Things to Do in Canada

A popular destination for residents and tourists alike, Mt Tolmie Park is widely recognized as the best place for panoramic views of the city of Victoria. Viewpoints from the summit (approximately 120 meters above sea level) offer 360-degree vistas of the Gulf Islands, Saanich, and the city of Victoria across to the Olympic mountain range and even Mount Baker in the distance on a clear day. Mt Tolmie is located near the University of Victoria, making it an often-visited stop along the Beach Drive coastal route.

Located about a 15-minute drive from downtown Victoria, the park features numerous trails for visitors to walk on. Alternatively, travelers can drive up the windy road to the summit for a fast track to the views. Plenty of picnic tables and places for drivers to pull over offer different viewing areas, and about a mile’s worth (more than 1,500 meters) of trails within the park lead hikers through meadows and up rocky slopes, with many of them going directly to the summit. The adventurous traveler can follow the trails to numerous secluded natural areas and various bird-watching outlooks.

Hemmed in by the dramatic Valley of the Ten Peaks, Banff National Park’s glacier-fed Moraine Lake is renowned for its bright blue-green waters. The surreally vivid color results from light refracting off of tiny glacial rock particles. Stunning Lake Moraine was famously featured on the back of Canada’s $20 bill between 1969 and 1979. 

Moraine Lake, one of the most photographed spots in the Canadian Rockies, is a common fixture on sightseeing tours of Banff National Park, Lake Louise, and Yoho National Park. Moraine Lake tours depart from Banff and Calgary, and typically include sightseeing stops at other Alberta beauty spots such as Victoria Glacier, Takakkaw Falls, Lake Louise, and Bow, Emerald, and Peyto lakes. Moraine Lake is also a stop on the hop-on, hop-off Banff bus, which runs between Banff and Lake Louise. Active travelers can opt for a 5.6-mile (9-kilometer) guided hike through Larch Valley, or, in summer, rent a canoe from the Moraine Lake Boathouse and paddle out onto the water.

Moraine Lake is about nine miles (14 kilometers) from Lake Louise. Follow Moraine Lake Road, which branches off from Lake Louise Drive. Parking is limited at the site, and finding a spot can take some time. Private shuttles also depart from Lake Louise, while Parks Canada shuttles run from the Lake Louise overflow parking lot from mid-September to mid-October. 

Access to Moraine Lake is available from mid-May through mid-October. The lake is fed by glacier melt, and water levels often remain low until late June. Larch tree viewing season, between mid-September and mid-October, is the busiest period. Sunrise is one of the best times for photographs, when the soft, low-angle light shines on the peaks and sightseers are few and far between. 

For views of Lake Moraine that will have you reaching for your camera, follow the 1,150-foot (350-meter) Rockpile Trail. The trail begins at the parking lot, crosses over a bridge, and connects to a series of stone steps. The steps lead up to the top of some glacial rock, from which elevated viewpoints offer sublime lake vistas. Other trails in the vicinity include the 2-mile (3-kilometer) Lakeshore Trail, a relatively easy lakeside route.

Montreal has one of the largest Italian communities in Canada, and nowhere is the community’s huge influence on the city more obvious than in leafy, park-filled Little Italy. As in Italy itself, food is an integral part of Little Italy’s appeal, and foodies flock to crowded pizzerias, old-school delis, and the vast Jean-Talon Market.

Little Italy, one of the city’s hottest neighborhoods, is heaven for anyone with a soft spot for Italian food, or just good food in general. Montreal’s biggest and best food market, Jean-Talon Market, is a common stop on Montreal food tours, which often include interactions with market vendors and tastings of farm-fresh produce, as well as visits to nearby brewpubs and independent coffee shops. During summer and fall, bike tours are a great way to explore Little Italy as well as surrounding neighborhoods such as the Plateau, Mile-Ex, and Mile End. 

