The Best Selfie Spots Across Canada
In a country renowned for its idyllic natural landscapes and breathtaking city skylines, pretty much any location in Canada makes for a great shot. Canadians love to take selfies with beautiful backdrops; even Drake’s new album cover can attest to this. Some Canadians also went as far as to take selfies when they received their 2016 Census in the mail. Who can blame us for wanting to photograph our experiences in such a great country? With so many selfie-worthy spots to choose from, Travelzoo has narrowed it down to a few places in every province and territory. Check out our list of where to bring your smiles and selfie sticks for the best self-taken photo-ops across the country.
Alberta
West Edmonton Mall
At 5.3 million square feet, West Edmonton Mall is the largest mall in North America, and is the size of a small city. WEM boasts over 800 stores, two hotels, 100 dining venues, a waterpark, ice skating rink, an amusement park and an exact replica of the ship that Christopher Columbus sailed on when he crossed the Atlantic in 1492. With so many spectacular attractions, you’re bound to snap a great selfie somewhere in the mall.
Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park
This lake is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, and is famed for the colour of its water, along with its three surrounding glaciers.
Another selfie-worthy location:
- Saamis Teepee (World's Largest Teepee), Medicine Hat
Saskatchewan
Ernie the Turtle, Turtleford
Ernie the Turtle is the largest turtle in Canada, and the second largest in the world. He was built in 1983 to celebrate Turtleford’s acquisition of town status. How many people can say they’ve taken a selfie with an 8-foot-tall turtle?
Other selfie-worthy locations:
- Delta Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon
- Traffic Bridge, Saskatoon
- Saskatchewan's Badlands
New Brunswick
Hopewell Rocks at Low Tide
The Hopewell Rocks’ distinctive shape is caused by the erosion of the changing tide. At high tide, these formations become islands that visitors can kayak around, but at low tide visitors can walk to the beach and explore the ocean floor, get up close and pose next to these spectacular rocks.
Quebec
Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal
Whether you’re admiring the Basilica’s architecture from the outside or marvelling at its beauty from within, this outstanding landmark of Montreal’s religious heritage is picture perfect.
The Mount Royal Lookout
Hike, bike, or drive up Mount Royal to get to the lookout. Once you’re up there, you’ll understand why the view is worth the trek up the mountain. Reward yourself with a photoshoot featuring a scenic view of Montreal’s downtown area and the St. Lawrence River.
Other selfie-worthy locations:
- L'Hotel de Glace (The Ice Hotel), Quebec City
- Old Quebec City with Chateau Frontenac in the background
Yukon
Yukon Wildlife Preserve, Whitehorse
The YWP is the place to go if you want to experience and learn about arctic and boreal ecology. This preserve stretches out across 700 acres, and is home to some amazing animals. Even if you don’t manage to get a selfie with a moose, the landscape makes a great backdrop too.
Nova Scotia
Anywhere along the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton
This winding roadway along Cape Breton is one of the most famous drives in Canada. Most visits to the Cabot Trail are a few days in length, because there are so many ocean vistas, hiking trails, heritage sights and photo ops to take advantage of.
Peggy's Cove Lighthouse
This lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses in Canada. The geology in the surrounding area is also very impressive, so snap a few pictures while you’re there.
Another selfie-worthy location:
- Citadel Hill, Halifax
Prince Edward Island
Avonlea Village
Whether you snap a picture with the staff dressed as characters from Anne of Green Gables stories, or decide to dress up as Gilbert or Anne yourself, Avonlea Village is the best real-life place to relive a childhood favourite.
Another selfie-worthy location:
- Cavendish Beach, PEI
Nunavut
Dogsledding
Get a selfie with a Canadian Inuit dog, a special type of husky that has been a resident of Nunavut for over 4,000 years. The vast and icy Nunavut scenery is stunning, and the hard-working dogs are adorable too.
Another selfie-worthy location:
- Mouth Thor, Auyuittuq National Park
Ontario
Ferris Wheel at the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto
If you’re going to The Ex, then you have to take a ride on the Ferris wheel. If you’re lucky enough and the ride stops while you’re at the very top overlooking the CNE, make sure to take a selfie with the Toronto Skyline in the background
The Big Nickel, Sudbury
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a selfie with the Big Nickel is worth an extra five cents!
Newfoundland and Labrador
Cape Spear Lighthouse, St. John's
Cape Spear is the easternmost point in North America. If you stand in the right spot, you can take a selfie with all of North America behind you.
Other selfie-worthy locations:
Manitoba
Churchill's Polar Bears
Churchill is one of the few human settlements where polar bears can be seen (and photographed) in the wild. Visit the polar bear capital of the world, and make sure to grin and “bear” it.
Another selfie-worthy location:
- Assiniboine Park Zoo with the dinosaurs, Winnipeg
British Columbia
Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver
This suspension bridge stretches 450 feet across and 230 feet above the Capilano River and can support the weight of 96 full-grown elephants. Although you definitely won’t get a selfie with an elephant, the bridge and the surrounding forest make for a really cool linear perspective snapshot.
Other selfie-worthy locations:
- Stanley Park at Cherry Blossom Time
- Whistler Mountain Inukshuk Statue
- Abbotsford Tulip Festival
Northwest Territories
Northern Lights in Yellowknife
The Northern Lights, otherwise known as aurora borealis, are a breathtaking set of natural lights that are only visible from certain places on earth. This is one of the trickiest selfies to execute, but will be well worth it if you succeed.
Other selfie-worthy locations:
- Alexandra Falls
- Virginia Falls, Nahanni National Park Reserve