Things To Do in Canada by Region
Plan your trip to the Canadian Rockies, Quebec, Niagara Falls and other popular places in Canada
July 17, 2026
13 minute read
The Canadian Rockies are one of the most recognizable regions in Canada, known for incredible mountain scenery, turquoise lakes, wildlife, and scenic drives. Many travelers come here for the landscapes, but the region also offers opportunities to slow down and experience small mountain towns, Indigenous history, and iconic rail journeys.
Whether you want to explore national parks, ride through the mountains by train, or simply take in the scenery from a lakeside lodge, the Rockies are one of the best places in Canada for nature-focused travel.
Things to Do in the Canadian Rockies
Set along the Alberta–British Columbia border, the Canadian Rockies offer some of the world’s most striking mountain scenery. Here you’ll find unspoiled wilderness with snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, and rushing rivers to explore.
Ride the Rocky Mountaineer Through the Mountains
Traveling by train is one of the highlights in this region. The Rocky Mountaineer is a two-day train ride deep into the Rockies. You’ll travel through British Columbia, passing valleys and canyons on your way to Lake Louise. Lake Louise.
Meals are served on board, and seating is arranged to give you consistent views throughout the journey. It’s a great choice for people who want to relax and take in the views.
Check out our Canadian Rockies tour featuring the Rocky Mountaineer tour to see how we pair this amazing journey with other experiences, including the cultural connections Collette is known for.
Stay at Lake Louise and Banff
Lake Louise is one of Canada’s most famous lakes. Stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for the most immersive setting and the Fairmont Banff Spring, Canada's 'Castle in the Rockies', to get more mountain scenery and access to other things to do in the region.
Lake Louise and Banff also make a great stop if you’re going to Canada for the Northern Lights.
Drive Onto a Glacier in the Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway connects major parts of the Rockies and includes one of the most scenic stops in the region.
At the Icefields Parkway, you can choose to travel directly onto the ice in a specialized Ice Explorer vehicle or venture along a glass platform on a skywalk overlooking the landscape. Either way, you get up to experience the glacier up close.
Our Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park tour includes the Rockies, Waterton Lakes, Banff, Lake Louise, and the Icefields Parkway. Choosing a guided tour is a great way to take the stress out of trip planning.
Things to Do in Vancouver, and British Columbia
Vancouver combines coastal scenery, mountain landscapes, and urban culture in a way that feels very different from other parts of Canada. The city offers waterfront neighborhoods and opportunities to learn about Indigenous culture.
Ride a Gondola Up Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is just outside the city. Take a gondola to the summit, where you can look out over Vancouver, the water, and surrounding areas.
On Collette tours, you can enjoy a private breakfast experience at the top, followed by time exploring the area with a local ranger who introduces the setting.
Stroll Through Stanley Park and the Waterfront
Stanley Park is one of Vancouver’s most visited landmarks and an easy place to experience the city’s connection to nature. The park’s seawall walking path wraps around the waterfront, offering views of the harbor, mountains, and skyline throughout the route.
Within the park, visitors can explore forested trails, beaches, gardens, and Indigenous totem poles that reflect the cultural history of the region.
Things to Do in Alberta and Glacier Region
Alberta and the surrounding glacier region offer opportunities to explore less crowded landscapes, cross-border national parks, and important cultural and historical sites.
This area combines dramatic scenery with some of the most interesting geological and Indigenous heritage experiences in Western Canada.
Visit Waterton Lakes and Glacier National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada and Glacier National Park in the United States form the world’s first International Peace Park, creating a protected landscape that stretches across the border.
The region is known for its mountain lakes, open prairies, and dramatic peaks that rise sharply from the surrounding terrain. Compared to Banff, the atmosphere here tends to feel quieter and less crowded, making it a good option for travelers who enjoy quieter scenic areas.
Travelers visiting both parks can experience how the landscape changes across the border while still remaining part of the same mountain ecosystem.
Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
This UNESCO World Heritage Site provides insight into Indigenous history and how aboriginal people used the land itself for hunting.