Little Italy is delineated by Rue Jean-Talon, Rue St-Denis, Rue de Bellechasse, and Boulevard St-Laurent. To get there, take the metro (orange line) to Jean-Talon, Rosemont, or Beaubien. The 55 bus, which travels north up Boulevard St-Laurent from downtown Montreal, also passes through Little Italy. 

Little Italy shines during summer, when cafés and restaurants set up temporary outdoor terraces, neighborhood parks are packed with picnickers, and the streets around Jean Talon Market fill with stalls and buskers. Come during the week or early on weekend mornings and listen for locals chatting in Italian over their morning espresso.

Though Italians have been in Quebec since as far back as the 17th century, Montreal’s Little Italy really came into its own with two later waves of Italian migrants: the first at the turn of the 20th century, and the second during the aftermath of World War II. Though many people of Italian descent have since moved to the suburbs, Little Italy remains at the center of Italian life in the city. The district is home to the most important Italian Catholic church in the city, the Church of the Madonna della Difesa, and hosts the annual Italian Week festival in August.

Montreal Chinatown was established in the late 19th century with the arrival of Chinese immigrants from western Canada who came to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway. Though just a couple of blocks long, the district offers a wide selection of Asian eateries and shops selling traditional handicrafts and souvenirs. 

Chinatown is situated in downtown Montreal, its boundaries marked by four traditional Chinese gateways. Explore the neighborhood on foot, either independently or as part of a guided walking tour of Ville-Marie (the wider downtown area). Chinatown is also seen on some bike tours of Montreal and on food tours of the city. Hop-on hop-off bus tours stop at the neighborhood as part of their city route. 

Situated in downtown Montreal, Chinatown is located on and around Rue De La Gauchetière, Rue Saint-Urbain, and Saint-Laurent Boulevard, between René Lévesque Boulevard and Viger Avenue. The nearest metro stations are Place-d’Armes (Orange Line) and Saint-Laurent (Green Line). 

Montreal Chinatown buzzes with people year-round. It’s best explored during summer, when the streets are warm enough for wandering, vendors set up on the sidewalks, and Place Falun Gong members demonstrate at Sun-Yat-Sen. 

Despite the movement of many Chinese residents to suburbs such as Brossard, Chinatown remains a hub for Chinese celebrations. The biggest celebration staged here is Chinese New Year, held in January or February. During the annual Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinatown bakeries sell traditional mooncakes, while in summer, Montreal’s Chinatown hosts a series of sidewalk sales.

With more than 20,000 species growing across 185 acres (75 hectares), Montreal’s expansive botanical gardens are often ranked among the world’s finest. Explore themed gardens—among them, Japanese, Chinese, First Nations, alpine, and medicinal—as well as hot and humid greenhouses dotted with orchids and tropical flowers. 

The Montreal Botanical Gardens are situated on the same site as the Montreal Insectarium, a family-friendly bug-themed attraction. A single ticket provides access to both. Visitors can also book package tickets, which grant entry to the botanical gardens and the Space for Life museum (either the Biodome or the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium). Alternatively, choose a combined ticket to the gardens and the Montreal Tower Observatory, which offers spectacular views over the city and the St. Lawrence River. Select sightseeing passes also include access to the gardens. 

The Montreal Botanical Gardens are situated in the Olympic Park, right next to the Biodome, Insectarium, and Montreal Tower. The nearest metro stop is Pie-IX (Green Line), about 10 or 15 minutes away on foot.  

One of the best times of the year to visit the gardens is during the annual Gardens of Light event, which takes place in fall and sees the grounds lit up spectacularly. In winter, many of the outdoor gardens are covered by snow, though plants grow in the greenhouses year-round.   

The Montreal Botanical Gardens is one of several attractions within Montreal’s Space for Life museum district, and you can combine a visit with a trip to one of the other nearby attractions. Find out more about the wonders of the universe at the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, watch an ant colony at work at the Montreal Insectarium, and wander through different ecosystems at the Biodome. Though not officially part of the Space for Life site, the Olympic Stadium complex, which contains the Montreal Tower, is also right beside the gardens. Ride the funicular up to the observation deck of the 541-foot (165-meter) tower for bird’s-eye views of Montreal.

