If you are looking for the best family vacations in Canada, then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve teamed up with my fellow travel bloggers to highlight the best places to visit in Canada with family. Here we’ll highlight the nearest airport, how to get to the city, the best time of year to visit, and the best attractions or excursions to do while there. Our best family vacations in Canada round up are meant to be a minimum 3 day itinerary. This can be a long weekend trip or even longer depending on your schedule and the amount of activities you want to experience in each city.
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Cities for the Best Family Vacations in Canada
Montreal
- Nearest Airport: YUL: Montreal-Trudeau International Airport
- How to get there from the airport: Free Shuttle Bus to main downtown area of Montreal
- Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall
- Accommodation Recommendation: Residence Inn by Marriott Montreal Downtown
- Top Activities:
- Old Port of Montreal
- Mont Royal Park
- Olympic Stadium/Montreal Tower
- Montreal Biodome
There are so many family things to do in Montreal, Canada. From fun to educational to unique, Montreal has it covered. With a 3 day Montreal itinerary, you can see the highlights that this city has to offer. For an educational experience, there are multiple walking tours available which typically take a few hours to complete. Each focus on different parts of Montreal, whether it be Old Montreal near the port, Little Italy and the Jean Talon Market, or Underground City and the downtown area.
If you want all the information without the walking, you can always choose to do a guided bus tour instead or even a hop on hop off bus tour.
For a fun family experience, you can get a Montreal 5 Attractions Pass. Part of this pass is admission to fun Montreal attractions like the zoo, biodome, Montreal tower, Montreal eye, Oasis immersion, multiple museums, and much much more.
Don’t forget that Montreal sits right along the St. Lawrence River. So take in a different view of Montreal via the river with all different types of river cruises. Need help planning your vacation, visit my Montreal travel guide blog post coming soon for all you need to know.
Victoria
- Nearest Airport: YYJ: Victoria International Airport
- How to get there from the airport: Bus 88 to 72, Taxi, or Uber
- Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall
- Accommodation Recommendation: The Oswego Hotel
- Top Activities:
- Butchart Gardens
- Whale Watching
- Downtown Victoria/Craigdarroch Castle
The city of Victoria is a very popular cruise line port destination especially for Alaska cruises. Most of the time, the cruise port stop only allows you a very short time to explore. That has more to do with the cruise line schedule, and definitely not because Victoria is lacking in things to do. In fact, you’ll find that it’s quiet the opposite and there are lots of things to do in Victoria. Given it’s popularity with cruise lines and location on the Salish Sea near the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find that it’s a great location for whale watching. With a bunch of different whale watching excursions at your disposal.
On the land side, you’ll find that Victoria is known for its popular Butchart Gardens. Butchart Gardens has been emulated in places like Walt Disney World’s World Showcase in Epcot. It’s an insanely large property filled with the most gorgeous variety of specific gardens like the Japanese Garden, Mediterranean Garden, the Rose Garden, and much more.
There are beautiful sights to see and history to learn in downtown Victoria. With walking tours, biking tours, or even food tours, you’ll learn even more about this beautiful coastal town.
Vancouver
Contributed by Karen from Forever Karen
- Nearest Airport: YVR: Vancouver International Airport
- How to get there from the airport: Taxi, ride-share or Skytrain, Vancouver’s Rapid Transit.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: June to September for warm weather or January for winter sports.
- Accommodation Recommendation: Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel
- Top Activities:
- Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
- Kids Only Market at Granville Island
- Grouse Mountain
- Vancouver Aquarium
- Science World
Located on the West Coast, spending five days in Vancouver allows you to see its top sites, although you’ll want to stay longer. With mountains to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west, Vancouver provides a picturesque destination for visitors.
Its top-rated attraction, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, invites visitors to walk a wobbly bridge across the Capilano River. Here, you can climb high into the trees on Treetops Adventure, a fun activity for children of all ages. In winter, the park hosts "Canyon Lights," an event that features thousands of twinkling fairy lights.
