Awe-inspiring scenery, vibrant cities and
a welcoming atmosphere all make Canada a popular tourist destination. As the largest country in North America, Canada
is a vast land encompassing majestic mountains, virgin forests, spacious prairies and Arctic
tundra. While much of the nation is of British and
French descent, Canada is home to a mosaic of multicultural communities. Here's a look at the best places to visit
in Canada. Number 10. Cape Breton Island. While it’s located in north-eastern Nova
Scotia, Cape Breton Island was once its own independent colony until it was forced to
merge in 1820. As it welcomed thousands of Scottish expats
in the early 19th-century, it remains the only place in North America where you’ll
hear Gaelic spoken. Amongst its spectacular landscapes, the highlight
is undoubtedly Cape Breton Highlands National Park with its phenomenal Cabot Trail and gorgeous
lookout points. Don’t forget the scenic fishing villages
such as Bay St. Lawrence, where you’ll find some excellent seafood. Number 9. Montreal. The second largest city in Canada after Toronto,
Montreal is the cultural and financial capital of the Quebec province. Boasting the largest French-speaking community
outside of Paris, France, Montreal is a bustling metropolis comprised of a downtown district,
a historic quarter, entertainment district and several distinctive neighborhoods. Montreal’s main sights include downtown
skyscrapers like the Olympic Tower, the historic buildings of Old Montreal and several family
attractions like theme and water parks. Number 8. Whistler. Thanks to a couple of spectacular mountains
called Whistler and Blackcomb, the Whistler resort is the largest and most famous alpine
ski destination in North America. Located in the Coast Mountains of British
Columbia, Whistler is a two-hour trip from Vancouver along Canada’s most scenic drive,
the Sea-to-Sky Highway. At the base of the two mountains are three
quaint villages, Whistler Village, Creekside and Upper Village. The Peak 2 Peak gondola transports visitors
from the villages to the mountains. Number 7. Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island, named after the British
explorer George Vancouver, is the largest island off the West Coast of the North American
continent. Located across from Washington State, it is
accessible by ferry through the San Juan Islands from Anacortes, from Port Angeles on the state’s
Olympic Peninsula, or from Vancouver on mainland British Columbia. Vancouver Island is famous for the quaint
city of Victoria, the gorgeous Butchart Gardens, the surf town of Tofino and the wilderness
in the north, where one can catch a ferry to Prince Rupert, and another to Alaska from
there. Number 6. Quebec City Quebec City may be the capital of the Quebec
province in eastern Canada, but its French heritage, architecture and language make it
appear more like a charming European village. Perched on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence
River is Vieux Quebec, the city’s historic district. A walk along the cobblestone streets of the
Old City offers encounters with attractions like the Citadel and the Place-Royale, the
area where explorer, Samuel de Camplain, established the first North American-French settlement. The city’s icon, the stunning Chateau Frontenac,
is regarded as the most photographed hotel in North America and offers tours even without
an overnight stay. Number 5. Toronto. The capital of Ontario, Toronto is the most
populated city in Canada as well as one of the largest cities in North America. With a large number of ethnic districts like
Chinatown, Little India and Little Italy, Toronto is also one of the world’s most
culturally diverse cities. The city’s main tourist draws range from
impressive landmarks such as the iconic CN Tower and the fairy tale castle of Casa Loma. Additionally, the Toronto Islands are a popular
destination with beaches and outdoor activities. Number 4. Churchill. The small town of Churchill is undoubtedly
the biggest tourist draw in northern Manitoba, at least during the fall. That’s when the polar bears move inland,
giving Churchill the nickname, “Polar Bear Capital of the World.” October and early November are good times
to take in this polar bear migration, but boat tours along Hudson Bay take tourists
to them in the summer as well. Sometimes, the bears wander into town where
they’re put in “jail” until they can be released back into the wild. July and August are popular times to visit
also, since that’s when thousands of beluga whales are migrating. Number 3. Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls is a series of three awe-inspiring
waterfalls situated on the border of Canada’s Ontario and the United States’ New York. The Ontario side of the Falls is called Horseshoe
Falls and offers the best views and most attractions. The immediate area surrounding the Falls is
a premier tourist spot teeming in observation towers, restaurants, souvenir shops, casinos
and high-rise hotels. One of the best places to view the Niagara
Falls on the Ontario side is from Queen Victoria Park where the Falls are illuminated and fireworks
are displayed nightly during the summer. Number 2. Vancouver. Situated between the Coast Mountains and the
Pacific Ocean in British Columbia, Vancouver is favored for its majestic landscapes that
present a natural playground where tourists can swim in the ocean, rollerblade through
scenic parks and snow ski in the mountains all in one day. The third largest metropolitan area in the
country, Vancouver is one of the most poplar places to visit in Canada. Vancouver’s star attraction is Stanley Park
which covers a huge area of woodlands, gardens and green spaces. Some of the city’s other top sites include
Granville Island’s remarkable food market and Chinatown’s vibrant array of shops. Number 1. Banff National Park. Located in the province of Alberta, the Banff
National Park is not only Canada’s first national park, but also one of the nation’s
largest and most visited national parks. The park’s breathtaking scenery and wildlife
draw many tourists every year along the Trans-Canada Highway, which passes through the park. Banff National Parks large concentration of
wildlife includes mammals like black bears, grizzly bears, bison, moose, wolves and bald
eagles.