Higher than Niagara Falls, the impressive Montmorency Falls stand 272 feet (83 meters) tall and serve as the centerpiece of Montmorency Falls Park (Parc de la Chute-Montmorency). The site is a year-round destination for visitors to Quebec City and Montreal, offering an array of outdoor activities and the stunning sight of the falls, which form at the mouth of the Montmorency River and drop over a cliff into the St. Lawrence River.

One of Quebec City’s highlights, Montmorency Falls Park (Parc de la Chute-Montmorency) is often visited on city sightseeing tours and dedicated bike tours. For a close-up view of the waterfall, you can climb the 487-step mountainside staircase or take the fee-based cable car to the top, where you can cross a suspended bridge over the crest of the falls to access both sides of the park. In summer, adventurous travelers can go ziplining over Montmorency Falls or try out the park's via ferrata circuits in summer, while winter travelers can take part in snowshoeing and ice climbing here.

The falls are located on the boundary between Beauport and Boischatel, about 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) from the heart of Old Quebec. The site offers two paid parking lots, one below the falls and another above the falls. To reach Montmorency Falls by car, take Autoroute 20 northeast from Montreal to Quebec City. Then take Autoroute 440 east out of Quebec City.

One might think think Montmorency Falls is only nice to visit in the summer, but the park is actually suitable as a year-round attraction. Ziplining is offered from May to October, and if you’re visiting in July or August, you can try out the via ferrata circuits or catch the international fireworks competition that takes place at the park. In winter, the cable car still runs and the falls gain the famous "Sugarloaf," an impressive mound of ice that forms at the foot of the falls and sometimes reaches up to 98 feet (30 meters) tall.

It might be the smallest of the 3 major ski resorts within the Banff National Park, but since opening in 1926, Mt Norquay has fast become a favorite destination for in-the-know skiers, and has even served as an Olympic and World Cup training ground. Today, the Mt Norquay Ski Resort offers 16.4 km of runs, with ample opportunities for all levels, from first-time skiers to professionals, including a terrain park with a range of boxes and rails. 

With a fully equipped ski school on-site, this is a great spot for beginners, and along with skiing and snowboarding, there’s also a snow tube park, snowshoeing trails and the chance to enjoy a moonlight skiing excursion.

The fun doesn’t stop when the snow melts either – the Mt Norquay Ski Resort is open all year-round and summer visitors can ride the 8,040-foot chairlift for a view of the surrounding mountains, dine at the mountaintop Cliffhouse or tackle the Via Ferrata climbing routes.

Among Canada’s largest inland ports, Montreal cruise port sits on the St. Lawrence River, which flows between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic. It’s the gateway to Montreal, the country’s second largest city, located in the francophone Quebec province, offering easy access to Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) and wider downtown area.

 

Known as the Iberville Cruise Terminal, the Montreal cruise port sits on the edge of Old Montreal, the historic core of the city that is known for its European-style architecture, cobblestone streets, and sidewalk cafés. Passengers disembarking here can join guided walking tours of the historic old town, which cover top sights such as Place d’Armes, Notre-Dame Basilica, Place Jacques-Cartier, and Rue Saint-Paul.

 

Sightseeing tours by hop-on hop-off bus or car allow visitors to explore beyond the old town area, stopping at destinations including Chinatown, Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal), and St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal.

 

The Iberville Cruise Terminal is situated on Alexandra Quay in the Old Port (Vieux-Port) area of the city. The port is centrally situated, leaving passengers within easy strolling distance of Old Montreal and all its historical attractions. Taxis are also available for those traveling farther afield.

 

The cruise port is well-equipped with visitor-friendly facilities, including public restrooms, left luggage, and tourist information desks. Wi-Fi is also available at the cruise terminal. Though French is the official language of Montreal and the province of Quebec, English is widely spoken.