Just north of the bridge, you can ski at Grouse Mountain in winter or enjoy hiking in summer. Summer activities include zip-lining, an obstacle course, a lumberjack show, and a grizzly bear enclosure featuring Vancouver’s local stars, Grinder and Coola. Both attractions are accessible by a complimentary shuttle from downtown.
If you’re visiting in summer, Kitsilano, English Bay, and Second Beach provide great spots for a family picnic. Northeast of Second Beach, you’ll also find the Fox’s Den spray park and Aquarium, both in Stanley Park.
False Creek, a narrow waterway south of downtown, begs for exploration. Use the Aquabus or Granville Island ferries to cross from one side to another. With multiple stopping points, you can spend a few hours at Granville Island, which has a market just for kids, or get off at The Village, close to Science World.
Yellowknife
Contributed by Kenny from Knycx Journeying
- Nearest Airport: YZH: Yellowknife Airport
- How to get there from the airport: City Cab or self-driving
- Best Time of Year to Visit: mid-November to March
- Accommodation Recommendation: The Explorer Hotel
- Top Activities:
- Northern Lights viewing
- Ingraham Trail
- Skiing or dog sledding
Viewing the amazing and magical northern lights is on many travelers’ bucket lists. Having said that, the chance of catching this natural phenomenon depend on a lot of factors. Yellowknife in Canada is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, as it has a 90 percent chance of sightings during the winter (between mid-November and March).
Yellowknife’s nearest airport is Yellowknife (YZF) Airport and it is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away from the city’s center. The best way to get around Yellowknife is self-driving. It is also possible to get a city cab at the airport when you plan a northern light trip in Yellowknife with your family.
Yellowknife is well-known for northern lights viewing with well-rounded facilities and professional travel agencies. The city has a popularity of slightly over 20,000 inhabitants, and it is the largest city in the Northwest Territories. It is recommended to stay at the Aurora Village – and since Yellowknife has extremely low light pollution, with a high latitude, it has a long and cold winter with clear dark nights. Visitors may be surprised that they can get a glimpse of the northern lights outside their hotel window at 7 p.m.!
For a better chance of a sighting, stay in Yellowknife for at least three to four nights. Sign up on a local tour or visit aurora village first to learn a bit more about the where and how to see the Northern lights, with the comfort of a cozy blanket and a hot drink. During that time, take a hike to the Ingraham Trail, go skiing or dog-sledding.
Ottawa
Contributed by Kim from Explore Your Bucket List
- Nearest Airport: YOW: Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport
- How to Get There From The Airport: The public bus system provides service from the airport to downtown. Additionally, taxis and Uber are available.
- Best Time of the Year to Visit: Ottawa is a year-round destination with festivals, events and attractions available in all seasons.
- Top Activities:
- World-class museums
- Outdoor activities and parks
- Annual festivals and events
Canada’s capital city Ottawa is a wonderful place for families to visit. With several year-round activities, the city is perfect for a weekend getaway at any time of the year.
In the warmer weather, many outdoor excursions are available, such as white-water rafting, boating, ziplining, canoeing or hiking, allowing a family to take in the fresh air and beautiful surroundings of the river and hills.
In the cooler weather, head indoors to enjoy amazing museums such as the Museum of Nature, the Canadian Museum of History, including the Children’s Museum, and the Museum of Science & Technology. And be sure to plan ice skating on the Rideau Canal – a longstanding tradition in the city.
Ottawa also hosts some fantastic festivals annually that are family-friendly and available in all seasons. These include Canada Day festivities, the Ottawa Children’s Festival, the Tulip Festival and Winterlude.
With loads of eateries and a wide range of accommodations, Ottawa is the perfect destination for a family vacation.
