Explore Canada Vacation Ideas for Families

Our Neighbor to the North is Full of Adventure!

Are you ready to embark on a family adventure that will leave everyone with maple-leaf-shaped stars in their eyes? Look no further than our friendly neighbor to the north – Canada!

Canada is the second largest country on earth, has the world’s longest coastline, and is excellent for family vacations. Why?

Excellent Destination for Family Vacations!

• Natural Wonders Galore: From the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic coastline, Canada’s vast and diverse landscapes offer endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. The country’s natural beauty will amaze everyone.
• Safe and Welcoming: Canada is known for its friendly people and safe cities, giving you peace of mind while traveling with kids.
• Cultural Diversity: The country’s rich cultural diversity allows families to explore different traditions, cuisines, and festivals.
• Year-Round Fun: Whether skiing in winter, hiking in summer, or leaf-peeping in fall, Canada has something for every season.

While the United States is divided into different states, Canada is made up of 10 provinces and three territories. These provinces are often grouped from east to west. (We’ve included popular cities in each province in parentheses.)

• Atlantic Provinces in the northeast include Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John’s), Nova Scotia (Halifax), and Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown), which are known for their storybook fishing villages, the world’s most extreme tides, and fresh Atlantic cuisine.
• Quebec Province, which includes Montreal and Quebec City, is known for its French heritage, with the most European cities in North America and the home of maple syrup and poutine.
• Ontario Province includes Toronto, Canada’s biggest city, Niagara Falls, and Ottawa.
• The Prairies Provinces, which include Manitoba (Winnipeg), Saskatchewan (Regina and Saskatoon), and Alberta (Edmonton, Calgary, and Banff), are known for outdoor sports, Canadian cowboys, the Canadian Rockies, the origin of the country’s world-famous police force, the Mounties, and the Indigenous First Nations peoples of the plains, like Cree and Lakota.
• British Columbia Province is Canada’s Pacific Northwest, with Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler, which offer outdoor activities, fruit and wine country, and Vancouver Island rainforests.
• The North Territories are the three territories that make up the middle to northwestern half of the country (collectively larger than India by land area), the Nunavut (the Canadian Arctic Archipelago), Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory known for the Indigenous Inuit people culture, home to 60% of the world’s polar bear population, the northern lights, and site of the Klondike Gold Rush.

Here are some of our favorite family vacation ideas, which are full of family-friendly activities and experiences from west to east.

Vancouver, British Columbia

A perfect blend of urban excitement and natural beauty. Start your adventure in Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre urban oasis where you can cycle along the seawall, visit the Vancouver Aquarium, or explore the totem poles. Granville Island is a must-visit, with its bustling Public Market, or catch a whale-watching tour. For breathtaking views, take a scenic ride up Grouse Mountain via the Skyride gondola, where you can enjoy hiking trails, logger shows, and even see grizzly bears. The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park offers treetop and canyon walks that blend adventure with nature education.

Whistler, a world-renowned ski destination, is only 90 minutes away, offering mountain adventures and plenty of winter activities like snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and zip-lining. You can also visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, the first of its kind in Canada, to learn about the rich culture and traditions of Whistler’s Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. Or take a 90-minute ferry to charming Victoria, The City of Gardens, colonial architecture, and afternoon tea.

Banff National Park, Alberta

Snow-capped Rocky Mountain peaks and aqua-blue glacial lakes create Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park and the third in the world. Your family will love the breathtaking mountain scenery, wildlife spotting, and hiking trails. Take a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views of six mountain ranges and canoe on Lake Louise’s turquoise waters. Visit the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, often called the “Castle of the Rockies.”

Families can also enjoy Calgary, 90 minutes away. Head to the annual Calgary Stampede, one of the world’s biggest rodeos, for a front-row seat in the city known as “Cowtown.” Canada Olympic Park is also popular (the city hosted the Olympics in 1988), offering skiing, snowboarding, and bobsledding. About 2.5 hours north of Banff, you can visit the Columbia Icefield, where you can ride a massive ice explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier.

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Start your adventure with a misty boat ride on the iconic Hornblower Niagara Cruises, getting up close to the thundering falls where 750,000 gallons of water roar down Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil Falls every second. For a drier view, take in the spectacle from the observation deck of Skylon Tower or journey behind the falls at the Cave of the Winds. Nature enthusiasts can explore the beautiful Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory or picnic in Queen Victoria Park. Don’t miss the nightly illumination of the falls and seasonal fireworks displays. For an educational twist, visit the Niagara Parks Power Station to learn about hydroelectric power.

Quebec City, Quebec

Experience European charm without crossing the Atlantic in the majority French-speaking city. Start your adventure in Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriage rides, and historic architecture transport you to another era. Above it all is the castle-like Fairmont Chateau Frontenac, the city’s famous hotel and landmark. For a dose of history, visit the impressive Citadelle of Quebec and witness the changing of the guard. The Montmorency Falls, higher than Niagara Falls, provides breathtaking views and thrilling experiences via cable car, suspension bridge, or zip line. In winter, the city transforms into a magical wonderland with activities like sledding at Dufferin Terrace and ice skating at Place D’Youville.

Quebec is also the home of two essential Canadian foods. While maple syrup is associated with the country, Quebec alone is responsible for about 90% of Canadian maple syrup production. In spring, visitors can head to sugar shacks to taste fresh maple syrup and see how sugar maples are tapped. And, of course, it’s not a visit to Quebec without trying authentic poutine (poo-teen). Crispy fries topped with cheese curds and covered in gravy; poutine is a comfort food Canadians love.

Prince Edward Island

Often abbreviated to PEI, it’s a delightful mix of natural beauty, maritime adventures, and (literally) a walk into a storybook. Visit the charming Green Gables Heritage Place, where kids can step into the world of Anne of Green Gables, exploring the iconic house and themed attractions based on the fictional town featured in the book Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Build sandcastles on the island’s famous red-sand beaches. Visit several lighthouses. PEI has the highest concentration of lighthouses in North America. Be sure to enjoy world-famous PEI potatoes and oysters.

Canada by Train

This is a great way to explore Canada’s awe-inspiring landscapes. Via Rail’s (Canada’s passenger train service) “The Canadian” offers an immersive four-night, three-day adventure from Toronto to Vancouver, past pristine forests, shimmering lakes, vast prairies, and majestic mountains.

Rocky Mountaineer’s “First Passage to the West” offers a breathtaking journey from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Banff, Alberta. Traveling in luxurious glass-domed cars, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the dramatic Rocky Mountain scenery while knowledgeable guides share fascinating insights about the passing landmarks and local history.

Whether it’s exploring the bustling cities, breathtaking landscapes, or rich cultural heritage, Canada offers an unforgettable family vacation filled with adventure and discovery. Pack your bags and get ready to create lasting memories in this spectacular country.

Canadian Adventures Await!