Stray a little further, get a lot closer
You can't go wrong in Canada. Each region has eye-popping landscapes and a slew of activities to match. All the usual suspects are here - from the sawtooth, white-dipped mountains of the Rockies, Vancouver's laid-back, cocktail-lovin' metropolis, the greatest hits of national parks along the Trans-Canada Highway, the sheer volume of Niagara Falls, to whale watching in the Bay of Fundy.
But delve a little deeper and you'll be richly rewarded with neighbourhood farmers' markets, epic hikes with the trees as your only companions and eateries serving up the freshest of local produce.
Don't take our word for it though. Ask the Vancouverite sitting next to you, or maybe it's a Newfoundlander, or whomever you meet on the roads in between. Take a pull on your local lager, a bite of your wild salmon, draw up your fleece and feel the warmth surround you.
Take a local look at Canada
Click on the map pins for tips on where to go for some local insight into Canada’s great towns and cities.
-
Vancouver - Canadian Tourism Commission Vancouver, British Columbia
Work up a thirst and head to the spot many locals list as Vancouver's best bar.
Usually clamorous with animated chatter, the Irish Heather in historic, cobble-streeted Gastown is a narrow gastropub where the hearty food lures almost as many regulars as the booze. Join the giant communal table where locals will likely be discoursing loudly on everything from the Canucks to canoeing.
-
Saskatoon - Tourism Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Saskatoon centre has many good choices for food and drink, entertainment and shopping but venture just south of the river on Broadway Ave in Nutana for myriad choices with a cool neighbourhood feel.
Lunch at foodie favourite, Souleio and its drool-worthy deli, spend the afternoon browsing at revolutionary bookstore, Turning the Tide, then settle in for some live music at Lydia's Pub.
-
Winnipeg - Destination Winnipeg / Grajewski Winnipeg, Manitoba
Restored century-old brick buildings are the backdrop to the Exchange District, Winnipeg's most vibrant neighbourhood downtown.
The grassy haven of Old Market Square is the neighbourhood focal point and where you'll find a small farmers' market twice a week in warmer months. To really explore the bounteous produce of the province, however, head 14km south to the St Norbert Farmers' Market.
-
Toronto - Canadian Tourism Commission Toronto, Ontario
Queen West and West Queen West are Toronto's funkiest 'hoods. This is where the wild things are, where locals shop avariciously, dine deliciously and rock into the night.
West Queen West has consolidated as an arts and design precinct and this is where you'll find the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA) featuring award-winning temporary exhibitions.
-
Edmonton - Canadian Tourism Commission Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton's collective pulse palpitates in Old Strathcona in bohemian dive bars, cocktail lounges, vegetarian-biased eating joints, fringe theatres, vintage magazine shops and all kinds of other countercultural trends, ideas and fashion statements.
Head to Whyte Ave and try the classic diner restaurant, Da-De-O, serving up Cajun food with retro jukeboxes, art-deco lighting and eye-catching décor.
-
Montréal - Canadian Tourism Commission Montréal, Québec
Montréal's Old Port has morphed into a 2.5km park and fun zone and is punctuated by four grand quays. Locals and visitors alike come here for strolling, cycling and in-line skating.
In winter, you can cut a fine figure on an outdoor ice-skating rink. If you're on a bike, treat yourself to a ride along the Canal de Lachine which stretches for 14.5km from Old Port to Lac St-Louis.
-
St. John's - Canadian Tourism Commission St. John's, Newfoundland
and LabradorTo get a local's taste of St. John's (literally), head to Quidi Vidi Brewery, which cooks up Newfoundland's most popular microbrews. Located in an old fish-processing plant on the small wharf in the picturesque Quidi Vidi village, the brewery is a scenic place to slake one's thirst.
Be sure to try the local favourite Iceberg brand, made with water from the big hunks.
