19 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions In Canada

Canada is the second largest country in the world. It is located in North America, between the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. The country consists of 10 provinces and 3 territories. It has high mountains, large lakes, dense forests, and modern cities. The country is very clean and safe. That is why many people come here for a vacation.

One of the most popular attractions in Canada is Niagara Falls. It is one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in the world. The CN Tower in Toronto is one of the tallest buildings in Canada. The entire city can be seen from here. Banff and Jasper National Parks have snow-capped Rocky Mountains, blue lakes, and wildlife. Quebec City and Montreal have French architecture, churches, and cultural events. The city of Vancouver is a wonderful mix of modern buildings and nature. Ottawa is the capital of Canada, where the Parliament Building and the National Museum are located.

In this blog, we will know the details of the 19 best tourist places in Canada. There will be information about the location, specialties, and visiting times of each place. If you are thinking of traveling to Canada, this list will be very useful for you.

1. Banff National Park, Alberta

Banff National Park is located in the Canadian province of Alberta. It was established in 1885 and is Canada’s first national park. The park is part of the Rocky Mountains and covers an area of about 6,641 square kilometers. It is home to snow-capped peaks, glaciers, lush forests, and blue lakes. UNESCO has designated the park a World Heritage Site.

The most popular attractions in the park are Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Lake Louise is home to the iconic Fairmont Chateau Louise Hotel. The lake’s water is a blue-green color in summer, which comes from melting snow. Tourists can go hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and horseback riding here. The Athabasca Glacier and Icefields Parkway is a scenic drive that takes you past mountains, lakes, and glaciers.

In winter, Banff becomes a ski paradise. Skiing and snowboarding are available at Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mount Norquay. The town of Banff is located within the park and features hotels, restaurants, cafes, and the Banff Upper Hot Springs. You can also take the Banff Gondola to the top of the mountain and see the entire valley.

2. Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls is a very famous waterfall. It is located on the Niagara River, which connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The falls are divided into three parts—Horseshoe Falls (on the Canadian side), American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls (on the United States side). Horseshoe Falls is the largest and most impressive, and is best seen from the Canadian side.

Millions of tourists come here every year to see Niagara Falls. There is an attraction called “Journey Behind the Falls”, where you can walk through the caves behind the falls. The “Hornblower Boat Tour” takes you right to the front of the falls, where you can feel the shock and sound of the water up close. At night, the dazzling lights and light shows make Niagara Falls even more enchanting.

The city of Niagara Falls is also quite attractive. The Clifton Hill area has a theme park, haunted houses, restaurants, candy shops, and various games for children. There is the Niagara Ferris Wheel, from which you can see the entire view from above. If you want, you can drive on the Niagara Parkway and see the beautiful nature around. Not far away is the famous Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is a small town known for its vineyards and wineries.

3. CN Tower, Toronto

The CN Tower is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is one of the most famous buildings in Canada. It was built in 1976 and was once the world’s tallest tower. It is about 553 meters (1,815 feet) high. The tower can be easily seen from anywhere in the city.

The CN Tower has an observation deck, from which you can see the entire city of Toronto, Lake Ontario, and, in good weather, Niagara Falls, which is about 100 miles (160 km) away. There is a glass floor, from which you can stand and see the streets and city below, which is a thrilling experience for many. If you want, you can do the EdgeWalk, where you can walk along the outer rail of the tower with a secure rope – it is the highest hands-free walk in the world! The CN Tower has a revolving restaurant, called 360 Restaurant. You can see the surrounding city while eating at this restaurant. At night, the entire tower is lit up with colorful lights, which look very beautiful from a distance.

4. Old Quebec, Quebec City

Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec) is a historic district of Quebec City, Canada. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area was developed as a French colony in the 17th century. The streets here are paved with stone, and the houses are in the old European style. There are many famous places in this area. The Château Frontenac is an iconic hotel, which is considered the most photographed hotel in the world. It is home to the City Fortifications, which are the only walled city in North America. In addition, the Place Royale and the Notre-Dame de Quebec church are very popular. You will also find museums, small shops, art galleries, and cafes.

