Canada is a beautiful country with many wonderful places to visit. Whether you are looking for natural beauty or cultural exploration, Canada has something for everyone. Toronto and Montreal are the two most popular destinations for tourists which you should consider visiting on your next vacation! You can easily make this a two-week trip if you visit both cities.
Planning a Vacation to Toronto, Canada
Toronto is one of the most vibrant, fast-paced cities in North America. It’s filled with endless amounts of things to do and see for any tourist, from landmarks like the CN Tower to famous attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium to lively neighbourhoods like the Distillery District. There’s always something to do in this cultural and diverse city, which is why it’s one of the best cities for tourists. There are also plenty of outdoor activities that can be done year-round – seeing Niagara Falls, skiing at Blue Mountain Resort, or hiking at the Scarborough Bluffs. Toronto is famous for a lot of things. Cultural diversity, food, landmarks, sports, business and nature – literally everybody can find a way to enjoy Toronto. Below is a shortlist of our favourites to get you started.
1. Go sightseeing in Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is the most famous natural wonder in Canada and is definitely worth a visit when you’re in Toronto. The waterfalls are beautiful and there are tons of attractions to keep you busy, like a boat tour. Niagara Falls is also known for its wine and you can even visit a winery nearby if wine tasting is something that interests you. Visiting Niagara Falls will definitely be a highlight of your trip to Toronto! Make sure to take your camera for some great pictures. It’s actually really close to the city, so you can take a Toronto to Niagara Falls tour and make it a day trip.
2. Visit famous attractions
Toronto is full of wonderful attractions for tourists. The CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium and the Royal Ontario Museum are a few examples of the many attractions that are worth visiting. The CN Tower is one of Canada’s most iconic landmarks and provides amazing views of the city and a revolving 360′ restaurant. Ripley’s Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in North America and is home to over 20,000 marine animals. The Royal Ontario Museum is a well-known museum that features many different exhibits from all over the world in a natural setting. These are just a few of the options – but there are a lot more.
3. Watch a sporting event
Toronto is home to a couple of professional sports teams and it’s something that many people enjoy doing when they visit Toronto. The Toronto Maple Leafs (hockey), Toronto Blue Jays (baseball) and Toronto Raptors (basketball) are all based in the city. Watching a sporting event is something that many people enjoy doing because it’s an exciting experience and Toronto fans are known to be the most involved fans in North America (for better or worse)!
4. Tour Toronto’s famous neighbourhoods
Toronto has a lot of famous neighbourhoods that are worth visiting and include things like China Town, Distillery District and Kensington Market. China Town is a popular destination for tourists because it’s filled with many small shops and authentic Chinese cuisine. Distillery District is a great place to visit in Toronto because of the shopping, arts and culture scene. Kensington Market is a lively neighbourhood with lots of shops and restaurants. Visiting the different neighbourhoods is a great way to experience Toronto because it gives you an authentic taste of what life in Canada’s biggest city is like.
5. Eat at delicious restaurants
Toronto is a food lover’s paradise and has some of the best restaurants in North America. You can find anything and everything – Chinese, Israeli, Italian, Indian, Persian, Thai, Turkish, Ethiopian – really, everything! The best way to find a restaurant is to just type in “cuisine + near me” on Google. It doesn’t really matter which part of the city you’re staying in because you’ll find great food everywhere. If you’re in Downtown Toronto, you’ll be within walking distance from a ton of options.
Planning a vacation to Montreal, Canada?
Montreal is a great city for tourists to visit. It’s close to Toronto, so you can squeeze it into a multi-city trip, and there are plenty of things to do. Montreal has been called North America’s most European city because of its French roots and culture. It has good food, interesting history and beautiful architecture – not to mention the nightlife! If you’re going on vacation in Canada with your family or friends, Montreal should be at the top of your list. Below are some of the best things to do if you’re visiting Montreal.
1. Experience the nightlife
Montreal has arguably the best nightlife in North America and is a very popular destination for people who enjoy special bars and clubbing. The best way to experience the nightlife is by doing a pub crawl – either one you plan yourself, or an organized pub crawl. You’ll have tons of themed bar options in Montreal – and a big speakeasy (secret bar) scene.
2. Make your way to the top of Mount Royal
You might not know this but Montreal is a very hilly city. At the top of Mount Royale, you’ll be able to get a great panoramic view of the city. You’ll be able to hike to the top in one of two trails. The direct path will take about half an hour to get to the top. The longer route will go around the mountain.
3. Walk through Old Montreal
Old Montreal is a historic part of the city that has beautiful architecture. It can’t be said enough that you’ll find North America’s most beautiful buildings here. It’s especially stunning at night because of the lights and cobblestone streets. There are many shops, restaurants and cafes in Old Montreal that will keep you busy for hours.
4. Explore the Old Port
The Old Port is a waterfront area that consists of cafes, restaurants, shops and activities. Located right by Old Montreal, you’ll find fun day and night activities here. In the daytime, you can get desserts like churros and go ziplining. At night you can hang out at one of the bars. Plus, the Ferris Wheel is open in the day and evenings and gives you a great view of the city.
5. Eat poutine
Poutine is a national dish in Canada – and it comes from Quebec! In Montreal, you’ll find the best authentic poutine. Poutine comes in many different variations but they’re all made with a base of french fries, gravy and cheese curds. As odd as it may sound, it’s actually delicious and a great meal in the day or even after a night out.
Travelling to Toronto and Montreal will be a great vacation
If you’re looking for a fun and interesting vacation to take, be sure to consider visiting Toronto and Montreal. These two Canadian cities offer experiences everyone can enjoy – like the famous nightlife in Montreal or many attractions in Toronto. Plus, the two cities are so close to each other that you can visit both in one trip.