With restrictions on travel loosening in Canada, it looks like we might finally be able to start traveling soon after over a year of restrictions, mandatory quarantines, and other difficult but necessary safety measures. So if you’ve got the travel itch after staying in for so long, we’ve got a list of some of the top destinations in Canada for you to visit as soon as you can!
Vancouver
With a beach on one side and mountains on the other, what more could you ask for? Whatever it is, you can probably find it in Vancouver. One of the youngest cities in Canada is also one of the largest and is a massive West-Coast cultural hub with a booming pop culture industry, diverse community, and progressive attitude. The modern chic atmosphere pairs with the natural splendor of the landscape, with modern architecture and infrastructure built up around the city’s many parks making sure you never lose sight of nature in the metropolis, and that Vancouver’s got something for everyone.
Banff
Arguably the most popular Canadian destination, this small Alberta town sits at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains. Famous for its skiing and scenic foothill locales, Banff welcomes more than 4 million people every year to see the sporting resorts, forests, rivers, and lakes in the national park, and luxurious spas and getaways in town. If you’re an outdoorsy type, but prefer to stay in a cozy hotel after a long day of skiing, hiking, or exploring the famous turquoise waters of Moraine Lake, Banff is the spot for you.
Niagara On the Lake
Any Canadian travel list will tell you to visit Niagara Falls, but what you might not hear that often is that you should go to Niagara-on-the-lake. When you’re done basking in the falls’ splendor, take a 25-minute drive north to a small town secretly famous for its local vineyards and idyllic village vibes. Beyond sipping the wine, the Shaw Festival produces theatre shows April through December, there are historic museums and Fort George to explore, or you could just peruse the boutiques on the town’s main street.
Quebec City
If you want to feel like you’re in Europe without breaking the bank on trans-Atlantic flights, Quebec City might be the spot for you. Founded in 1608, Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in Canada and it shows. Cobblestone streets lined with old buildings and towering cathedrals, the 17th and 18th-century architecture makes you feel like you’ve just stepped out of a time machine somewhere in France. Pair this with the myriad of bakeries, cafes, and boutiques, the picturesque views of hills, the St. Laurence River, and Chateau Frontenac, and you’ve got a perfect travel spot to get your European fix.
St. John’s
The only major city in Canada older than Quebec City, the brightly coloured maritime homes that dot the streets and shoreline hills of St. John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador make just strolling through the city an attraction in and of itself. Add to this the fact that the city is a cultural hub rich with artists with a long history makes for a colourful and charming city with the comfort of a small town.