15 Bucket List Destinations in Canada You Need to Visit
Looking for your next amazing vacation spot? Canada dishes out serious travel goals with jaw-dropping landscapes and buzzing urban centers.
We’ve rounded up 15 must-visit Canadian hotspots that deserve to be on your travel bucket list!
View this post on Instagram
1. Jasper National Park, AB
Jasper National Park stands as the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, spanning over 4,200 square miles of breathtaking mountain terrain.
Wildlife spotting is practically guaranteed – keep your eyes peeled for mule deer, bighorn sheep, caribou, and bald eagles.
Don’t miss walking on the famous Athabasca Glacier or hiking through Maligne Canyon, the deepest accessible canyon in the Canadian Rockies.
Where to Stay: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge offers unique accommodations spread across the grounds where elk and deer often visit right outside your window.
2. Niagara Falls, ON
Niagara Falls roars with the might of 14 million annual visitors who come to feel its spray and hear its thunderous sound.
This natural wonder shines year-round – summer brings warm-weather activities while winter transforms the falls into a frozen masterpiece unlike anything else on Earth.
Thrill-seekers can zoom through whitewater rapids on jet boat tours or zip down into the Niagara Gorge.
After dark, catch Vegas-style shows, try your luck at casinos, or enjoy dinner with a view of the illuminated falls.
Where to Stay: The Tower Hotel offers the most unique accommodations in Niagara Falls with floor-to-ceiling windows providing an up-close view of the falls from your room.
View this post on Instagram
3. Whistler, BC
Whistler attracts visitors with its perfect blend of natural beauty and world-class amenities.
This top-rated ski resort delivers year-round fun – from winter skiing and snowboarding to summer golfing, hiking, and mountain biking.
Exclusive activities abound, including helicopter tours with gourmet dining experiences and snowmobile trips to secluded mountain huts.
Where to Stay: Adara Hotel combines Whistler’s rustic character with modern Scandinavian-inspired design.
4. Quebec City, QC
Quebec City charms visitors with its European flair and the only walled city north of Mexico.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Quebec invites you to wander cobblestone streets lined with 400 years of history.
Must-see spots include the world-famous Château Frontenac, the scenic Dufferin Terrace overlooking the St. Lawrence River, and Place Royale where the city was officially founded.
Where to Stay: Auberge Saint-Antoine offers a unique museum hotel experience in the heart of Old Quebec, awarded Two Michelin Keys and featuring farm-to-fork dining.
View this post on Instagram
5. Vancouver, BC
Vancouver delivers the perfect city-nature combo – you can go from downtown to mountain peaks within an hour.
Beach lovers can hop between Kitsilano Beach, Spanish Banks, and Second Beach.
Nature fans shouldn’t miss Stanley Park (one of North America’s biggest urban parks) and Queen Elizabeth Park with its tropical Bloedel Conservatory.
Summer brings free festivals including the world’s largest offshore fireworks competition.
Where to Stay: OPUS Vancouver provides a playful blend of modernism in a quirky, colorful boutique hotel located in Vancouver’s hip Yaletown neighborhood.
6. Churchill, MB
Churchill is the polar bear capital of the world where wildlife spotting hits next-level.
Every autumn, these massive white furballs gather along Hudson Bay waiting for sea ice to form, giving you front-row seats to nature’s greatest show.
Beyond bears, Churchill serves up rich Indigenous history at the Itsanitaq Museum, showcasing artifacts thousands of years old.
Where to Stay: Lazy Bear Lodge offers a rustic and comfortable retreat with cozy rooms and unique excursions like aurora watching and wildlife encounters.
View this post on Instagram
7. Galiano Island, BC
Galiano Island offers the perfect escape vibe with its high ridges and secluded beaches.
The artsy, quirky island sits just a one-hour ferry ride from Tsawwassen, making it the ultimate weekend getaway from city chaos.
Foodies can sample fresh baked goods, island coffee, and local wines while treasure hunters browse unique island crafts that demand suitcase space.
Where to Stay: Bodega Ridge Cabins delivers those rustic island vibes with seven stylishly designed log cabins, plus their onsite South East-Asian inspired restaurant, Lola.
8. Montreal, QC
Montreal offers a perfect blend of European charm and North American energy, where cobblestone streets meet modern skyscrapers.
Founded in 1642 by French settlers, this cultural hotspot has been shaped by both French and English influences, creating a unique melting pot that’s impossible to resist.
The city’s stunning architecture includes the breathtaking Notre Dame Basilica and the neo-Gothic buildings of McGill University.
Foodies flock here for world-class restaurants while history buffs can’t get enough of the Old Port and Place Royale.
