1180 Best Sights in Canada

Place Ville Marie, the cruciform skyscraper designed by I. M. Pei, was the tallest structure in the city when it opened in 1962. Located in the heart of Downtown, it was the birthplace of Montréal's subterranean city. Montrealers were skeptical that anyone would want to shop or even walk around in the new "down" town, but six decades later they can't live without it, especially in winter.

About half a million people use the 32-km (20-mile) Underground City, or la ville souterraine, daily. The tunnels link 10 métro stations, seven hotels, 200 restaurants, 1,700 boutiques, and 60 office buildings—not to mention movie theaters, concert halls, convention complexes, Centre Bell, two universities, and a college. In 2004, the Underground City was rebranded as the RESO, a play on the word réseau, which means network. You'll see the signs for it in the Downtown area and can find a map of the network online ( montrealvisitorsguide.com/the-underground-city-map).

This country mansion was built in about 1815 for Richard John Uniacke, attorney general and advocate general to the admiralty court during the War of 1812. Now a provincial museum, the Georgian-style house is preserved in its original condition, right down to the antique furnishings. A sweet tearoom serving light refreshments resides in the old basement kitchen. Seven walking trails wind through the large lakeside property. The access road is gated, and the gates are locked at dusk.

Historian Pierre Berton wrote that the planning of Union Station recalled \"the love lavished on medieval churches.\" Indeed, this train depot can be regarded as a cathedral built to serve the god of steam. Designed in 1907 and opened by Edward, Prince of Wales, in 1927, it has a 40-foot-high coffered Guastavino tile ceiling and 22 pillars weighing 70 tons apiece. The floors are Tennessee marble laid in a herringbone pattern (the same that's in Grand Central Terminal in New York City). The main hall, with its lengthy concourse and light flooding in from arched windows at each end, was designed to evoke the majesty of the country that spread out by rail from this spot. The names of the towns and cities across Canada that were served by the country's two railway lines, Grand Trunk (incorporated into today's Canadian National) and Canadian Pacific, are inscribed on a frieze along the inside of the hall. As train travel declined, the building was nearly demolished in the 1970s, but public opposition proved strong enough to save it, and Union Station, a National Historic Site of Canada, is now a vital transport hub. Commuter, subway, and long-distance trains stop here. In 2021, following a 6-year facelift, the station's modernized Bay concourse quadrant reopened with due fanfare, welcoming a wave of dozens of local upmarket retail and dining developments.

Ten thousand trees, shrubs, and rare plants from around the world thrive on this 70-acre research site on the university campus, which abuts Pacific Spirit Park. The complex feels as far away from the city as you can get, with forested walkways through an Asian garden, a garden of medicinal plants, and an alpine garden with some of the world's rarest plants. A Walk in the Woods is a 20-minute loop that takes you through more than 1,000 species of coastal plant life. The garden gift store is one of the best of its kind. One-hour guided tours, free with garden admission, are offered on certain days; call or check the website for a schedule. If you're planning to visit several attractions at UBC, a UBC Museums and Gardens Pass will save you money.

The 308-meter-long (1,010-foot-long) Greenheart TreeWalk Canopy Walkway, a swaying network of suspended bridges weaving a trail between huge cedars and hemlocks, is a thrilling way to explore the garden. Along the way, you stop off on eight platforms in the trees, each more than 15 meters (49 feet) high, while an additional two-story viewing platform tops a freestanding tower more than 22 meters (72 feet) in the air. Visits to the walkway are at your own pace or by a 45-minute guided tour, where you learn about the forest, local wildlife, environmental issues, and First Nations traditions; call or check the website for seasonal tour schedules. The walkway is a great adventure for kids. Just note that small children must either be able to walk on their own or be carried in a child backpack or other carrier (strollers aren't permitted).

Almost a city unto itself, the University of Toronto's student and staff population numbers well over 100,000. The institution dates to 1827, when King George IV signed a charter for a "King's College in the Town of York, Capital of Upper Canada." The Church of England had control then, but by 1850 the college was proclaimed nondenominational, renamed the University of Toronto, and put under the control of the province. Then, in a spirit of Christian competition, the Anglicans started Trinity College, the Methodists began Victoria, and the Roman Catholics began St. Michael's; by the time the Presbyterians founded Knox College, the University was changing at a great rate. Now the 12 schools and faculties are united and accept students from all over the world. The architecture is interesting, if uneven, as one might expect on a campus that's been built in bits and pieces over 150 years.

Plan to spend a couple of hours at this family-owned and -operated boutique winery, where tastings of Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and port-style dessert wine are on offer. The business has also extended to include vodka production. Guided tours are offered Friday through Sunday at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. The picturesque grounds are also home to Unsworth Restaurant, a charming bistro in a restored early-1900s farmhouse serving lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday, overlooking the vineyards. On Monday and Tuesday from noon to 4 pm dine alfresco on the Pizza Patio. 