Mont Tremblant
Contributed by Chanelle Rosenbaum from Chasing Chanelle
- Nearest Airport: YUL: Montréal-Trudeau International Airport
- How to get there from the airport: It’s about a 1 hour and 30 minute drive from the airport. You can rent a car at the airport, or book a private transfer or shuttle bus to Mont Tremblant.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: Winter (December to March)
- Accommodation Recommendation: Sommet des Neiges
- This hotel is right at the base of the mountain and has a range of family-friendly rooms and facilities, including a play room and babysitting services.
- Top Activities:
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Ice skating
- Snow tubing
- Sleigh Rides
- Ziplining
Mont-Tremblant is a small city nestled in the heart of Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains, best known for its village-style ski resort, which is East Coast Canada’s premier ski destination. With a vibrant atmosphere, tons of fun activities suitable for all ages, and more budget-friendly options than many of its west coast counterparts, Mont-Tremblant is a great destination for the best family vacation in Canada.
Winter is the best time to visit, for Quebec’s best skiing and snowboarding and a wide range of other winter activities. In particular, families will love the ski resort’s quaint pedestrian village and free outdoor facilities and entertainment, including several public skating rinks, street performers, and a playground made out of ice!
And the fun doesn’t end here. In winter, Mont-Tremblant also has snow tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, sleigh rides, ice fishing and snowmobiling, as well as year-round activities like laser tag, paintball, a virtual reality arcade, art classes and spas. Plus, you can put the kids into snow school if you want to hit the slopes without them for a day or two.
Or, if you’re more interested in taking a summer vacation, Mont-Tremblant is also a fantastic destination in the warmer months, with hiking, ziplining, biking, beaches, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, rafting, water sports, mini-golf, luge, rock-climbing, and much more!
Whistler
Contributed by Taryn Eyton from Happiest Outdoors
- Nearest Airport: YVR: Vancouver International Airport
- How to get there from the airport: Drive or bus (2 hours)
- Best Time of Year to Visit: Winter (December to March) or Summer (late June to early September)
- Accommodation Recommendation: Summit Lodge
- The rooms are large, have kitchens, and there’s an adorable monster stuffy on each bed.
- Top Activities:
- Ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola
- Easy hikes with great views
- Skiing and snowboarding
Whistler is a great family getaway any time of year. Summer is a great time to visit to spend time in nature. Ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. It is one of the longest rope span gondolas in the world and has incredible views. Kids will also love walking across the suspension bridge at the top of Whistler Peak.
There are also tons of great hikes in Whistler, perfect for kids. Hike to graffiti-covered rail cars in a rushing river canyon on the Train Wreck Trail. Or tackle the High Note Trail on Whistler Mountain, which wanders through wildflower meadows and past glacier viewpoints.
Whistler also has five different lakes, each with their own beachside parks for swimming, picnicking, and paddling. Pro tip: Lost Lake has the warmest water and lots of docks to jump off.
If you visit in the winter, don’t miss the world-class skiing and snowboarding. There’s tons of terrain to suit the whole family from beginner to expert. Tip: Reserve ski school far in advance - it sells out. If you need a break from your skis, head to the Magic Castle on Blackcomb Mountain or the Tree Fort on Whistler. These on-mountain playgrounds have slides, suspension bridges, and more.
Other popular winter activities for families include outdoor ice skating on the rink in the village center, snow tubing at the huge tube park, and watching skiers jump through a ring of fire at the Fire and Ice Show every Sunday night.
Calgary
Contributed by Rebecca Schwartz from Fab 5 Family Travel
- Nearest Airport: YYC: Calgary International Airport
- The airport is 20 minutes from downtown Calgary
- Best Time of Year to Visit: Summer
- Top Activities:
- Prince's Island Park
- Fort Calgary
- Calgary Tower
- Calgary Zoo
Calgary is a fantastic destination for the best family vacation in Canada. We recently spent some time here with our three kids. The airport is clean and easy to navigate. A small play area for toddlers and little kids is also a nice perk when flying with kids.
Calgary in June is my favorite time to visit due to the beautiful weather. In the warmer months, kid-friendly activities are abundant, such as biking, rafting through town, or exploring Prince Island's Park on a bike or scooter. The park also has a playground, public bathrooms, and areas for picnics. Don't forget to grab some ice cream too!
