1182 Best Sights in Canada

The paint pots are a geological formation formed by rich deposits of iron oxide that bubbles up from mineral springs, resulting in liquid with pigments ranging from red to orange to brown. The area is sacred to the Ktunaxa people, who have gathered the ocher liquid to color their clay and paints since ancient times. By the early 1900s, European settlers also started to mine the pigments for manufacturing paints. This mining stopped when the area became a park in 1920, but the paint pots continue to bubble the brightly colored pigments to the surface. In late 2023, in consultation with Indigenous partners, 175 meters (575 feet) of raised boardwalk was constructed to address poor trail conditions on a muddy section of the trail.

Marking the entrance to Georgetown Harbour, it stands more than 60 feet tall. You can ascend to the top; then catch your breath browsing the on-site gift shop.

Beautifully surrounded by low hills, this park has a lake fringed by a sandy beach and plenty of opportunities for outdoor sports, including hiking and biking trails, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and, in winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Locals also consider it to be one of the top camping destinations. Administered by the province along environmentally conscious lines—they implemented the Ecological Integrity Monitoring Program (EIMO) in 2004—it has nearly 900 campsites, and you can rent bicycles, cross-country skis, snowshoes, canoes, and kayaks from the office. Note that the strip at the far eastern end of the beach is "clothing optional," or, in effect, "clothing nonexistent."

The strategic importance of Artillery Park, part of the Fortifications of Quebec, lies in its prime location overlooking both the plateau to the west of the city, from which an army could lay siege to it, and St. Charles River, where boats could land soldiers. Under French rule, all the lines of defense that were proposed or built passed through this territory. By the end of the 17th century, the park was already recognized as a strategic site and both French and English military engineers erected various fortifications here over the years. The lavish Quartier des Officiers, built in 1712, was used as officers' quarters of the Royal Artillery until the late 19th century, when the Canadian government converted the barracks into a cartridge factory following the departure of the troops. It would go on to play a predominant effort in both of Canada's world-war efforts; several thousand men and women of Quebec worked there.

If you're short on time or don't feel like a hike you can take a shuttle bus to the top of Mont-Mégantic for spectacular views of Québec, Maine, New Hampshire, and on really clear days, Vermont. But if you want the full experience, make the trek by foot. The park has 50 km (31 miles) of hiking trails that are also open in winter to snowshoers and cross-country skiers. For a real adventure, you can stay overnight in one of the park's rustic shelters.

The amount of activities seems almost endless at this 58-square-km (22-square-mile) park. Summertime sees hikers, campers, beach lovers, and canoers enjoying the grounds, and in winter, showshoers and cross-country skiers take over. White-tailed deer and blue herons share the park with tourists. The scenery in the fall is spectacular, with vibrant orange, yellow, and red hues spreading across the landscape.

If you love horses and competitions, the Bromont Equestrian Center is the place to visit. Once an Olympic site, it hosts show jumping, dressage, and pony club events, and, in late July, the annual International Bromont Equestrian competition.

You could say that Parc Lafontaine is a microcosm of Montréal: the eastern half is French, with paths, gardens, and lawns laid out in geometric shapes; the western half is English, with meandering paths and irregularly shaped ponds that follow the natural contours of the land. In summer, you can take advantage of bowling greens, tennis courts, an open-air theater, (Théâtre de Verdure), and two artificial lakes with paddle boats. The Théâtre de Verdure puts on free musical, dance, theater, and circus arts performances, as well as films. In winter, one lake becomes a large skating rink. The park is named for Sir Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine (1807–64), a pioneer of responsible government in Canada.

This 32-km (20-mile) stretch of trails and walkways follows the St. Charles River from its source at Lake St. Charles, to the northwest (which supplies a large part of Québec City's drinking water), all the way to the Bassin Louise Marina, in Vieux-Port. Many sections are in quiet stretches of forests, or run along wetlands and meadows. The trails immediately west of the harbor offer a green oasis at the heart of the city. The recently-reimagined Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site in Limoilou is particularly lovely and explains the various ways Jacques Cartier helped shape the city as we see it today. It's also possible to rent kayaks and paddle over 11 km (6.5 miles) of the northernmost part of the river.

The 800-square-km (309-square-mile) marine park, at the confluence of the Saguenay and St. Lawrence Rivers, has been created to protect this marine area's three fragile ecosystems.

