The best places to travel in Canada

So…2025. Yeah. Not exactly the kind of start to a new year that most North Americans hoped for. But here we are. And with so, so many of you within Canada looking for ways to redirect your vacation dollars and even more of you beyond our beautiful country asking how you can support us in these very strange times, I have curated this post to help you find the best places to travel in Canada — year-round.

Before we continue… please join my new Facebook group, dedicated to all things Canadian travel. Ask questions, get advice and help others with their queries, too. I know there’s inspiration for your future vacations in Canada waiting there.

Those from abroad typically don’t fully grasp just how huge Canada is, so I’ve also created a handy map to help you get your bearings and plan accordingly. Because you’re not going to see the whole dang thing in one shot, unless you plan on staying for a year and being constantly on the move.

Instead, figure out whether you have a week or two — or maybe a whole month if you’re a lucky European with the entire month of August off — and concentrate on one province. Remember: you’ll always be welcomed back. We’re nice like that.

Here’s a map so you can see how big Canada is

For a little extra context when you’re working out the best places to travel in Canada, you can drive or take the train from Toronto to Montreal in about five to six hours but if you want to go from Toronto to Vancouver, it’s a five-hour flight. And — pro tip — unless you’re planning to stay in a major city with really good public transit, you’ll need to rent a car to get around. Sadly, our infrastructure isn’t like Europe and driving is a must in many cases.

So…what are the best places to travel in Canada?

Even as a Canadian who’s lived here for most of her life — save the three years I spent living and travelling in Europe and Asia — I still haven’t made it to every province nor any of our territories. Again, it’s a big place. And, frankly, until recently, I had never fully focused on homegrown travel destinations. And that means this isn’t even close to a complete list of Canadian travel ideas. But it’s a darn good start.

It probably makes the most sense to work my way from the west coast to the east coast and give you an overview of what I think is special about each place, then give you more links for detailed posts elsewhere on my site that will help you drill down and figure out where to eat, sleep and play in each place. That way, this post right here can stay more concise and get you where you need to go faster.

British Columbia

Coastal and urban adventures await along our “left coast.” From Vancouver’s chic vibes, great restaurants and magnificent Stanley Park to Whistler’s playground and down to Vancouver Island, where you can check off visiting the most western point of Canada in Tofino, there’s a travel dream for everyone in B.C.

B.C. travel ideas:

• Take a Vancouver to Whistler road trip
• Look for things to do on Vancouver Island
• Go skiing in Whistler
• Visit Big White Ski Resort
• Thinking of skiing at Panorama Mountain Resort? Here’s a Panorama Springs Lodge review

Alberta

Even though we aren’t impressed or agree with the provincial leadership there right now (that’s you, Danielle Smith), there are a lot of great, hardworking Albertans who would love to help you visit one of Canada’s most beautiful areas. Home of the Rocky Mountains, it’s an outdoorsy paradise with iconic postcard views that are known around the globe.

Alberta travel ideas:

• Get your Banff itineraries here!
• Ski at Sunshine Village and stay at the Sunshine Mountain Lodge
• Stay in stunning Lake Louise at a Relais & Chateau property; The Post Hotel & Spa review pairs perfectly with my Post Hotel restaurants piece

Saskatchewan

It’s more than just hay bales and fields for days. Saskatoon is one of the most vibrant cities in the country and once you get down into Southern Saskatchewan, where glacial valleys meet the Cypress Hills, you’ll wonder why you haven’t heard more about travelling here.

Saskatchewan travel ideas:

• If horseback riding travel is your jam, then this itinerary is one to consider (but there’s also loads of non-riding ideas, too!)
• Wonder no longer about what to do in Saskatoon

Manitoba

I’ll be fleshing this section out more after a future visit, but Winnipeg is a foodie’s delight and offers Canada’s most important museum for human rights. I’m going to suggest making this a summer destination unless you’re planning to travel to Churchill to see the polar bears. It’s cold here in the winter, y’all. If you’re looking for a Winnipeg hotel option before I get a chance to get back to this, my Holiday Inn Winnipeg Airport West review is a good place to start.