For thousands of years, Indigenous communities used this landscape as part of a highly organized buffalo hunting system that relied on cooperation, knowledge of the land, and an understanding of animal movement.
Today, the interpretive center provides insight into Blackfoot culture, oral traditions, and the historical importance of the buffalo across the Canadian plains. Visiting the site adds important cultural context to the natural beauty travelers experience throughout Alberta.
Things to Do in the Yukon
The Yukon is Canada’s “Far North”. Here you’ll find snowy landscapes, dark skies, northern wildlife, Indigenous culture, and some of the best opportunities in Canada to see the Northern Lights.
Find Northern Lights and Culture in Whitehorse
Whitehorse’s clear northern skies make it an excellent place to see the Northern Lights. Sightings are weather-dependent so Collette tours spend more than one night in the region to give travelers more opportunities to spot them.
While in Whitehorse, you can also learn about the heritage and contemporary culture of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation.
Go Dog Mushing Through the Snow
Dog mushing is one of the Yukon’s most memorable winter experiences. Travelers can meet the sled dogs, learn from local mushers, and head out across the snowy landscape for a closer look at a tradition tied to life in the North. See how Collette is committed to animal welfare on tours.
Visit the Yukon Wildlife Preserve
The Yukon Wildlife Preserve gives travelers a chance to see northern animals in large, natural habitats. Depending on the visit, you may see species such as moose, bison, elk, Dall sheep, caribou, or wolves while learning more about conservation in the region.
Soak at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs
After time outdoors, Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs offers a slower way to experience winter in the Yukon. The outdoor mineral pools are set in a peaceful forested area, giving travelers time to warm up and relax before another night of aurora viewing.
Things to Do in Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is a little less adventurous than the Rockies and a great choice if you want to explore coastlines, small communities, and local traditions. Travelers who enjoy small towns, ocean views, seafood, and regional traditions often find Atlantic Canada to be one of the most memorable parts of the country.
Drive the Cabot Trail
The Cabot Trail is a scenic route along the coastline, with opportunities to stop and take in different views or visit communities as you go.
The route winds along cliffs and coastlines with frequent opportunities to stop at overlooks, beaches, hiking trails, and small communities along the way. Depending on the season, travelers may also spot whales offshore or see fall foliage at its peak.
Explore Peggy’s Cove
Peggy’s Cove is one of the most picturesque spots in Canada. Known for the historic Peggy’s Point Lighthouse built in 1915, the fishing village is a great place to take in ocean views or explore the rocky terrain.
Walk the Ocean Floor at Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks features massive flowerpot-shaped rocks that rise four stories high at low tide and appear as islands when the tide rolls in. If you time it right, you can walk the ocean floor between the massive rocks at low tide.
Follow a Local Expert Along Fundy Trail
The Fundy Trail is an endless stretch of breathtaking vistas. On Collette’s tour, travelers take an exclusive tour through the park guided by a local expert and enjoy views of St. Martin’s covered bridges on the return.
Visit Lunenburg and Halifax
Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with color. Here you can take a walking tour to learn about Lunenburg's unique architecture or visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic to learn about the town’s fishing heritage.
In Halifax, take a city tour of the waterfront, Public Gardens, Spring Garden Road, and the Citadel.
For a deeper dive into these, check out our post on the Canadian Maritimes.
Learn About Local Traditions
For travelers who like to connect with people and immerse themselves in local culture, we recommend:
Visiting the Colaisde na Gàidhlig, the Gaelic College where you can learn about local traditions and learn a few phrases.
Meeting local farmers to learn about daily life.
Sitting down for a traditional lobster meal in Prince Edward Island.
Want to learn more about local culture when you travel to Atlantic Canada? Consider our Canadian Maritimes & Coastal Wonders tour, crafted by local experts who get you closer to the people who call the area home.
