With plane fares to Europe at an all-time high, now is the perfect time to explore these cities
We don’t mean to tell you your business but when you are sitting down to prepare a list of places to visit as a family during the summer break, a trip to Canada is the safest bet. The dollar is amazing right now, for one thing. There are plenty of places you can visit on a road trip or, if you decide to fly, flights into major Canadian cities are plentiful and reasonably priced (unlike European counterparts).
There are several Canadian cities that are just different enough from American cities to make you feel like you’ve really been away while also managing to feel comforted. Familiar. The kind of place where your shoulders relax and you take a big breath and just think, “Ah, this actually feels like a vacation.”
Convinced? Here are the top five cities to visit with your pocket full of American dollars that are about to stretch much, much further.
Toronto
Probably the most accessible of Canadian cities by air as well as being close to the border, Toronto is the place to visit with kids if you want a bit more of a cosmopolitan vibe. Toronto is a city of neighborhoods, all of which have their own distinct personalities. You might want to take the 501 Queen Streetcar when you first arrive with the kids to get acquainted with different areas from the Beaches to Roncesvalles. The CN Tower is always a must-see, of course, as is eating your way through Greektown, Chinatown, and Little Italy. Then pack a picnic with food from the famous St. Lawrence Market and take the ferry to Centre Island to check out the old-timey amusement park.
Of course, no summer trip to Toronto is complete without a visit to the Rogers Centre to catch a baseball game. Not a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays? Check out the Royal Ontario Museum for an interactive dinosaur display that’s always a hit with younger kids. Or take in an afternoon of shark-gazing at Ripley’s Aquarium. Finally, if you are feeling adventurous enough to travel to the outskirts of Toronto, ride the roller coasters, and eat some funnel cake at Canada’s Wonderland but be warned… it’s a full-day event.
Related: 8 Reasons Toronto Should Be on Your Family Travel Bucket List
Charlottetown
Looking for a totally different vibe? Charlottetown is also a capital city, but the population sits at a cozy 36,000 people on the shores of the east coast island of Prince Edward Island. This is the land of the red sand beaches and, of course, if you have any tweens who love a good book, the land of Anne of Green Gables. Charlottetown is full of east coast charm, seafood, and brightly painted old houses lining the streets. Older kids can join you on a hike along the coastal Confederation Trail that runs “tip-to-tip” of the small, mostly flat, island. You might even see some equestrians riding the trail alongside cyclists and walkers.
Keeping younger kids occupied in Charlottetown is a breeze and, even better, often free. Take them out for a mouse hunt to find Eckhardt, the mouse featured in the popular kids’ book The True Meaning of Crumbfest, who has little statues all over the city. Head on over to Victoria Park and play at the splash pad, check out the lookout sites from waterfront boardwalks featuring old canons. Of course, you’ll need to go to the waterfront, maybe even hop on the Harbour Hippo, an amphibious vehicle that takes you through the streets of Charlottetown before heading out on the water. Visit the Anne of Green Gables Museum to find out about L.M. Montgomery, considered Canada’s Louisa May Alcott by many, or simply pack a picnic with some fresh lobster and head to one of the countless, red sand beaches to spend a quiet day on the shore.
Imagine visiting Cape Cod for half the price and half the people. This is Charlottetown.
Quebec City
Were you hoping to visit Europe but it felt too far or too expensive? Welcome to Quebec City or Vieux Quebec as it’s called in Canada. One of the oldest cities in North America at 414 years of age, the walled city of Quebec is full of old-world charm. Be sure to stay in the historic center, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, with cobblestone streets and charming bistros. The city is very walkable, and your family can spend a day simply wandering around looking for the best croissant or pain au chocolat on offer. We recommend Paillard, a bustling boulangerie with delicious French croissants and authentic Montreal bagels, the best of both worlds. Or for something really French Canadian, find yourself an amazing Sugar Shack for a traditional meal of tourtiere (meat pie), baked beans, and maple sugar pie for dessert. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get a side of that other French Canadian classic, poutine.
Kids of all ages will want to check out the Musee de la Civilisation, where they can spend hours in the Discovery Zone full of interactive activities for kids like a maker’s lab and a dress-up experience. If you have little ones with you and want to beat the heat, take the funicular down to Place des Canotiers, a waterfront splash pad with a view of the cruise ships coming into port. A visit to Quebec City would not be complete without a stop at the Aquarium, where kids can take in penguin shows and even see polar bears. All with a little French flair.
Calgary
Rent a car and bring your hiking boots on your trip to Calgary, because this Alberta capital is all about the great outdoors and the incredible nature just outside the city. The big ticket item is, of course, the Calgary Stampede, held from July 7 – 16. There’s no shortage of things to do at the Stampede, including the world’s largest outdoor rodeo. Don’t forget your cowboy boots.
Not coming for the Calgary Stampede? You can still get lots of outdoor time on a more manageable level with little kids. Start out your visit at Granary Road, a farmers market and interactive play park for kids where they can tire themselves out on the trampolines, rope climbers, the Orchard treehouse, and even meet some farm animals like donkeys, pigs, sheep, and peacocks.
A close second to the Calgary Stampede would be the whole dinosaur draw. Kids can check out the World’s Largest Dinosaur in Drumheller then take the Drumheller Dino Walk and then head out to Dinosaur Provincial Park where they can see one of the world’s most extensive collections of fossils. They can even go spend a day at the Calgary Zoo Prehistoric Park to check out animatronic dinosaurs or go classic by visiting Devil’s Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum. Dino-heads won’t know what to do with themselves in Calgary.
Older kids will love a visit to Canada Olympic Park, a recreation and training center where they can try the Skyline luge, mountain biking, and mini golf. More adventurous kids will want to try a float trip down Bow River in nearby Banff, a great jumping point to enjoy the incredible mountains and lakes of Banff National Park. A visit to Banff is worth a day or two, and you can even book an evening wildlife safari for a chance if you’re feeling adventurous. Don’t worry, you’ll be safe from any bears and caribou you might see.
If you are hoping to take the kids on a holiday where they’ll be out in nature and fall exhausted into bed every night, Calgary is the place for you.
Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia is a charming choice for a family holiday, especially if you start by catching the Victoria Clipper out of Seattle to make your way to the island city. It’s a great way to give kids the feeling of really being “away” instead of flying, if possible. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll have plenty to keep kids entertained. Start by wandering Fisherman’s Wharf and helping yourself to some hot salty fries with malt vinegar (trust us) as you peruse all of the sidewalk art on display. The perfect spot to watch the sunset with locals.
Head on to the Victoria Bug Zoo, where kids can check out all the creepy crawly bugs of their dreams. Tarantulas a bridge too far for you? Try a visit to the Butchart Gardens and the Victoria Butterfly Garden, where kids can enjoy an exciting jungle experience with parrots, turtles, and of course, butterflies. Be sure to dress cool… it gets hot in there.
A guided walking tour of Craigdarroch Castle will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time, while a walk down Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in Canada, will make them feel like giants. Take a Victoria water taxi from the vibrant Chinatown to the Wharf and you might even see a sea lion, or if you’re feeling really adventurous take the kids out kayaking in the bay. At the end of a long day of exploring and maybe even getting dressed up to enjoy High Tea at the Empress Hotel, check out the Harbour Water Ballet from Government Street on a nice summer night. The Victoria water taxis perform a water ballet complete with synchronized moves set to music on loudspeakers when the weather allows, completely free of charge.
Related: The Best Things to See & Do in Victoria, BC
You really can have it all on a visit to Canada. A little culture, a little hike, a lot of food. And of course, everyone there is just so nice. What more do you need?
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