There's so much to see with kids in Calgary. You can spend some time at the zoo or Calaway Park, an amusement park. In July, there's the iconic Calgary Stampede! You can go to the top of the Calgary Tower for scenic city views.
For families who enjoy history, visit Fort Calgary and Heritage Park Historical Village, a massive museum of living history. The Village showcases life from the 1860's-1950's to teach visitors the region's rich history.
Quebec City
Contributed by Karissa from In Old Cities
- Nearest Airport: YQB: Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport
- How to get there from the airport: Taxi or bus (route 76 or 80)
- Best Time of Year to Visit: Summer
- Top Activities:
- Explore Old Quebec
- Cruise the St. Lawrence River
- Walk the Plains of Abraham
- Experience Montmorency Falls
To give your kids a taste of Europe in North America, head to charming Quebec City. Quebec City as we know it today was founded by the French in the 1600s, and the old city has retained much of its distinctly European feel.
Kids will especially love walking the historic walls of Old Quebec and running around the Plains of Abraham - a large park that once hosted a critical battle in the Seven Years' War. Be sure as well to ride the funicular between the lower and upper parts of Old Quebec, which is a highlight for lots of kids.
Don't miss the nearby Montmorency Falls, which you can see from a distance during a 90-minute boat ride down the St. Lawrence River (a must-do activity for families with kids who enjoy boats!). Better yet, drive or take a bus to the falls themselves. Depending on your family's interests and energy levels, you can take a cable car up to the top of the falls (where there's a zipline you can ride!), hike up a huge set of stairs, or simply enjoy the view (and the spray) from the base of the falls.
Charlottetown
Contributed by Sarah from In Search of Sarah
- Nearest Airport: YYG: Charlottetown Airport
- How to get there from the airport: Taxi, car rental, or public bus
- Book a car rental in advance, because summer is peak travel time for Charlottetown!
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May to September
- While summer is the best time to visit, since all attractions and restaurants are open, Charlottetown offers year-round fun if you know where to look!
- Accommodation Recommendation: Delta Hotels Prince Edward by Marriott
- Top Activities
- Explore Charlottetown’s waterfront
- Play on PEI’s beaches at PEI National Park
- Take a ride on the Harbour Hippo
- Visit historic lighthouses, like Point Prim
- Savour local flavours at Charlottetown’s best restaurants
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island is one of the best places for a family vacation in Canada! From the gentle breeze off the salty ocean, lush rolling fields, fiery sunsets, wide open spaces, lighthouses, history, and the freshest seafood you’ll ever find, Prince Edward Island is one of those places that’s perfect to travel with your family.
Charlottetown has a rich history and vibrant culture. Families can visit historic sites such as Province House National Historic Site, where the Charlottetown Conference took place in 1864, leading to the formation of Canada. Ride the Harbour Hippo for a unique experience kids will love; this amphibious vehicle takes you on a fun and memorable tour around Charlottetown.
PEI’s capital is an ideal spot for a family vacation because it’s easy to escape the city and explore around the island! There are tons of things to do near Charlottetown that are just a stone’s throw away. With 1100 km (684 miles) of coastline and beaches, there’s no shortage of choice for kids to play in the sand, go beach combing, kayaking, and swimming. It’s also a great excuse to visit some must-visit lighthouses on Prince Edward Island, like Point Prim - the province’s oldest lighthouse!
Of course, no visit to Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island is complete without visiting Cavendish, just 40 minutes from Charlottetown, for all things Anne-of-Green Gables! Or, head to Greenwich at Prince Edward Island National Park to walk a 2500 foot floating boardwalk and past several large sand dunes leading to a pristine beach.