In a setting of apple orchards and lawns, Upper Clements Park is both an amusement park with rides and an adventure park where you can test your skills and stamina clambering through treetops. The amusement park has more than 30 rides and attractions, many of which are kiddy classics such as mini planes and trains and an old-fashioned carousel. More action-oriented guests can brave the wooden Tree Topper Roller Coaster, free-fall from The Tower, or zoom above the property on a 300-foot zip line, then splash out on the 230-foot waterslide. There's also horseback-riding and a BMX course.

Founded in 1639, the Ursuline Chapel and its Couvent des Ursulines stand as North America's oldest institution of learning for women. Step inside to discover some of the finest wood carving in all of Québec, painstakingly gilded by the nuns themselves. Though the exterior was rebuilt in 1902, the interior reveals the original chapel, a masterpiece that took sculptor Pierre-Noël Levasseur a decade (1726-1736) to complete.

Once the sun sets, head to Vallea Lumina, just a short drive from the Village. Here, you'll meander through the old-growth forest on a 1.5-kilometer (almost 1-mile) hike to take in the mesmerizing light, sound, and art displays in the dark. When you're done, head to the campfire for a snack and games. Make sure to book your tickets in advance. In the busy season, there is a complimentary shuttle from the Village to the venue.

It takes two to three hours to complete this family-friendly 4.2-km (2.3-mile) hike. Five small lakes are the highlight of the trip, which takes you through a lodgepole-pine forest, across the Wabasso Creek wetlands, and through a flowery meadow. Watch for birds, beavers, and other wildlife along the way. Turn this into a moderately difficult hike by continuing another 10 km (6.2 miles) to Old Fort Point. Easy.

Canadian painter Emily Carr's haunting interpretations of the British Columbian hinterland are among the attractions at western Canada's largest art gallery. Carr (1871–1945), a grocer's daughter from Victoria, BC, fell in love with the wilderness around her and shocked middle-class Victorian society by running off to paint it. Her work accentuates the mysticism and danger of BC's wilderness, and records the diminishing presence of native cultures during that era (there's something of a renaissance now). The gallery, which also hosts touring historical and contemporary exhibitions, is housed in a 1911 courthouse that Canadian architect Arthur Erickson redesigned in the early 1980s as part of the Robson Square redevelopment. Stone lions guard the steps to the Georgia Street side (the plaza is often the site of festivals and other events); the main entrance is accessed from Robson Square or Hornby Street.

Resembling a flying saucer stuck atop a high-rise, the 553-foot-high Vancouver Lookout Tower has fabulous views of Vancouver and its surrounding landscapes—on a clear day, as far as Mount Baker in Washington State. A glass elevator whizzes you up 50 stories to the circular observation deck, where knowledgeable guides point out the sights and give a (free) tour every hour on the hour. The top-floor restaurant (604/669–2220) makes one complete revolution per hour. (Note that the elevator ride up is free for diners.) Tickets are good all day, so you can visit in daytime and return for another look after dark.

Sharing the seafaring history of the Pacific Northwest and Arctic regions, this family-friendly museum houses the RCMP Arctic St. Roch, the first ship to sail in both directions through the treacherous Northwest Passage and the first to circumnavigate North America. You can scramble around the decks and into the St. Roch's cabins, imagining yourself as a sea captain attempting to navigate the Arctic. About a third of this museum has been turned over to kids, with touchable displays offering a chance to drive a tug, maneuver an underwater robot, or dress up as a seafarer. Toddlers and school-age children can work the hands-on displays in Pirates' Cove and the Children's Maritime Discovery Centre. The museum also has an extensive collection of model ships. While you're here, take a moment to look at the 30-meter-tall (100 foot) replica Kwakiutl totem pole in front of the museum. The massive white-and-yellow contraption behind the Vancouver Maritime Museum is the Ben Franklin submersible. It looks like something a Jules Verne character would put to sea but was actually built in 1968 as a marine research tool to, among other things, chart the Gulf Stream. A more fascinating claim to fame is that it was once the largest of its kind in America and was instructional for NASA. The information about how people lived in such close quarters for extended periods of time provided preliminary research data on the dynamics of living aboard a space station.

Home to the Museum of Vancouver, the Vancouver Maritime Museum, and the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Vanier Park is also known as the best kite flying venue in the city. Every summer, this is also where you'll find the Children's Festival and Bard on the Beach theater—both presented under billowing tents along the water.

This small family business prides itself on not using any pesticides or herbicides in its limited-release products. While it started out making wine, Venturi-Schulze is quickly becoming known more for its balsamic vinegars, which are crafted using an ancient process. Regular, maple, and 100-year-old balsamics are available. Enjoy a glass of wine and lunch on the picnic patio. Tastings, which include 3–5 wines and a balsamic vinegar, are available Wednesday to Sunday from June to August (Thursday to Saturday from March to May). Tours are available by appointment.

Located directly across from the Kootenay Park Lodge (now closed), this beautiful picnic area is just off the highway with ample parking, outhouses, and tables placed along the scenic banks of the fast-flowing Vermilion River.

