Life in Canada is best known for its stunning landscapes, polite people, and prosperous cities. Canada offers tourists endless outdoor recreation as the 2nd largest country in terms of total area.
11 Famous Foods in Canada
Canada is a nation famous for its kind hospitality, cold winters, and beautiful natural surroundings. While Vancouver’s towering mountains and Ontario’s majestic Niagara Falls are awe-inspiring, there’s one area where the country might deserve more credit – its food. With influences from the French, Indigenous peoples, and the many immigrants that have made the country …
Top Towns and Cities in CAN
With the majority of Canada being wilderness, campers from all over the world come to explore their national parks and take in the breathtaking views. For those looking for a more luxurious vacation, famous metropolitan areas like Toronto and Vancouver will give you all the pampering and amenities you could ask for.
Living La Vida Canada
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Welcome to Canada, Eh!
There are ten provinces and three territories with borders along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans. For tourists, there are over 9.8 square kilometers to explore, which makes Canada the second largest country based on land area. Canada is also home to a population of 37.06 million people, many of which are described as “ridiculously nice” by nature.
Ottawa is the capital of the country and is located in southeastern Ontario on the Québec border. The city rests along the Ottawa River and is known for its grand Victorian architecture.
The diverse city is also where you will hear a blend of English and Canadian French spoken on the streets by the locals and tourists. With a rich culture, Ottawa is also alive with a modern cosmopolitan vibe.
- History and Culture
- Canadian Food
- Top Cities to Visit
- Points of Interest
Culture and Language
Canada has a unique blend of indigenous and European culture, as well as influence from immigrant populations. The indigenous people of Canada are called the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples. Their culture has existed for thousands of years and is deeply rooted in oral tradition.
But with colonization, the British and French also started to bring their own culture and influence to Canada.
British culture is dominant in Canadian society because the monarchy is officially the head of state. The Queen is also featured on Canadian money and they celebrate the Queen’s birthday. The more reserved, polite, and good-mannered culture of Britain has also made its way to Canada.
In the province of Québec, French culture dominates and the people from the area are called French Canadians (or French Fry Canadians). The Francophone culture is alive and well in Québec, where tourists can experience French architecture, cuisine, and lifestyles.
Official Languages
Having two official languages, English and French, Canada is quite unique. While 3 in every 10 Canadians speak French, a majority of which live in the province of Québec, the country predominantly speaks English.
Canada is also home to a diverse immigrant population and there are many different languages spoken throughout the country.
Canadian Food
Another large portion of your budget will be food, drink, and entertainment. Canada has a diverse food culture, thanks to the indigenous, British, and French people. There are many tasty dishes that you can try, and you will find that the cuisine culture varies by region.
A few of the most famous Canadian dishes include poutine, bannock, Montreal-style bagels, and maple syrup (of course). Poutine is a popular dish made of crispy fries and cheese curds, all topped with a tasty gravy. The dish is internationally a symbol of Canada and can be upgraded with a few extras like pulled pork or bacon.
Bannock was a key part of the indigenous people’s diets. It’s a sweet bread that is constantly being reinvented and changed with a variety of toppings. If you love bagels, the Montreal-style bagels are denser, hand-rolled, boiled in honey water, and baked in wood-fired ovens. The delicious bread is then topped with poppy or sesame seeds.
Finally, maple syrup is possibly Canada’s most famous food or condiment. Maple syrup is featured in cuisine throughout the country. One beloved dish is the tire d’érable sur la neige. The dish is made by pouring hot maple syrup over snow, hardening it into a taffy-like texture that’s then stuck on popsicle sticks.
Dining Out
As much as eating all day sounds nice, you may also be interested in experiencing the nightlife and going out for drinks. Canada is full of bars that all have their own unique vibe and scene. A few of the most popular bars include Bar Raval in Toronto, The Keefer Bar in Vancouver, and Coldroom in Montreal.
Top Cities to Visit
With such an immense country, there are a lot of cities that tourists are eager to visit. Here, we will give you a brief overview of the most popular city destinations throughout Canada.
Ottawa
Ottawa is Canada’s capital city and a popular destination among tourists because of its blend of cultures. The city is located on the border with Québec, which means that English and French are spoken on the streets. Ottawa is also home to a variety of national sites and famous landmarks like the Rideau Canal.
Art culture is dominant here so there are many world-class galleries and museums. A few popular attractions include Parliament Hill, which has neo-gothic architecture and is the home of Canada’s legislature. The city is deeply ingrained in war history, as well, and many sites are open to visitors.
Toronto
Toronto is the capital of the Ontario province and sits along the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. As the largest city in Canada, it has an impressive skyline, which includes the CN Tower. Toronto is also a blend of urban and green space.
Queen’s Park and High Park are popular outdoor spaces that have sports facilities, trails, and a zoo. For the art-inspired, there are also numerous museums and galleries to explore. Plus, Toronto is close to Niagara Falls so you can take a quick day trip to see the impressive cascades.
