150 Things to Do in Canada

No matter what you look for when you travel, Canada can deliver. Want outdoor adventure? We've got that. Food, art, culture? There's plenty of that, too. Plus, there's stunning nature, vibrant cities, and friendly locals to add to it all. 

If you're looking for inspiration, here are 150 things to do across the country — everything from mountaintop hikes and wildlife viewing to culinary experiences. Time to start exploring!

Adventure outside

• Ride or walk the longest recreational trail in the world (over 21,500 kilometres!) and experience Canada’s beautiful landscapes up close.

• Follow the silver trail and drive to the top of Keno Hill. Here, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views overlooking valleys, mountains, and the quirky town of Keno with a population of about 20.

• Swim the Grotto at Bruce Peninsula National Park. You’ll feel like you’ve travelled to the Caribbean in the crystal blue waters.

• Go hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park in late August to take in the breathtaking fall colours.

• Cast a line for salmon in world-famous fishing rivers.

• Take a dip in one of Canada’s many lakes — it's said that there are more lakes in Canada than in every other country combined.

• Head for the hills across the country for some of the best hiking, biking, and skiing. Canada's known for its mountains.

• Kayak among fjords and icebergs.

• Experience cold water surfing on the east and west coasts.

• Hike to “one of the four corners of the earth” at Brimstone Head on Fogo Island.

• Plunge your paddle into Manitoba’s 100,000+ lakes and waterways. Go on an urban canoe day trip or a multi-day wilderness adventure on a heritage waterway.

• Walk on the earth’s mantle at the Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park.

• View humpback whales.

• Kayak with 10,000-year-old icebergs.

• Cast a line — Manitoba is a fishing paradise for new or experienced anglers.

• Visit the land of mountains, glaciers, and polar bears at Torngat Mountains National Park.

• Visit Alberta’s national parks. Hike, camp, paddle, cycle, or explore on horseback.

• Check out hundreds of curious beluga whales in Manitoba's Arctic waters.

• Play and stay in some of Alberta’s most popular provincial parks like Kananaskis Country, Canmore Nordic Centre, Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.

• Fish the waters of the world’s largest freshwater island, Manitoulin Island.

• Get your adrenaline pumping at the EdgeWalk at the top of the CN Tower, Toronto’s iconic landmark that rises over 457 metres above the city.

• Cycle the Stanley Park Seawall in Vancouver, which offers spectacular views of the North Shore Mountains and the Vancouver skyline.

• Witness the highest tides in the world or walk to the ocean floor at Burntcoat Head Park on Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy.

• Paddle a cedar Dugout Canoe in Tofino to get a First Nations’ perspective on the waters surrounding this surfer’s paradise.

• Tackle the high seas and wrestle a 450-kilogram bluefin tuna in the "Tuna Capital of the World," Prince Edward Island.

• Jump for joy at Canada’s highest bungee jump.

• In the summer, explore mighty rivers or tee-off under the midnight sun.

• Paddle the path of the voyageurs on the Churchill River and feel the rush of one of Saskatchewan’s highest and most beautiful waterfall — Nistowiak Falls.

• Ride the highest tides in the world as you raft the tidal bores on the Shubenacadie River. It’s nature’s rollercoaster.

• Zipline at one of the most scenic, seaside spots.

• Watch the start of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race — the toughest dog sled race in the world. Or, give mushing a try yourself and cuddle some husky puppies while you’re at it.

• Go heli-skiing where it all began. Hop in a helicopter to access untouched, remote, alpine terrain and deep powder.

• Hike the rolling hills, coulees, valleys, and badlands of Grasslands National Park.

• Glide along some of the best canoe-tripping rivers in the world.

• Hook a big one in the Northern lakes — said to produce the largest sportfish on Earth.

• Climb the Maritimes’ highest peak in the Appalachian Mountains.

• Roam the tundra and find the best spot to pitch your tent after a day of exploring.

• Test your balance on a stand-up paddle board while exploring Ram Island’s international migratory site off the coast of Prince Edward Island.

• Take a drive along an ice road.

Discover vibrant culture

• Coast to coast, check out an amazing festival — whether you like comedy, rodeos, or just about anything else.

• Join in the noise at "the loudest arena in the NHL" while watching a Winnipeg Jets game.

• Dance under the prairie sunset at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, a top stop on North America’s folk music circuit.

• Saddle up at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton.

• Celebrate diversity in Canada’s colourful cities at a Pride Parade.

• Explore urban vibes — from the zoo to the newest musical attraction — in Calgary.

• Celebrate the sounds of the North with the Rockin’ Walrus Arts Festival.

• Have a laugh at one of Montreal’s most famous festivals.