Off the Trans-Canada Highway close to the town of Banff, this 4.3-km (2.7-mile) roadway passes the tranquil Vermilion Lakes, a network of marshlands and lakes. The lakes have wonderful views of Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain and they are a popular spot for picnicking, paddling, relaxing, and reflection photography. It's also common to spot birds and other wildlife in this area. The road is quiet and it's a good place to ride a bike. The 2-km (1.2-mile) Fenland Trail is a lovely walk through the marshlands near the Vermilion Lakes. In some seasons, insect repellent is a must.

Local kids clamor to visit this offbeat minizoo, home to the largest collection in North America of live tropical insects. You can even hold many of the 60 or so varieties, which include walking sticks, scorpions, millipedes, and a pharnacia—at 22 inches, the world's longest insect. The staff members know their bug lore and are happy to dispense scientific information and fun entomological anecdotes.

Victoria Mountain and Victoria Glacier were named after Queen Victoria; Lake Louise was named after the queen's fourth daughter, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta. The lake is fed by Victoria Glacier which sits near the top of Mount Victoria at the western end of the lake. Glacial rock flour (aka dust) gives the lake its remarkable turquoise color. From the shores of the lake you can see the mountain and glacier.

At the southern tip of the city, overlooking Charlottetown Harbour, sit 40 serene acres that provide the perfect place to stroll, picnic, or cool off on a hot day. Next to the park, on a hill between groves of white birches, is the white Georgian-style Government House. Built in 1834 as the official residence for lieutenant governors (the Queen's provincial representatives), it's open weekdays in July and August from 10 to 4 for free guided tours. The collection of antique cannons that still "guard" the city's waterfront is a play area for children, though there is also a huge inclusive playground and splash pad. A free-to-use pool is open daily in summer from 11 to 7. Runners and walkers can enjoy woodland trails and a boardwalk that edges the harbor.

Planning a picnic? Stop here first. Bakers, green grocers, cheesemakers, and other artisanal producers from across Vancouver Island sell their wares in this century-old indoor space that was once a department store. In summer especially, ready-to-eat treats abound here, from homemade pies and fresh baked bread to tacos, sandwiches, and fish-and-chips. In winter, it's a much quieter place.

Dating to the early 1800s, this was the oldest continuously operating prison in Canada prior to its closure in 1986. The stark, stone structure with thick bars on the windows makes it clear that nobody is getting out. Originally built to house 40 inmates, the facility at times hosted up to 100 convicted criminals. If only the old doors and cedar basement joists could talk, what tales of mayhem might they tell? Tour guides share a few. The prison is attached to the Musée Quebecois de Culture Populaire. The museum's collection of more than 70,000 objects, plus traveling and changing exhibitions, showcase Québec's history and culture, including crime and prison life.

Native nomadic Innus people spent summers at this spot, and it’s here that they encountered the area’s first French traders around 1673. See evidence of both cultures and how they interacted. Animal-skin tents stand in the re-created Innu camp. The trading post reproduction is stocked with the goods, even the aromas, that would have filled a 19th-century station. Guides bring the setting to life with details and stories about the post’s history.

Established in 1982, this vineyard produces 14 wines, including its Double Gold medal–winning ice wine at the Finger Lakes International competition. Guided tours (in French) cost C$22 and are given once a day during the summer. You can also stop by the boutique for tastings and visit their museum, where you'll learn about the history and production of wine, from the cultivation of the vines to the bottling process. Guided tours given in English need to be reserved well in advance (minimum 12 people). The patio restaurant is a nice place to take a break and open from 11:30 to 3 every day from early-June until mid-October.

Since they bought it in 2003, Louis Denault and Nathalie Lane have turned this vineyard into one of the best wine producers in Québec. Most of the wine is produced from a hybrid variety called vandal-cliche, which was bred by a Laval University biologist to thrive in the area's climate, along with a growing proportion of vidal. The results are a range of fresh, crisp white wines (still and bubbly), as well as ice wine. The winery has also started producing small amounts of Riesling, and does some tasty reds. In summer, Panache Mobile, a food cart managed by Panache, one of Québec City's best restaurants, serves delicious lunches on a terrace with a stunning view of the St. Lawrence River and Montmorency Falls.

This winery, opened in 1980, was one of the first to set up shop in the area, and is considered to be the oldest vineyard still in operation in Québec. On nearly 30 acres of land, 50,000 vines go to produce some award-winning reds, whites, rosés, and ice wines. Visit for a tasting and enjoy a picnic on the grounds. From July through October, a sculpture garden showcases the works of more than 80 artists, primarily from the area.

Santa is not just for Christmas here. In his summer residence kids can sit on his knee and speak to him in French or English, then have fun in the grounds, which contain bumper boats; a petting zoo with goats, sheep, horses, and colorful birds; games; and a large outdoor pool in the summer. There is a snack bar, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own food (there are numerous picnic tables). During the cold winter months, the park transforms into a winter wonderland with skating rinks and tubing fun for the kids.