Niagara Falls
Contributed by Joanna of Plan Before Land
- Nearest Airport: There are 3 nearby:
- YHM: Hamilton, Ontario, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport
- YYZ: Toronto Pearson International Airport
- BUF: Buffalo Niagara International Airport on the USA side
- How to get there from the airport: Drive
- Visiting Niagara Falls from Toronto Pearson is very straightforward and is mostly along one highway. The drive from Toronto can take up to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and can make for a great one day trip to Niagara Falls.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: Anytime!
- There is something happening in Niagara Falls year round, each season has its own charm.
- Being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, summertime is the busiest. If you want to avoid any season, avoid peak summer (July-August) and holidays.
- Accommodation Recommendation: Sheraton Fallsview Hotel
- They have family sized rooms with views of Niagara Falls from your window!
- Top 5 Activities
- Niagara City Cruises: Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour
- The Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory
- Bird Kingdom Niagara Falls
- Clifton Hill Niagara
- Waves Indoor Waterpark
Niagara Falls, Ontario is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and offers enough activities to keep visitors of all ages entertained!
Begin your trip by visiting the famed Niagara Falls themselves. Take the Voyage to the Falls boat tour, a 20 minute cruise that takes you up close and personal with the Niagara Falls. Make sure to wear the complimentary rain poncho, you may get wet!
Once you have spent some time admiring the Falls, head over to The Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory. Here you will have the opportunity to learn about this gorgeous insect species while hundreds fly around you! Wear colourful clothing and you may have a new friend sit on your shoulder. To continue with animal experiences, make a stop at the largest free flying aviary in the world, Bird Kingdom Niagara Falls. Here you will get to learn, interact with and feed some amazing birds from around the globe.
For the arcade game lovers in your family, spend a few hours along Clifton Hill. Ride the Niagara SkyWheel for amazing views, play mini golf on the dragon course and catch some celebrity sightings at the Wax Museum.
And for families craving some aquatic fun, look no further than Waves Indoor Waterpark. Located in Americana Conference Resort Spa is 25,000 square feet of water slides, playground structures and wave pools!
Niagara Falls is full of adventure and excitement for the whole family!
Halifax
Contributed by Joanna from The World in My Pocket
- Nearest Airport: YHZ: Halifax Airport
- How to get there from the airport: The local public bus, which is direct to Halifax city centre, or hire a car.
- Best time of year to visit: Spring or Autumn
- Accommodation recommendation: The Westin Nova Scotian
- Top Activities:
- Visit the Maritime Museum
- Take a harbor tour
- Stroll along the waterfront
- Visit the Citadel
- The Farmer’s Market
Halifax makes a perfect city for a family vacation in Canada. The city is relatively small and easy to explore by foot, even for the little ones. While a lot of people only spend one day in Halifax, the city has plenty of more things to offer that will easily fill up to a week. When you travel with children you want to keep a slow pace anyway. One of the main attractions of Halifax is the Maritime Museum, which hosts permanent exhibitions about Titanic, the Halifax explosion, and the Mi’kmaq First Nations Indigenous people of Atlantic Canada. If you visit the museum during the warmer months, you will be able to board the CSS Acadia. The Museum runs free educational tours several times a day.
Taking a harbor hopper tour is another great thing to do in Halifax for families. The boat is a hybrid that can be driven on land, but also sails on water. It is a fun tour with a very entertaining guide who makes everyone laugh.
The waterfront in Halifax is dotted with games and challenges for children, to keep them entertained while the adults enjoy a peaceful stroll. Don’t miss stopping at the large playing “wave”, which children love to climb.
Winnipeg
Contributed by Emilie from Love Life Abroad
- Nearest Airport: YWG: Winnipeg Richardson International Airport
- How to get there from the airport:
- Best Time of Year to Visit: Summer
- Accommodation Recommendation: Residence Inn by Marriott Winnipeg
- It offers rooms with separated bedrooms, full kitchen, and a pool with a waterslide
- Top Activities:
- The Forks
- Canadian Museum for Human Rights
- Fort Whyte Alive
Winnipeg is a wonderful city to explore with the family. Travelers will often overlook the Prairies and the city of Winnipeg, which is a shame. The city has so much to offer that you can easily spend 3 full days exploring Winnipeg and its surroundings.