• Visit the carving studio in Carcross to see Keith Wolfe Smarch in action. He’s a talented carver specializing in the Tlingit First Nations style.

• Celebrate joie de vivre Acadian-style at the Festival Acadien de Caraquet.

• Shop for locally-grown, baked, or crafted goods at the Fireweed Community Market in Whitehorse, held weekly in the summer.

• Be dazzled by Aboriginal music, dance, and dress at ManitoAhbee Festival.

• Indulge in culinary delights, local entertainment, and a true Island vibe on Victoria Row — Charlottetown’s pedestrian street.

• Watch an unforgettable Canadian Football League game with the most passionate fans in the country at the New Mosaic Stadium.

• Spend a weekend listening to some of the top artists in the world at festivals like Le Festival d'été de Québec and Osheaga.

• Attend “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” the Calgary Stampede.

• Tune in to the Regina Folk Festival or dance to the Woodstock-esque vibes of Ness Creek Music Festival.

• See a dog-derby race in a place where winter always goes to the dogs (the dog sledding dogs, that is).

• Enjoy the sights and sounds of Edmonton’s Folk Music Fest.

• Take in a festival in the Arctic Circle.

Delve into history

• Experience the rich culture of the country’s Aboriginal people.

• Uncover Canadian history at one of many art galleries and museums.

• See the earliest evidence of life on the planet at Newfoundland & Labrador’s newest UNESCO site, Mistaken Point.

• Get inspired at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in an interactive journey from darkness to light.

• Discover any of Alberta’s 15 national historic sites.

• Visit Ancient First Nation Village sites in Haida Gwaii amid the lush rainforest of Gwaii Haanas. Learn about the history of the Haida people while viewing carved poles, remnants of longhouses, and more.

• Discover the culture of the Inuit people through their communities and crafts.

• Experience history at a festival inspired by the lives of the first European settlers in Quebec.

• Travel back 1,000 years and visit the Vikings at L’Anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site.

• Explore the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, then check out the city surrounding it.

• Spend Canada Day in the birthplace of Confederation — Charlottetown.

• Step back in time at Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, founded by the French in 1713.

• Discover Dene culture in the Northwest Territories.

• Visit U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s summer cottage at Roosevelt-Campobello International Park.

• Discover the home of the RCMP: the training academy for new members of the force is located in Regina.

Experience natural wonders

• Explore the longest coastline in the world — at over 200,000 kilometres! This, of course, means tons of beaches, like hidden ones on Vancouver Island, red sand ones on Prince Edward Island, and the longest freshwater one in the world in Ontario.

• Experience the weather and activities of all four Canadian seasons.

• Get up close and personal with some of the world’s largest glaciers.

• Go island hopping in British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Quebec.

• Experience a true natural wonder at one of the country's many national parks.

• Follow migrating caribou along Nunavut’s Heritage Rivers.

• See colors dance above you while taking in the Northern Lights in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nunavut, and Newfoundland & Labrador.

• Discover Canada’s flora at one of many beautiful gardens across the country.

• See the first sunrise in North America at Cape Spear National Historic Site.

• Look a wild polar bear in the eye, whether viewing from a boat, a tundra vehicle, or trekking alongside them at a remote wilderness lodge.

• Explore the Canadian Badlands and hunt for dinosaur fossils in Dinosaur Provincial Park.

• Spot a narwhal (and several other Arctic critters) in the wild.

• Go whale watching along the Saint Lawrence River.

• Discover Quebec’s wildlife — from whales, to moose, to beavers.

• Build sand castles on the world’s longest freshwater beach, Wasaga Beach.

• Go whale watching in Victoria and see orcas breaching amid the stunning waves.

• In the spring or fall, stop by the Tachäl Dhäl Visitor Centre to spot Dall Sheep in their natural habitat on Sheep Mountain.

• Take in two of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada-designated Dark Sky Preserves with fellow star gazers at the annual Summer Star Party in August.

• Fly over the highest mountain in Canada in Kluane National Park.

• Stand on a chunk of floating ice and witness one of the most unique ecosystems on earth.

• Watch humpback whales breach in the Bay of Fundy, an ample feeding ground and summer home for 12 species of whale.

• Discover (and lounge on) over 1,100 kms of beach and shoreline on the East Coast.

• Visit the aurora borealis capital of the world.

• Explore the Great Bear Rainforest. Go wildlife viewing for grizzlies and more. This is the only place in the world where you can spot the elusive white Kermode (Spirit) bear.

• Walk on the ocean floor at The Hopewell Rocks.

• See Rudolph in the wild — the Northwest Territories are home of Canada’s only reindeer herd.

