10 of the Best Summer Vacations in Canada

Planning a summer vacation in Canada? From coast to coast, these are 10 of the best Canadian destinations to visit this summer!

If you’re looking for recommendations for where to go this summer in Canada, these are my favourite Canadian vacation destinations – all of which our family has personally enjoyed. Whether you’re travelling as a family, on your own or as a couple, you can’t go wrong with any of these 10 destinations for your summer vacation in Canada.

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1. Vancouver and Vancouver Island

Vancouver is widely considered to be one of the world’s most livable cities and it’s one of the most fun to visit as well. Be amazed by the size of the trees in Stanley Park, check out the steam clock in historic Gastown, take an aqua bus to the market on Granville Island, visit the Vancouver Art Gallery to see the work of Emily Carr, shop in North America’s second largest Chinatown, hike on Grouse Mountain, and cross the swaying Capilano Suspension Bridge – if you dare.

A ferry will transport you from the mainland to Vancouver Island where you can enjoy a couple of days in Victoria to visit the British Columbia Parliament buildings, explore Fisherman’s Wharf, enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, and wander through Butchart Gardens.

With a few extra days, you can extend your itinerary with an island road trip to include the city of Nanaimo, surf lessons at the beachside community of Tofino, learning about the island’s First Nations communities, hiking among giant trees in old-growth rainforests and whale watching on the coastal waters.

Read 10 Fun Things To Do in Victoria, British Columbia

2. Banff to Jasper Road Trip

A Canadian Rockies road trip between Banff and Jasper National Parks in Alberta should be on everyone’s Canadian bucket list! Stay in the town of Banff for a couple of days and explore the surrounding area (be sure to ride the Banff Gondola and enjoy the incredible views!) then hit the road to visit two iconic Canadian lakes – Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

The Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper is one of the most scenic drives in the world and a not-to-be-missed highlight of this road trip! Along the way, you will enjoy incredible scenery including mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and glacial lakes as well as a stop to explore the Columbia Icefields – the 10,000 year-old field of ice that straddles Banff and Jasper National Parks. We loved our stay at Glacier View Lodge – enjoying glacier views from your hotel room is an unforgettable experience!

Jasper is a mountain town with a completely different vibe than Banff and you will want to spend some time exploring here as well. A must while in Jasper is a boat cruise on the glacial waters of nearby Maligne Lake which includes a stop to see Spirit Island – one of Canada’s most photographed locations.

If you want to splurge on a luxury hotel stay, there are a few bucket list Canadian hotels to choose from on this trip including three Fairmont properties – Banff Springs, Chateau Lake Louise and Jasper Park Lodge.

Read Banff to Jasper Road Trip: A 6 Day Tour of the Canadian Rockies

3. Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin Island, located in the north channel of Lake Huron on the Ontario side, is the largest freshwater island in the world (2,766 square kilometres) and a popular destination with nature lovers who enjoy the island’s rugged landscape, extensive hiking trails and numerous inland lakes. We have a family cottage on the island and have been spending part of summer vacation there with our kids for more than 25 years – it’s honestly one of my favourite places in the world!

Island highlights include Bridal Veil Falls, the Cup and Saucer hiking trail, the Providence Bay beach and boardwalk and the opportunities to learn about First Nations culture. Take the Chi Cheemaun ferry from Tobermory to South Baymouth and the journey to the island will be part of the adventure!

Read 15 of the Best Things To Do on Manitoulin Island

4. Ottawa and Montebello

If you’re not sure whether you want a city break or a resort vacation this summer then consider combining a few days in Canada’s capital with outdoor fun at one of the country’s best resorts – Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello.

The nation’s capital, Ottawa, is a fabulous place for a summer vacation – for families, couples or solo travellers. Start with a stroll on Parliament Hill, cruise the Ottawa River for a splendid view of the city, relax in countless parks and green spaces, shop and eat in Byward Market, enjoy a music festival, visit one of the many world-class museums in the city or tour Rideau Hall to see the official residence of the Governor General. Summertime in our picturesque capital can’t be beat!