New City Hall, which replaced Old City Hall in 1965 to accommodate a rapidly growing city, is the current seat of Toronto’s municipal government. Designed by Finnish architect Viljo Revell, winner of the city’s international competition, City Hall is comprised of two curved towers as well as Nathan Phillips Square, Canada’s largest public square.

Located in the heart of Downtown Toronto on Queen Street West, New City Hall is a stop on most private tours, which typically include nearby attractions such as Kensington Market, the University of Toronto, and the Bell Lightbox Theater. Private tours eliminate the stress of navigating and offer the flexibility to customize the itinerary. The City of Toronto’s website also offers a self-guided tour, which provides little-known facts about City Hall’s highlights, from a mosaic made of nails in the main entrance to a hidden time capsule.

Helicopter tours provide rare birds’-eye views of Toronto landmarks, including Lake Ontario, the CN Tower, and New City Hall. From above, New City Hall has been said to resemble a giant unblinking eye, giving it its nickname “The Eye of Government.”

New City Hall’s central downtown location makes it easily accessible using Toronto’s public transit system. The nearest transit stops are Queen metro station, Queen Street and Bay Street on streetcar 501, and Dundas Street and Chestnut Street on bus 505. In addition to bike racks on both the east and west sides of City Hall, a dock for Toronto’s bike share program is located on Bay Street.

Nathan Phillips Square, located in front of City Hall, is a public space used for a range of events, including farmers’ markets, movie screenings, and winter ice skating. A full calendar is available on the City of Toronto’s website. In addition, City Hall’s 27th-floor observation deck is open once a year during Doors Open Toronto. City Hall is open to the public from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

City Hall’s podium green roof is the largest publicly accessible green roof in Canada, and one of Toronto’s hidden gems. Opened to the public in 2009, the roof offers a quiet respite from the bustle of city life, with benches, walkways, and terraces that offer rare views of downtown. In addition to providing a quiet public space, the roof saves the city money and energy by insulating City Hall and improving the surrounding air quality.

Opened in 2006, this towering Ferris wheel carries passengers up to a height of 175 feet (53 meters), far above the hubbub and neon lights of bustling Clifton Hill. From the enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas, passengers can see for miles in every direction and admire the grandeur of Horseshoe and American falls.

 

One of the largest observation wheels in Canada, the Niagara SkyWheel is perfectly placed for those who want to see the magnificent Niagara Falls from a whole new angle. Visitors can prepurchase an admission ticket for the SkyWheel and take the ride at a time of their choosing.

 

Alternatively, opt for a sightseeing pass that includes not only a ride on the SkyWheel but also access to five other Clifton Hill attractions, including a miniature golf course, Movieland Wax Museum of the Stars, and other rides and interactive experiences. Travelers who take part in organized Niagara Falls day trips from Toronto or Brampton may opt to ride the SkyWheel during free time on the tour.

 

 

The Niagara SkyWheel is located at the southern section of Clifton Hill, on the Ontario side of the falls. To get there, ride the WEGO red, blue, or green line buses to the Clifton Hill/Hornblower Niagara Cruises stop. Drivers can park at the Clifton Hill Niagara Falls parking lot.

 

The Niagara SkyWheel runs year-round. Wait until nightfall to see the falls illuminated. During summer, visitors can also see the Niagara Falls Fireworks from the gondolas. The fireworks start at 10pm, but lines are common at this time, so it’s worth arriving at the SkyWheel early.

 

The Niagara SkyWheel is just one of several attractions in town that offer bird’s-eye views of the falls. Visitors can also venture up to the 775-foot (236-meter) observation deck of the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls, Ontario. From here, vistas extend across the mighty falls, the Great Gorge, and the Niagara wine region. It’s also possible to take helicopter and flightseeing tours over the falls to view one of the world’s most impressive natural wonders.

