Top things to do in Canada

Canada has no shortage of stunning landscapes, wildlife experiences and exciting cities for travellers to explore, from incredible natural wonders and picturesque waterfalls to historic distilleries and appetising seafood. Here’s our pick of the top things to do.

Attend the Toronto International Film Festival

Every September, film lovers and culture vultures descend on Toronto for its annual International Film Festival. Be prepared for celeb spotting, industry events, world premiers and cutting-edge film releases. 

Even if you’re not in Toronto during the festival, there is still plenty to fill your itinerary. Spend days exploring the cities many museums, visit Toronto’s distillery district for cool restaurants, boutiques and quirky galleries, get epic views from the CN tower or shop in St. Lawrence Market. All that and more awaits! 

Cycle around Vancouver’s Seawall

Want to get active in Vancouver? Then a bike ride along the Seawall in Stanley Park is the way to go. At 28km long, this is the world’s largest uninterrupted waterfront path and it’s not hard to see why it’s so popular. Cycling not for you? Take a gentle walk along a section of the path and look out onto the bay.

Enjoy Halifax’s food and drink scene

Halifax is home to five universities, so it’s no surprise there are more bars per capita than anywhere else in the country. If you’re looking for somewhere to grab a relaxed drink after a day of exploring, try out the Split Crow Pub. Fun fact, it’s got the oldest liquor license in the province. They have a great and pretty extensive beer menu. Try the local Keith’s IPA or the Split Crow Cream Ale. 

If you want to experience the taste of Halifax, try the restaurant Five Fisherman, which specialises in seafood and caters for all tastes and budgets. We recommend the mussels to start and the lobster stuffed scallops. 

Watch whales in the Bay of Fundy

During summer months, the Bay of Fundy is a wonderful place to spot whales. There are 12 species that can be found, including humpbacks, finbacks and minkes. You may also see the somewhat rarer blue and sperm whales, as well as orcas. All of the companies offering whale watching tours follow a strict code of ethics to ensure safe and non-invasive whale watching. 

Spot polar bears in Churchill

For wildlife lovers, a trip to Churchill is a must during any trip to Canada. This small town in Manitoba is known as the polar bear capital of the world. Each year in October and November polar bears descend on the town during their migration in preparation for hunting season. The best and safest way to see a polar bear in Churchill is to join a tour.  

Discover Montreal’s Old French Quarter

No trip to Montreal is complete without a visit to Old Montreal. It’s home to the city’s oldest and most picturesque buildings. Highlights? Place d’Armes, Rue Saint-Paul, Château Ramezay and Vieux-Port de Montréal. 

Walk up the Athabasca Glacier 

If you plan on visiting the Candian Rockies during your trip, a stop in Jasper National Park is highly recommended. Why? Because of the Athabasca Glacier, one of the most accessible glaciers in Canada and the most visited in North America. Join a tour which allows you to walk up the glacier.  

Visit Niagara Falls

Join the millions of visitors each year that take a trip to Niagara Falls. There are three waterfalls to be exact and on the Canadian side you’ll find the largest – Horseshoe Falls. If you want to get up close to the falls, there are boat tours that operate each day. 

Skiing in Whistler

If Canada is your chosen destination for your next skiing holiday, why not try Whistler? It’s located slightly north of Vancouver and offers an incredible range of pistes, 120 miles of trails and many accessible chair lifts too. It’s also where the 2020 Winter Olympics took place. 

Shop on Vancouver’s Granville Island

Granville Island is the perfect place to do a spot of shopping and sample all the culinary delights that Vancouver has to offer. We’re talking seafood, Montreal-style bagels, fine cheese and French crepes. Whilst you’re there why not join one of the Vancouver Foodie Tours, and get your hands on 20 signature tastings. In the Public Market, you’ll also find a fantastic selection of local produce, as well as handmade products and gifts. 

Lake-hop in Banff National Park

One of the most iconic images of Canada is that of the crystal blue waters of Lake Louise. But it’s not the only stunning lake that calls Banff National Park home. There’s the equally beautiful Moraine Lake, and Peyto Lake too! 

Explore the Laurentian Mountains

Winter sports and outdoor activity enthusiasts need to visit Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains. The birthplace of North America’s first ski lift is a great place to go skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, snowmobiling, rafting, kayaking, camping and gold-panning.

If this list has got you daydreaming about a trip to Canada, you’re in luck! We’ve got some great flight discounts to Canada from the UK right now. Search and book cheap flights to Canada today.