Where to Stay: Hotel William Gray stands as a unique luxury hotel in the heart of Old Montreal, offering restaurants with the latest food trends and an award-winning urban spa with a pool.
View this post on Instagram
9. Okanagan Valley, BC
Okanagan Valley stuns with its crystal-clear lakes and rolling vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Okanagan Lake forms the heart of the valley, spanning over 135 kilometers and offering endless opportunities for boating, paddleboarding, and lakeside relaxation.
With more than 200 wineries scattered throughout the region, wine tours rank as the must-do activity, featuring everything from small family-run vineyards to world-renowned estates.
Where to Stay: The Cove Lakeside Resort delivers rustic luxury on the shores of Okanagan Lake, plus resort-style amenities.
10. Whitehorse, YT
Whitehorse is the Yukon’s capital city where wilderness meets urban comfort in the most spectacular way.
Surrounded by pristine nature, this small city with a big backyard sits along the historic Yukon River on the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council.
Adventure seekers can access hundreds of kilometers of trails for hiking and mountain biking or paddle the Yukon River flowing through town.
Where to Stay: SKKY Hotel is a boutique-style hotel that blends natural environment with up-to-date accommodations.
View this post on Instagram
11. Banff National Park, AB
Locate in the Rocky Mountain, Banff National Park packs in over 1,000 miles of trails for hikers of all levels.
Even newbies can tackle spots like Johnston Canyon with its paved paths and stunning waterfalls.
When you’re done with nature, Banff Avenue buzzes with cute boutiques and restaurants serving up Canadian treats like Beavertails (fried dough that’s basically heaven).
Don’t miss the Banff Gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain for those epic panoramic views – bonus points if you snag a table at Sky Bistro for dinner.
Where to Stay: The Juniper Hotel and Bistro delivers mid-century modern vibes, plus their restaurant serves up mountain fare with spectacular views from the patio.
12. Tofino, BC
Tofino is the ultimate coastal escape where the ocean meets rainforest in the most magical way possible.
This Vancouver Island gem lets you do as much or as little as you want – surf the waves, hike through ancient forests, or just chill on stunning beaches watching epic sunsets.
Wildlife spotting here goes next level with chances to see whales, sea otters, and maybe even bears if you’re super lucky.
Foodies go crazy for local spots like Tacofino with their Baja-style fish tacos, or Rhino Cafe for morning coffee and their famous doughnuts.
Where to Stay: The Shoreline Tofino offers those perfect surf shack vibes with its A-frame architecture nestled between old-growth cedars right at the water’s edge.
View this post on Instagram
13. St. John’s, NL
St. John’s pops with its rainbow-colored row houses and rugged coastal beauty that’ll make your heart skip a beat.
This easternmost North American city mixes historical charm with natural wonders like Signal Hill, where you can hike trails with breathtaking ocean views and visit the spot where the first transatlantic wireless signal was received in 1901.
The vibrant George Street rocks as the heartbeat of nightlife with pubs and live music venues that’ll have you dancing until dawn.
Don’t miss Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America, where you can spot whales from shore while checking out the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland.
Where to Stay: JAG Hotel brings music-inspired boutique vibes to downtown St. John’s, and easy walking distance to the famous George Street nightlife and scenic Water Street.
14. Toronto, ON
Toronto is Canada’s biggest city where stunning waterfront and world-class attractions create the perfect urban playground.
The iconic CN Tower dominates the skyline at 553 meters tall, offering jaw-dropping views from its observation deck and a revolving restaurant.
Culture vultures can’t miss the Royal Ontario Museum with its 20+ galleries of treasures or the Art Gallery of Ontario housing 95,000 works from European masterpieces to emerging Indigenous artists.
For a totally different vibe, hit the Toronto Eaton Centre where shoppers flock for luxury brands and that Instagram-worthy 115-foot pedestrian bridge connecting to Hudson’s Bay.
Where to Stay: Shangri-La Toronto delivers a charming and comfortable ambiance, perfect for both locals and travelers seeking something beyond the ordinary hotel stay.
View this post on Instagram
15. Prince Edward Island, PE
Prince Edward Island charms visitors with its red-sand beaches, rolling green hills, and the kind of small-town magic that makes you want to stay forever.
This tiny Canadian province packs major punch with attractions like the historic Green Gables House, where you can wander through period rooms, themed gardens, and walking trails celebrating a beloved literary figure.
Beach lovers can’t miss Basin Head Provincial Park with its miles of white sand and unique “singing sands” that actually squeak under your feet.
Where to Stay: Dalvay By The Sea offers a unique historic experience with guest rooms furnished in period antiques where each room is different.