At 12,972 ft (3,954 m), Mount Robson is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and the second highest peak in British Columbia; its south face is visible from the Yellowhead Highway and is a popular photographic subject along this route. Mount Robson is also known as Cloud Cap Mountain and The Mountain of the Spiral Road because of its distinctive, horizontal layers of rock which angle upwards to the east, giving the appearance of a track running around the mountain to form a spiral. The 4,921 ft (1,500 m) Emperor Face on the northwest side is the most difficult route for climbers, though the most popular routes are the Kain route and the southeast face. Although the mountain is less than 13,200 ft (4,000 m), there is no easy way to summit and Mount Robson has small success rate: about 10% of summit attempts are successful.

Mount Robson Provincial Park, where Mount Robson is located, is the second oldest park in British Columbia’s park system, celebrating its 100th birthday in 2013. Set to the west of Jasper National Park, Mount Robson Provincial Park is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountains World Heritage Site, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park consists of more than 536 acres undisturbed wilderness, home to 182 species of birds and many Rocky Mountain mammals such as deer, moose, caribou, mountain goats and sheep, bears and elk.

Packed with fun photo opportunities, Niagara Falls’ Movieland Wax Museum of the Stars presents lifelike likenesses of screen and music world icons. Wax figures of celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, and Elvis Presley are displayed alongside Hollywood stars like Johnny Depp and famous movie characters including Harry Potter.

Visits to the Movieland Wax Museum of the Stars are self-guided and include admission to the bonus House of Horrors exhibition, where scary displays are designed to send a shiver down your spine. After, exit into the Fun Factory gift shop, where you can have a wax replica made of your own hand. 

If you plan on visiting other family-friendly attractions in Niagara Falls, Ontario, you can save money by opting for a sightseeing Fun Pass, which grants access not only to the wax museum, but also to other Clifton Hill attractions including the Wild West Coaster and the Niagara SkyWheel.

Movieland Wax Museum of the Stars is situated on Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, just a short stroll from Niagara Parkway and Hornblower Landing. Parking is available in a dedicated lot with more than 700 spaces, just off Clifton Hill behind the Niagara SkyWheel. Alternatively, ride the WEGO green, blue, or red bus lines to the Clifton Hill/Hornblower Niagara Cruises stop. 

When to Get There 

Movieland Wax Museum of the Stars is open year-round, providing both cool, air-conditioned respite from the summer heat and a warm refuge from Canada’s cold winters. The museum is busiest between May and November; go early in the morning or late at night (the museum stays open past midnight during the busy summer months of June, July, and August) to avoid the crowds. 

While the falls themselves are the star attraction, the town of Niagara Falls, Ontario offers plenty of alternative attractions to enjoy after you have seen the natural wonder. Marvel at the colorful inhabitants of Bird Kingdom (one of the world’s largest free-flying indoor aviaries) and the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory; test your driving skills on the Niagara Speedway go-kart track; play mini-golf at Wizards’ Golf or Dinosaur Adventure Golf; or amp up the adrenaline on the Wild West Coaster, a 6-D motion ride that uses visual and other sensory effects to create a thrilling experience. 

Designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, Ottawa’s glass-and-granite National Gallery of Canada showcases an exquisite art collection. As well as an extensive display of European and Canadian art including an assortment of indigenous artworks, the museum also houses the reconstructed 19th-century Rideau Street Convent Chapel. 

The National Gallery of Canada is one of the country’s premier cultural institutions and a hugely popular Ottawa visitor attraction. Bike tours and amphibus tours (over land and water) often take participants past the museum to see Louise Bourgeois’ huge bronze spider sculpture, Maman, which stands outside.

To explore inside the museum, purchase an admission ticket over the phone, online, or at the box office. Opt to explore independently or with the aid of an audio guide. Special talks (including a daily 10-minute docent-led talk on a single artwork), lectures, and family-oriented arts and crafts workshops also take place here. 

The National Gallery of Canada is located near the intersection of St. Patrick Street and Sussex Drive in Ottawa. Walking, it is fewer than 15 minutes from Parliament Hill and fewer than 10 minutes from ByWard Market. You can also bike there via the Capital Pathway network. Underground parking is available.

