Canada is full of wonderful places to explore and so much to see and do. The cities of Canada (Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec) are no exception with a wide variety of things to do in each one. We have highlighted some of the most popular attractions and experiences to help inspire your trip:

OTTAWA:

Ottawa is Canada’s capital, a dynamic showcase city of more than one million people. Located at the Quebec boarder, it’s a place where you’ll hear English and French spoken in the streets; where you can discover Canada’s proud heritage at impressive national heritage sites and famous landmarks, including the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It’s a city steeped in culture, with world-class museums and galleries displaying stunning national collections and special exhibitions from Canada and around the world.

Parliament Hill

Home of Canada’s national government and the setting for national celebrations year round. Each morning during summer, the front lawn of Parliament Hill is the setting of the Changing of the Guard ceremony; each evening the public is invited to witness the awe-inspiring Sound and Light show – spectacular lighting effects and stunning giant images projected on the Parliament Buildings set to words and music.

ByWard Market

For nearly 200 years this rollicking public market has played host to artisans, farmers and craft merchants who converge year round to sell their speciality items and wares. The downtown market, just a short walk from Parliament Hill, also houses numerous cafés and some of the city’s best pubs and restaurants. And when the streetlights turn on, the market becomes one of the spots in Ottawa to grab a late night drink and catch some live music.

Rideau Canal

A historic waterway filled with boaters spring through fall and the world’s largest naturally frozen ice skating rink in winter – the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, winds through downtown Ottawa before connecting with the Ottawa River through stepped locks right next to Parliament Hill. It’s a beautiful place for a stroll no matter the season.

Outdoor & Adventure

Ottawa is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream destination, with an extensive network of scenic recreational biking paths, hiking trails and a significant number of golf courses close to downtown. The more adventurous can try whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Ottawa River, some of the continent’s finest.

Festivals

Ottawa is a city of celebrations, offering visitors a year around calendar of parties, festivals and special events.  On July 1st, the city celebrates the biggest party in the country, Canada Day. Visitors will also experience a host of music celebrations, including the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, Ottawa Chamberfest, and Bluesfest, which welcome some of the world’s biggest acts to the city.  In winter, Canada celebrates Winterlude during the first three weekends in February, and takes to the ice on the world’s largest skating rink, the Rideau Canal.

Culinary Scene

As one of Ontario’s designated culinary tourism destinations, the city, its restaurants and its local food producers are all working together to bring locally-grown and prepared foods to tables across the region through an initiative called Savour Ottawa.

City Tours

There are numerous tours and sightseeing options in the capital, from bird’s eye view see-the-whole-city type of tours, to niche companies that give you an in-depth understanding of a particular aspect of Ottawa. And you can choose your mode of transportation — bus, boat, plane, helicopter, bicycle or feet!

Neighbourhoods & Shopping

Unique Ottawa neighbourhoods offer distinctive shopping, dining and nightlife experiences across the Capital city. From Little Italy’s charming bars and restaurants, to the glorious new archway over Chinatown, there is plenty to experience in Ottawa’s varied neighbourhoods. Discover the unique ambiance of each.

MONTREAL:

When founded in 1642, Montreal was a mission names Ville-Marie. Today, with 3.4 million inhabitants, it’s a major inland port, an international metropolis and the world’s second-largest French speaking city. It’s juxtaposition of French and British influences gives rise to an exuberant creativity, reflected in its rich and festive cultural life!

The Leonard Cohen crescent street mural:

Covering an area of 10,000 square feet, the mural of Leonard Cohen completed in 2017 is based on a photograph taken by his daughter, Lorca Cohen, in 2008. The portrait overlooks the span of bars and restaurants on popular Crescent Street in the heart of downtown, and was created by a group of artists with the MU collective, including El Mac and Gene Pendon. Rising 21 storeys, the mural can be easily spotted from the top of the Mount Royal Observatory and vantage points in the city.

