Vibrant chalet-style buildings along Banff Avenue.Credit: Getty Images
Canadians, famously, are not ones to brag. But given recent political skirmishes, the US’s northern neighbour may just be deciding it’s time to stop being quite so shy about itself.
Certainly a speech by outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sounded a particularly patriotic note. “Canada is home to bountiful resources, breathtaking beauty, and a proud people who’ve come from every corner of the globe to forge a nation with a unique identity worth embracing and celebrating,” he told his audience. We couldn’t agree more. From its magnificent wildernesses to its welcoming cities and its rich First Nations cultures, Team Maple Leaf has as many unique and unbeatable attractions as the US of A.
Grand vistas
Valley of the Ten Peaks near Lake Louise, Banff National Park.Credit: Getty Images
If you like Yosemite National Park, California
Try Banff National Park, Alberta
Why The soaring cliffs and cascading waterfalls of Yosemite National Park have made it one of the most celebrated beauty spots in the US, but Canada’s oldest national park offers landscapes that are truly majestic.
Fancy a scenic soak? Banff Upper Hot Springs.
Tell me more From the shimmering turquoise beauty of Lake Louise to the lush forests and waterfalls of Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park has adventures to suit any energy level packed into its 660,000 hectares. At the easier end of the scale are the Banff Gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain and a soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Prefer something more strenuous? The inspiring 74-kilometre, seven-day Sawback Trail between Banff Town and Lake Louise crosses no fewer than three mountain passes.
Don’t miss Want to drink in epic views from the comfort of your car? A drive along the 230-kilometre Icefields Parkway includes jaw-dropping views across glaciers, valleys and emerald-tinted lakes. See parks.canada.ca
Swoonworthy cities
Frontenac Castle and Dufferin Terrace, Quebec City.Credit: iStock
If you like Charleston, South Carolina
Try Quebec City
Why Charleston is charming, but as the oldest French-speaking city on the continent, and the only fortified city north of Mexico, the historic heart of Quebec City is irresistible.
Funicular, Quebec City.Credit: Getty Images
Tell me more It’s not just the 400-year-old cobblestone streets lined with historic houses that make Quebec City so alluring; it is also the city’s split-level setting, with the Haute-Ville (upper town) high on the cliff and the Basse-Ville (lower town) below on the banks of the St Lawrence River. (Long staircases connect the two, or you can hop aboard the funicular.) As picturesque in winter as it is in summer, Quebec City’s attractions include the old walls and ramparts and the Citadelle to the imposing Chateau Frontenac. The real charm of a stay here, however, lies in wandering the narrow streets and browsing in antiques stores, boutiques and galleries.
Don’t miss Take a seat in one of Old Quebec’s bistros for some of the country’s best French food. See quebec-cite.com/en
Go-to good times
A traditional cafe bistro restaurant in Old Town Montreal, Quebec.Credit: iStock
If you like New Orleans, Louisiana
Try Montreal, Quebec
Why New Orleans may be iconic, but what’s not to love about a true bilingual city with distinctive cuisine, a love of jazz music and a penchant for colourful festivals? If you like kicking back in New Orleans, you are going to love Montreal.
Tell me more How seriously does Montreal take its festivals? So seriously that it has dedicated an entire downtown quarter, Le Quartier des Spectacles, to hosting the hundreds of celebrations held each year, complete with outdoor stages. Held in June and July each year, the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal is the world’s largest jazz festival (per The Guinness Book of World Records), and about two-thirds of its 650 events are free. There are countless other events to explore – including festivals dedicated to comedy, visual arts, literature, even an international fireworks festival – and plenty of delicious Quebecois food to help keep your energy levels up.
Don’t miss Even the harsh Canadian winter can’t stop the good times rolling. Rug up for the likes of Igloofest, an outdoor electronica and hip-hop event, and the fabulous Montreal en Lumiere, featuring arts, culture and food. See mtl.org
Cowboy culture
Calgary Stampede show.Credit:
If you like Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
Try Calgary, Alberta
Why Dallas-Fort Worth may have a daily cattle drive (and the National Cowgirl Museum), but for real western flair, Calgary is the place to go.
First Nations man leading a Calgary Stampede parade.Credit: Tye Carson
Tell me more Once the cattle-ranching heart of Canada, Calgary is still home to one of the country’s biggest festivals, and it’s all about cowboys (and girls). Held every July, the 10-day Calgary Stampede bills itself as the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and the whole town gets into the swing, with residents donning western gear and businesses decorating their display windows. The opening parade features more than 750 horses, and popular events include bucking broncos, trick riding and barrel racing. Good news for carnivores: this cow-town is also home to some terrific steakhouses.