In the summer, Old Quebec is surrounded by various festivals, such as the Festival d’été de Québec and street performances. In the winter, the snow-covered scenery makes it look like a fairy tale, and the Carnaval de Québec is held, one of the largest winter festivals in the world.

5. Whistler, British Columbia

Whistler is a popular mountain town in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is located about 120 km north of Vancouver and is a great drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Whistler is mainly known for its ski resorts and winter sports. It hosted some of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. It receives a lot of snow in the winter, making it ideal for skiing and snowboarding.

Whistler’s main attraction is Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America. There are more than 200 ski trails here, suitable for all types of skiing. Apart from skiing, you can also go snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or ice skating. Whistler is also worth visiting in the summer, when there are opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, ziplining, and golfing.

The center of the town, Whistler Village, is very beautiful and well-groomed. There are hotels, cafes, restaurants, spas, and various shops. You can also ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola between the peaks of two mountains, the longest and highest gondola in the world. Whistler hosts a variety of festivals, art shows, music festivals, and events throughout the year.

6. Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland

Gros Morne National Park is located in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The park is geologically significant because it exposes the deepest layers of the Earth’s crust to the surface. Covering an area of about 1,800 square kilometers, this vast park features mountains, lakes, rivers, coastlines, waterfalls, and glacial valleys.

The most popular part of the park is Gros Morne Mountain, which is ideal for hiking enthusiasts. It offers views of the park’s vast expanse and lakes. You can also take a boat tour of the Western Brook Pond Fjord, where you can enjoy views of steep mountains, waterfalls, and tranquil lakes. There is the Tablelands, a rocky area that looks like Mars. You can see deer, elk, loons, and even seals. Small villages around the park, such as Rocky Harbour and Norris Point, offer food, lodging, and local culture.

7. Jasper National Park, Alberta

Jasper National Park is located in the Canadian province of Alberta. It is located in the Rocky Mountains and is one of the largest national parks in Canada. The park is full of natural beauty. It has snow-capped mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, and dense forests. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

There are many places to visit in this park. Maligne Lake is very beautiful, with the picturesque Spirit Island in the middle. There are also Athabasca Falls, Maligne Canyon, Sunwapta Falls, and the Columbia Icefield, which is a large ice field. The Glacier Skywalk is a glass walkway that hangs above the mountain—it is very exciting to walk. You can go hiking, kayaking, camping, and skiing in the winter.

Jasper Park is home to many wildlife, such as deer, elk, bears, and wild goats. There is a small town called Jasper Town within the park. There are hotels, restaurants, and shops here. At night, you can see the stars in the clear sky here. If you are lucky, you can also see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).

8. Stanley Park, Vancouver

Stanley Park is a large and popular park located on the outskirts of Vancouver. It is spread over 400 hectares and is the oldest urban park in Canada. The park was created in 1888. There are trees, a reservoir, walking paths, and many kinds of animals.

The most famous part of the park is the “Seawall”. It is a 9-kilometer-long road that runs along the seashore. You can walk, cycle, or take pictures here. There is a large aquarium inside the park – the Vancouver Aquarium. Here you can see many sea animals, including dolphins, seals, and jellyfish. It is very interesting for children. Stanley Park also has beautiful gardens, small lakes, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The park has some historic totem poles, which are part of Aboriginal culture.

9. Moraine Lake, Alberta

Moraine Lake is a beautiful lake in the Canadian province of Alberta. It is located within Banff National Park, near Lake Louise. The lake is nestled in the mountains and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and rocky terrain. The color of the lake’s water is a deep blue or turquoise green, which is caused by the melting glacier water.

Moraine Lake is at its most beautiful during the summer. The lake is usually open from June to October, as the road is closed during the winter. Many tourists come here to take pictures, hike, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of nature. There is a short walking trail called the “Rockpile Trail” that offers great views of the lake. This place is so beautiful that it is called “Canada’s Postcard View”.