Montreal
Montreal is the largest city in the Québec province. It has the banks of the Saint Lawrence River on its edges and Mt. Royal at its heart. The city is steeped in French culture and many of the neighborhoods have cobblestone streets.
The architecture is a beautiful reminder of old Europe with a mix of contemporary flair. The city also enjoys hosting festivals and events for art and culinary lovers. The city is most well-known for its diverse cuisine where guests can taste Kamouraska lamb, Arctic char, poutine, and delicious patisseries.
Vancouver
Vancouver sits on the West Coast of Canada and is a seaport city. The coastal location also makes this city one of the most diverse in all of Canada. With the influence of different cultures, Vancouver is a hub of diverse foods, entertainment, and neighborhoods.
Some of the best dine-out places are located in the city and have popular Chinese and Vietnamese dishes. The city has an easy layout for urban exploration including destinations like Main Street, Kitsilano, and Gastown.
Vancouver’s placement along the coast also means that you can ski in the morning and hit the beach in the afternoon. The unique landscape is great for people who want to live an urban life but have incredible natural wonders just a short drive from the city.
Québec City
This city is the heart of the Québec province, where French culture dominates. French is spoken widely throughout the city and is the dominant language. Aside from the language, Québec City also has impressive stone buildings and narrow streets.
The city is North America’s oldest French-speaking city and it’s often described as historical. The Saint Lawrence River frames the city, while the picturesque Old Town hosts the famous Château Frontenac (affiliate link). Entertainment is rich and the people eagerly welcome visitors with their Winter Carnival.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is a unique place in Canada because it’s one of the country’s three maritime provinces. The province is mostly known for its beautiful oceanside landscapes and fresh seafood. Cape Breton is a famous destination in the province that is home to a national forest full of forests and rugged coastlines.
Points of Interest
Cities are often the most popular destinations in Canada, however, you may find that there’s a specific attraction that you want to see. Canada is full of natural landmarks and amazing landscapes.
Discover the best of Canada’s thermal springs to add to your itinerary, on our sister site, Top Hot Springs.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is arguably one of Canada’s most famous natural attractions for tourists to visit. There are several viewpoints along the falls, which borders America and visitors can awe at the 187-foot cascades.
The area has remained popular throughout the years with daredevil stunts taking place at the falls, but for the normal tourist, you can simply book a boat tour and get up close to the water.
Banff National Park
The Banff National Park is in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and it is home to an absolutely stunning landscape. The park is located in the Alberta province and is filled with snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and grand glaciers.
Moraine Lake is one of the most photographed locations within the park because of its dramatic landscape views.
Toronto’s CN Tower
Located in Toronto, the CN Tower is perhaps, the most well-known building in all of Canada. The tower is extremely tall with a full stature of 1,814.3 feet. The tower is an icon in Toronto’s skyline and has become a popular attraction.
At the top of the tower, there is a 360-degree revolving restaurant, and just below you can visit the LookOut and Glass Floor.
Whistler
Whistler is located two hours outside of Vancouver and is a world-famous ski resort. In 2010, the resort hosted the Winter Olympic Games, and every season it provides tourists with adventurous skiing, world-class dining, and gorgeous mountain views.
Don’t let the melting snow get you down. Whistler is also open in the summer and has a variety of outdoor recreational activities like golf, mountain biking, and hiking. It’s one of the top ski towns in Canada to live in and visit.
Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy is unique to Canada and the world because it has the most extreme variation between high and low tide. The tides have been recorded to drastically change their depth from 0 to 62 feet deep. When the tides are low, the land is exposed and reveals stunning cliff and rock formations. It’s one of the 7 wonders of North America!
Yukon
The Yukon is known for being wild and remote. The mountains of the area are sparsely populated but home to a variety of national parks. The Yukon is also home to Canada’s tallest peak, Mount Logan.
While the Yukon is remote, the year-round beauty of the landscape continually draws tourists in. The uncrowded areas are ideal for visitors who want to break away from the tourist groups and have the chance to experience mountains, glaciers, abundant wildlife, and even a chance to see the Northern Lights.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is an eastern maritime province in Canada that is popular for red sand beaches, rolling farmland, and historical lighthouses. The seaside villages are idyllic and a fun destination for families to visit in the summer.
The island boasts a variety of beaches, trails, and the Prince Edward Island National Park so that visitors can explore the natural landscape. What may inspire you to visit the island is its depiction in the book, Anne of Green Gables (affiliate link).
Explore Canada “From Sea to Sea”
While Canada is vast and there are thousands of places to visit and explore, it’s probably safe to say that there isn’t a bad destination. With such a diverse landscape, there is a trip for everyone. Urban explorers can navigate the cities and nature lovers can head out into the remote and stunning wilderness destinations.
The diversity of the country from the culture, people, and landscape is what makes Canada unique and ever so popular amongst tourists. With endless adventures to choose from, you can be certain that you’ll fall in love with Canada.