Canada Immigration

15 Best Vacation Spots in Canada for Singles and Family

Published on May 17, 2023

Have you always thought Canada houses the best and most affordable education, places, and a favorable working environment alone? Well, it comes as no surprise that it is so, as you would be stunned by how many beautiful places there are to visit in Canada.

Our list of the best vacation spots in Canada for 2023 contains cities, provinces, and other specific tourist attractions you should visit. In addition, the 2021 ranking by World Atlas ranked Canada as the second most beautiful country in the world. Isn’t that amazing?

At the end of this article, we have also created a list of places you’ll like to visit based on the following categories:

Best Summer Vacation Places in Canada
Best Winter Vacation Places in Canada
Places to Visit During Christmas
Best Provinces to Visit in Canada
Best Cities to Visit in Canada
Top Tourist Attraction Sites in Canada
Best Family Vacation Spots in Canada

This categorization should help you choose your best vacation spot in Canada based on factors like season, holiday, location, tourism value, etc.

What are the 15 Best Places to Visit in Canada?

In no particular order, here is a list of 15 places we consider the best to travel to in Canada;

Niagara Falls
Toronto
Banff National Park
John’s
Halifax
The Okanagan Valley
Quebec
Ottawa
Great Slave Lake
Whistler Town
John’s Signal Hill National Historic Site
Tofino
The Forks
Calgary Stampede
Saskatoon

1. Niagara Falls;

From Geography lessons to movies that feature the flagship location, Niagara Falls has been the dream location of anyone who wishes to have a top-notch vacation experience in Canada. If you are scared of heights or the water, Niagara Falls presents the beauty of nature as tremendous torrents of water pour over a height of about 57 meters.

Whether you want to have a live feel of walking across the fringe of the waterfall, you desire a boat ride in the Gorge down below, or you want a fantastic view from the Skylon Tower high above, the options are laid out before you, and you only need to make a choice!

2. Toronto;

If Toronto is not on our list of the best vacation spots in Canada, which other place should be? As the capital city of Ontario, the largest and one of the most developed provinces in Canada, Toronto is home to towering buildings, busy roads, cultural diversity, and all kinds of hotels and restaurants. It houses over 5 million people, and its most distinct feature is the CN Tower, the highest-standing structure in the city.

You can admire this edifice from afar or find your way to it for the wildest view of the lake and the city around it. Not so far from Toronto is Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. In short, the province of Ontario is rich in historical, political, economic, and recreational sites. As a result, the province makes a good sightseeing location any day, any time.

3. Banff National Park;

In the oil-rich province of Alberta lies one of Canada’s best gifts of nature – the Banff National Park and this region alone features parts of the Rocky Mountains and Lake Louise. You may have known that Canada is home to the most lakes in the world, but Lake Louise is the prettiest. The greenish scenery it reflects brings a soothing effect to anyone. Also in the park are other lakes like Bow Lake and Moraine Lake.

In summer, the park offers hiking resorts; in winter, it stretches miles of ski-worthy terrains. Meanwhile, you may choose to explore the beauty of the Rocky Mountains alone from British Columbia as the elevated terrain stretches from this province through Alberta and then through the US all the way to New Mexico.

4. John’s City;

St. John’s City is hands down a place of color and beauty which ranks high among cities to visit in Canada and gets our vote as one of the most beautiful places in Canada. You will most likely have found pictures of the colorful buildings that line the city’s shores, probably as wallpapers of pictorial representations of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The colorful array of buildings is one thing, and how they align along the slope is another. It presents the city with a unique view that appears like a colorful staircase from afar, and you will also find historic attractions and sizzling seafood to treat your taste buds.

Suppose you wish to begin or end your tour of Canada from this side of the country. St. John’s does have an international airport.

5. Halifax;

Halifax is the province’s capital and most visited city, bringing Nova Scotia to the limelight and this city speaks of rich history and maritime life. The famous lighthouse in Peggy Cove is where groups of tourists and photographers take pictures of their lifetime. The central city is the Citadel National Historic Site, and the Halifax waterfront is the forefront of tourist attraction in the region.

6. Okanagan Valley;

What makes this rank on our list of best vacation spots in Canada is the less shouty summer experience in Canada, where you can enjoy swimming in warm lakes, sunbathing on the shore, and peaceful canoe rides. Feel the warmth of nature from the quiet side of Canada and enjoy the cheap accommodation opportunities compared to most other tourist attraction sites in Canada.

7. Quebec;

If you are French or simply a lover of French Culture, Quebec should be on your list of cities to visit in Canada, as it is the only French-speaking province in Canada. This came after the French dominated the region during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Note that Quebec City is located in the province of Quebec and the capital. In Quebec, you will experience the true taste of French culture amidst historical sites, picturesque mountains, and wonderful cuisines. If you visit Quebec during the snowy year, we advise you to take advantage of the winter vacation experience – Carnaval de Quebec.

8. Ottawa;

What makes Ottawa different from all other Canadian cities and particularly makes it distinct from Toronto is that it is the capital of Canada. As the first city to reckon with politically in Canada, it is worth featuring in your list of places to visit in Canada. Ottawa houses numerous national museums, such as the National Gallery of Canada.

It is also home to Parliament Hill, where Canadian laws and other political matters of the federation are decided. In Springtime, Ottawa features the famous Tulip Canada. If you also happen to be on July 1, Canada Day, Ottawa is the first city to witness the celebrations among indigenes and citizens of Canada.