There is also boating on Moraine Lake, and many people enjoy canoeing here. There are no hotels or shops around the lake, so many people travel from Lake Louise. There are fewer crowds if you go early in the morning, and the lake water looks brighter as the sun rises.

10. Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick/Nova Scotia

The Bay of Fundy is a bay located between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It is world-famous for having the highest tides in the world. Twice a day, the water level fluctuates by about 15 to 20 meters, which is an incredible natural phenomenon. This is why many tourists come here to see these tides.

One of the attractions of this bay is the Hopewell Rocks, which are submerged during high tide and fully visible during low tide. Tourists can go down and walk the rock formations and the beach. There are also whale watching, kayaking, hiking, and bird watching. There are many marine life such as whales and seals.

There are many tourist attractions, trails, information centers, and small towns around the Bay of Fundy, where you can enjoy local culture and food. When visiting here, it is a good idea to know the low tide and high tide times in advance so that you can experience both.

11. The Butchart Gardens, British Columbia

The Butchart Gardens are a famous botanical garden located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is located on Brentwood Bay, near the city of Victoria. The garden began in 1904, when Jenny Butchart converted an old stone quarry into a flower garden. It is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Canada.

Butchart Gardens has a variety of gardens covering an area of about 55 acres, such as the Sunken Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Italian Garden, and the Rose Garden. Each garden features a different type of tree, flower, and design. The entire area is filled with flowers in the spring, summer, and autumn, and the garden sparkles with lights in the winter. The garden is maintained daily, so that it is always beautiful and clean. There are also walking paths, fountains, a small lake, a restaurant, and a gift shop. There are occasional live music shows and fireworks in the summer.

12. Parliament Hill, Ottawa

Parliament Hill is a historic and important place located in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. It is the center of government of the country, where the Parliament of Canada sits. There are three main buildings here – Centre Block, East Block, and West Block. These buildings are built in the Gothic architectural style and carry a very old history. The “Peace Tower” standing in front of the building is an important symbol.

Millions of tourists visit Parliament Hill every year to appreciate its beauty and significance. Here, you can go inside the Parliament building through free guided tours and see the sessions live during the meeting. In the summer, the “Changing of the Guard” ceremony and at night, the history of Canada is presented through light and sound, which becomes a great experience for many visitors. There are beautiful walking paths, riverside seating areas, and various types of sculptures around Parliament Hill. It is also beautiful to see in winter, especially when it snows.

13. Prince Edward Island National Park

Prince Edward Island National Park is located on the north coast of Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province. It is a scenic park stretching 60 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean. It has red sand beaches, sand dunes, creeks, wetlands, and forests. The park is very popular with tourists during the summer.

The park has many trails and facilities for walking, cycling, and spending time at the beach. Brackley and Cavendish Beaches are the two most famous places where you can enjoy clear water, soft sand, and beautiful sunsets. Many people swim, have picnics, or relax on the beach. The park is also an ideal place for bird watching and nature photography. Prince Edward Island National Park also has some historical sites, such as “Green Gables House”, which is known for inspiring the famous book Anne of Green Gables. Camping facilities are also available.

14. Montreal’s Old Port, Montreal

The Old Port of Montreal is the oldest and most historic area of the city. It is located on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River and was a port here hundreds of years ago. Today, it has developed into a modern tourist area, where history, culture, entertainment, and restaurants are all found together.

The Old Port has beautiful walking paths, places to sit by the river, and many small shops and cafes. From here, you can see Montreal’s famous Notre-Dame Basilica up close. In the summer, people cycle, ride boats, or ride Segways here. In the winter, there are ice skating and winter festivals. There is a large Ferris wheel (La Grande Roue de Montréal), which offers great views of the entire city. In addition, the Montreal Science Centre and the IMAX theatre are interesting for children and families.

15. Signal Hill, Newfoundland

Signal Hill is a historic hill in the city of Saint John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. It is located high above the city and offers a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean. The site is important in military history, as it was here in 1762 that the last battle in North America took place between the British and the French.

