You could live your entire life in Canada, or visit 100 times and still not see all of the country—it’s that big! The Great White North has an endless amount of places to discover, from the Yukon’s Northern Lights to the east coast’s fall foliage, to the glistening city of Vancouver to fun festivals like the Calgary Stampede.
There are massive national parks from coast to coast to coast, bustling cities, soaring mountain ranges and natural wonders that have graced many magazine covers, making it the kind of place that has something for everyone.
Here are some of the top-rated destinations in Canada that should top your must-see list.
1. Whistler, British Columbia
Situated about two hours from Vancouver on the country’s west coast, Whistler just might be the prettiest place in all of Canada.
This year-round playground has everything you could need for the perfect vacation: luxurious lodging, creative cuisine, a cute village with great shopping, a massive ski hill and plenty of lakes and trails to explore.
Try timing your visit for early May, when the weather is warm enough for activities like golfing and hiking, yet there’s still enough snow on the ground to hit the slopes at Whistler Blackcomb.
2. The Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick
The Bay of Fundy is so incredible that it was in the running as one of the new wonders of the world, due to its range of tides that make it possible to walk on the ocean floor.
The difference in levels between the high and low tide is up to 12 metres, and it’s fascinating to watch the spectacle of water rushing in and out of the bay twice per day. To see this phenomenon up close, head to the Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick to admire the sandstone towers and even kayak around them.
3. Alberta’s Badlands
This area in southwest Alberta is the next best thing to the Wild West, with wide open ranges, big skies and gulley landscapes marked by hoodoo rock formations.
The Badlands are also home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site called Dinosaur Provincial Park, where visitors can explore prehistoric trails and even go for an archaeological dig to try and uncover fossils. It’s also worth making the drive over to Royal Tyrrell Museum, which does an excellent job of detailing palaeontology and even has a life-size T-Rex replica.
4. Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls is a relatively short drive from Toronto, and one of Canada’s best known tourist attractions. Straddling the American border, Niagara Falls drops approximately 57 metres and is a magnificent natural wonder, luring over a million visitors per year.
There are many ways to take in the incredible sight of the powerful falls, including boat tours that go right into the swirling pools, walking tours that lead behind them, helicopter rides above the falls and even a zipline.
You can also dine at a sky-high 360-degree restaurant that has great views, or head over to one of the many entertainment venues bordering the cliffside to enjoy some games while gazing out at the falls all lit up at night. If you don’t want to tear yourself away from the mesmerizing view, you can always play mobile poker for real money on smartphones instead!
5. Kelowna, British Columbia
Wine lovers won’t want to miss this gorgeous city nestled in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, which is renowned for its vineyards. The ultimate summer destination, visitors can spend their day relaxing on the shores of Lake Okanagan, do some wine tasting at one of the fabulous Kelowna wineries, then cap off the day with a farm-to-table dining experience.
There are also plenty of hiking and cycling trails including the scenic Myra Canyon Trestles, and it’s worth heading over to nearby spots like Vernon or Osoyoos to check out vineyards and beaches in that area as well. Come winter, the Big White Ski Resort is the perfect place to hit the hill and enjoy the fresh powder.
READ MORE: 10 Kelowna attractions you won’t want to miss
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