Canada has captivating landscapes from sweeping coastal shorelines to craggy floating glaciers to the climbing canopy of ancient forests.
The people spread across the world's second- largest country are as diverse as can be, with a complex Indigenous history and growing immigrant population making for increasingly cosmopolitan cities, cutting-edge art and architecture, and creative cuisine.
Do you want to visit the best of Canada? There are many things to do there.
Explore the planet's most surprising adventures with our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.During a brief window from October to early November, upwards of 1200 polar bears converge on the shores of the Hudson Bay. You should take a polar bear tour if you want to see this experience. Even if you do, there's no shortage of wildlife year-round, from bird-watching in the spring to kayaking in the summer. While you're there, keep an eye out for the northern lights and be sure to eat local fare, such as bison stew.
Canadians and non- Canadians alike enjoy seeing the northern lights. The most amazing display can be found in the Great White North. The best place to view the light show is outside of the capital city of Whitehorse.
The best way to experience the Aurora is with a local tour operator who can give you advice on viewing conditions and provide you with a warm beverage to keep you warm.
The Bay of Fundy is empty twice a day, creating a rare opportunity to eat on the ocean floor. Chef-led lessons on the wild edibles of Nova Scotia are followed by a multi-course lunch or dinner topped off with a cozy campfire, all with the stunning cliffs of Fundy in the background.
The 90m cliffs overlook the world's highest tides and invite 12 species of whales to feast on plankton each year. The Fundy Geological Museum is a great place to get a good look at the region's history.
The most creative interpretations of Canada's signature dish are located in the chef's town of Montréal. If you're looking for a greasy spoon without the fuss, head to the Montreal Pool Room, otherwise known as the Main.
Schwartz's is located across the street from the main. The famous deli has been sandwiching smoked meat between two slices of bread for over 90 years.
You can skip the line at the take-out counter, but dining-in is worth the wait. Don't forget the coke.
Canada is known for its winter sports, but its rugged coastlines and placid waterways make for equally exciting summer activities. Tofino is the country's surf capital with 22 miles of beach. Beginners will appreciate the gentle waves along Chesterman Beach and Cox Bay, while seasoned pros will prefer Long Beach, the longest beach on the island. Is not into surfing. The Pacific Rim National Park is home to some of the oldest trees in Canada and the 10-mile beach is still worth a visit in the fall and spring.
The laid back surfer vibe of Tofino attracts a large crowd in the summer. Between November and February is the best time to go for fewer crowds and more nature.
The Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park is a rare sight in a province known for its flat, prairie landscape. The world's most northerly sand dunes are the largest sand surface in the country.
Each of the park's three management zones has its own visitor guidelines and you'll need a floatplane or boat to get there. Camping in this remote landscape is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for hardcore wilderness enthusiasts.
Traditional Québecois fare such as tourtire and maple syrup- infused brunch are served in former factories and historic homes. The charm of Old Québec is hard to ignore. It is the only fortified city north of Mexico and has a playground for historians. Le Chteau Frontenac will be missed by them. The Québec Conferences of WWII were held at the famous Fairmont hotel.
The real "Old Town" is closer to the water than the upper section of Old Town. The locals tell you that Lower Old Town is the real birthplace of the city.
The largest freshwater island in the world is located on the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. The Anishinabek Nation is made up of the Odawa, Ojibwe and Pottawatomi people. Today, First Nations culture is celebrated with a proud embrace of Indigenous foods, music and stories.
The best way to experience the island is on the Great Spirit Circle Trail, where a local guide will walk you through the history and surrounding nature and give you a taste of the Native American culture.
The city of Toronto has more than half of its residents hailing from other countries, which makes it one of the most diverse cities in the world. Collaboration and invention prevail in the kitchens of immigrant mom-and-pop shops despite the absence of a clearly identifiable Canadian cuisine.
The city center has a lot of great places to eat, from fine dining to food markets.
In the suburbs known as the "GTA" (Greater Toronto Area), you can find strip malls that sell family recipes from all over the world.
The mantle of the earth is revealed by the signature red rock of the Tablelands. It's a geological masterpiece, best viewed by foot on one of Gros Morne's many trails that takes you through lush forests, majestic waterfalls and jagged cliffs overlooking the wind-swept shoreline.
The Long Range Traverse is a 21 mile trail that provides the most epic views of the Western brook pond fjord from its near vertical mountaintops. At sea level, a calmer experience of the glacier-carved fjord is found aboard a Bon Tours boat, complete with local storytellers, musicians and East Coast fare.
