Lonely Planet Canada: Country Guide (Travel Guide)

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The kids are sure to love the play spaces and toy shops found in the two-story Kids Market and the expansive spray park found up the road is a must on hot summer days. Then hop on an Aquabus False Creek Ferry and explore the stops found along the surrounding coastline while you take in city views from the water. 9. Stanley Park, British Columbia Seeing the northern lights is always an awe-inspiring experience. While the celestial spectacle can be spotted as far south as Banff, the most epic display is undoubtedly found in the “Great White North.” On clear nights between mid-August to mid-April, you can catch the light show all over the Yukon, with the most optimal viewing found outside the capital city of Whitehorse. Planning tip: Book a table at CN Tower’s 360 Restaurant, where you’ll find award-winning Canadian-sourced cuisine served in a sleek setting, and the “cellar in the sky,” the world’s highest wine cellar. 21. Bike the Vancouver Seawall Key events: Toronto International Film Festival, PEI Fall Flavours. October is the best time for surfers in British Colombia Where the temperate rainforest comes down to kiss the ocean, the citizens of Ucluelet have built a magnificent 10km (6.2-mile) trail that is equally spectacular in both the sunshine and rain.

Planning tip: Summer attracts the most visitors but the trail is most photogenic in the fall when its winding curves glow in autumn colors. 13. Iceberg and whale watch on Fogo Island The trail is well-signposted and fastidiously mapped. To complete the whole trail, you’ll need to follow a couple of interconnecting paths along quiet roads, passing several attractive beaches on the way.Canada is making progress when it comes to easing the everyday challenges facing people with disabilities, especially the mobility-impaired. Many public buildings, including museums, tourist offices, train stations, shopping malls and cinemas, have access ramps and/or lifts. Most public restrooms feature extra-wide stalls equipped with hand rails. Many pedestrian crossings have sloping curbs. You can take guided tours or go it alone – just be sure to do your homework before you head out. There’s also no better place on earth than the Yukon for stargazing. Head out of town and see the aurora borealis from mid-August to mid-April from almost anywhere – no special glasses or binoculars needed, you just have to look up. 6. Calgary Bow River, Alberta A highlight of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, the Skyline Trail is as dramatic as the dramatic-sounding name suggests.

Designated a Unesco Global Geopark in the summer of 2020, the 90m (300ft) cliffs overlook the world’s highest tides – cresting taller than a five-story building – which invite 12 species of whales to feast on plankton each year. For a deep dive into the region’s history, head to the nearby Fundy Geological Museum. 4. Eat Montréal poutine and an iconic smoked meat sandwich Whether you’re looking to make a seemingly unaffordable trip more doable or you want to stretch your dollar so you can extend your visit, these practical tips on how to stay, eat and play for less are sure to help you save money on your visit to Canada. Choose your adventure based on your budget While temperatures cool slightly, the weather remains relatively reliable for most of September. Some outdoor facilities close after Labour Day, but many trails, lakes, and campgrounds stay accessible until early October.Buses are generally clean, comfortable and reliable. Amenities may include onboard toilets, air-conditioning (bring a sweater), reclining seats, free wi-fi and onboard movies. Smoking is not permitted. On long journeys, buses make meal stops every few hours, usually at highway service stations. Warmer weather can persist on the coast in early October, while the prairies and territories get an early dusting of snow. Good swells and tepid seas make this the best all-round surfing month in British Columbia.

Accessible via a long day trip from Vancouver, Garibaldi offers plenty of lakes and scenic vistas to keep you busy. The longest trail at this attractive spot nestled in the Coast Mountains is the hike With varied elevations producing a diversity of terrains, each with their own unique seasonal attractions – think eagle tours among the colorful fall canopy and paddle-boarding glacier-fed lakes in the summer – Whistler appeals to thrill-seekers year-round. To maximize daylight vistas, the trip is split over two days with an overnight in the nondescript town of Prince George. You'll have to organize your own accommodation . If city escapes are more your speed, the metropolitan areas are also a must, with museums – like the Children’s Museum in the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa – and amusement parks – like Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto. By early December, most ski resorts are firing on all cylinders. This is also peak season for migratory eagle spotting in British Columbia. Big cities host Christmas markets.Billed as one of VIA Rail's five "adventure routes," this two-day, two-night journey from Winnipeg to the waters of the Hudson Bay is considered a "remote service journey."