Travelzoo deal experts pride themselves on finding the best deals for experiences around the world -- which sometimes happen to be in our own backyards. We’ve compiled a list of activities that are really musts for any Canadian’s bucket list. Across the country, certain experiences just can’t be missed -- so grab a friend or relative from out of town, if you need an excuse, and cross a few off your list.
Peak-2-Peak Gondola in Whistler: Of course, the stunning views of nature can’t be missed either. One place to catch a wide-range of mountaintops, forests, lakes and glaciers is the Peak-2-Peak Gondola in Whistler. This ride hovers above Blackcomb Mountain and gives unobstructed 360-degree views. A special glass-bottom gondola even gives riders a daring omniscient perspective of Canada’s natural spoils.
Whale watching on East and West coasts: From coast to coast, Canada’s vistas and wildlife are beloved by tourists -- but the coasts themselves deserve a little credit, too. Some 30-plus species of whales grace coastal waters and from May-September (or about a month earlier on the West coast). Boat tours are available in more provinces than you probably think touch the water: British Columbia, Quebec, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Niagara Falls: This list would not be complete without Niagara Falls, which are something of a guilty pleasure for Southern Ontarians looking to get away for a weekend. Entertainment and accommodations run the gamut from motels with solar chairs to upscale fallsview suites – but the star of the show is always the mighty Falls. On most weekends, fireworks light up the frothy rapids, and in winter they turn into imposing natural ice sculptures.
Old Port of Montreal: This historic district is home to a number of wacky favourites (think of family-quadricycle and Segway rentals) but the real draw is the historic atmosphere that oozes from every old-world crevice. Since its trading post days in the early 17th Century, the Old Port has evolved from a site of industry to a site of recreation and culture. Some 6 million people visit annually, seeking a pleasant mixture of historical charm and entertainment.
Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City: Chateau Frontenac has long held clout as a tourist attraction. Designed for wealthy train travelers in the late 1800s, the hotel sits like a centerpiece on a craggy hill, high above the historic walled city. Captivated by the hotel’s impressive presence, Alfred Hitchcock even set his film I Confess in the hotel after staying there. Now part of the Fairmont brand, a stay at this hotel is itself a taste of Canadiana.
