Choose from 290 Fun Things to Do in Canada
Saint-Roch
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Victoria Beacon Hill Park
- Beacon Hill Park is perfect for families with kids, gardening enthusiasts, and anyone who loves the outdoors.
- The park is generally accessible for wheelchair users, with paved pathways and accessible bathrooms.
- Pack swimsuits for the kids—if it’s hot they’ll want to splash in the water parks.
Victoria Inner Harbour
Though it's hard to top the bay's natural beauty, the dramatic coastline is aptly framed with more delightful Victorian homes, watched over by winsome Craigdarroch Castle, completed in 1890 by a Scottish coal billionaire with a taste for luxury. There's plenty of culture (and even more tourist claptrap, including a wax museum, aquarium, IMAX theater…you get the idea) to keep you busy. Consider strolling vividly landscaped Buchart Gardens, or taking a whale watching (April through October) cruise, then finishing your day with a meal in Victoria's vibrant Chinatown.
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Though the Pacific Northwest is notably rainy, Victoria is generally sunny and dry, in summer at least. It gets chilly and wet in winter, but temperatures rarely drop below freezing.
There's a useful tourist bureau InfoCentre with maps and brochures galore on the inner harbor; you can download a free phone app with maps and information at their official website.
Saint John City Market
- Saint John City Market is a must-see for foodies and first-time visitors to the city.
- Free parking is available on smaller side streets near the building, while parking on King Street can be pricey.
- The market is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Victoria Glacier
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Victoria Cruise Port
- Tours generally depart from downtown Victoria, not the cruise port.
- Dockside you will find gift shops, a currency exchange, and pay phones.
- The climate in Victoria is mild but tends to be rainy. Bring an umbrella or rain jacket.
- Butchart Gardens, a Victoria highlight, requires a tour or taxi to get there, as it is about a 20-minute drive.
Victoria Chinatown
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Victoria Butterfly Gardens
Fluttering butterflies and moths flit amid a rainforest environment at the popular Victoria Butterfly Gardens.
The indoor butterfly house is a tranquil tropical retreat for butterflies and visitors alike, with a waterfall and stream, exotic plants and warm humid atmosphere.
Around 75 species of butterflies and moths live here, and you can even see the young butterflies fluttering into life in the nursery.
The tropical orchid gardens here are also justifiably famous, with ponds filled with golden carp and tropical birds like parrots and flamingos in residence.
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The Victoria Butterfly Gardens are 20 km (14 miles) north of downtown Victoria, on the Saanich Peninsula. The Butchart Gardens are just five minutes away.
It’s a 30-minute drive from Victoria if you’re driving. Buses run here from downtown Victoria, as well as from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
Why not combine two of Victoria’s major highlights on an organized tour taking in both the Butterfly Gardens and the Butchart Gardens?Sugar Beach
- This is a fun family destination and a great spot for enjoying down time during a busy activity-filled Toronto itinerary.
- Swimming is not allowed at Sugar Beach.
- Be sure to bring sunscreen and a towel to lay on.
- The Sugar Beach promenade and plaza are both wheelchair accessible.
Strait of Juan de Fuca
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Sunwapta Falls
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Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupr e Basilica
- The basilica is a must-visit for fans of history, religion and religious art, and architecture.
- Sainte-Anne-de-Beapré Basilica is an active religious site. Be respectful of those worshiping here.
- The basilica is partially accessible to wheelchair users.
- Masses take place several times daily, with extra services on Sunday. All masses are in French.
Stanley Glacier
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Sulphur Mountain
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St. Lawrence Market
- St. Lawrence Market is a must-visit for foodies.
- Bring cash as some vendors don’t accept debit or credit cards.
- The market is wheelchair accessible.
Ville-Marie
Ville-Marie is the core of Montreal, encompassing most of the downtown area, including Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal), the Quartier des Spectacles cultural quarter, the Gay Village, two islands on the St. Lawrence River, and most of Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal). It’s jam-packed with museums, churches, shops, restaurants, and other top attractions.
The Basics
Most visitors to Montreal spend time in Ville-Marie, as it’s home to many of the city’s biggest attractions, including the Old Port, Notre-Dame Basilica, the Underground City, and Place des Arts.
Sightseeing tours by coach often follow routes leading through Ville-Marie, past neighborhoods including Chinatown and the Latin Quarter and sights such as Habitat 67, the Moshe Safdie–designed housing complex built for Expo 67. Walking tours in Ville-Marie typically center on Old Montreal, a picturesque district with historical squares and Old World architecture.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Bring a camera as Ville-Marie is home to many of Montreal’s photo-worthy sights.
- Wear appropriate shoes for cobblestone streets.
- Much of Ville-Marie is wheelchair accessible with curb cuts on the sidewalks. Note that Old Montreal does have some cobblestone streets and that some of the sidewalks can be difficult to navigate after snowfall, which is common during Montreal’s winters.
How to Get There
Ville-Marie is well connected by public transport. Numerous metro stations are situated within the boundaries of Ville-Marie, including Berri-UQAM, where the Green, Orange, and Yellow metro lines all intersect.
When to Get There
Ville-Marie is arguably at its best during summer. In the warmer months, lots of festivals center on the borough, including the Les FrancoFolies de Montréal, which highlights music and other acts from the Francophone world; the Montreal International Jazz Festival; and the comedy-focused Just For Laughs festival.
Exploring Old Montreal
Old Montreal is the oldest part of the city, and its age shows with grand 18th-century buildings and historical sights at every turn. Wander here and you’ll find monument-studded public squares, such as Place d’Armes, Place Royale, and Place Jacques-Cartier, abuzz with people and photogenic streets such as Rue Saint-Paul, which is ideal for dining and shopping. Other highlights include the 18th-century Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, one of the city’s oldest churches, and Bonsecours Market, which dates all the way back to 1847.
Stanley Park
- A free shuttle bus travels around the park, though many bike or walk to get around.
- Old-fashioned horse-drawn carriages offer one-hour tours and are a great—and romantic—way to get an overview of the area.
- Restaurants and cafés are scattered throughout the park.
Via Ferrata
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VanDusen Botanical Garden
- The gardens are made for strolling so wear comfortable walking shoes. Bikes, skateboards, and roller skates are not allowed.
- Do not feed wildlife in the gardens.
- The gardens are wheelchair accessible with paved paths.
S.S. Klondike
After receiving some much needed upgrades, including a lounge and a bar, the vessel began carrying tourists into Dawson City. In 1966, it was retired from the river and moved to its present home, where every summer tourists can visit and relive the bygone era.