Don’t miss Want to invest in some genuine cowboy boots or hats, or just learn how they are made? Both Smithilt Hats (in business since 1919) and Alberta Boot Outfitters, which handcrafts western boots for clients including Canada’s legendary Mounties, offer behind-the-scenes tours. See visitcalgary.com
Bear spotting
Blackbear, cub and Spirit Bear.Credit:
If you like Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Try The Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia
Why Want to see bears up close without the crowds? British Columbia is the province for you.
Tell me more In peak season, so many visitors crowd Yellowstone’s roads in pursuit of grizzly bear sightings that traffic is often at a stand-still. Bear-spotting in Canada is a very different experience. In the Great Bear Rainforest – a lush region of ancient forest about the size of Ireland – some days you may see more bears than people. Various operators offer tours that take you into quiet corners where you can watch grizzlies catching salmon or hunting along the shoreline. If that doesn’t sate your appetite for bear encounters, head on up to Manitoba and tick off the polar bears too.
Don’t miss The area around Klemtu is the only place on Earth to spot the rare Spirit Bears: black bears with a rare recessive gene that gives them white coats. See hellobc.com
Scenic summer islands
A row of colourful Victorian clapboard houses in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.Credit: Getty Images
If you like Nantucket, Massachusetts
Try Prince Edward Island
Why Anyone who loves the cobblestone streets, shingled buildings and dune-lined beaches of Massachusetts’ beloved summer retreat Nantucket will be enchanted by Prince Edward Island’s mix of wild nature and adorable towns.
Tell me more Arrive in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island’s capital, and you will be tempted to spend a couple of days enjoying its picturesque architecture and friendly vibe, but there is so much more to explore. This island, sitting off New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, may be Canada’s smallest province, but it still covers 5600 square kilometres. Hit the road to check out sweet little fishing towns such as Murray Harbour, rolling fields and farms, and of course plenty of scenic coastline, complete with painted lighthouses and white- and red-sand beaches. P.E.I’s traditional inns serve up the island’s best catch, from freshly shucked oysters to grilled lobster and seafood chowder.
Don’t miss Whether you prefer two feet or two wheels, the 450-kilometre-long Confederation Trail is a great way to explore the island’s various landscapes. Learn about local nature and culture from the many interpretive panels. The trail also has more than 1600 geocaches along the route. See tourismpei.com
Cool urban escapes
Downtown Toronto is full of lively neighbourhoods with their distinct characters.Credit: Getty Images
If you like Los Angeles, California
Try Toronto, Ontario
Why Forget Hollywood – today LA draws visitors with a blend of hip neighbourhoods and some of the most exciting global dining around. What fewer people realise is that Canada’s biggest city, which Americans have tended to deride, ticks all the same boxes.
Glorious… St Lawrence Market.Credit: Getty Images
Tell me more Toronto’s liveliest neighbourhoods all have their own distinct character. Downtown’s highlights include heritage architecture and the glorious St Lawrence Market, home to more than 100 food stalls, while the Victorian warehouses of the Distillery District are filled with galleries, breweries and boutiques. Other colourful ’hoods include Yorkville and LGBTQ+ hub the Village, while for memorable flavours from around the world, head to Kensington Market, Chinatown, Koreatown and Little Italy.
Don’t miss Like LA, Toronto is also a beach destination (really), with the shores of Lake Ontario scalloped with plenty of swim spots. Lively Woodbine Beach and Centre Island Beach are popular options, while Ward’s Island Beach and Bluffer’s Park are more tranquil alternatives. See destinationtoronto.com
Arctic adventures
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories… billed as the “aurora capital of the world”.Credit: Getty Images
If you like Alaska
Try Northwest Territories
Why Looking for an authentic wilderness experience? Go north. Alaska may have the name recognition, but Canada’s vast Northwest Territories is the perfect and less touristed place to go wild, whether it be rafting or kayaking along snowmelt-fed rivers to driving one of the famous Ice Roads in winter.
Tell me more Sprawling over 1.1 million square kilometres, the Northwest Territories has no fewer than four jaw-dropping national parks. Head to Nahanni National Park for mighty canyons and cascading waterfalls including Virginia Falls, twice as high as Niagara Falls, or to Wood Buffalo National Park to roam the pine-studded plains and vast salt flats extending more than 200 square metres. The wildlife viewing is excellent, including bear, wood bison, caribou, beaver and wolves.
