10 Best Things to Do in Canada

The CN Tower is the tallest building in Toronto and its most emblematic and recognisable symbol. Measuring 553.33 metres, it remains the highest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. The observation tower has stunning views of the surrounding city and Lake Ontario, and if you visit at dusk, the city lights will provide a magical sight.

Truly intrepid travellers can take the Edge Walk, the world’s highest hands-free, full-circle walk around the open platform. But don’t fear, walkers are securely attached with safety harnesses. We recommend securing tickets online in advance as availability is limited and entrance times are slotted. Once there, you can stay as long as you like.

The Royal BC Museum was set up in 1887 to safeguard and display native artefacts and prevent them from being whisked away to Europe never to be seen again. Now, the museum is a treasure trove of specimens and exhibits of the natural and cultural history of British Colombia. Every artefact tells a story connecting contemporary British Colombia with its distant past.

Permanent Collections include the First Peoples gallery which houses a huge collection of impressive totem poles. Another star exhibit is Woolly the Mammoth, a life-size replica of the extinct species that stands 3.2 metres tall. Make sure you call before visiting to check section closures.

With breath-taking mountain peaks, glistening turquoise lakes and incredible wildlife, Banff National Park draws visitors from around the world in all seasons. One of its main attractions is the famous wolf-shaped Peyto Lake accessed by a scenic hike which is short, if steep.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and flagship of Canada’s national parks system, Banff National Park has the best of the Canadian Rockies. In summer, visitors come for the 1600 kms of outstanding hiking trails. You can take a kayak out on one of the pristine glacial lakes for a special way to take in the especially beautiful scenery. Winter sport enthusiasts love the 3 world-class ski resorts and skating on the frozen Lake Louise.

Known for its expansive wilderness and abundant wildlife, Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. A rugged landscape of mountains, rivers, glaciers and alpine meadows, the park is home to iconic species such as grizzly bears, black bears, moose and elk. Avid stargazers love the park for its crystal-clear night skies. At 11,000 km², it is one of the largest dark sky preserves in the world.

Jasper National Park is open year-round, but some sections of protected caribou habitat close between 1 November and 15 May. If you enjoy wildlife watching the best times to visit are autumn and spring. While encounters with aggressive bears are rare, it’s wise to carry bear spray.

Millions visit the marvel of Niagara Falls every year, but not for their modest height of 57 metres. What makes them so spellbinding is the intense power from the sheer volume of water cascading over the crestline up to 2,832 tons per second, at speeds of up to 40 kms per hour.

Forming the border between the US and Canada, Niagara Falls consists of 2 curtains of falls on the US side and 1, the largest, on the Canadian side, where 90% of the flow surges over the curved Horseshoe Falls. The views are stunning along Canada’s Queen Victoria Park but for a closer peek, take a cruise boat (and a rain jacket) up close and into the spray.

Formed of ancient volcanic peaks, Whistler Blackcomb’s stunning mountain-scape spans 8,171 acres. Skiers flock here in the winter months for world-class skiing on 200 marked runs that include gentle slopes for beginners, challenging terrain for more advanced skiers and thrillingly steep runs for adrenalin junkies.

Voted the best ski resort in North America several times, Whistler Blackcomb is known for its reliable snowfall, mild temperatures and stunning scenery. It you like to party after conquering the slopes, you’ll enjoy the lively après ski scene too. The ski season runs from November to May to early November is the least crowded month with good snowfall. In the summer months the area draws visitors for excellent hiking trails amid stunning alpine scenery.

Postcard-perfect Lunenburg is a planned British colonial settlement that retains its original layout, architecture and charm. Historically a fishing village and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lunenburg is one of Canada’s prettiest towns to visit.

Most of Lunenburg’s buildings date from around the time it was founded in 1753 and are built in the beautiful architectural styles of the time, including Queen Anne Revival, Neo-Classical and Cape Cod. Lunenburg residents have carefully maintained the wooden houses and churches, painting them the vibrant hues they would have been in the 18th century, when the boat captains painted their fishing boats and houses matching colours. You can explore the entire town on foot, weather permitting.

Stitched into the country’s cultural fabric, ice hockey is Canada’s national winter sport and a country-wide obsession. Canadians grow up watching and playing the sport. They love and excel at it, so wherever you are in Canada, you’re never far from an ice rink.

Hockey accessible to all ages and levels in Canada, from tiny tots to elderly people, they’re all shooting pucks in local rinks. The most exciting games to watch are the pro leagues, but junior leagues are also fast-paced, high-level and exhilarating, and it can be easier to get tickets closer to the ice. Even if you’re not a fan, watching a hockey game in Canada is an electrifying experience you won’t forget.

Alberta, Canada, is home to one of North America’s largest shopping centres, West Edmonton Mall. More than a place to shop, this mall is a massive indoor entertainment complex. As well as 800 stores, it has a mind-boggling array of experiential activities you won’t find in any other mall anywhere on the planet.

To start with, West Edmonton Mall has a huge water park with 17 water slides. There is an indoor amusement park complete with rollercoaster, an underground aquarium, minigolf, bowling alley and an ice rink (of course). It even has a replica of one of Christopher Columbus’s ships. If you prefer to avoid crowds, early weekday afternoons are the best time to visit.

Polar bear viewing is a must-do activity in Canada’s frozen north, as it’s home to the world’s largest polar bear population. The best place to see them is in Churchill, Manitoba, known as the ‘polar bear capital of the world’. From here you can take a tundra vehicle tour, or local guides can take you on foot.

The best viewing time is October and November when hundreds of bears gather along the Hudson Bay coastline waiting for the sea to freeze over so they can start hunting. Polar bears don’t hibernate and so can be spotted on the tundra surrounding the town come summer. Or take a trip to remote Baffin Island to see them hunt between May and July.