Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories cover nearly 10m square kilometers and extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific, to the Arctic Ocean – meaning there’s a whole lot of country to explore. And its cities are as diverse as its landscape, with enough to keep you coming back again and again.
The Calgary Stampede, Calgary
Live that cowboy life
Celebrating western heritage and tradition for more than a century, this is one of Canada’s most famous events for good reason, and the 10-day festival draws more than one million global visitors looking to experience rodeo culture at the annual stampede year after year. The daily rodeo – one of the largest outdoor rodeos in the world, no less – features the likes of bareback riding, barrel racing and steer wrestling. There’s also a city-wide celebration of events and activities, including chuckwagon races, live music, parades, First Nations exhibitions and a fireworks finale.
Drive your own speedboat, Vancouver
Aye, aye, captain
One of the best ways to see the stunning coastline of Vancouver and surrounding islands is by boat – especially when it’s a private boat. Granville Island Boat Rentals, located in the heart of downtown, allows locals and tourists alike to experience the magnificent waters of the Pacific Northwest in their own speedboat – and whether you want to zip around the harbour, cruise past Stanley Park and under the Lions Gate Bridge, head in search of the Granite waterfalls, or take a trip to the resident seal colony, the water is your oyster.
Party in the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto
A night out at the museum
Spice up your visit to the Royal Ontario Museum by attending one of the weekly Friday Night Live events – an after-hours extravaganza that sees visitors and locals alike drinking, dancing and discovering among the incredible collection of artefacts, including dinosaur bones, mummies and more. With different themes, live music acts and DJs each week, plus plenty of food and drink, it’s a night to remember.
Explore the Canmore Caves, Calgary
Not one for the claustrophobic
An hour’s drive west of Calgary lies an underground adventure, in the form of the wild and relatively untouched Rat’s Nest Cave – one of the longest caves in Canada. Guided four- and six-hour tours begin with an 18-metre rappel into the depths of the cave, before you wiggle and slide along a route that includes passages and chambers such as the Laundry Chute, Five Way Chamber, Grand Gallery, and the Grotto – the latter featuring crystal-clear pools and walls covered in stalactites and stalagmites. Magical.
Bison safari, Winnipeg
Hit the prairies without leaving the city
Get up close and personal with the magnificent bison on safari in Winnipeg, and learn how the world’s ninth-largest land animal shaped not only the history of Manitoba, but Canada as a whole. Along with tours of the bison prairie, the 260-hectare (640-acre) FortWhyte Alive nature park offers a host of other activities and attractions, including a freshwater aquarium, interpretive centre, 7km of forest trails, floating marsh boardwalks, several lakes, and more. An urban oasis!
Sunset paddle boarding, Toronto
SUPset. Get it?
Add a pinch of serenity to your summer city break with a sunset stand-up paddle boarding tour through the calm waterways of the Toronto Islands. Set off with your guide just before sunset on a two-hour trip that not only includes spectacular views of the Toronto harbour skyline (photo opportunity level = high), but also an adventure through hidden passageway Turtle Alley, and an optional swim in the warm, shallow waters. Oh, and don’t worry about the dark: your illuminated torch paddle will help guide you on your way.
Canoe in the city, Edmonton
City exploration, the river way
Who said city exploration has to be by foot? Give those feet a break from pounding pavement and take to the gorgeous North Saskatchewan River in a canoe instead. You’ll feel like you’ve escaped the urban jungle, while still discovering all that this vibrant city has to offer – from the iconic High Level Bridge streetcar and downtown skyscrapers to the glass pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory, home to a plethora of botanical delights. Go on, take the route less paddled.
Backyard Axe Throwing League, Calgary
Embrace your inner lumberjack
When it gets cold in Calgary inside activities are the name of the game. But rather than opting for 10-pin bowling or the cinema, why not try some axe throwing on for size, at the Backyard Axe Throwing League? Exactly as it sounds, the activity involves hurling hatchets at a target similar to those used in archery, and it’s harder than the plaid-clad staff make it look. You get your own private space for throwing and work off some serious stress while having a good time.
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Halifax
Discover Canada’s origins
Uncover some history at the Canadian equivalent of Ellis Island – Pier 21 – which was the gateway for more than 1 million immigrants entering the country between 1928 and 1971. The Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 now marks the historic spot, showcasing the compelling stories of those who left their homelands behind to start a new life in North America. Permanent and visiting exhibitions featuring first-hand testimonies and artefacts make for a fascinating visit, while there are also interactive elements such as a period costume dress-up box and Customs Challenge.
Cross-country skiing, Toronto
There’s no business like snow business
Mix up your city break with some outside entertainment, in the form of cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. There’s no shortage of options in and around the city for some winter exploration, including the Toronto Islands, which have a network of beautiful and expansive trails that keep people coming back year after year. If you’d rather stay in the city, you can always swap skis for skates and head to the outdoor ice rink in the centrally located High Park.
Fly with WestJet year round to catch the best of Canada’s cities. Start and end dates may apply to seasonal direct flights. Schedule subject to change.
