Why Everyone Should Visit Canada at Least Once in Their Lifetime

Canada is fortunate to have some unique cities spread across its vast land. Winnipeg is known for its affordability; Calgary is popular because it’s the closest major hub to Banff National Park; Ottawa is home to fascinating museums and the Rideau Canal, and Yellowknife is the capital to visit to see the Northern Lights.
Then you have Vancouver, which is definitely the most unique city in Canada. It expertly blends urban city life with its natural surroundings so that you can go from the office to the mountains in less than an hour. Toronto is the fourth biggest city in North America, while Montreal and Quebec City bring European charm to Canada. No matter the cityscape you are searching for, you’ll find it in Canada.

Calgary hosts the Calgary Stampede every year, which is also known as the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” It’s not only a rodeo but also hosts exhibitions, parades, carnival rides, concerts, and agricultural competitions. It’s a celebration of Western heritage and culture, with over one million people attending annually.
But this isn’t the only festival attracting millions of visitors every year. Montreal International Jazz Festival, Winterlude in Ottawa, and Vancouver’s Celebration of Lights are other popular festivals in Canada.

Canada undoubtedly has some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. Most of the country is uninhabited, which means a lot of rural and untouched areas from coast to coast. There’s the Arctic life in Nunavut, the Canadian Rockies in Banff and Jasper National Parks, British Columbia’s coastline, the Badlands of Alberta, the Prairies in the middle of Canada, and remote national parks in Newfoundland and Labrador. If you enjoy nature, you will love Canada.

Trying different foods is one of the best parts of visiting a new country. It’s mandatory to try Canada’s national dish, poutine, which consists of fries topped with gravy and cheese curds. For sweet treats, check out Nanaimo bars in British Columbia and butter tarts in Ontario. Montreal has two delicacies: Montreal-style bagels and Montreal smoked meats. Food is no doubt a good reason to visit Canada.

Quebec is an extremely distinctive place in Canada. It’s the only French-speaking province, and it feels like you’ve traveled to France, although you’re still in North America. There are a lot of patisseries, cobblestone streets, and European architecture around every corner. Although Montreal and Quebec City are the two main cities, the province is brimming with charming towns and national parks.

Canada is notorious for being one of the world’s friendliest countries. Visitors will find that locals are helpful, apologetic, and extremely welcoming. The country is also incredibly diverse and open. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is an excellent example of this. In 2017, he took to his Twitter account to let people know that Canada welcomes everyone and “diversity is our strength.”

Some countries and areas just don’t really experience four seasons. Canada is clearly not one of them. Winter is cold and snowy, with British Columbia having the mildest winters. Spring is about coming out of hibernation and flowers blooming. Summer is peak tourist season, complete with festivals, blue skies, and perfect sunny weather. Many of the provinces and territories also welcome fall with bursts of orange, yellow and red leaves on trees. Canada, fortunately, looks good in all four seasons.

Canada’s cold winters and mountainous landscape also means there are a lot of ski resorts and cute ski towns located across the country. Canada is home to some of the world’s top skiing destinations, such as Mont-Tremblant in Quebec and Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia. Some of these destinations are even more well known for their après-ski spots too. There’s a ski resort in Canada for every type of skier and snowboarder: from beginners to experts looking for North America’s biggest vertical drop. Skiing in Canada has to be on every adventurer’s bucket list.

Although skiing and snowboarding might be the top winter outdoor activities in Canada, there are so many other adventures to be had, in every season. Immerse yourself in Canada’s great outdoors and breathtaking natural habitats. Some other winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, fat biking, and snowmobiling. In the summertime, enjoy fishing, canoeing, mountain biking, and hiking.