The Forks is a central area in Winnipeg where you can walk around and learn about the region's history. The famous Canadian Museum for Human Rights is also nearby. When traveling with little ones, a stop at the Children’s Museum is also a must. When you visit the Forks area, please make sure you also cross the pedestrian bridge Esplanade Riel and explore Saint-Boniface. It’s the largest French community in Western Canada.
There are many other museums worth visiting in Winnipeg, such as the Manitoba Museum, the Royal Canadian Mint, and the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada.
If you’re looking for something unique, head outside the city to Fort Whyte Alive. It’s a large natural area where you can see prairie bison and other wildlife. But the most unique sight is the floating marsh boardwalk trail. You can easily forget you’re in a city in the middle of the Prairies.
Toronto
Contributed by Erin from Wanderlust with Kids
- Nearest airport: YYZ: Toronto Pearson International Airport
- How to get there from the airport: the Union Pearson Express runs from the airport to Union Station in downtown Toronto and takes just 25 minutes.
- Best time of year to visit: Late Spring/Early Fall
- Accommodation recommendation: Chelsea Hotel Toronto
- Top Activities:
- Ripley's Aquarium
- CN Tower
- ROM (Royal Ontario Museum)
- Hockey Hall of Fame
- Ontario Science Centre
Toronto is a great destination for a family vacation in Canada. As Canada’s largest city and the provincial capital of Ontario, there are plenty of family-friendly activities that combine fun with education, making it an ideal spot to spend a few days.
Begin your time in Toronto by climbing the iconic CN Tower. This Canadian landmark was the world’s tallest freestanding structure for over 30 years and still ranks as one of the tallest in the world. Opt to visit in the morning to beat the crowds and enjoy the awe-inspiring views. Elevators take you up to the observation levels where you’ll have fantastic views of the city, and make it accessible for everyone in the family.
After taking in the city views, head to Ripley’s Aquarium, which is located at the base of the CN Tower. This underwater world is Canada’s largest indoor aquarium, with more than 20,000 animals and plenty of hands-on experience to touch different creatures.
Just across the street from Ripley’s Aquarium and the CN Tower is Roundhouse Park, with a fully restored locomotive turntable and a collection of railway equipment. Kids will love seeing the full-sized trains, and it’s a quiet spot to relax before returning to the busy streets of Toronto.
For your second day in the city, head to the Royal Ontario Museum, known as the ROM. Kids will love the dinosaur exhibits and interactive displays that include everything from a Bat Cave to an Egyptian Exhibit. There are activities for everyone from young kids to teens, and even adults.
After exploring the museum, walk through Queen’s Park and then head down to explore the Hockey Hall of Fame, or take the subway to Casa Loma, Toronto’s very own castle where you can explore the fancy rooms or wander the grounds outside.
On your final day in the city, take a ferry ride to the Toronto Islands and enjoy the city skyline from a different vantage point. The islands are a popular spot to visit in the summer months. There are plenty of paths and trails to hike or bike, and beaches to relax on. There’s also Centreville Amusement Park, which is perfect for younger children with family-friendly rides and attractions.
Banff
Contributed by Jess of Uprooted Traveler
- Nearest Airport: YYC: Calgary International Airport
- How to get there from the airport: From Calgary, it’s an hour and a half drive west to Banff. While you can get there via bus or shuttle, your best bet will be renting a car to explore the sights around this beautiful national park.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: Banff in summer, especially July and August, is absolutely spectacular, with the perfect weather to explore the outdoors—pleasantly warm weather and clear skies.