Less than 100 km (about an hour’s drive) from Ottawa (midway between Montreal and Ottawa), Fairmont Le Château Montebello is ideal for a resort vacation in Québec – especially for families. The red log cedar château located on the shore of the Outaouais River is the world’s largest log cabin and is known for its rustic charm, unique architecture, and natural surroundings. The luxury resort has a lengthy roster of year-round activities that kids will love including horseback riding, tennis, golf, bicycling, and swimming.  

Guests can also visit the nearby Whitefish Lake to swim, try canoeing and kayaking and have a picnic lunch. Day trips can be arranged for cycling and white water rafting or to the Arbraska Laflèche Park for ziplining and aerial courses. Visitors interested in wildlife can visit nearby Omega Park to view a wide variety of wild animals from the safety of their own car or visit up close with some friendly deer on the walking paths.

Read 10 Fantastic Free Things To Do in Ottawa

5. Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island may be Canada’s smallest province but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of things to do in PEI. Our family has visited the island 10 times and haven’t found ourselves bored yet!

Top things to do in PEI include outdoor activities, family-friendly attractions, historic sites, arts and culture and much more. One of the top attractions is Prince Edward Island National Park which is known for its sandy beaches but you can also enjoy hiking and biking trails, historic sites and activities, or just admire the stunning landscapes. The island is also known for a fictional red-haired orphan created by Lucy Maud Montgomery and there are many Anne of Green Gables things to see and do on Prince Edward Island for both serious and casual fans.

Whether your ideal holiday is jam-packed with activities or involves taking it easy and enjoying a slower pace you will find that a Prince Edward Island vacation meets all of your needs.

Read 25 Fun Things To Do in Prince Edward Island on Your Summer Vacation

6. Newfoundland

If you love nature, culture and history then you can’t go wrong with a summer vacation in Newfoundland (aka “the Rock”)! Canada’s easternmost province (along with Labrador) is known for dramatic natural beauty, wildlife watching, colourful fishing villages, and friendly people who welcome “come from aways” to their island home. I have only visited once but have had a return trip on my travel wish list ever since because we couldn’t fit all we wanted to see and do into one trip!

In the area around the provincial capital of St. John’s, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and harbour at Signal Hill National Historic Site, stand on the most easterly point in North America at the Cape Spear Lighthouse, and learn about the history of the area at the historical Quidi Vidi fishing village. Be sure to drive out to the Avalon Peninsula to visit Witless Bay and the Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve to see tens of thousands of puffins and other seabirds and plan for a picnic at Ferryland Lighthouse – the views are incredible!  

Our family also enjoyed a stay in Terra Nova National Park where we explored the surrounding area including Elliston where you can view a colony of puffins on an island sanctuary without setting foot on a boat, the brightly-coloured buildings in the village of Trinity, and the iconic red-striped lighthouse in Bonavista.

In Western Newfoundland, a boat tour through the majestic fjords of Gros Morne National Park will impress outdoor enthusiasts and visits to the L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site and the nearby Norstead (a re-created Norse trading post) will educate about the first Viking settlements in North America.

Depending on when your summer vacation takes place then you might be able to include some iceberg viewing in your itinerary. The best time of the year to see icebergs is generally late May to early June and Twillingate, Bonavista, Cape Spear and Witless Bay are popular places for viewing. (If you’re interested in seeing icebergs then be sure to check out Iceberg Viewing Tips from the Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism.)

Read 10 Things To See and Do in St. John’s, Newfoundland

7. Halifax and Cape Breton Island

Another favourite east coast vacation is spending a few days in Halifax followed by a visit to Cape Breton Island.

In Nova Scotia’s capital city of Halifax, visitors can learn more about the Titanic and the Halifax Explosion at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, tour the city and the harbour on the Harbour Hopper amphibious vehicle, explore the Halifax Citadel to see what life was like in the fort in the 1800s and eat as much lobster as is humanly possible. The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is also worth a visit – particularly the Maud Lewis gallery where the Canadian folk artist’s house is on permanent display.

