A traveler’s guide to the coastlines, culture, and charm of Canada
Canada‘s vast expanse offers families an unparalleled playground where ancient history meets modern adventure, wilderness meets cosmopolitan culture, and every province holds unique treasures waiting to be discovered. From coast to coast, this remarkable country provides experiences that ignite children’s imaginations while creating lasting memories for the entire family.
1. Digging into deep time: Alberta’s dinosaur adventures
What: Join real paleontologists on authentic dinosaur excavations
Where: Dinosaur Provincial Park and Drumheller, Alberta
Season: May through October
In the sun-baked badlands of Alberta, families can literally unearth history with their own hands. Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is where some of the world’s biggest dinosaur fossils have been uncovered and offers guided excavations with professional paleontologists. At the nearby Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, kids can also cast fossils while learning about the many tools and techniques of paleontology.
Pro tip: The museum also offers week-long summer camps for budding young scientists.
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Heading to Nova Scotia in the summer? Give your kids the incredible experience of a lifetime in Nova Scotia during the summer. See multiple whale species while on a whale watching excursion in the Bay of Fundy or from shore. Photograph by Lance Bellers, Alamy Stock Photo
2. Coastal giants: Whale watching in Nova Scotia
What: Spot humpback, minke, and fin whales from boat or shore
Where: Halifax Harbor and Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia
Season: June through October
Nova Scotia’s position between the Atlantic Ocean and Bay of Fundy creates ideal conditions for encountering marine wildlife. The province’s waters host multiple whale species, which makes sightings almost guaranteed during the summer months. Educational programs at the Marine Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax help families understand these ocean giants before heading out to sea.
Pro tip: Book a whale watching tour departing from Halifax in the afternoon when sea conditions are typically calmer.
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3. Wildlife spectacles: Manitoba’s natural phenomena
What: Witness polar bears and snakes in their natural habitats
Where: Churchill and Narcisse Snake Dens, Manitoba
Season: October-November for polar bears, late April-early May for snakes
Manitoba offers families two of North America’s most extraordinary wildlife spectacles. In Churchill, families can observe hundreds of polar bears gathering along Hudson Bay as they wait for sea ice to form, creating one of the world’s premier Arctic wildlife viewing opportunities.
At the Narcisse Snake Dens, tens of thousands of red-sided garter snakes emerge from underground hibernation sites in late spring, creating a writhing carpet of serpents in one of nature’s most unusual mass gatherings.
Pro tip: Both experiences provide unparalleled opportunities for wildlife photography and natural science education, allowing families to witness animal behaviors found nowhere else on Earth.
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Take a deep dive into Québec City’s rich history while taking a stroll along Rue Saint-Louis in the Upper Town area of Old Québec. Photograph by Ken Gillespie Photography, Alamy Stock Photo
4. Cultural immersion: Quebec City’s living history
What: Engage in living history
Where: Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec), Quebec City
Season: Year-round
Quebec City captivates visitors with the picturesque centuries-old buildings of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site. “Québec City is a living poem,” said Véronique Boulanger, communications and public relations advisor at Destination Québec cité. “A place where four seasons weave their magic into the cobblestone streets, where a culinary symphony delights the soul, and where French, British, and First Nations cultures dance together in a timeless embrace.”
Pro tip: The city offers family-friendly ghost tours, interactive historical exhibits at the Musée de la Civilisation, and seasonal festivals that bring history to life. Winter visits are particularly magical when the city celebrates Carnaval de Quebec and constructs a giant ice hotel where guests can spend the night.
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5. Natural wonders: Niagara Falls discovery in Ontario
What: Experience one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls
Where: Niagara Falls, Ontario
Season: Year-round
Seeing Niagara Falls is a rite of passage that’s sure to leave a mark on visitors of any age, making this Ontario destination essential for family travel. “Niagara Falls might be known for its natural beauty and awe-inspiring power, but what surprises and delights many who visit is the wide range of activities that will keep the family engaged at any age,” says Joel Noden, board chair for Niagara Falls Tourism.
