Canada is a great country in every sense: it’s huge in area and rich in breathtaking wilderness and wildlife. No matter if you’re a city dweller or a nature buff, you will find your own little piece of paradise in Canada. If you’re looking for a few interesting places to visit, start with these ones:
Calgary
Situated between the Canadian Prairies and the Canadian Rockies, this city is one of the country’s largest metropolitan areas that attract thousands of travelers every year. The downtown core of the city is where you can find all the best commercial, entertainment and shopping opportunities with Stephen Avenue Walk and Barclay Mall being the most populated zones. The city is hosting several festivals of film, music and dance, but most tourists come to Calgary to witness the famous rodeo event called the Calgary Stampede in July.
Toronto
The most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a city located on Lake Ontario and it forms the part of the Golden Horseshoe region all the way to Niagara Falls. Toronto is also one of the most diverse cities in the world, and it is home to almost 100 ethnicities. Its towering skyscrapers and amazing restaurants will provide you with so much to do. Its most popular attraction is the CN Tower, once the tallest building in the world, where you can see amazing views of the city.
Ottawa
Ottawa, the country’s capital, is located at the meeting place of three rivers—a perfect location for a booming city. The city is completely bilingual, so don’t be surprised when you hear French, then English and then a mix of the two. What was once a lumber town, Ottawa of today is a modern green city filled with waterways and parks. In the summer you can enjoy biking, and in the winter you can take the same trails on your skis. If you’re looking for more skiing and snowboarding, and other travel recommendations, check out travel blogs like Big Booty Fish and see where enthusiasts choose to enjoy their winters. Canada will definitely make you fall in love with winter sports, so you can hit other spots as well.
Montreal
The second-largest city in Quebec, Montreal is located at the meeting spot of St Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. It’s definitely the cultural capital of Canada with energetic, welcoming and open-minded people. It’s full of modern street art, musicians and amazing parties—the rest you will find out on your own!
Niagara Falls
If you don’t want to spend time in cities, you can visit Niagara Falls instead. This set of waterfalls is located on the border between Canada and the USA. The best views of the waterfalls and the best attractions can be enjoyed on the Ontario side. In the summer, this part of the Falls is beautifully illuminated by lighting setups and fireworks. You can enjoy the Falls from above or below thanks to helicopter tours, jet boat tours and observation decks.
Banff
The Banff National Park is the best place for nature lovers since you can visit the Rocky Mountains, enjoy electric blue mountain lakes, many waterfalls and even see some wildlife (from dears to wild sheep and bears) in their natural habitat. You can either stay in Banff or go looking for solace in the wild at Lake Louise.
Long Beach
This is the best surf town in North America. Long Beach is a picturesque coastal town that’s been drawing surfers and nature lovers from all over the world. This spot will bless you with mystical sights, long beaches and perfect waves for surfing.
As you can see, Canada is a place perfect for all travelers from city lovers to nature buffs and beach bodies. So put this gorgeous country on your travel list and visit it this year.