The Book of Nice: Explore some of the nice places Canada has to offer
From enjoying a chocolate walking tour in Montréal to experiencing the northern lights in the Yukon, Canada is full of nice things to do, nice things to see, and even nicer people to meet. Discover some of the remarkable places and experiences across the country that are featured in The Book of Nice.
From enjoying a chocolate walking tour in Montréal to experiencing the northern lights in the Yukon, Canada is full of nice things to do, nice things to see, and even nicer people to meet. Discover some of the remarkable places and experiences across the country that are featured in The Book of Nice.
Iconic cities
Our cities are among the friendliest places in the world to visit, offering warm welcomes and plenty of incredible things to see and do. Found in every province and territory, each Canadian city offers its own unique character while sharing in Canada’s welcoming atmosphere. Here are a few cities across Canada that you’ll love spending time in:
The French- and English-speaking city of Montréal is known for its creative culture coupled with its sophisticated, cosmopolitan charm. Each of its boroughs were once cities themselves and hold unique attractions, including the Gothic Revival Notre-Dame Basilica and the French-colonial Vieux-Montréal. Be sure to explore Mile End, a small neighbourhood peppered with trendy boutiques and cafés along with art galleries and workshops. Wherever your journey leads in Montréal, you can expect a friendly 'Bonjour Hi' wherever you go.
Toronto is a must-visit destination with family-friendly attractions, eclectic neighbourhoods, gourmet dining, and nature getaways just beyond the downtown core, like the serene Toronto Islands. Beyond the trendy, the tasty, and the tranquil, you'll also find attractions like the Toronto Zoo with more than 460 exotic and domestic species as well as the Royal Ontario Museum with its impressive historical collection. In Canada’s biggest city, you’ll quickly realize that Toronto’s vibe is as diverse as it is welcoming, making it a great spot to discover something new.
A hub of arts and culture, Vancouver is a city nestled beautifly on the shores of the Pacific Ocean next to the North Shore Mountains. Just a few minutes away from the city centre, you can find pristine wilderness and scenic beaches at places like Stanley Park and Kitsilano Beach. Creativity abounds in Vancouver with artists, chefs and local shops continually experimenting to create offerings that are rooted in West Coast history and culture. Explore the Museum of Anthropology to discover Indigenous artifacts and culture or explore regional artwork at the Vancouver Art Gallery. When you’re finished exploring the creative side of Vancouver be sure to check out the Capilano Suspension Bridge for breathtaking views of the Capilano River and forest canopy or Science World, a geodesic dome with exhibits that are sure to entertain and enlighten. Another highlight of Vancouver is the Pacific Spirit Regional Park, an extensive park with a network of trails that weave through forests and bogs teeming with wildlife.
Saskatchewan's Saskatoon offers rich cultural and historical attractions, a bustling food scene, and iconic bridges that stretch over the mighty Saskatchewan River. It's the fastest growing city in Canada, yet it has managed to hold onto its charm and character with quaint coffee shops, scenic riverside paths and welcoming locals. The culinary scene is particularly diverse, so it will be easy for you to find delicious eats whether you're looking for a sophisticated take on traditional comfort food or high-end European fare. In fact, Forbes magazine recently named it 'Canada's hottest new foodie destination'. This is exemplified in the city’s local bakeries like The Night Oven, the juxtaposition of gourmet and comfort food and hand-crafted cocktails at Ayden Kitchen & Bar, and the innovative, quirky and retro cuisine and surroundings at The Hollows. For an authentic Indigenous experience visit Wanuskewin Heritage Park and check out the Han Wi Moon Dinner for a culinary experience that utilizes locally foraged ingredients and integrates Indigenous storytelling and culture.
The harbourside city of St. John's is one of the oldest cities in North America, and its attractions take advantage of that history and the land's natural beauty. The harbour itself is the place to be, as it extends all the way into the city centre that's bustling with fun shops, cheery residents, and delicious restaurants that take advantage of local ingredients. You can get a view of it all from Signal Hill National Historic Site, where you'll also find the historic Queen's Battery. For a little added adventure, the East Coast Trail is easily accessible from the city with 300 km of trails starting just north of St. John's. On this trail, you'll see iconic views from towering cliffs and headlands with fjords and sea stacks. Wherever you plan to go in St. John's, you'll be met with friendly locals happy to show off the best aspects of their city.
Northern lights
Canada is one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights (otherwise known as the aurora borealis), a spectacular natural light show. The fascinating geological and atmospheric phenomenon occurs near the North Pole when electrically charged particles enter the earth’s atmosphere, creating dancing lights in vibrant green, pink, and blue hues. The lights come in many forms, such as small patches, arcs, streamers, and rippling curtains. The best time to catch the northern lights is between November and March, late in the night when the sky is at its darkest.
Located beneath the Auroral Oval, the Northwest Territories is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. The territory is blessed with both arctic and subarctic climes, crystal-clear nights, low humidity, and a prime location that showcases the northern lights on an average of 200 nights per year, giving you a great chance to see them for yourself. You can enjoy tours in both autumn and winter that may include 'aurora-hunting' experiences with rustic stays or luxurious lodges that immerse you in pristine nature. Aurora Village is particularly impressive, as it not only offers access to the light display but also features the V.I. Teepee Experience that includes a private dining experience alongside a cozy log fire.
The Yukon’s wild and wide-open spaces offer an outdoor playground for not only northern lights tours but all manner of adventure. Home to parks like Kluane National Park and Reserve and Ivvavik National Park, the Yukon is an excellent destination for experiences like hiking, mountaineering, snowmobiling, dog sledding and ice fishing. When you’re not out hunting for the aurora, be on the lookout for an abundance of wildlife, such as caribou, elk and grizzly bears.
