Whether you are visiting Canada or are planning a road trip, there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy during the Canadian summer. The natural beauty, just like its magnificent cities, attract many tourists all year long. To help you enjoy the summer to the fullest, we've compiled a list of the best Canadian activities.
What are the best Canadian activities in the summer?
1. Attend the Calgary Stampede
If you're visiting Canada and want to get a sense of what it's like to live here, visiting the Calgary Stampede is a good place to start. This western Canadian city takes on a decidedly wild character each July as streets are transformed into an authentic Old Western town. The image is completed with cowboys riding around on horseback and cooking up the best steaks.
You can watch rodeos or get your hands dirty at the chuckwagon races. Attending the Stampede is more than just following a few days of events; it also means being surrounded by all things western. Countless barbeques and parties are going on every night, and live music is constantly playing throughout the city.
2. Old Quebec City
While Old Quebec City is famous for its rich history and monuments, it has become a big tourist destination in recent years thanks to its cultural scene and great food. The city was built around the 16th century and was once one of the most prosperous cities in North America.
To get an idea of what life was like back then, check out the Musée de la Civilisation in Old Quebec City or visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts du Québec (MBAQ), which is part of Université Laval. While you could see each museum separately, we suggest you start with a guided tour through them all.
If you love walking down cobblestone streets and discovering gorgeous parks and gardens, seeing what's on sale at the local market, and watching the locals as they go about their daily lives, then Quebec City is for you.
3. Take a Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver Island
While whale watching is a popular activity throughout the world, Vancouver Island is one of the best places to see these magnificent creatures out on the open ocean. Several tour operators offer tours from Victoria, Sidney, and Port Renfrew. Several whale-watching cruises are available for those who want to go on an outdoor adventure.
One of the most popular options is the Orca Spirit Adventures 2.5-hour cruise from Victoria or Sidney. The whale-watching trips take place in small, 32-passenger boats that can get closer to the whales than the larger vessels. The tours include snacks and hot drinks and will allow you to see humpback, blue and fin whales, and other marine life such as porpoises and sea lions. Tours run year-round, with daily departures during July and August.
4. Camping in the Rockies
The Rockies are the oldest mountain range in North America, so the scenery is unlike anywhere else. Visitors are treated to dense forests and towering snow-capped peaks. If you're interested in nature and enjoy the outdoors, Canada can't be beaten. The best place to go camping in the Rocky Mountains is Banff National Park. Located in Alberta, this park encompasses a vast area of natural beauty. Camping spots abound, and some are even situated along the shores of Banff Lake.
The campsites have basic amenities like picnic tables and fire pits, but if you want to bring your house with you, more elaborate grounds come equipped with electrical outlets for your RV. The park has several hiking trails through the mountains where you can take in the spectacular vistas from above or below ground level.
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5. Visit Niagara Falls
Hiking through Niagara Falls is one of the quintessential Canadian activities because it allows you to get a taste of our beautiful country. Niagara Falls is divided into two sides, each with a different name; the American side and the Canadian side.
This activity is excellent for people of all ages and you can take a boat tour ride to get closer to the falls available on both sides. This boat tour takes approximately 30 minutes. On both sides, there are observation decks where you can view all 5 waterfalls up close. In both countries, there are trails built along the river banks to hike along and get an up-close look at all five waterfalls!
6. Kayaking Through Algonquin
One of the best things about Canada is that it has one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the world such as Algonquin Provincial Park. The park is located in Ontario and is named after the Algonquin First Nations, the original inhabitants of this land.
Besides having an incredible natural landscape, it also offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, and canoeing. There are over 1000 lakes within the park, including some of the most scenic lakes in Ontario. The park is also home to many animals, including black bears, moose, wolves, and beavers.
Kayaking is a great way to explore Algonquin. Its waterways are ideal for kayaking due to their calmness and relatively shallow depths. This makes them great for beginners as well as more experienced kayakers. Kayaking through Algonquin allows you to have an up-close and personal experience with all the natural beauty in this area.
7. Cycling in Manning Park
Canada is a vast country, and its provinces have their particularities. There are places where the weather is hot and others where it's cold. The landscape varies from one region to another but one thing that doesn't change in Canada is the natural beauty of its land. Although you can visit Canada any time of year, summer is the best time to cycle in Manning Park.
Located in British Columbia, this park offers plenty of activities for kids and adults alike. The park is top-rated among cyclists since it offers many cycling trails and stunning views of the surroundings. If you happen to come during summer, you'll even be able to enjoy camping inside the park itself!
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8. Strolling Down Bay Of Fundy Coast
Strolling down the Bay of Fundy Coast is one of the best things to do in Canada. It has so much to offer, from hiking and biking trails to scenic lighthouses. One of the greatest things about the Bay of Fundy Coast is how accessible it is.
Many parts are easy to walk, and you can go from sea level to 10 meters above sea level in less than a kilometer. There are also a lot of great trails for more experienced hikers and bikers, including two world-class mountain biking trails at Fundy National Park: the Skyline Trail and Skyline Ledge Trail.
If you're looking for a more intense nature experience, consider kayaking or whale watching in some sheltered coastal areas like Grand Manan or Passamaquoddy Bay. Other notable summer activities include surfing or kitesurfing if you're visiting during the right season.
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9. Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is one of the best Canadian activities for summer, and it’s one of the most popular natural parks. Located in Alberta, it was named after Jasper Hawes, the second speaker of the House of Commons. The park features 22 glaciers and a variety of wildlife, including bears, moose, elk, and deer.
Jasper National Park is home to several hiking trails open all year round. Some of them are very challenging and require technical skills, but even inexperienced hikers can complete them. The most popular courses include Pyramid Lake Trail, Lava Lake Trail, Maligne Lake Trail, and Miette Hot Springs Trail.
10. Experience a campfire in nature
Experiencing a campfire in nature is a magical moment that you can share with your loved ones. Our high-quality fireplaces are unique. Feu Ardent’s stone outdoor fireplace offers buyers a “do it yourself” solution thanks to a great modular principle made of independent precast concrete blocks. Consisting of mortises, also called notches, each of the blocks easily overlaps each other to form in a few moments a wood-burning fireplace for the outdoors.
