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Canada is an awesome country, stretching from the Great Lakes in the South to the frozen Arctic in the North, and from the East Coast of Quebec all the way to the Rockies and the border with Alaska. It is truly a land of great beauty and high contrast, and so it’s no wonder that millions of travel lovers visit it every year.
But with so much on offer from travel specialists such as Canadian Sky, where should you go on your holiday to Canada? The following are the top tourist attractions to visit in 2017. Hopefully, this will help you plan your trip. Enjoy!
1. Whistler
Whistler is undoubtedly one of the most famous – if not the most famous – mountain resort in the whole of North America, home not only to skiers and snowboarders, but also mountain bikers in the summer months too.
The resort spans two central mountains, and in the valley, you’ll find an assortment of quaint villages including Whistler Village, Upper Village, and Creekside. All around the mountain are gondolas which transport you from the valley to the peaks in comfort.
2. Quebec City
Arguably the most culturally exciting city in Canada, Quebec City’s French heritage is writ large everywhere you look, from the Citadel to the Place-Royale. Perhaps the most iconic landmark is the Chateau Frontenac, a mock French castle built in the seventeenth century.
Today, the building is a hotel, providing overnight stays for some the of city’s most prestigious guests. There are plenty of opportunities to tour the city too, thanks to the numerous tour guides who will guide you through the Old City and Vieux Quebec overlooking the St. Lawrence River.
3. Prince Edward Island
If you’re the sort of person who loves adventure, then Prince Edward Island should be right at the top of your list of places to visit. The island is famous for its rolling green hills, beautiful sandstone cliffs, seafood cuisine and relaxing views of the open ocean.
It is also home to some of the world’s best golf courses in the world which carpet the countryside. All around the island are interesting attractions, including Green Gables, Confederation Centre of the Arts and the majestic St. Dunstan’s Basilica.
4. Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is the biggest waterfall in the world by volume. The water here falls more than 170 feet. The Canadian Falls are by far the most impressive, circling around in a horseshoe shape down into the basin below. You can take a trip right under the falls themselves on the Maid of the Mist boat tours which run daily.
You can also eat at several restaurants overlooking both the Canadian and American falls which use local produce as ingredients in their recipes. In the adjacent town of Niagara, there are museums, wineries and the odd casino.
5. Jasper National Park
The Jasper National Park – the largest national park in the Rockies spanning more than 10,800 km-squared – is located deep in the heart of the Canadian wilderness in Alberta. The park is famous for its hot springs, beautiful lakes, mountains, and waterfalls, and is almost entirely unspoiled by human activity.
The closest Canadian city to the park is Edmonton where you’ll find a bustling community and a large choice of hotels and restaurants. You can also stay in the park itself in a lodge or at one of many of the campsites.
6. Vancouver
Vancouver is regularly described as the most beautiful city in the world. And, as a visitor, you’ll quickly see why. The city has one of the best locations on Earth, situated between the Coast Mountains to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West.
Downtown is right on the coast, but the city’s major appeal comes from the fact that it makes the local mountains so accessible. Staying in the city, you’re able to get up in the morning, go skiing in the mountains, jet skiing in the ocean and rollerblading through the city’s parks, and come back for a meal in the evening, doing it all in a single day.
Vancouver has a broad range of attractions, including the Vancouver Aquarium. Stanley Park, Granville Island, the Museum of Anthropology and Science World – a geodesic structure right on the harbour.
7. Banff National Park
The Banff National Park was established way back in 1885 and is Canada’s oldest national park. Just 100 km West of Calgary, the Park spans part of the Rockies in Alberta on the trans-Canadian highway. As a result, it’s one of the most remote and beautiful parts of the whole country, famous for its stunning mountainous scenery.
Like Jasper National Park, the area is geologically active. There are many hot springs, making it a pleasant respite during cooler weather. In the park, you’ll find some real highlights, including the serene Lake Minnewanka, also known as the “Lake of the Water Spirits,” the Banff Legacy Trail for trail bikers, the Upper Hot Springs Pool, heated by natural hot springs and the Vermillion Lakes, perfect for bird watching.
8. Toronto
Although it’s not the official capital of Canada (that’s Ottawa), Toronto is the country’s commercial hub and where the majority of the country’s economy is located. It’s a busy city, especially during rush hour, but it’s also a city which has its share of charms. As the most populous city in Canada, Toronto plays host to a diverse range of cultures and ethnicities. The city is divided up into distinct ethnic districts, including Chinatown, Little India, and Little Italy.
The skyline is dominated by the CN Tower – formerly the world’s tallest freestanding structure – which overlooks the city’s financial and commercial hub, as well as major sporting venues. If you take a visit to the city, make sure to pay a visit to the Toronto Islands in Lake Ontario, as well as the Royal Ontario Museum and Air Canada Centre.
9. Kelowna
Perhaps not as well-known as some of the attractions we’ve discussed so far, Kelowna nonetheless is worthy of this list. Nestled in British Columbia, the resort town is a major tourist hub, offering travelers access to local ski resorts. Take a trip to the Big White Ski Resort, the local Quails’ Gate Winery, the town’s art gallery and the local Bear Creek Provincial Park.