City Hall:

Montréal City Hall has a more turbulent history than its peaceful façade suggests. The building went up between 1872 and 1878, and survived a severe fire in 1922. And it was from this balcony that French President General de Gaulle uttered his famous “Vive le Québec libre!” (Long live free Québec) during a state visit in 1967. Take a moment to admire the Hall of Honour or, better yet, sign up for a guided tour. At dusk, when it is lit up it is absolutely spectacular. Behind the City Hall, two lines of stone runs across the surface. This is one of the few spots in present-day Montréal where you can still see physical evidence of the fortified town of yesteryear.

Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal:

A masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture, Notre-Dame Basilica was built between 1824 and 1829. The magnificent interior in wood and the boldly modern design of the Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur Chapel, captivate hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Paintings, sculptures and stained-glass windows illustrate biblical passages as well as 350 years of parish history. Let AURA take you through an exploration of an unexpected, stunning universe in an immersive light and sound show experience.

The Montreal Tower (Montreal Olympic Park)

At 165 metres high with a 45-degree angle, the Montréal Tower is the tallest inclined tower in the world. A one-of-a-kind, glass-encased funicular, which brings visitors on a breathtaking two-minute ride to the Tower Observatory, is the only one in the world built along a curved structure.

The Tower Observatory’s 360º panorama offers spectacular views—up to 80 kilometres on clear days—and has been awarded the highest rating of three stars by the renowned Michelin Guide. Visitors can also see, directly below, the Olympic Stadium, the Biodôme (formerly the Olympic Velodrome), and the Esplanade Financière Sun Life, a point of view providing a look at the organic forms of the Olympic Park inspired by aquatic wildlife.

Underground pedestrian network:

The name “the Underground City” refers to the vast network of pedestrian walkways below the city. There are 33 kilometres (20.5 miles) of connecting passageways beneath downtown, with the métro, commuter trains and buses also converging here. Approximately 500,000 people circulate daily on this network, where some 2,000 shops and restaurants, 10 major hotels, museums, theaters and universities can be found.

Montreal Botanical Garden- Space for life:

An oasis in the middle of the city for over 80 years and recognised as one of the largest and most beautiful in the world. Its rich collection of 22,000 plant species and cultivars, its 10 exhibition greenhouses, Tree House, and some 30 thematic gardens make the venue exceptional.

QUEBEC:

A North American city with European flair, Quebec City and area offers you a very special stay. Discover its culture and the legendary hospitality and lilting accent of its residents.

Stroll Old Quebec:

Walk along the fortified walls surrounding this UNESCO World Heritage Site and admire the view from many different vantage points. Visit various notable historical sites, such as Petit-Champlain District, Place Royale, the Plains of Abraham and the Parliament Building. As you stroll along the Dufferin Terrace, be sure to take a picture of world-famous Château Frontenac, the most photographed hotel on the planet!

Feel the Spray at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency

Whether you’re riding the gondola, climbing the scenic stairway or crossing the suspension bridge, the views of the Montmorency Falls are simply breathtaking. Experience the power of nature, only 15 minutes from downtown. For thrill-seekers, 3 via ferrata routes and a double zipline are a sure-fire way to get your adrenaline fix.

Explore Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier

This vast and mountainous plateau, crisscrossed by deep valleys and rivers, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. There are a multitude of ways to experience the park and its lush surroundings. Make your own expedition by hiking, snowshoeing, fishing, camping, canoeing or kayaking.

Appreciate Fine Art at MNBAQ

Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec houses a reference collection of more than 38,000 works—a comprehensive overview of Québec art from the 17th century to the present day. The museum spans 4 pavilions in the center of the magnificent Plains of Abraham.

Have Fun at Valcartier Vacation Village

This gigantic complex boasts a huge outdoor waterpark and a brand new indoor waterpark that is open year-round! A treetop adventure course and whitewater rafting round out the summer offerings. But there’s also plenty of winter fun to be had too at North America’s largest winter playground and at Hôtel de Glace, the only ice hotel in North America.

Enter the Fascinating World of Aquarium du Québec

Nearly 10,000 specimens from 300 species!