Things to Do in Quebec and Ontario
Eastern Canada combines major cities, historic sites, cultural traditions, and natural landmarks into one of the country’s most accessible regions. This area offers a mix of charming cities, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural landscapes, making it a good fit for travelers who want variety on their trip.
In Québec, French language, local food traditions, historic towns, and dramatic river landscapes all come together to create a strong cultural identity. In addition to the ideas below, foodies should check out this post about Quebec as a food destination.
Visit Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is one of Canada’s most recognizable attractions and one of the most visited natural landmarks in North America.
Seeing the falls in person is very different from viewing photos. The scale, sound, and power of the water create an experience that feels immersive from nearly every viewing point.
Many travelers choose to experience the falls from multiple perspectives, whether through boat cruises, walking paths, observation towers, or nearby viewpoints overlooking the Niagara River.
The surrounding Niagara region also offers wineries, small towns, and scenic countryside that can balance out time spent at the falls themselves.
Experience Maple Syrup Traditions
A visit to a traditional sugar shack provides a closer look at how maple syrup is produced. This experience often includes a full meal and an explanation of the process, connecting food to place.
Visit an Indigenous Heritage Site
In addition to city time, journeys may include a stop at an Indigenous heritage location, where you can learn about traditions, history, and cultural practices. These visits help provide a deeper understanding of the people and communities who have shaped the region for thousands of years before modern cities and borders existed.
Spend Time in Québec City
Québec City offers a different experience from larger cities in the region. Its layout and atmosphere make it easier to explore slowly, with time to walk through the city and take in its character.
Think group tours aren’t for you? Check out Charms of Québec, one of our Small Group Explorations tours designed for travelers who want to go deeper and visit places that might not be accessible on Classic tours.
Learn more about the Charms of Quebec small group tour through Montreal, Charlevoix, and Québec City.
Get a Taste of Culture at an Indigenous-Inspired breakfast
Learn about the ancestral tradition of maple syrup-making in Québec at an Indigenous-run site. Here you’ll learn how this Canadian staple is made from a cultural and historical perspective.
Learn more about Indigenous experiences in Quebec.
Go Whale Watching in a Zodiac
In Charlevoix, you can go whale watching on a Zodiac boat designed to move quickly across the water, creating a more adventurous experience than larger vessels. Depending on the season, excursions may include opportunities to spot humpback whales, belugas, minke whales, and other marine life in the St. Lawrence River.
Visit Montmorency Falls
Montmorency Falls is a natural attraction outside Québec City and a good place to go from a break from time spent in urban areas.
The falls stand even taller than Niagara Falls, and visitors can experience the area from multiple perspectives using walking paths, suspension bridges, and lookout points overlooking the river and surrounding landscape.
FAQs About Things to Do in Canada
What are the best regions to visit in Canada?
The most popular regions to visit in Canada are the Canadian Rockies, Atlantic Canada, Eastern Canada and Québec.
How do you travel between regions in Canada?
Visiting multiple regions in Canada usually involves a mix or road travel, flights, and even trains if you want a more unique travel experience. Because Canada is so big, tour typically focus on one region.
How much time do you need to see Canada?
Canada is large, and trying to see everything in one trip can mean spending more time traveling than experiencing each destination. Many travelers choose to focus on one region per trip or combine two regions that are naturally connected. Collette’s Canada tours range between 8-15 days.
When is the best time to visit Canada?
Late Spring through early fall is ideal for most visits to Canada, but you’ll want to brave that winter weather if Christmas markets or Northern Lights are on your wish list. Read more about how to choose the best time to visit Canada.
Planning a Trip to Canada
Planning a trip to Canada involves more than choosing a region and picking the best time to go. Canada is a big country, distances can be longer than they look on a map, and some experiences — like train journeys, glacier visits, and cultural connections — require coordination ahead of time.
Guided travel takes the guesswork and worries out of planning a trip to Canada. With Collette’s guided tours, you benefit from local expertise, 24/7 support from an experienced Tour Manager, travel insurance for unexpected cancellations, and someone else worrying about logistics and reservations.