- Accommodation Recommendation: The Rimrock Resort Hotel Banff
- This upscale hotel is an excellent home base for your stay in Banff, with a convenient location close to the park’s best attractions, an indoor pool, and multiple restaurants onsite
- Top Activities:
- Walk around the rocky shores of Moraine Lake, which is famous for its Gatorade blue waters
- Rent a canoe and paddle through the milky blue waters of Lake Louise
- Glide 700 meters up the Canadian Rockies on the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain
- Splash around at the Banff Upper Hot Springs, which has been in operation since 1886
Nestled in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, Banff is renowned as one of the most stunning places in Canada.
There’s so many things for families to do in this mountain town and the national park that surrounds it. For example, for a more educational experience, consider going on a guided wildlife tour, where your family can keep an eye out for the critters that call this park home, including bear, bald eagles, and elk—from a safe distance, of course!
Alternatively, this can be a great destination to introduce little ones to hiking trails. For example, Peyto Lake leads you to a viewpoint, overlooking a shockingly turquoise alpine lake sitting at the foot of a massive mountain. Johnston Canyon is another unique option that follows a catwalk through a deep canyon, suspended directly above the rushing Bow River.
While most travelers visit Banff in the summertime, December through February can be a good option as well, given that the area transforms into a winter wonderland. For example, you can take your kids ice skating directly on Lake Louise, as the Rockies tower overhead. Afterwards, get a ski lesson at the Lake Louise Ski Resort (or the two other ski resorts in town!), where you can enjoy the fairytale castle-like view of the historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. At night, you might even get lucky and see the Northern Lights on full display.
Canmore
Contributed by Melissa from Parenthood and Passports
- Nearest Airport: YYC: Calgary International Airport
- How to get there from the airport: The best way to get to Canmore from Calgary is to rent a car and drive, however, there are also shuttles or private transfers you can book if you prefer not to drive.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: Summer
- Accommodation Recommendation: Solara Resort - Bellstar Hotels & Resorts
- Top Activities:
- Hiking
- Water activities such as canoeing, paddle-boarding on the lake or white water rafting on the Bow River
- Explore the former mining town
- Canmore is considered the gateway town to Canada’s incredible Banff National Park. Located just outside the east entrance to the park, Canmore makes a great base town for families who want to explore the national park without actually staying in it.
The former mining town is now a rustic and artistic destination, home to lots of cute shops, restaurants and art galleries. If visiting in summer, plan to spend at least one day exploring Banff National Park, hiking along some of the most popular trails like Johnston Canyon, and visit some of the park’s famous lakes like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Outside of the park, you’ll find plenty of great hiking trails, like Grotto Canyon, or go for a leisure walk along the Three Sisters Pathway, which provides epic views of the three mountain peaks known as the Three Sisters.
The trails outside of Banff National Park are just as beautiful as many of the popular hikes within the park, but lack the crowds - making Canmore a great alternative to Banff if you’re looking to save money and avoid the crowds of people that flock to Banff each summer.
St. John's
Contributed by Marianne from The Journeying Giordano's
- Nearest Airport: YYT: St. John's International Airport
- How to get there from the airport: 13-minute drive into the city from the airport, or 1 hour and 20 minutes by public transit.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: June to August
- Accommodation Recommendation: Fairfield In & Suites St. John's Newfoundland
- Top Activities:
- Signal Hill National Historic Site
- The Rooms
- Cape Spear
- Jellybean Row
- Whale and Puffin watching
St John's, Newfoundland is an awesome place to visit with kids. There are a ton of family-friendly things to do, and the locals are super friendly.
If you are into history, visiting Signal Hill National Historic Site is a must. Learn about Marconi's first wireless message, take in the fantastic views, and stroll around the grounds. Don't forget to stop into the Chocolate Cafe - the frozen drinks are to die for!
The Rooms is another interesting place to visit in St John's. This museum actually combines art with the history of Newfoundland and Labrador. The displays were interesting and informative and covered a wide variety of topics. Of course, the kids will love the hands-on exhibits.
Cape Spear Lighthouse is another must-see attraction. After all, it's not every day you get to stand at the easternmost point of North America! The Lighthouse and views are gorgeous, but make sure that walk the trails. There are cannons and hidden tunnels to explore as well!
