8 Breathtaking Canadian Destinations You’ll Want on Your Travel Bucket List

Wanna travel, but not TOO far from home? Here are some breathtaking Canadian destinations we think you’ll love!

Canada’s pristine waterways, landscapes, and wildlife create the perfect opportunity for unforgettable, bucket-list-worthy adventures.

While at a breathtaking Canadian destination, you can experience many unique activities and sights, whether you dream of observing grizzlies or polar bears in the wild, seeing the Northern Lights, or hiking at a remote lodge in the Rockies.

All in all, there’s just no beating the country’s diverse and unique character. Don’t even get us started on the beautiful cities of Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Vancouver, Ottawa, and many more. Canada’s hypnotic charm seldom fails to impress us.

So, on that note, check out our 8 favorite breathtaking Canadian destinations you should visit at least once in this lifetime!

Old Quebec

If you’re mesmerized by towering fortresses and lavish castles, you’ll be more than pleased to wander the ancient cobblestone streets of Old Quebec. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the only walled city north of Mexico.

Inside its fortifications, lovely cafes and antique shops mix with historical attractions like the Notre-Dame Basilica and the Citadel.

While the Upper Town region houses the Plains of Abraham and the Parque Historique de l’Artillerie, the Lower Town is famous for numerous historic structures. When all the sights blend, breathe in some fresh air at Battlefields Park or Montmorency Falls.

While visiting this breathtaking Canadian destination, you can also combine history and nature with a walk along the scenic Terrasse Dufferin, where your leisurely stroll will be supplemented with incredible city views.

And be sure to find the striking artwork at Rue du Tresor and visit the Musee de la Civilization museum, as well.

Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

Peggy’s Cove is a picturesque and charming town, iconic for Peggy’s Point Lighthouse. But even if you don’t like lighthouses, this breathtaking Canadian destination is still worthy of your travel bucket list.

Close to sunset, when the crowds from the tourist buses have vanished, sit on the rocks, watch the Atlantic Ocean crash its waves on the rocks, and wait for the sun to disappear beneath the horizon. We promise it’ll be worth it!

And since you’re already in Nova Scotia, don’t miss visiting Cabot Trail. It’s a scenic highway along the coastlines of Cape Breton Island. The famous Nova Scotia loop has many points of interest and overlooks along the way.

And the best part is that it can be explored year-round. It’s even possible to spot whales during your scenic drive during the summer!

Montreal

Montreal’s landmarks, museums, shopping districts, and nightclubs provide lots of entertainment to keep you busy.

To taste the historic part of this breathtaking Canadian destination, spend a day exploring the 18th-century buildings of Vieux-Montreal, which are now home to small museums and souvenir shops.

This city is also great for families, with attractions like the Montreal Biodome. If you’re visiting during the winter months, run from the cold by checking out the shopping malls and museums of the Underground City.

Speckled with shopping hubs, charming old-worldly buildings, and fine dining options, Montreal oozes vintage French charm with open city squares, horse carriages, and cobbled streets.

And remember to take a stroll along the waterfront to see the Marche Bonsecours and visit the Notre Dame Basilica.

Churchill, Manitoba

The town of Churchill is one of the very few places on the planet where you can observe polar bears in their natural habitat.

While you can see them any time of the year, the perfect months are October and November, when they move from their summer home on the tundra back to the frozen Hudson Bay for the winter season.

Take an escorted trip that will take you on a specially developed Tundra Buggy to the impressive Churchill Wildlife Management Area.

This breathtaking Canadian destination is also located directly underneath the auroral oval, making it an excellent place to see the astonishment of the Northern Lights.

While you have the chance to see the aurora borealis at any time of the year, your best bet is to go sometime from January to March because of the longer nights and chillier weather.

Inner Harbour, Victoria

Victoria’s Inner Harbor on the waterfront is a lovely sight to take in! This is the perfect place to enjoy an evening stroll or go dining and shopping afterward.

You can watch street performers at their best in the harbor backdrop or witness the beauty of the Empress Hotel, which is one of Victoria’s most exquisite structures. Inner Harbour has a long history, beginning with its use by First Nations.

Small cruise ships and recreational vessels can moor in the middle of this famous heritage city, mere steps from its historic streets and unique architecture. This breathtaking Canadian destination is the focus of many shows, festivals, and music during the summertime.

And the harbor also operates float planes, whale watching and ecotourism businesses, an International Ferry terminal with connections to Bellingham, Port Angeles, and Seattle, and a water taxi service.

Skoki Lodge in Skoki, Alberta

West Canada’s oldest backcountry lodge doesn’t have any running water, flush toilets, electricity, or cellphone service. So, this breathtaking Canadian destination is best suited for those who wish to experience life off the map!

Hikers and cross-country skiers will conquer a 7-mile trek, including the rightly named Deception Pass, before tumbling around the fireplace with a cup of hot soup.

But if you wish for a bit more luxury, you’ll find that too! Since it was built in the 30s, Skoki has been an escape for everyone from honeymooners to families, including royalty: William and Kate, who chose Skoki for their solo night off during their Canadian visit in 2011.

Fun Fact: The Lake Louise Ski Resort helicoptered in a fully equipped bathroom for the royals, which they quickly dismantled once they left.

While the beds are comfortable and the meals are outstanding, this breathtaking Canadian destination is an escape to the mountains of years gone by, where modern inconveniences are well worth paying for.

Parliament Hill, Ottawa

No matter the season you choose to travel, Canada’s Capital is a treasure trove of unforgettable sights and exciting activities.

Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, in particular, is a Neo-Gothic structure overlooking the Ottawa River, with its most notable feature being the Peace Tower, which the Senate and House of Commons flanks on either side.

The Centennial Flame is located opposite Ottawa’s parliament buildings. While here, you can witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony on most summer days.

This breathtaking Canadian destination is filled with Capital sights and attractions and about as many ways to see and explore them.

Experience a tour on both water and land with the Lady Dive Amphibus, or take a walking tour across Ottawa’s scenic ByWard Market courtyards. Just be sure you pack some appropriate shoes!

Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick

The Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick have been shaped by tidal erosion, and you can find them in the Hopewell Rocks Ocean Tidal Exploration Site, known for having the largest tides worldwide.

The park is open from the middle of May through late October, where it’s possible to walk on the ocean’s bottom during low tide. To make the most of your time, check out the tide tables.

Low and high tides are divided by a few hours, so seeing both on the same day is achievable if you time your visit right. It’s essential to heed the warnings of the park rangers once the tides come in, though.

During high tide, renting kayaks and exploring this breathtaking Canadian destination’s coastline from the water is also possible and worth a trip.

Which of these breathtaking Canadian destinations will you be visiting first? Let us know in the comments. But don’t go away just yet! Must See Places has much more incredible destinations for you to explore.

Check out: 6 Incredible Autumn Travel Destinations to Explore Alone This Year