Top Canadian Destinations
After you immigrate to Canada, you will have plenty of opportunities to see some of the most beautiful and interesting places on Earth.
From the scenery of Banff National Park to the mighty roar of Niagara Falls, here is a “bucket list” of some of the top points of interest that you will want to visit while living in Canada.
Banff National Park
Banff National Park was established in 1885 as Canada’s first national park.
Located in the province of Alberta just 90 minutes from Calgary by car, Banff National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the Canadian Rocky Mountains – and in the entire world!
Approximately five million people visit Banff National Park each year in order to see the spectacular turquois waters of Lake Louise, rugged snowcapped peaks, vast green alpine forests, and ancient glaciers, as well as to relax in natural hot springs, dine out or shop in the resort town of Banff and enjoy year-round activities such as snow skiing, dog sled rides, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, golfing – and more!
Other points of interest in Banff National Park include the scenic Johnston Canyon ice walk, the Banff Gondola with its breathtaking view of the Bow Valley, and the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Bay of Fundy
Canada’s Atlantic province of New Brunswick is home to the famous Bay of Fundy, sometimes referred to as one of the Seven Wonders of North America.
The Bay of Fundy is located between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
What makes the Bay of Fundy a must-see destination after you immigrate to Canada is that it has the world’s biggest tidal fluctuations (around 16 meters).
There are also “Reversing Rapids” on the Saint John River which can be be viewed from the city of Saint John in which the rapids are flowing in one direction, but they reverse and start flowing in the opposite direction, creating huge whirlpools in the process.
A good location to watch the tides rise and fall is at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, where massive “flower pot” rocks have been carved by the ocean.
Something else special about the Bay of Fundy is that it is a good place to go for whale watching,
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto is the most populous city in Canada, home to around 3 million residents (with over 6 million people living in the Greater Toronto Area).
Canada’s largest city has been ranked among the most livable cities in the world for the past several years by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
Around 100,000 immigrants move to Toronto each year to enjoy its many job opportunities and the high quality of life that is available.
Whether you are living in Toronto or simply visiting, one of the places you will want to visit is the iconic CN Tower, which soars 553.3 meters above downtown Toronto and offers amazing views of the city and nearby Lake Ontario.
Other top attractions to visit while in Toronto include Ripley’s Aquarium (near the CN Tower), the Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto Zoo, massive Eaton Center mall and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) which takes place each September (September 8-18, 2022).
Montréal Jazz Festival
One of the biggest events of the year in Canada is the Montréal International Jazz Festival, which is held in downtown Montréal each summer and will take place June 30, 2022 through July 9, 2022.
Montréal is located along the St. Lawrence River and is the largest city in the mostly French-speaking province of Québec, boasting a population of around 1.8 million in the city and about 4.8 million people in the metropolitan area.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Montreal International Jazz Festival is the biggest jazz festival in the world, holding over 350 concerts at 20 stages during 10 days and attracting about 2 million visitors.
While you are in Montréal, be sure to visit Mount Royal Park overlooking the city, the Montréal Museum of Fine Art, Old Montréal, Montréal Botanical Garden, the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal, Jean Talon Market, and La Grande Roue de Montréal (a giant ferris wheel next to the Saint Lawrence River).
Québec City
Once you are living in Canada, you absolutely have to spend time in picturesque Québec City, the provincial capital of Québec.
Québec City was founded by the French in 1608 and offers a unique French-Canadian vibe that feels very much like a European city (particular in the Old Québec neighborhood), yet, reflects the rich history and culture that makes Québec a very special place to live in Canada.
Château Frontenac is an expansive hotel overlooking the city which opened in 1893 and is one of Canada’s iconic landmarks and an excellent photo backdrop (you can also take a tour of the hotel).
Other points of interest to visit in Old Québec City include the Citadelle de Québec (a large fortress built by the British from 1820 to 1850) and the beautiful Basilica Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec.
Calgary Stampede
Another major event held each year in July is the Calgary Stampede, which is a 10-day rodeo held in Calgary, Alberta.
This year, the Calgary Stampede will be held July 8-17, 2022.
Approximately one million people attend the Calgary Stampede annually, which refers to itself as the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo.
Events to watch at the Calgary Stampede include bull riding, barrel racing, freestyle motocross, chuckwagon races, musical performances and fireworks.
Niagara Falls
Your Canadian bucket list won’t be complete without visiting Niagara Falls in Ontario, which takes around 90 minutes to reach from Toronto.
Niagara Falls consists of three waterfalls, the largest of which is Canada’s Horseshoe Falls (also referred to as Canadian Falls), while American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are situated on the U.S. side of the international border.
At about 57 meters, Horseshoe Falls is North America’s tallest waterfall.
There are several scenic overlooks where you can photograph the waterfalls, however, you can also view them from above on a helicopter tour or up close on a sightseeing boat ride.
Conclusion
This is a good start for your Canadian bucket list, however, you will likely come up with many more places that you want to visit once you and your family are living in Canada.
Are you ready to begin this exciting journey, to live in Canada as a permanent resident?
Where is the first place you would like to visit after you immigrate to Canada?
Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been collaborating with a team of authorized immigration consultants who can provide you with a personal eligibility assessment of your best options to live in Canada long-term.
They can also guide you through each step of the Canadian visa application process, to make sure everything is done correctly and efficiently, as well as to answer any questions you may have about the procedure.
DISCLAIMER: This guide is not and shall not be considered as professional or expert advice.