Don’t miss This region bills itself as the “aurora capital of the world”, with Northern Lights visible on average 240 nights a year. The city of Yellowknife is right under the band of maximal aurora activity, with viewing stations just 20 minutes out of town. See spectacularnwt.com
Indigenous insights
First Nations totem poles, Yukon.Credit: Getty Images
If you like Montana
Try The Yukon
Why Montana, home to about 16,500 members of the Blackfeet Nation, is also the venue for the annual North American Indian Days festival. In Canada, the First Nations have a strong presence across the country, but nowhere more so than in The Yukon, home to 14 indigenous tribes.
Tell me more In Whitehorse, the capital of The Yukon, the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre offers an array of events and programming, including an annual arts market in December that makes for great Christmas shopping. Other First Nations experiences across the territory include the Carcross Learning Centre, where you can steep yourself in creation stories or learn about modern land management. The Na-Cho Nyak Dun of Mayo are known for their beadwork, carving, music and moose-hair tufting, while the Kaska Dena people of Ross River offer homestay experiences.
Don’t miss Among the most memorable First Nations festivals is the biennial Moosehide Gathering outside Dawson City. Celebrating Han language and culture, the festival includes workshops on traditional crafts such as drum-making and porcupine quill work. See travelyukon.com
Ski havens
Alpine vistas from the chairlift at Whistler Blackcomb.Credit: Andrew Strain
If you like Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
Try Whistler Blackcomb, BC
Why Aspen Snowmass has its devoted followers, many of them wealthy with their own private jets, but for serious skiers and beginners alike, friendly Whistler Blackcomb is a winter wonderland.
Tell me more As North America’s largest ski resort, the first thing Whistler Blackcomb gives skiers is plenty of choice, with more than 200 marked runs, 37 lifts, 3300 hectares of skiable terrain, 16 alpine bowls and three glaciers. Add in an annual snowfall of 10.4 metres, a ski season that can stretch from November to May, and runs that cater for everyone from beginners to experts, and it’s no wonder Whistler Blackcomb has such a devoted following. As for food, 14 on-mountain restaurants offer everything from ramen to sausages and sauerkraut. If you are travelling with young children, off-slope entertainment includes dog sledding, bob sledding and the much-loved ice skating rink.
Don’t miss For the best views around, hop aboard the Peak 2 Peak gondola and enjoy a bird’s-eye perspective of the snow-covered landscape. See whistlerblackcomb.com
World-class wines
Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Okanagan Valley.Credit: Getty Images
If you like Napa Valley, California
Try Okanagan Valley, BC
Why Canada is perhaps best-known for its ice wine, but for serious wine-making head to British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Its small-scale wineries pick up hundreds of global awards each year.
Tell me more Think Canada is an unlikely place to find quality wine? It may surprise you to learn the Okanagan Valley sits at the same longitude as Champagne – not to mention that it’s just over the border from some of the United States’ most acclaimed wine regions, the Napa Valley. Need more convincing? Try some of the wines. The huge number of local micro-climates allows a range of varietals to flourish, from syrah, merlot and cabernet franc to chardonnay, Riesling and pinot gris. Visit Painted Rock Estate winery, the biodynamic Summerhill Pyramid Winery, and Tantalus, home of the valley’s oldest vines. Of course, where there’s good wine, there’s also good food: Raudz Regional Table in Kelowna is a top pick.
Don’t miss Want to work off all that food and drink? The Okanagan is also an adventure playground, with hiking, biking, kayaking and golfing all popular. See hellobc.com
Where the states has the edge on Canada
Redwood National Park, California
The Redwood National and State Parks is home to trees that live for up to 2000 years.
Nothing will make you feel small quicker than a trip to northern California’s mist-draped coast, home to the world’s tallest trees. Some of the redwoods of California’s Redwood National and State parks stand higher than the Statue of Liberty, and these incredible specimens are known to live for up to 2000 years.
Museum Mile, New York City, New York
Plenty of cities have sensational museums, but only New York has the Museum Mile, a collection of world-class institutions stretching along Fifth Avenue between 82nd Street and 110th Street. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum are the absolute standouts.
The Grand Canyon, Arizona
The US is home to some impressive monuments, but the Grand Canyon lives up to its name as the grandest of them all. Measuring 365 kilometres from east to west and 1.6 kilometres deep, this geological wonder never fails to impress.
Gateway Arch, St Louis, Missouri
The US has a history of pushing architectural boundaries, starting with the invention of the skyscraper. St Louis’ elegant Gateway Arch, designed by Finnish architect Eero Saarinen, may not have the profile of the Empire State Building or the Chrysler Building, but its beauty is unmatched.
The Hollywood Sign, California
Let’s be honest – few things are as overhyped as the Hollywood sign, originally erected as an ad for a real estate company. Yet the fact that we all instantly recognise this landmark is an example of one of the things the US does best: marketing itself to the world.
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