An enjoyable (and must do) day trip from Halifax is the drive along the Lighthouse Route to see the famous lighthouse at picturesque Peggy’s Cove and then on to the historic village of Lunenburg where the famous tall ship Bluenose II may be docked.  

On Cape Breton Island visitors can drive the stunning Cabot Trail (one of the world’s best scenic drives), experience what life was like for early settlers at the Fortress of Louisburg National Historic Site (North America’s largest living history museum), enjoy a ceilidh and learn more about inventor Alexander Graham Bell in Baddeck. 

Read A Beautiful Scenic Drive Along the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Route

8. New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy Coast

Another unforgettable summer vacation experience can be had along New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy coast from Moncton to St. Andrews-by-the-Sea.

The Bay of Fundy experiences the highest tides in the world and the popular Hopewell Rocks site is one of the best places to experience those tides. Visitors can walk around on the ocean floor at low tide and return later at high tide to kayak in the bay – it’s a one-of-a-kind experience that you will never forget.

Farther down the coast, indulge a bit with a stay at the historic Algonquin Resort in the charming seaside village of St. Andrews-by-the-Sea. The Tudor-style hotel which overlooks Passamaquoddy Bay has been welcoming travelers since 1889 with its perfect blend of tradition and modern luxury. In the village, you can enjoy a stroll along the main street to browse the shops, galleries and boutiques, visit the 27 acre Kingsbrae Gardens and experience a thrilling whale watching tour in the Bay of Fundy.

If you’re travelling with children then Magnetic Hill Wharf Village will be a surefire hit! Just minutes from downtown Moncton you’ll find one of New Brunswick’s oldest tourist attractions. Magnetic Hill is an example of a “gravity hill” where the terrain creates the optical illusion that a car placed in neutral rolls back up hill (no need to spoil the fun by telling the kids that it’s just an illusion though!). The site also has a zoo, an amusement park, a heritage museum and an aerial adventure course – you might not be able to get the kids to leave!

Read Exploring the Bay of Fundy at Hopewell Rocks

9. Québec City and the Gaspé Region

One of the best Canadian family vacations that we have enjoyed was a recent trip combining a few days in the provincial capital of Québec with a road trip on the Gaspé Peninsula. We road tripped across Gaspé first and then spent a few days in Québec City on our way home but the reverse works just fine too.

Québec City, founded by Samuel de Champlain in 1608, was the first significant settlement in Canada and is one of the oldest cities in North America. The beautiful historic district of the city (Vieux-Québec), named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a very old world feel inspiring many visitors to compare it to a European vacation without leaving North America.

Whether you are interested in history, culture, shopping, outdoor activities or food there is so much to do in Québec that you are sure to fall in love with the city and want to return. One of my favourite places in Canada – I have visited 5 times and would happily return to wander the streets of Vieux Québec again and again!

The road trip through the Gaspésie region of Québec is one of the best road trips in Canada. On the scenic drive that loops around the peninsula, you will experience stunning landscape, natural wonders, historic sites, delicious food and enjoy the beautiful Canadian outdoors and wildlife. The Gaspésie region of Québec is one of the most popular destinations in the province for good reason!

Read A 6 Day Tour of the Beautiful Gaspé Region and 20 of the Best Things To Do in Quebec City on a Summer Visit

10. Muskoka Cottage Country

For anyone who loves the great outdoors, the Muskoka region of Ontario is one of the best places to enjoy a summer vacation. Located about two hours north of Toronto, vacationers can rent a cottage or stay at one of the regions beautiful resorts to enjoy the best of Ontario “cottage country”.

If you don’t have a cottage then consider a stay at one of the many resorts in Ontario’s summer playground such as JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa which is located in the heart of the historic resort area on one of cottage country’s most beautiful lakes and has a recreational schedule that will keep even the most active family busy.  

Boating, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, water-skiing, and swimming are just a few of the activities that will tire out the kids during the day and then after the sun has gone down they can roast s’mores over the fire pit at the front of the resort. It may just become a family tradition.