Taste unique food and drink

• With the most donut shops per capita, be sure to indulge in one of our country’s favourite sweet treats. Don’t have a sweet tooth? Check out some top chefs instead.

• Have a scoop or two of COW’s Ice Cream — a local PEI favourite.

• Visit a sugar shack in Quebec.

• Learn how to make maple syrup.

• Bundle up with a drink at the Hotel de Glace ice bar.

• Grab a friend and go wine tasting through the pastoral Okanagan Valley, stopping at farm stands to pick up plump cherries, peaches, and more along the way.

• Test out the local spirits made from top-notch local grains in Canada’s breadbasket.

• Raise a glass on the Good Cheer Trail — Canada’s only trail of its kind that includes wineries, cideries, craft breweries, and distilleries.

• Drink locally made wine all across the country.

• Try an authentic Montreal bagel.

• Roll-up your sleeves with a Food Network Celebrity Chef at PEI’s Fall Flavours Festival.

• Indulge in Nunavut’s famous pink coldwater shrimp.

• Dig into the world’s longest lobster roll at the Shediac Lobster Festival.

Take a break

• Relax at amazing spas across the country, whether you're in the city or exploring the countryside.

• Unwind at Thermëa, a Nordic-inspired spa, set in the midst of an urban forest.

• Hit the lake — one of nearly 100,000 in Saskatchewan.

• Drive the Hot Springs Circle Route and luxuriate in eight of BC’s most impressive hot springs.

• Sleep in a dream dome under the stars at Ridgeback Lodge.

Try something new

• Take a train to discover hidden mountains passes.

• Paddle the French River, a waterway Aboriginal people used as a meeting place and trading route for thousands of years.

• Go back in time at the newest dinosaur museum, the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum in Grande Prairie.

• Climb the tower and overnight in Canada’s first lighthouse inn in the West Point Lighthouse Inn.

• Take a walking tour and immerse yourself in Quebec cuisine.

• Walk the tip — the farthest point south on mainland Canada in Point Pelee National Park.

• Surround yourself with the colour of Jellybean Row in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

• Skate the world’s largest outdoor skating rink on the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Cruise the Trent Severn Waterway and experience the engineering marvels of the world’s highest hydraulic lift lock.

• Buy an unlimited pass to all of Alberta’s provincial museums and historic sites to really see it all.

• Visit Greenwich in the Prince Edward Island National Park and walk the floating boardwalk to the towering parabolic dune system and pristine white sand beaches.

• Ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola in Whistler for some top-notch views.

• Soar above the Lake Superior shoreline aboard a legendary DeHavilland Beaver, the float plane that opened up the great Canadian wilderness in the 1950s.

• Step back in time and relive the Klondike gold fever by taking a tour of Dredge No. 4, located just outside Dawson City.

• Set out on a back-country train tour through landscapes that inspired famous Canadian artists the Group of Seven — alongside pristine lakes, awesome granite rock formations, the vast forests of the Canadian Shield, and the great Agawa Canyon.

• Grab your camera and explore the colourful Town of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the iconic Bluenose II Schooner.

• Drive the Alaska Highway 1,345 kilometres through British Columbia to Fairbanks, Alaska.

• Camp in a water droplet at Fundy National Park.

• Explore a Nova Scotia beach – surf, kitesurf, swim, kayak, hike, cycle, or just relax along the pristine coastline.

• Visit the most photographed lighthouse in North America and the beautiful, working fishing village that surrounds it in Peggy’s Cove.

• Drive the world-famous Cabot Trail in Cape Breton and plan to stop for a guided hike of the stunning Skyline Trail at sunset.

• Follow a road a little less travelled and discover panoramic coastal views and historic lighthouses on the PEI coast.

• Experience the magic of the North with Arctic Watch.

• Chase a storm or take in the most gorgeous sunrises and sunsets in the “Land of Living Skies.”

• Drive the Klondike-Kluane loop through pristine wilderness. Then take a ferry across the Yukon River and continue your journey on the Top of the World Highway into Alaska.

• See Quebec on two wheels with BIXI bike.

• Get off the beaten path and explore these sandy and surprising hidden gems.

• Check out the treasures of Nahanni National Park Reserve home to a historic portage trail, 300-million-year-old fossils, the Sluice Box Rapids, and the famed Virginia Falls.

• Sleep in a lighthouse on Iceberg Alley.

• Set out on North America’s most adventurous road trip on the Arctic Highway.

• Swim in Canada’s warmest saltwater beaches in New Brunswick.

• Discover the past at Fossil Creek Trail — home to the largest quantity of high-quality marine fossils.

And that's just the start of it. Canada is home to these 150 activities plus many, many more. Now all you have to do is book your holiday and discover it all.