Ontario

I live in Ontario, so this section is gonna be BIG. I love my province and despite spending most of my nearly 50 years on Earth here, I’m still finding new areas to explore. Ontario has so much going on — from cottage country and world-class cities like Toronto to towns rich in the arts, like Stratford and Niagara-on-the-Lake. We also have Niagara Falls. (The best side of Niagara Falls, at that.)

Ontario travel ideas:

• Do a road trip through southwestern Ontario that includes heading down to Pelee Island — the most southern tip of Canada, which is on the same parallel as northern California!
• Have an eco-adventure near Turkey Point Beach
• There are so many things to do in Sudbury
• Go horseback trail riding in Ontario
• Explore the Rideau Lakes region
• Bringing your pooch along? Here’s an Ottawa pet-friendly hotel and a Toronto pet-friendly hotel to consider
• If you love history and the performing arts, here are things to do in Stratford Ontario (and an older “things to do Stratford Ontario” post as well) plus some inspo for the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake
• Here’s a helpful planning guide to help plan a weekend in Toronto with girlfriends
• Cottage weeks are a big thing in Ontario and this Haliburton cottage rental is gorgeous; plus, check out more Haliburton Ontario content to round out your time there
• Consider a weekend getaway in Toronto or a stay at Canada’s first Hard Rock, the Hard Rock Hotel London
• For day trips and shorter stays using the Greater Toronto Area as your starting point, here are nine weekend getaways in Ontario, road trips from Toronto, and day trips from Toronto
• Discerning travellers will love this luxury escape in Elora Ontario
• There are lots of resorts in Ontario, like Horseshoe Resort, Viamede Resort, Deerhurst Resort and Hockley Valley
• Discover Caribbean-blue waters! There are lots of things to do in Tobermory Ontario, including the Grotto in Tobermory
• Cruise the Rideau Canal with a houseboat rental in Ontario
• We have so many beautiful parks; here’s a partial Ontario provincial parks map with things to do at each one
• Speaking of parks, Algonquin Park is absolutely huge but you can do a canoe-in Algonquin camping overnight stay — complete with a wilderness guide
• There are loads of fun things to do Grey County, including Scandinave Blue Mountain
• Niagara Falls is a must and here are 17 things to do in Niagara with kids plus a Falls Avenue Resort review
• Just need some more hotel recos? Here’s my InterContinental Toronto Centre review, ALT Hotel Toronto Pearson Airport review, Westin Trillium House Blue Mountain review and more about the Holiday Inn Stay – Park – Go to Pearson package
• If you’ll be near Toronto and you love amusement parks, you’ll certainly want to experience Canada’s Wonderland thrill rides (not to fear — there are also some softer rides)

Quebec

This predominantly French-speaking province is a beauty. And, don’t worry, plenty of people speak enough English that you’ll be able to get by (but they do appreciate a little effort; a “merci” here and a “bonjour” there won’t go unnoticed). Whether you explore cosmopolitan — and very English-forward — Montreal, ski at Mont-Tremblant or visit Quebec City to discover “Canada’s Europe,” amazing cheese and Canadian culture awaits.

Quebec travel ideas:

• No matter the season, there’s always more to do in Mont-Tremblant than you could possibly do even in an entire week. My “things to do Mt Tremblant” post is a comprehensive overview of several lodging options, including the iconic Fairmont Tremblant, notes about every restaurant in the pedestrian village and activities galore across seasons
• Take a Quebec road trip
• Exploring Montreal? Here’s my InterContinental Montreal review

Nova Scotia

I haven’t been to every Maritime province yet, but I can say with certainty that Nova Scotians are the friendliest Canadians I’ve ever met in my life. Pair that with the colourful, historical homes of Lunenburg or the instantly recognizable Peggy’s Cove with the rugged coastline drive along the Cabot Trail, and you have the perfect recipe for a provincial road trip of a lifetime. Here’s everything you need to know about travelling to Nova Scotia.

 

DISCLAIMER: Many of these posts are the result of destination partnerships but there are also many that we created on our own dime. In all cases, suggestions and opinions are my own. For more great travel inspo in Canada, check out Destination Canada.