9. Great Slave Lake;

One of the deepest lakes in Canada, the Great Slave Lake, is worth visiting. Located in the Northwest Territories, you can make the lake your destination if you desire to adventure into the farthest north of Canada. The lake ices up a bit during winter, forming a beautiful white crust in certain areas.

The lake is excellent for fishing trout and pikes in the less cold seasons, and if you are fortunate, you may experience the bustling colors of the northern lights. This experience will be your highlight for the year, and to avoid strictly playing on chance, you could explore the Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve or visit the Bison Sanctuary, far from the lake.

10. Whistler Town;

Whistler Town is all about winter, sports, mountains, and skiing, and this little municipality is Canada’s best ski resort location and once hosted the Winter Olympics. The long stretch of snowy mountains provides a playing field for skiers and presents a picturesque view of nature for non-skiers.

In Summertime, the little town is also known for golfing, hiking, and biking. In addition, several hotels, restaurants, and Christmas and holiday shops have stemmed in almost every street to complement Whistler Town’s resort value. As a result, Whistler Town has our thumbs up as one of the best vacation spots in Canada.

11. John’s Signal Hill National Historic Site;

If you have a flair for history, you should visit St. John’s Signal Hill, as the location has much to play in Canada’s history. It was the center of the Seven Years’ War of the eighteenth century, and it displays evidence of fortifications built years after the war. In 1901, the first trans-Atlantic wireless signal was discovered in this historic site, and this birthed its name.

In the tower of St. John’s, you will find exhibitions related to the war and the history of communication in Canada. As a tip, the crest of the towers offers you a view of the cities that line the shores of the Pacific as far as the most eastern parts of North America.

12. Tofino Town;

The island of Vancouver presents another sporting center in Canada – Tofino Town. Known for surfing waters and hiking forests, Tofino lets you enjoy the joys of the Pacific Ocean. For an extra feel of nature, you can visit the Pacific Rim National Park to observe wildlife and make midnight campfires with your family.

13. The Forks;

Located in the friendly city of Winnipeg, The Forks is not a city or a town but only a meeting place in downtown Winnipeg. This location, minute as it is, bears rich history and witnesses a high influx of local and international tourists every year. First is the Confluence of Two Rivers, where two flowing water bodies collide to form a united flow.

Then, there’s Johnston Terminal, Oodena Celebration Circle, Manitoba’s Children Museum, Manitoba Theatre for Young People, and Arctic Glacier Winter Park, to mention a few. This location is ideal for family visits, and it does not matter whether you visit in summer or winter. Something is exciting for everyone.

While at The Forks, remember to explore the Great Forks Market; that is the highlight. And before you say bye to Winnipeg, you could stop by the Grand Beach, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, or the Whiteshell Provincial Park.

14. Calgary Stampede;

Do you have ten days to spare for a July summer vacation in Canada? You can invest all the days in the famous Calgary Stampede, and we tell you, your stay will be worth it. Since 135 years ago, this rodeo exhibition has been held ten days every year and starts on the first Friday in July.

Music, games, food, thrill rides, and thrift shopping highlight the days here, so if you are considering a memorable vacation for you and your family, make Calgary your target in July. Your little ones with not forget the experience in an instant.

15. Saskatoon;

The best time to visit Saskatoon is summer, as it presents you with open fields of prairies, the lover’s playground at the South Saskatchewan River, and cheap yet delicious food. Experience a mix of classic and contemporary art in the Remai Modern. In the evenings, visit the strawberry Ranch to pick sweet berries or choose the Drift Café for a soothing cup of locally grown coffee.

Where Should I Spend my vacation in Canada?

This depends on you! Canada allows you to visit many exciting sites with friendly locals and intriguing food. There are endless lines of beaches for summer, ski resorts for winter vacations, festivals, great architectural designs, and nature parks.

It would be best if you considered the following before deciding where you will visit during your vacation in Canada:

The season of the year you are traveling in,
Your duration of stay in Canada,
Your taste in an ideal vacation spot,
Those who may be traveling with you (such as family, friends, work colleagues, children, etc.),
Your budget.

Best Summer Vacation Places in Canada

Niagara Falls
Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Quebec City
Okanagan Valley
Vancouver
Calgary Stampede
Saskatoon
The Forks
Jasper National Park

Best Winter Vacation Places in Canada

The Chic Choc Mountains
Quebec City
Mont-Tremblant
White Horse, Yukon
Whistler Town
Art Gallery of Ontario
Banff National Park
Carnaval de Quebec, Quebec

Places to Visit During Christmas

Toronto Christmas Market
Cicerone Tours, Quebec
Niagara Falls
Christmas at Casa Loma, Toronto
Merry Montreal
Vancouver
The Forks
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Churchill, Manitoba
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Best Provinces to Visit in Canada

Ontario
British Columbia
Quebec
Prince Edward Island
Alberta
Manitoba

Best Cities to Visit in Canada

Toronto
Vancouver
Ottawa
Montreal
John’s
Victoria
Calgary
Saskatoon
Halifax
Revelstoke
Quebec City
Kelowna
Yellowknife

Best family vacation spots in Canada

Pacific Rim National Park, Tofino, Vancouver
Whiteshell Provincial Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Charlotte Town, Prince Edward Island
The Rocky Mountains, British Columbia, and Alberta
Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories
Old Quebec
John’s City, Newfoundland
Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario
Calgary Stampede
The Forks, Winnipeg

How to Travel to Canada on a Vacation

You can fulfill your dream of visiting the finest places in Canada by obtaining the Canada Visitor Visa, popularly known as the Canada Tourist Visa or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). This visa permits you to stay in Canada for six months. You can apply online for the Visitor Visa through IRCC Canada.