Pro tip: The Maid of the Mist boat tours provide thrilling close encounters with the falls’ thundering waters, while the Journey Behind the Falls allows families to experience the intense power from within the rock face itself.
6. Coastal adventures: Prince Edward Island’s beach and literary heritage
What: Explore pristine beaches and Anne of Green Gables heritage sites
Where: Prince Edward Island National Park and Green Gables Heritage Place, PEI
Season: May through October
Prince Edward Island offers families a variety of landscapes with rolling green hills, sandy beaches, and red sandstone cliffs. Combined with a delicious bounty of seafood, Prince Edward Island is the perfect environment for relaxed family vacations.
Families can combine active pursuits like cycling the picturesque Confederation Trail with cultural experiences at Green Gables Heritage Place, where Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved Anne of Green Gables comes to life through interpretive programs and period demonstrations.
Pro tip: Plan beach days for low tide when expansive sandbars create perfect conditions for young children to explore tidal pools safely.
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7. Mountain majesty: British Columbia’s wilderness experiences
What: Glacier hiking and mountain railway adventures
Where: Whistler and Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Season: Summer for hiking & biking, winter for skiing
British Columbia provides families with access to some of North America’s most dramatic mountain scenery. Victoria on Vancouver Island offers everything from whale watching excursions to ancient rainforest exploration in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
Whistler presents adventure-seeking families with exceptional versatility, featuring gentle bunny slopes for young beginners and challenging black diamond runs for experienced skiers and snowboarders.
Pro tip: The resort’s year-round gondola access allows families to experience stunning alpine environments even during summer months.
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8. Prairie exploration: Saskatchewan’s dark skies and cultural heritage
What: Experience vast prairie landscapes and Indigenous cultural programs
Where: Grasslands National Park and cultural centers, Saskatchewan
Season: Late-spring through early fall
Saskatchewan offers families the chance to experience Canada’s beautiful big sky country. Grasslands National Park provides Dark Sky Preserve opportunities for astronomical education alongside unique prairie ecosystem exploration.
Indigenous cultural centers throughout the province offer authentic experiences where families learn traditional practices like smudging, participate in cultural drumming ceremonies, and understand the deep connection between First Nations peoples and the land.
Pro tip: Visit during a new moon phase for optimal stargazing conditions and bring red flashlights to preserve night vision while navigating in the dark.
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9. Iceberg Alley: Newfoundland & Labrador’s natural spectacles
What: Watch massive icebergs drift past coastal viewpoints
Where: Twillingate and Trinity Bay, Newfoundland & Labrador
Season: May through September
Newfoundland & Labrador features Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, that encompasses nearly 700 square miles of land on Newfoundland’s west coast, providing a dramatic coastal scenery of fjords, eroded granite mountains and ancient rock formations. During Iceberg Alley season, families can witness 10,000-year-old icebergs drifting south from Greenland, creating spectacular photography opportunities and natural science lessons.
Pro tip: Download the Iceberg Finder app to track real-time iceberg locations and plan your viewing excursions for the best sighting opportunities.
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10. Northern Lights magic: Yukon Territory’s aurora adventures
What: Witness the aurora borealis dancing across arctic skies
Where: Whitehorse and surrounding areas, Yukon Territory
Season: September through March
The Yukon offers families one of nature’s most spectacular displays: the northern lights. Professional aurora viewing tours provide education about this natural phenomenon while maximizing viewing opportunities in the territory’s pristine dark skies.
During summer months, families can experience the midnight sun, participate in Indigenous cultural programs, and explore some of Canada’s most unspoiled wilderness areas through guided hiking and canoeing adventures.
Pro tip: Book aurora viewing tours that include heated viewing pods or indoor warming huts, as winter temperatures can drop 30° below zero Celsius.
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Natalie Preddie is a Toronto-based freelance journalist and TV host who covers family travel and culture. Follow her on Instagram.
