Last Updated on May 21, 2024 by Suzy McCullough
Canada is a country that I have always wanted to visit since I was very young. The scenery really appeals to me and so does the diversity of the country. Plus they speak French and English there which as a speaker of both languages, although one not so fluent, is always a bonus. I have been busy preparing a bucket list for a holiday to Canada. There are so many convenient flight options and holiday packages for Canada holidays. These are my 10 unmissable things to see and do in Canada as a family.
Canada is a vast North American country stretching from the U.S.A. in the south up to the Arctic Circle in the north. It is mostly famous for Niagara Falls, vast stretches of wilderness including the rocky mountains and its main cities of Toronto, Quebec, Montreal and the capital city of Ottawa. Its area covers almost 10 million square kilometres. Its biggest National Park is twice the size of Wales!
1. Bear Watching Expeditions
Why not take the time to see bears in the wild in their own natural home? As well as bear viewing lodges being available to rent some companies run tours in big four-by-four trucks where you can watch the amazing creatures from the safety of the vehicle. Another option is to go on a boat tour where they will take you alongside bears and you may even witness them fishing for their dinner.
2. Northern Lights
Canada is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis. There are 8 great places to see the Northern lights in Canada. The Yukon in the north is the best territory for the lights with the best time to visit is between the autumn and the Spring. Most tourism companies are based in Whitehorse. This is a perfect family activity for any holiday to Canada.
3. Whale Watching
As much as the bears are a part of Canada so are the whales. There are many whale-watching expeditions that sail from the coastline of Canada. The main species that you could witness are amongst the biggest in the world such as Killer whales, Grey whales, Humpback whales and Fin whales with most of the whales being significantly larger than the tourist boats that set out to find them.
4. Canada’s Wonderland
Canada’s Wonderland is the largest amusement park in the country and it’s located at an approx. A 30-minute drive from downtown Toronto. There are plenty of rides for young and old with thrilling roller coasters to more sedate rides for the little ones. There’s even a massive water park, live entertainment, shops and restaurants.
5. Quebec City
The old town of Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is incredibly picturesque with some truly stunning buildings mostly 17th and 18th-century houses and churches. It’s a perfect size for walking around with an upper and lower split to the old town. There are museums and cobbled streets and it will make a nice change to the other places and things to do on this bucket list. There’s plenty on throughout the year with some wonderful festivals that bring the streets even more to life.
6. Wood Buffalo National Park
Wood Buffalo is the biggest National Park in Canada and the second biggest in the world. It is larger than Switzerland! As well as being one of the best places to see the northern lights it is a haven for wildlife. Some of the animals you could spot there are wild bison, whooping cranes, moose, black bears and lynxes. There are plenty of water activities in the area including canoeing and kayaking. There are literally thousands of bison here and you should be able to spot them from the water, on trails or if you visit the salt plains.
7. White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
Dating back to the Klondike Gold Rush, the White Pass and Yukon Railway is nicknamed the ‘most scenic railway of the world.’ You will even need to take your passport with you as the train also travels into Alaska. The narrow gauge railway links Skagway, Alaska with Whitehorse in Yukon (northern lights territory). The scenery is breathtaking and quite possibly like nothing you’ve ever seen before. With a panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites. It’s certainly a journey to create memories on.
8. CN Tower – and eat at the Revolving Restaurant
The CN Tower in Toronto is one of the tallest towers in the world and is also one of the most famous icons of Canada. If you are brave enough to go to the top you can take a glass elevator up there. At the top, you will find a glass platform at 342 metres above the city. There is even a revolving restaurant up there and a hands-free adrenaline-pumping SkyWalk. Where you can walk on the 1.5-metre ledge at 356 metres above the ground.
9. Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell rocks in New Brunswick have been carved out by years of tidal erosion. The park is open from mid-May until mid-October as those are the only times of the year when you can walk on the seabed around the rocks. Even then you have to be wary of the tides as this area experiences the highest tides in the world. The rock formations are stunning and stand at 40-70 feet tall.
10. Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls shares a border with Canada and the USA. It is one of the most famous and spectacular waterfalls in the world with three separate drops. There’s a variety of different boat trips that you can take to get up even closer to the falls. You can get so close to the falls that they loan out rain macs.
Canada is a perfect destination for your next family holiday. It is also a great destination for those seeking out excellent skiing holidays. There are some great family-friendly ski resorts in Canada.
For the best theme parks in Canada please check out – 12 Great Theme Parks in Canada.
Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post. All words and opinions are my own. All photos are courtesy of Pixabay.
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