This former boatyard includes the Chalouperie Godbout (Godbout Longboat), which holds a collection of tools used by specialist craftsmen during the golden era of boat-building. You can picnic here and watch fishermen at work, trapping eels in tall nets at low tide.

Blue water meets white cliffs on the edge of this study in contrasts, where diverse wildlife and rich waters attract hundreds of hunters and anglers each year. The island, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 35 km (22 miles) offshore from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, hosts so many animals that seeing deer and other creatures is common. Fossils, rare plants, and a major bald eagle breeding site are protected. But, there’s oil here, too, and profit seekers covet the riches in the island’s reserves. Hike to the tremendous Vaureal Falls, crawl through a tight cave, and visit an abandoned turn-of-the-century settlement complete with a lighthouse, all of them developed by a French chocolate mogul. Access to Anticosti Island is by boat or plane from Havre St. Pierre. Accommodations and restaurants are available on the island, but may be limited outside the main season (late June–mid-August).

A 40-minute drive from La Malbaie will bring you to a stunning stretch of the Malbaie River, surrounded by impressive steep slopes and rocky peaks. There are plenty of beautiful views to take in—whether it's from a kayak on the river or while hiking a network of trails—and lots of fresh air, in this central part of the Charlevoix Biosphere Preserve.

Where raw cliffs and lush wilderness meet the vast Gulf of St. Lawrence and Bay of Gaspé, the mountains and boreal forest host bears and moose, among many other species. Along the shore, see harbor seals and thousands of water fowl. Camp, swim, hike, bike, wildlife watch, or soak in the park’s history, which begins with ancient native peoples and continues through traders, whalers, and wartime. All manner of outdoor activities await, as well as a recreation center with a heated outdoor pool, tennis courts, and team sport courts.

In the 1,800 acres of hills, valleys, rivers, and streams that make up the park, visitors drive along designated trails to view wild animals roaming free in their beautiful natural environment. These include bear, Alpine ibexes, buffalo, wolves, elk, and more. There are also walking trails among nonaggressive species like white-tailed deer, with caged golf-cart rental available in summer to save the legwork. Also in summer, you can visit farm animals in the restored 19th-century Léopold's Farm and see a birds of prey show.

This short but steep 2½-km (1½-mile) trail is a great stop along the Icefields Parkway that takes you above the tree line to one of the prettiest views in the Canadian Rockies. At the top of Parker Ridge, there's an excellent view of the Saskatchewan Glacier, where the Saskatchewan River begins. Snowbanks can persist into early summer, but by late July carpets of wildflowers cover the trail. Stay on the path to keep erosion to a minimum. Moderate.

Park interpretive activities include campground sing-alongs, wildlife presentations, Indigenous programs, and guided hikes. Many events take place at Whistlers Outdoor Theatre at the Whistlers Campground.

Designed by Francis Rattenbury (who also designed the Fairmont Empress hotel) when he was just 25 years old, and completed in 1897, the Parliament Buildings dominate the Inner Harbour. Atop the central dome is a gilded statue of Captain George Vancouver (1757–98), the first European to sail around Vancouver Island. A statue of Queen Victoria (1819–1901) reigns over the front of the complex which features 33 domes. More than 3,300 lights outline the buildings at night. The interior is lavishly done with stained-glass windows, gilt moldings, and historic photographs, and in summer actors play historic figures from British Columbia's past. When the legislature is in session, you can sit in the public gallery and watch British Columbia's democracy at work (custom has the opposing parties sitting 2½ sword lengths apart). Free, informative, 30- to 45-minute tours run every 20 to 30 minutes in summer and several times a day in the off-season (less frequently if school groups or private tours are coming through). Tours are obligatory on summer weekends (mid-May until Labor Day) and optional the rest of the time. Self-guided booklets are available online.

Semiprecious stones such as amethyst, quartz, and stilbite can be found at Partridge Island, 1 km (½ mile) offshore and connected to the mainland by an isthmus. The 1½-km (1-mile) Partridge Island Trail can be followed from the beach up to a lookout tower on the high point.

This subterranean universe expanded from existing tunnels in the mid-1970s partly to replace the retail services in small buildings that were demolished to make way for the latest skyscrapers and partly to protect office workers from the harsh winter weather. As each major building went up, its developers agreed to connect their underground shopping areas with others and with the subway system. You can walk from beneath Union Station to the Fairmont Royal York hotel, the Toronto-Dominion Centre, First Canadian Place, the Sheraton Centre, The Bay and Eaton Centre, and City Hall without ever seeing the light of day, encountering everything from art exhibitions to buskers (the best are the winners of citywide auditions, who are licensed to perform throughout the subway system). According to Guinness World Records, the PATH is the biggest underground shopping complex in the world. Maps to guide you through the labyrinth are available in many downtown news and convenience stores.  Be aware that large sections of the PATH may be closed on weekends when the office buildings are closed. This can cause particular problems for wheelchair users because not all sections of the underground are fully accessible.