-
Banff - Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Banff National Park, Alberta
With little hustle or bustle and lots of rugged beauty, Banff's Moraine Lake offers some excellent day hikes. The walk to Sentinel Pass, via the stunning Larch Valley, is best in the fall when the leaves are beginning to turn. It's a strenuous day walk with outstanding views, and if you're lucky you might spy some rock climbers scaling The Grand Sentinel - a 200m-tall rock spire nearby.
-
Ottawa - Canadian Tourism Commission Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa's best feature is its collection of stunning, state-of-the-art museums. The country's largest art gallery, the National Gallery of Canada, is a must - the structure is a piece of art in itself - one of Ottawa's architectural gems.
When you need a break, there are two smooth courtyards deep within the museum's interior, both ooze Zen and tranquillity.
-
Halifax - Nova Scotia Economic & Rural Development & Tourism Halifax, Nova Scotia
For a great day in Halifax, start with breakfast at Halifax Farmers' Market, North America's oldest farmer's market. Indulge in some retail therapy at Historic Properties, a group of restored warehouses now home to tempting boutiques and bars. Then head outdoors and join the locals practicing tai chi or playing checkers in the Halifax Public Gardens. When it's time to refuel, discover slow-food proponent Dennis Johnston's delectable concoctions at Fid, then end the day at one of Argyle St's many attractive bars.
-
Québec City - Canadian Tourism Commission Québec City, Québec
The first thing that strikes you about Rue St-Jean is the area's down-to-earth ambience. Away from the tourist haunts, Rue St-Jean houses inexpensive eateries, many with a bring-your-own-wine policy.
Bistros line Ave Cartier between Grande Allée Ouest and Blvd René-Lévesque Ouest, attracting a local clientele. Try Délices d'Ariana - frequented almost exclusively by locals in the know.
-
Whitehorse - Government of Yukon Whitehorse, Yukon
Whitehorse is at the centre of the Yukon's robust arts community, and most of the town's best galleries are within walking distance.
There are carefully selected and well-mounted rotating exhibits at Arts Underground, operated by the Yukon Arts Society. Or meet the 35 local artists who create the works at Yukon Artists@Work. And at the Sundog Carving Studio & Gallery, First Nations artists sell their own works.
-
Yellowknife - Canadian Tourism Commission Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Yellowknife rose to riches when gold was discovered nearby and slumped right back when mining waned. Now the metropolis of the Northwest Territories is again as buoyant as a seal pup and the town is reaping the benefits.
The state-of-the-art Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre looks back fondly on the gold rush days. In quirky Old Town, designer architecture is replacing the ramshackle huts of old, and the wonderful Wildcat Cafe is a reminder of tough gold-prospecting times gone by.
-
Iqaluit - Canadian Tourism Commission Iqaluit, Nunavut
Iqaluit has Nunavut's broadest range of culinary options, including several places that serve 'country food'. You can expect big portions but at hugely inflated prices (most stuff is flown in) so make sure you sample some of the local produce at Granite Room, Nunavut's top restaurant.
Enjoy the extensive wine list and luscious local cuisine, like poached Arctic char and caribou steak in peppercorn sauce. The homemade ice-cream gets raves.
-
Fredericton - Brian Atkinson Fredericton, New Brunswick
For a small city, Fredericton offers a cosmopolitan cross-section of eateries and bars. For coffee culture, try Second Cup - warm lighting, world beat music and fresh roasted coffee beans draw a loyal clientele of office workers, passersby and aspiring novelists toiling away on their laptops.
At the WW Boyce Farmers' Market restaurant you'll find Frederictonians queuing to chat and people-watch. And at Lunar Rogue Pub, a jolly locals' joint, there's a good beer selection and a fine assortment of single malts.
-
Charlottetown - Tourism PEI / Russell Monk Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
When locals want seafood they head to Water Prince Corner Shop, an inconspicuous, sea-blue eatery near the wharf. It is deservedly famous for its scallop burgers but it's also the best place in town for fresh lobster.
Afterwards head to the Confederation Centre of the Arts for Anne of Green Gables - The Musical, which has been entertaining audiences here as part of the Charlottetown Festival since 1964, making it Canada's longest-running musical.