The largest wine region in Canada is located in Ontario, where hundreds of wineries, some dating as far back as the late 19th century, are spread across three Designated Viticultural Areas.
Prince Edward County is home to some of the country's most innovative winemakers because of the limestone rich soil. The region is now filled with chic accommodations and tasting rooms set in rural barns.
The Drake Devonshire Inn is a great place to eat and drink in the summer and winter. The Drake Motor Inn is a good example of a refurbished motel.
One of the most beautiful islands in the world is located in Nova Scotia, and you can see it from the famous Cabot Trail. Hiking or cycling a small section of the loop allows for a more leisurely pace.
The trail is most popular in the fall, when it is most colorful.
It is possible to visit Newfoundland and Labrador's Fogo Island year-round, but the warmer months are the best. The world's largest population of Humpback whales migrate off its storm-battered shorelines every year. Make sure to visit Fogo Island Inn in person if you want to book a tour. The 29-room retreat is perched on stilts overlooking the ocean and has gained an international reputation for it's sustainable efforts.
The 18th-century Irish-settled town of Tilting, a National Historic Site of Canada, and the verdant rolling hills speckled with colorful wooden homes are ideal for hikers of all levels.
Lake Louise is a picture-postcard destination that lives up to the hype. With a flat, encircling path, you can easily hike or bike around the lake, or rent a canoe from the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, which has an outdoor heated pool and some of its 12 restaurants.
The Valley of the Ten Peaks is also home to Moraine Lake. It's open from May to October and is equally popular. Hikers can take in the glaciers and snowcapped peaks from the surrounding trails and then take a steam bath at one of the nearby hot springs.
Every winter, people from all over the world come to Canada to ski in the Rockies. The largest crowd is still drawn to the ski town ofWhistler. The former venue of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympian games is just two hours north of the capital city of Canada.
eagle tours among the colorful fall canopy and paddle-boarding glacier-fed lakes in the summer are just some of the seasonal attractions that appeal to thrill-seekers throughout the year.
This is a great place for the less adventurous because of the stylish accommodations, vibrant arts scene and lively bars.
The Dinosaur Valley is known as the "Dinosaur Capital of the World" and is a great place to visit if you want to learn about dinosaurs. Dinosaur Provincial Park is home to the world's richest dinosaur fossil site and you'll want to take a tour. You can take a self-guided tour of the Royal Tyrrell Museum where you can see over 130,000 fossils and a giant T-rex.
The surrounding Badlands have mystical hoodoo spires and are a great place to go for a road trip. Inside the mouth of the world's largest dinosaur is a must-visit stop in Drumheller.
Canadians like their maple syrup. The best time to enjoy it is in the middle of March and April. Every spring, hundreds of sugar shacks open their doors for the maple syrup harvest. If you want to learn how to make your own maple tacky, take your pick of a family-run maple grove where you can learn all about the process. A traditional Qubécois feast of baked ham and beans, meat pies and hash browns is included in the package.
The largest of the three falls has the most powerful flow of any waterfall in North America and it is worth braving the crowds to see it. Take in the views from the sky on a helicopter, zipline, or Skylon Tower, or experience the fall mist on a 20-minute cruise. Amusement attractions and gaming casinos are the main draws for all ages.
A short drive or shuttle ride north will give you a calmer pace in the area where horse-drawn carriages shuttle visitors between world-class wineries and local shops.
The world's largest skating rink is created every winter when the river in the middle of the city freezes over. The Rideau Canal is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America and is located in the middle of winter. The classic Canadian experience is rounded out with pit-stops for steaming hot chocolate and churros.
If you're visiting in the summer, you can take a boat ride on the canal, bike the Rideau Canal pathway or take to the skies on the Inter zipline.
The EdgeWalk is a ledge outside the main building of the CN Tower. One of the country's most popular attractions is the CN Tower, which is located above Toronto and has a panoramic view of the city. The addition of the world's highest hands-free external walk has catapulted the tourist site to international attention.
There is an award-winning Canadian-sourced cuisine served in a sleek setting and the world's highest wine cellar at the CN Tower's 360 restaurant.
With nearby outdoor challenges like hiking the steep wooden steps of Grouse Mountain, and Lynn Canyon Park's Suspension Bridge, it's easy for a competitive athletic crowd to show up. The False Creek Seawall is a great place to go for an outdoor experience.
You can walk or rollerblade sections of the two-way paved path, but it's best to cycle the entire route. Stanley Park, English Bay and Jericho Beach are some of the best places to visit in the city.
Plan to stop by the Granville Island Public Market to sample gourmet cheeses, butchered meat and fresh produce.
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