With its bright red hue, webbed walls and tubular shape, the once-controversial Peace Bridge has become a cultural icon of Downtown that some have compared to a Chinese finger puzzle. The bridge crosses the Bow River just west of Prince’s Island Park, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to move back and forth between Downtown and the communities on the north side of the river. It provides ready access to Kensington.

Take a hike through history at this park on the south arm of Sydney Harbour. Initially developed as the private domain of David Matthews, a onetime mayor of New York City who remained loyal to the crown during the War of Independence, its 56 acres are laced with trails.

The four lakes at the southern end of Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park are popular with anglers. They can be reached via a 4.2-km (2.6-mile) trail that passes through a forested area before it drops down to the lakes. There is a 450-meter (1,475-foot) elevation gain. Moderate.

For centuries, this wide square was used for parades and military events; today, it's mostly strollers, buskers, and visitors enjoying restaurant terraces. On its west side stands the majestic Ancien Palais de Justice (Old Courthouse), a Renaissance-style building from 1887. The plaza is on land that was occupied by a church and convent of the Récollet missionaries (Franciscan monks), who in 1615 were the first order of priests to arrive in New France. The Gothic-style fountain in the center pays tribute to their arrival.

If you're looking for peace and quiet, the narrow strip of grass and trees on Place d'Youville (the former name) just east of Place Royale is an appropriate place to find it. It was here, after all, that the French signed a major peace treaty with dozens of Indigenous nations in 1702. It was also here that the first French colonists to settle in Montréal landed their four boats on May 17, 1642. An obelisk records the settlers' names.

Montréal's primary performing arts complex has been hosting performances since 1963. The glass-walled Maison Symphonique 2,000-seat concert hall is the permanent home of the Montréal Symphony Orchestra; with state-of-the-art acoustics and only 75 feet between the end of the stage and the last row, it's an intimate place for concerts. The Salle Wilfrid Pelletier performance space is used by three resident companies: the Opéra de Montréal, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and the popular Jean Duceppe theater company. The venue's four other performance spaces host dance, theater, and festival events. Place des Arts is also the centerpiece of the city's Quartier des Spectacles, a square kilometer dedicated to arts and culture, with performance halls, dance studios, broadcasting facilities, and recording studios. The huge plaza, or esplanade, in front of the complex is a favorite gathering place for locals and visitors—especially during the Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs, when it's packed with free concerts, entertainment, and kid-friendly activities. Even if you don't have tickets to something, you can walk around the quartier during festival season (pretty much all summer) to take in a variety of shows and concerts for free.

What was once a vast parking lot across from the Musée de la Civilisation has been transformed into an elegant, modern park. It now offers stunning views of Upper Town and significantly improves access to the river, both for strolling locals and for the cruise ships that frequently moor here. Children will delight in the interactive water features. Even the new multistory parking garage has been thoughtfully clad in an elegant wooden façade, adding considerable character to the area.

This replica of a fur-trading post—one was built on this site in 1631 by Acadian Governor Charles de La Tour, which had long been an Indigenous encampment and meeting site—brings history to life as costumed interpreters wander among a replica bastion, blacksmith's forge, plaza, and more. You can book a number of guided experiences (for an extra fee) such as a lunch-and-learn centered around marriage and homemaking traditions of the 1600s.

The cobbled square at the heart of Old Montréal is part carnival, part flower market, and part sheer fun. You can pause here to have your portrait painted, buy an ice cream, or watch the street performers. If you have more time, try to get a table at one of the sidewalk cafés, order a beer or a glass of wine, and watch the passing parade. During the holiday season you can order a mulled wine or hot cider in the market and warm up by one of the wood-burning stoves from your perch on an Adirondack chair. At the top of the slope, you'll notice a monument to Lord Nelson. It honors Nelson's victory over Napoléon Bonaparte's French navy at Trafalgar and is a source of anger for some modern-day Québec nationalists. The campaign to raise money for the 1809 monument was led by Sulpician priests, who were engaged in delicate land negotiations with the British government at the time and were eager to show what good subjects they were.