Northern Lights dance above Yellowknife, hearing spontaneous maritime music in a Halifax pub, or witnessing the world's highest tides at the Bay of Fundy. Above all, this vast nation rewards those willing to venture beyond popular attractions into lesser-known treasures like Prince Edward Island's unhurried communities or Newfoundland's rugged coastlines.
What is the best part of Canada to visit? All of it, eventually. Consequently, rather than trying to see everything simultaneously, choose destinations that align with your interests and travel style. Though Canada may be the world's second-largest country, its welcoming spirit and breathtaking landscapes make every corner worth exploring, regardless of which region you visit first.