The museum is open daily from May through September; October through April, it is closed on Mondays. The National Gallery is busiest during the peak summer tourist months of July and August. Year-round, weekdays are quieter than weekends. On Thursday evenings from 5pm to 8pm, access to the national collection is free. 

Inside the National Gallery, thousands of pieces from the museum’s 65,000-strong collection are on show, including works by renowned Canadian artists such as the Group of Seven and the Montreal-born, early–20th-century landscape artist James Wilson Morrice. Also strongly represented are influential European artists, such as Marcel Duchamp, the avant-garde French conceptual artist who shook up the art world with his 1917 work Fountain, which consisted simply of an upside-down urinal signed “R. Mutt, 1917.” 

Built in the 1870s and rebuilt after a 1922 fire, Montreal City Hall has long found itself at the center of Quebec history. In 1967, the building hosted one of the most significant political moments in the province’s recent past, when then–French President Charles de Gaulle gave a rousing speech from the balcony—one that spurred Quebec’s separatist movement.

Montreal City Hall is one of many landmark historic buildings in Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal). Walking tours of this part of the city often take participants to Montreal City Hall, as well as to Notre-Dame Basilica, Bonsecours Market, Place d’Armes, and Place Jacques-Cartier. Guided tours of Montreal City Hall are available on a walk-in basis at select times throughout the year, and include access to the council chamber, the terrace, and the mayor’s gallery. Visitors can also explore parts of the building, including the Hall of Honor, independently.

Montreal City Hall is in Old Montreal, near the north end of Place Jacques-Cartier. The closest Metro station is Champ-de-Mars, which is served by the Orange Line.

If you want to do a tour, come on a weekday in summer, when tours run most frequently. In winter, tours take place only once a week. If you’re in the area at night, consider passing by the building just to see it from the outside—it’s beautifully illuminated after dark.

Built in French Second Empire style, Montreal City Hall is rich with ornate architectural and decorative details, from turrets and mansard roofs to chandeliers and stained-glass windows. City Hall also holds a collection of about 150 artworks, including portraits of former Montreal mayors, paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and photographs by contemporary Quebec artists.

The Museum of Anthropology is located on the University of British Columbia campus and contains First Nation art and artifacts of the Pacific Northwest. It is also known for its great views, as the site overlooks mountains and the ocean. Only 20 minutes outside downtown Vancouver, time should be allotted to wander around the grounds.

Volunteers lead free tours of MOA throughout the day, which serve as a great way for visitors to learn about the museum’s collections and exhibitions. The tours last just under an hour, giving folks plenty of time to explore on their own as well.

More than 2,000 butterflies representing about 45 different species flutter freely around this climate-controlled conservatory, occasionally landing on passersby. The glass-enclosed greenhouse, which is planted with lush vegetation and crisscrossed by paths, is part of Niagara Falls Botanical Gardens.

 

Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is often visited as part of day tours to the Niagara region. It is commonly combined with other Niagara Falls attractions, such as Hornblower or Maid of the Mist cruises, Niagara's Fury (a 4-D show telling the story of the falls), an airplane tour over the falls, or even a visit to a Niagara winery.

 

Visits to the conservatory begin with a video presentation. After this, visitors embark on a self-guided tour of the conservatory, during which you can observe the butterflies perch on flowers, eat at fruit-filled feeding stations, and depending on your timing, see butterflies emerging from their chrysalises.

 

 

The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is located within the Botanical Gardens on the Ontario side of the falls, less than 4 miles (6 kilometers) from the Whirlpool Aero Car. The WEGO green bus line travels along Niagara Parkway and stops at the conservatory.

The Butterfly Conservatory is open year-round. It is perhaps best in colder months, when the toasty tropical interior temperature makes a welcome contrast to Canada’s freezing winter weather.

 

After the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, you may want to stroll around the 99-acre (40-hectare) Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens to get some fresh air. Here, you’ll find landscaped gardens planted with herbs, vegetables, plants, flowers, and a rose garden with more than 2,400 blooms. Also nearby is the Stanley Thompson-designed Whirlpool Golf Course. South of that sits the Whirlpool Aero Car, a vintage gondola that travels out over the swirling rapids of the Niagara River.

