Our neighbor to the north is a great place to visit because most people speak English, and there are many cultural similarities between our two nations. At the same time, Canada is much less densely populated, has more land area, and has less pollution and lower crime rates. If you’re visiting Canada for the first time, you should consider adding some of the cities and towns in this article to your list.
Whitehorse, Yukon
This city has a population of just over 25,000. That, plus its position as the main gateway to Canada’s vast northern reaches makes it a great place for people wanting the amenities of modern civilization without feeling crowded. In the winter, there’s also a really good chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver has the most beautiful setting of any Canadian city. It has the ocean to its west and snow-covered mountains to the north. Thanks to a relatively mild climate, it’s also a city and area where you can enjoy being outside all year long.
Victoria, British Columbia
The capital of the province, Victoria isn’t far from Vancouver, and it’s nearly as beautiful. Outdoor activities, history, and excellent food are among the many things that attract people to live and visit here.
Golden, British Columbia
Golden is a small town in a great location. To the east are Kootenay and Yoho National Parks, which are on the “quieter” side of Banff. Just west are Mt. Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks, and the spectacular Bugaboo Range is to the south.
Banff-Lake Louise, Alberta
Without question, Banff National Park is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The town of Banff is in a great setting and has plenty of dining and lodging options. Lake Louise, less than an hour’s drive northwest, is smaller and very expensive, but the setting is even more stunning. It’s also the southern gateway to the incredible Icefields Parkway, which leads to…
Jasper, Alberta
Jasper is the main community within Jasper National Park. It’s always busy during peak tourist seasons, and it isn’t cheap, but it is less crowded and less expensive than Banff and, especially, Lake Louise area.
Canmore, Alberta
Very close to Banff, Canmore is a fun town located at the northern end of what is known as Kananaskis Country. It’s a mountainous region that spans the Continental Divide and isn’t as crowded as Banff is. It runs south almost all the way to…
Waterton Park, Alberta
Waterton Lakes National Park is just across the border from Montana’s Glacier National Park, and together, the two comprise an International Peace Park. Waterton Park is a small resort town with top-quality amenities in a setting that feels far removed from civilization. If it works for your budget, get a room at the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel.
Calgary, Alberta
Alberta’s largest city rises abruptly from the northern Great Plains, seemingly from nowhere. What’s striking about it is that it seems just like any large U.S. city, only that it’s so much cleaner and the people seem friendlier.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The “Land of the Living Skies” won’t disappoint you if you like to turn your gaze upward. It’ll also satisfy your appetite since it supposedly has the highest number of restaurants per capita of any city in the country. There’s also a vibrant arts and cultural scene.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
The capital of Manitoba is also a commercial and cultural center. Its architecture, museums, and other attractions will keep you busy in this heartland city that also has excellent dining options.
Churchill, Manitoba
Perhaps you’ve never heard of this tiny town on Hudson Bay. Polar bears are its claim to fame. Every year during October and November, polar bears gather here to await the freezing of the sea waters so they can spend the winter hunting seals. It’s the largest concentration of polar bears anywhere on the planet. Make sure you observe them from a safe location and distance; polar bears are purely carnivorous and are the largest and most dangerous bears in the world.
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Originally a trading post for fur trappers in the 1800s, Thunder Bay is now a popular tourist destination. It has a scenic location along Lake Superior, and just across the border is Minnesota’s spectacular North Shore.
Toronto, Ontario
Ontario’s capital and Canada’s largest city attracts more visitors than any other city in the country does. It’s a hotspot for sports, entertainment, museums, famous landmarks, and much more.
Montreal, Quebec
The second-largest city in Canada is a world-class commercial and cultural center. It’s also, after Paris, the world’s second-largest French-speaking city.
Quebec City, Quebec
For an even more Paris-like experience than Montreal, go to Quebec City. In fact, many people in North America go there rather than Paris for an authentic French experience without the costs of transatlantic travel.
Saint John, New Brunswick
The oldest incorporated city in Canada, Saint John has Victorian architecture and plentiful shops, markets, and restaurants. There are also great natural attractions, such as Reversing Falls Rapids, where tidal action creates a waterfall that flows in both directions.
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Home to the Canadian Confederation, this city is well known for its art and music scene. It’s also the location of excellent dining, with fresh seafood being among the hallmarks.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Another haven for outstanding seafood, Halifax is also very pedestrian-friendly and thus a great city to wander about. You can also go on whale-watching tours and stroll along the 4-kilometer-long (2.5 miles) boardwalk on the waterfront.
St. John’s, Newfoundland
This easternmost city in North America has historic significance and also is unlike any other city you’ll ever see. It’s built along, or really into, a rugged coastline that also serves as a base for tours to view puffins and whales.
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Robert Sihler is an educator, freelance writer, and rock climbing guide and instructor living with his family in Driftwood, Texas. In his spare time, he enjoys reading fiction, streaming films, completing crossword puzzles, and rock climbing. When he goes on vacation, he likes to visit the mountains of the West and climb remote, obscure peaks that have seen few or no prior ascents.