The most famous structure on Signal Hill is the Cabot Tower. This tower was built in 1897, and in 1901, the famous scientist Guglielmo Marconi received the world’s first wireless signal. It is now used as a small museum and a viewpoint. When you climb here, you can see the city, the sea, and the surrounding mountains very clearly. There are several trails to walk in the area, such as the North Head Trail, which offers a great experience along the mountainside. Tourists come here to learn about the history, take pictures, enjoy nature, and sometimes see whales or seabirds.

16. Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia

The Cabot Trail is located on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. It is a road about 298 kilometers long. This road passes by mountains, the sea, forests, and small villages. There is very beautiful natural scenery to see while driving here. Especially in autumn, when the colors of the trees change, the trail becomes even more beautiful.

This trail includes Cape Breton Highlands National Park. There are many walking paths or trails here. The most popular is the Skyline Trail, from which you can see extraordinary views of the mountains and the sea. Many tourists walk here, take pictures, camp, and sometimes deer and whales are also seen. There are many small villages along the Cabot Trail. You can eat local food, especially seafood. The local people are very friendly, and there is sometimes the opportunity to listen to live music.

17. Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is located in downtown Toronto and is Canada’s largest and most popular museum. It was founded in 1914. It houses over 13 million items, spanning natural history, world culture, paleontology, zoology, geology, and art. The museum has a stunning modern wing called “The Crystal,” which was added in 2007 and is now a Toronto landmark.

The ROM has many different galleries. Here you can see giant dinosaur skeletons, real Egyptian mummies, ancient Chinese and Indian art, medieval weapons, and works of art by Africans and Indigenous Canadians. For children, there is the Discovery Gallery, which offers hands-on learning opportunities. Live exhibits, light, and sound are used to present a wealth of information to help visitors better understand. New exhibitions and special events are also held regularly.

The museum is open most days of the week, and tickets can be purchased online. There is a large gift shop and a cafe where you can eat, drink, and shop. The ROM is a great place for school tours, family visits, and research. This museum is a great place to visit for those who love history, science, and the cultures of different countries.

18. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is located on Vancouver Island, on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. It is divided into three parts – the Long Beach Unit, the Broken Group Islands, and the West Coast Trail. This park stretches along the Pacific Ocean, where you can enjoy long beaches, ancient rainforests, and extraordinary natural beauty.

Long Beach is the most popular part of this park. It offers a wide sandy beach, big waves, and a wide sky. Many people come here to surf, walk on the beach, picnic, or enjoy the sunset. It is a great place for photography and nature lovers. The Broken Group Islands section offers kayaking and boating to small islands, and the West Coast Trail is a famous long hiking route that is very popular with trekkers.

This park is home to a variety of animals, including bears, deer, sea lions, whales, and a variety of birds. Whale watching is possible in the spring. There are many trails through the park that wind through the rainforest. The wind, the trees, the roar of the ocean, and the sound of the rain combine to create a wonderful experience.

19. Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City

The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is the most famous hotel in Quebec City. It was built in 1893 by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. The hotel stands on a high point above Old Quebec, on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River. It looks like a royal palace and can be seen from afar. The hotel is now an important part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known as the most photographed hotel in the world.

This hotel has more than 600 rooms and suites. It has a luxurious restaurant, cafe, indoor swimming pool, spa, gym, and conference rooms for guests. You can eat traditional Quebec cuisine at Le Champlain Restaurant. It is also important from a historical perspective – Churchill and Roosevelt held secret meetings at this hotel during World War II in 1943 and 1944, which are called the “Quebec Conferences”.

The hotel is surrounded by Dufferin Terrace, a walking path that offers views of the river, city, and levee. Nearby are Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Quebec Citadel, Rue du Petit-Champlain, and many small shops and art galleries. In winter, the snow-covered landscape, toboggan slides, and Christmas markets make this area very attractive. In summer, there are open-air concerts, street shows, and festivals.