Originally intended for the 1976 Montreal Olympics, the Montreal Tower Observatory is world’s tallest inclined tower, standing at an unprecedented 45-degree angle. A funicular cable ride to the observatory offers panoramic views of up to 50 miles (80 kilometers), from beyond the St. Lawrence River to Mount Royal.

As one of the city’s top landmarks, the Montreal Tower Observatory is included on Tourisme Montreal’s attractions pass, which grants access to a bundle of attractions at a discounted rate. This pass includes a range of city highlights, from the Montreal Biodôme to Saint Joseph’s Oratory.

Guided tours of Montreal’s Olympic Park are offered daily at various departure times, and typically include the Botanic Garden, Olympic Stadium, Planetarium, and Musée Dufresne-Nincheri. An option to upgrade includes an admission ticket to the Montreal Tower Observatory.

Located 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers) from Downtown in Montreal’s Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighborhood, the Montreal Tower Observatory is easily accessible using public transit. The nearest stops are Pie-IX and Viau metro stations on the green 2 line, located directly in front of Olympic Park. If traveling by car, Montreal Tower is accessible via Sherbrooke Street East. Olympic Park has eight parking lots available at a per diem rate.

Each season offers a different view from the observatory, which operates year-round. Winter provides panoramic views of the city under a blanket of snow; autumn rings in a fiery display of Mount Royal’s foliage. Every first Friday of the month from May to October, the Olympic Park hosts Québec’s biggest food truck festival. For a birds’-eye view of the gastronomic delights below, tack on a trip to the observatory.

The Montreal Tower and Observatory were supposed to be finished before the opening ceremony of the 1976 Summer Olympics. Due to a long list of unforeseen issues—including brutal winter weather, an unusual architectural design, strikes, and escalating costs—the tower's construction was abandoned. After another series of setbacks, including a fire that set the tower ablaze, it officially opened in 1987—11 years after its intended completion.

Mount Royal (Mont Royal), a 764-foot (233-meter) “mountain” in the midst of urban Montreal, is much-loved by locals and visitors alike, with Montrealers frequenting the leafy slopes as if the area were their own backyard. Cyclists, joggers, sunbathers, picnickers, and strollers abound in summer, while snowshoers, tobogganers, ice skaters, and cross-country skiers dominate in winter. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted—the creative force behind New York City’s Central Park—the 470-acre (190-hectare) Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal) encompasses forest trails, manmade monuments, and grassy meadows for picnicking. On a clear day, the views from the Mount Royal summit lookout can’t be beaten.

 

A stop at Mount Royal Park is commonly included on Montreal sightseeing tours and on hop-on hop-off bus tours, but the site can also be explored thoroughly on a midday stroll, picnic lunch, or as part of guided nighttime tours. E-bike (electric bike) and walking tours are popular options no matter the season, and in winter, travelers can traverse the snowy terrain and try ice skating, snowshoeing, or tubing.

 

Mont Royal is located in the Ville-Marie borough of Montreal. Ride the 80, 435, or 129 bus to the Sir George Etienne Cartier Monument and make the 30-minute uphill walk to the top. To avoid the trek, take the 11 bus from Mont-Royal metro station to Lac aux Castors (Beaver Lake) and walk from there.

Mont Royal is a four-season attraction, providing you are properly prepared; be sure to wrap up warmly during winter. On summer Sundays, the park hosts what are known as Tam Tams, informal festival-like gatherings with a drum circle and dancing. Fall is perhaps the most scenic time to visit, as the park’s maple and oak trees turn lovely shades of red, orange, and gold.

Mont Royal has several must-see spots, most notably the 1932 stone Chalet du Mont-Royal and the adjacent Kondiaronk Lookout. Not far from here are the landmark Mount Royal Cross, which is illuminated at night, and Beaver Lake (Lac des Castors), which serves as an ice-skating rink in winter. If you want more information about the park, the mid-19th-century Smith House (Maison Smith) has displays on the park’s habitats and wildlife. The eastern lookout, Observatoire de l’Est, affords another perspective across the city.