Boasting rushing rivers, expansive tundra, and the chance to see polar bears and belugas, Manitoba is an excellent destination for outdoor adventure, wildlife viewing, and northern lights tours. Located in Northern Manitoba, right next to Hudson Bay, Churchill offers opportunities to see the northern lights in the winter, polar bears in the fall, and beluga whales in the summer. If you want to get up close to the native wildlife, Churchill has sturdy tundra vehicles for winter wildlife safaris to see the animals in their natural habitat.
The territory of Nunavut, which stretches farther north than anywhere else in Canada, is one of the best places to see the northern lights and understand the significance they hold in Inuit culture. A northern lights tour with a local tour operator can take you to the remote areas of the territory to see the magical light display and immerse yourself in the Inuit history. While you’re in Nunavut, you can deepen your experience at places like the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum, which holds Indigenous artwork, clothing and carvings.
Wildlife viewing
Fascinating wildlife can be found throughout Canada whether it’s among ancient cedars, mountain peaks or biodiverse marine environments. While you’re likely to spot terrestrial wildlife throughout the parks and natural areas, one of the best ways to see Canada's most iconic marine mammals is with a whale-watching tour.
Orcas
Renowned for their incredible beauty, orcas are a type of cetacean that travel in a pod. Orcas are prominent throughout the legends of Indigenous cultures as a symbol of harmony, travel, protection, community, family, and longevity. If you want to see these majestic animals in their natural habitat, breaching out of the water, swimming with dorsal fins above the water, and spy hopping, you’ll want to head to the west coast of Canada to Victoria and Telegraph Cove on Vancouver Island. There are plenty of knowledgeable tour operators to choose from, so pick your destination and then head out on the water.
Gray Whales
Gray whales take on one of the longest annual migrations of any mammal on earth. Each year in spring, tens of thousands of gray whales travel from Baja California along the western shore of Vancouver Island on their way up north from their summer feeding grounds. Growing up to 14.9 metres in length and weighing upwards of 41 tonnes, these creatures create an awe-inspiring spectacle when they breach the water's surface. For a few seconds, you’ll witness the iconic grey patches on their bodies and their enormous size before they submerge back into the sea. For the best chance of seeing these gentle giants, it’s recommended that you take a whale-watching tour by boat or seaplane along Vancouver Island’s west coast.
Humpbacks
Humpback whales are among the most popular whales to watch, thanks to their theatrical surface behaviours like breaching, tail slapping and fin slapping. When they breach, they hurl two-thirds of themselves out of the water in a powerful display, often twisting before landing on the water with a massive splash. Humpback whales commonly travel along the Canadian coast of the Atlantic Ocean and Labrador Sea, but Newfoundland and Labrador are home to some of the best places to see them with a whale-watching tour.
Belugas
Beluga whales are beautiful white whales that are known for their bulbous forehead, or 'melon', and highly expressive nature. Due to the flexibility of the melon, beluga whales are capable of a variety of adorable facial expressions. They are also incredibly vocal and often chirp, squeal, squeak, click and whistle to the other members of the pod, which can be anywhere from 10 whales to hundreds. Because the whales are extremely social, they’re likely to swim alongside boats on a whale-watching tour, so you might have an opportunity for up-close viewing and spectacular photos, particularly in Churchill, Manitoba.
Breathtaking mountain peaks found across the country make skiing a quintessential winter activity. Nestled at the base of these towering mountains, charming towns and resorts play host to a plethora of delectable culinary choices and adventurous winter experiences. Whether you're a first-time skier or looking for a new challenge, you'll never have to go too far in Canada to discover world-class winter adventure.
BC is among the most popular places to go skiing in Canada due to the iconic mountains and the variety of ski resorts tucked into them. You can find numerous spots that offer different experiences, including luxury amenities, beginner-friendly ski areas, backcountry terrain, après-ski activities, freestyle features and plenty of other complementary winter activities.
Top places to ski:
- Whistler Blackcomb
- Mount Washington
- Revelstoke
- SilverStar
- Sun Peaks
- RED Mountain
- Kicking Horse Ski Resort
- Big White
- Fernie
Alberta boasts spectacular ski resorts, thanks to its proximity to the Canadian Rockies. What makes it even sweeter for skiers is that world-class hills are driving distance from the province’s major cities like Calgary and Edmonton. Scattered throughout the mountains are family-friendly resorts with champagne powder to keep any traveller happy. Plus, each hill offers an array of resort features like aprés-ski spots, shopping at locally owned businesses and more. Alberta’s ski resorts offer other must-do winter activities, such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling and dog sledding.
Top places to ski:
- Ski Big 3: Mt Norquay, Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine
- Marmot
- Castle Mountain
Québec is home to the Laurentian Mountains, one of the most well-known ski destinations in Eastern Canada. Given the region's popularity, you'll find plenty of resorts with English- and French-speaking staff, including resorts in some of the lesser-known ski regions, like the Eastern Townships. One of the major draws of the Laurentians is the long ski season that typically lasts from late November through April. In addition to this you’ll also find a varied terrain of steeps, moguls, and glades spread over 3 ski regions for the ultimate adventure.
Top places to ski:
Ontario offers a delightful mix of skiing opportunities and mountain-town experiences that give you the chance to relax and unwind or ignite your sense of adventure. The legendary Blue Mountain, located near Toronto, is Ontario’s most beloved ski resort. Explore the resort’s wide array of ski runs then get cozy in your chalet before you partake in one of the many winter activities the area has to offer, like tubing or skating. Get in touch with nature and head out on the many hiking trails that are ideal for.
Top place to ski:
From vibrant cities and adventures off the beaten path to pristine nature and iconic wildlife, let your imagination run wild and discover adventure just beyond your front doorstep. Canada wrote the book on nice, let's write the next chapter together.