Jellybean Row is just fun. These colorful houses are the best place to grab that Instagrammable photo. Go for a leisurely stroll in the area and just admire the architecture and colors.
Lastly, you can't go to St. John's without heading out on a Puffin and Whale Watching tour. While technically a short drive outside the city, Gatherall's in Bay Bulls is the best. Not only is the tour fun for all ages, but they will also do a family-friendly version of being Screeched-In during the cruise!
Golden
Contributed by Jessica Sproat of Next Up Adventure
- Nearest Airport:
- YYC: Calgary International Airport is 3 hours from Golden
- YLW: Kelowna International Airport is 4 hours from Golden
- YKA: Kamloops Regional Airport is 4.5 hours from Golden
- How to get there from the airport:
- Rent a car. You will pass through Canmore, Banff National Park, Lake Louise and Yoho National Park on the way to Golden, which are all great stops if you have time on a longer Western Canada road trip!
- If you prefer, you can also book shuttles from the Calgary airport to Golden
- Best Times of Year to Visit: Winter (which is long in Golden and you can ski into April) or Summer to fully explore the mountains and surrounding National Parks.
- Accommodation Recommendation:
- Prestige Inn Golden
- A more traditional style hotel with onsite swimming pool, hot tub, restaurant, and fitness centre, located in downtown Golden which is walking distance to many shops and restaurants.
- Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
- Copper Horse Lodge
- Winston Lodge
- Whispering Pines
- Many of these homes are set up perfectly for families with bunk rooms, large kitchens, and even hot tubs.
- Prestige Inn Golden
- Top Activities
- Skiing at a world renowned mountain resort at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
- Hiking, walking, or biking the local trails
- Yoho National Park
- Visiting the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge
- Visit the Golden Suspension Bridge Park
Located in interior British Columbia, Golden is nestled in some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Canada. Although many don't stay here for long, there is plenty to do to spend 3 days (or more) here! Golden is surrounded by mountains and National Parks, and once you visit, you'll want to come back!
Golden is just a short drive along the Trans Canada highway from Yoho National Park, and the famous turquoise waters of Emerald Lake. Visitors of all ages and physical abilities can explore the park by checking out Emerald Lake, the short trail to Takakkaw falls, and the slightly longer (5km) and very family friendly trail to Wapta Falls. You could easily spend a day or 2 doing this. If you have the ability, spending a night at the stunning Emerald Lake Lodge means easy access to these beautiful locations.
Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park - a huge stunning waterfall you can safely get up close to
While staying in Golden, you will definitely want to visit the relatively new, Golden Sky Bridge Park. This park features Canada's highest suspension bridges, there are 2 bridges that cross a 426 foot canyon, complete with waterfalls and stunning mountain views. This park is also home to an epic suspension bridge playground suitable for all ages, and a delicious cafeteria style restaurant. The park also has a canyon swing and mountain coaster.
Another must do activity in Golden is to visit the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge, home to Boo, an orphaned Grizzly Bear. I learned so much about bears and Grizzlies by attending one of the ranger programs, this is an experience I will never forget! If you book one of the interpretive programs, allow about 3 hours for this.
The local trails around Golden are hidden gems. Whether you are interested in a leisurely stroll through the downtown core visiting shops and boutiques, the weekly farmers market, or taking in the scenery of the Kicking Horse river crossing the Kicking Horse pedestrian bridge the paths through town are stunning. It's also very easy to get on to a trail head to the local lake, you can run or walk right from town. If you visit in the summer, add a day at the beach at Cedar lake, or a visit to the outdoor pool and splash park to your itinerary and enjoy swimming and splashing in the sun!
There are numerous delicious restaurants to explore in Golden as well including bakeries, fine dining, breweries, and Mexican food. You likely won't be able to visit all the restaurants in one trip! A few of my favorites are Reposados Tacos, Eleven 22, and Wandering Fern Cafe.
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