Grand and powerful Niagara Falls is actually composed of three sets of falls: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls (also known as Canadian Falls). Combined these cascades have the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world—more than a million bathtubs of water plummet over the edge every second. The falls straddle the border of Canada and the United States, and while they’re wildly impressive from both sides, here’s how to have a Niagara adventure from the Canadian side.

You can’t get closer to, or have better views of, Niagara Falls than you can on a boat ride. Daytime, evening, nighttime, and fireworks cruises all enable you to hear and feel the power of the falls up close. Hornblower Niagara is the most popular cruise option on the Canadian side. A Maid of the Mist tour, one of the area’s oldest attractions, runs from the US side only, but some guided tours from the Canadian side offer cross-border transportation to the boat’s departure point. Another way to experience the falls is through the Journey Behind the Falls, where you walk through 130-year-old tunnels onto an observation deck behind Horseshoe Falls. You can also see the falls from the Skylon Tower, a 520-foot (160-meter) observation tower featuring sweeping vistas of Niagara Falls plus an arcade and a revolving restaurant. For even loftier views, some sightseeing tours include the unforgettable experience of flying over the falls in a small plane or helicopter.

You can reach Niagara Falls from Toronto by bus, train, or car. Once you’re there, you can get around the town of Niagara Falls by shuttle bus. Drivers can find plentiful parking in the area’s lots. 

Summer is prime time for Niagara Falls visits, as it’s the best season for boat tours, which generally run from April through November. There’s also a Niagara Falls fireworks show several times weekly during the summer months. In winter there’s still plenty to see and do at the falls, including snowshoeing and ice climbing.

If you have extra time during your visit to Niagara Falls, Eastern Ontario is a burgeoning wine region well worth exploring on a wine tour during the balmier months. Food tours are also popular ways to sample the region’s fresh and distinctive offerings. Other activities outside of a Niagara Falls tour include Clifton Hill (a massive entertainment promenade), Bird Kingdom, Marineland, and the Aquarium of Niagara (in New York).

Situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, the Montreal Science Centre is a museum committed to educating the public about science and technology through hands-on learning. Its IMAX theater, daily programs, and interactive exhibits help make the Science Centre a popular attraction for both visiting and local families.

Geared toward children and adolescents, the Montreal Science Centre’s permanent exhibits include Fabrik, which invites visitors to figure out how to engineer items such as derby cars and parachutes; Clic!, a space where children ages 4 to 7 can build with shapes and colors; and Human, an interactive exploration of human evolution. Special events are offered throughout the year and range from gaming nights for women to Rubik’s Cube competitions. Find a schedule for these events, as well as temporary exhibitions and IMAX movies, on the museum’s website. 

The Montreal Science Centre is a stop on most hop-on hop-off bus tours, and Bateau-Mouche sightseeing cruises pass by.

Located 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from downtown in the Old Port, the Montreal Science Centre is easily accessible on foot or by public transit. Take bus 55 to Notre Dame and Saint Sulpice, bus 715 to Saint Laurent and Rue de la Commune, or the 2 metro to Place d’Armes. Hop-on hop-off bus tours offer hassle-free transportation and stop just outside the museum at Old Montreal: Pointe-à-Callière. Paid parking is available in the adjacent King Edward Quay parking lot.

The Montreal Science Centre is open from 10am to 5pm daily. It is busiest on weekend afternoons (weekdays offer a quieter visit), yet a wide range of activities and exhibits means it doesn’t often feel overly crowded.

Every June, the Montreal Science Centre partners with Eureka! to organize a science and technology festival for visitors of all ages. With over 100 free activities, lectures, and hands-on experiments, the festival is the largest of its kind in Quebec. Daily programs include talks by scientific experts, hands-on learning geared toward children, science-based theater performances, and workshops on endangered species. Check Eureka!’s website for a full calendar of events.