May I ask anyone who lives in or who visits Canada on a regular basis to tell me what is the best place...?

Question

...to vacation in Canada and why.

I like both the outdoors (camping, fishing, etc) and the big city life (shows, parks, dining, etc). I don't have anything in particular in mind right now, I just want some good ideas.

Answer 1

Canada is larger in area than all of Europe.

BC is the best for what you describe.
I currently live in Alberta but go to BC almost ever year and never get bored.
I especially love Vancouver Island (I used to live in Victoria) – outstandingly beautiful nature all close to major cities such as Victoria and Vancouver. -Tofino/Long Beach with the rainforests, surfing, whale watching, hiking, camping, etc.
http://www.my-tofino.com/
http://www.longbeachmaps.com/parks.html
http://www.vancouverisland.com/
http://vancouverisland.kulshan.com/
The Rocky Mountains are also a must see – come to my home province of Alberta and see Banff and Jasper.
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/index_e.asp
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/visit/reserv_E.asp
http://www.canadianrockies.net/services/camping.html
When you are camping make sure you make reservations! It is so beautiful that it gets very busy and the national parks limit how many visitors there can be.

When you are done with nature come to my home town and see the huge mall (some sources say the world’s biggest).
http://www.westedmontonmall.com/plan/default.asp

There is so much to do and see in Canada one trip will not even come close to covering it all.

Hope you have a great time no matter where you go in our great nation.

Answer 2

Hi,

I live in Canada. When are you vacationing? Unless you enjoy Winter sports, you're going to want to avoid most of Canada from about November to June as it's cold, covered in snow, and generally taken over by the skiers.

I have a bit of a bias; I've been to every province in this fine country accept for BC and Newfoundland, but I live in southern Ontario, and tend to believe that this is where all the fun can be had.

First, of course, there's Toronto. Toronto is the center of the known universe, and the entire rest of the country revolves around us. Really! Just ask any Torontonian. We've got the CN tower, the Skydome (recently renamed the Rogers Center), a large and active downtown, awsome night life, friendly people, lots of plays and cultural events going on at any given time, good shopping, better eating, Ontario Place, etc.

Also, if you start out of Toronto, you're close to lots of the other things southern Ontario has to offer like Niagara Falls, a large Amish community. You're also only four hours away from Ottawa, Canada's capital, and another really neat city. If you're campers, the province of Ontario also offers some amaizing campgrounds, and some of the nicest wilderness area around; be sure to check out Algonquin Park, if that's your thing.

Answer 3

Winter or Summer, Whistler, BC is the best. Very active and beautiful place. Winter the snow sports are incredible, Summer, you have hiking and lakes, and pure beauty. It is about an 1 1/2 drive from Vancouver, and the drive is one of the most beautiful. If you like to eat, Whistler has you covered, the village is big and feels like a European village in the Alps. You can also spend a day or so exploring Vancouver, it is a wonderful city as well.

If you want to fly to Calgary I hear Banff is the place to go (Lake Louise). Never been there, I keep going back to Whistler!

Answer 4

Too true, there are so many places to visit in Canada. I am from Ontario, and am therefore partial to it. If you are looking for big city, and outdoors, you can see Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, and visit Algonquin park and a few other large National and Provincial parks while you are there. There is even the longest fresh water beach in the world in Ontario in Wasaga Beach.

Answer 5

It depends what activities you are interested in. If you want skiing, hiking, beautiful outdoors, whale watching, try B.C on the west coast.

The East Coast (Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, etc) is great for quaint, pretty towns, whale watching, beautiful beaches, friendly people.

If you want to vacation in a large city, I've heard Calgary, AB is the best but I haven't actually been there.

Montreal, QC is awesome for shopping, big-city attractions, but also has some relaly nice old Quebec areas.

Toronto is good for shows, shopping, restaurants.

Answer 6

That's like asking what's the best place to vacation in the US. It depends on what you like to do. Outdoors, big city???? Canada is a large country with a lot to see and do. You'll get a better answer if you can clarify your interests.

Answer 7

Toronto is a very nice place to visit. There are many different neighborhoods which are ethnically different so you can see many different cultures. there is also a great museum and many art galleries. If you like clubbing etc. there are many. It is safer than most American cities though not as safe as it used to be. So I would recommend Toronto because of its variety.

Answer 8

Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria, Whitehorse, Kelowna.... they all have different activities and attractions, whether its a big city, a beautiful ski resort, a view of the ocean, good food, amazing scenery or laid-back fun, these are my favourites. (=

Answer 9

Depends where you plan on going. Do you realize Canada is bigger than U.S.