The Best Canadian Provinces to Travel to for First Timers (From a Local)

If you are visiting Canada for the first time, it can be pretty tricky to decide where to start. As a born and raised Canadian, I sure know my stuff when it comes to helping you decide the best province in Canada to travel to for your first time! This post will go into full breakdowns of each province, best things to do there, and which is best for different traveler types.

Canada is a world class travel destination for adventure lovers. Oftentimes referred to as the great white North, it also happens to be my favourite country in the world. Butttt, I may be a little biased as a born and raised Canadian.

As the second largest country by landmass in the world, Canada has it all. We’re talking towering rocky mountains in the West, rolling hills in the central prairies, two major ocean coasts, culturally vibrant cities, amazing wildlife, and so much maple syrup. Canada has something for everyone!

The biggest question now is, where do you start?

It can be really difficult to decide where to begin when faced with such a massive country. The fact of the matter is, you are not going to be able to hit your entire list of things to do in one go. Unless you have an endless amount of time and budget. If you were to drive from coast to coast it would take you approximately 106 hours of pure drive time. That would take you about 3 weeks without stopping for any attractions. So yeah things are pretty spread apart.

The best way to visit Canada is by choosing a specific area to travel in. Canada is broken down into 10 provinces and 3 territories. Due to the remote nature of the northern territories, most travellers tend to stick to one of the provinces. From the West coast to the East, they are:

1. British Columbia
2. Alberta
3. Saskatchewan
4. Manitoba
5. Ontario
6. Quebec
7. New Brunswick
8. Nova Scotia
9. Prince Edward Island
10. Newfoundland and Labrador

Each province is unique and offers its own exciting things to explore and see. So how do you decide? Which is the best province for you to visit in Canada your first time? I can help!

Here is a complete breakdown of what each Canadian province has to offer, the best destinations in each, and what type of traveler they are best suited for.

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Which Canadian Province is Right for You?

British Columbia

When looking at the best Canadian provinces to travel to for first-timers, British Columbia is a great contender. It is by far my favourite of all the provinces! BC is the best spot in Canada for those who are seeking outdoor adventures, jaw-dropping views of mountains and vast forests, and cool vibes. It is also home to one of Canada’s largest and most popular cities, Vancouver (host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games).

For one, the rocky mountains line the border between British Columbia and Alberta, so this province is full of mountains. On the other side of the province, you’ll find coastal cities, a gorgeous island and even surfing in the summer time.

BC is also huge for outdoor adventure seekers, so there are tons of activities like snowboarding and skiing, mountain biking, white water rafting, bungee jumping, hiking, rock climbing and more.

If you have lots of time and are interested in combining BC with another province in Canada, then Alberta is a great option! With a shared border and lots of similar things to do, BC and Alberta can be combined into an unforgettable adventure.

You Should Travel to British Columbia if:

• You love exploring the outdoors
• You are an adventure seeker
• You love outdoor sports and adrenaline
• You are interested in exploring one of Canada’s best cities

Best Things to Do in British Columbia:

1. Snowboard and ski in Whistler
2. Hike the Chief in Squamish
3. Explore the rocky mountains at Glacier National Park
4. Witness some of the biggest trees you’ll ever see at Vancouver Island’s Cathedral Grove
5. Explore the sights in Vancouver
6. Wander through Olympic Village
7. Go surfing in Tofino
8. Visit the orchards and rolling mountains of interior BC in Okanagan Valley
9. Experience more of BC’s natural wonders in Yoho National Park
10. Visit the natural beauty in the Vineyards of Osoyoos

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Alberta

Alberta is another province that will blow you away! Home to Banff National Park, one of Canada’s most popular destinations, Alberta is a great option for outdoor lovers as well.

The most notable spots in the province are located in the Canadian Rockies along the border with British Columbia. You could easily occupy an entire trip in this area alone.

Alberta is also home to two popular Canadian cities, known as Calgary and Edmonton. If you love the outdoors and/or city sightseeing, Alberta is a great option for seeing the best of both worlds.

You Should Travel to Alberta if:

• You love exploring the outdoors
• You are looking for opportunities to hike and summit some peaks
• You want to check off one of Canada’s best outdoor destinations

Best Things to Do in Alberta:

1. Visit one of Canada’s most photographed spot, Moraine Lake
2. Hike through the mountains in Banff
3. Drive the jaw-dropping road between Banff and Jasper
4. Explore Jasper National Park
5. Visit an indoor amusement park at the West Edmonton Mall
6. Ride North Americans fastest zip line in Calgary
7. Experience the life of a cowboy at the Calgary Stampede
8. Ride the Banff Gondola
9. Summit a mountain peak in Canmore
10. See dinosaur fossils in Drumheller

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Saskatchewan

I’m going to give it to you straight with this one, Saskatchewan is not really worth your time. It does not even come close to the others for the best Canadian provinces to travel to for first timers. Saskatchewan is largely occupied by flat prairies and farm fields. There’s really nothing noteworthy to do in this province when compared to the rest.

If you are already traveling to Saskatchewan to visit family or something along those lines, then there are still some things to see and do. This can include witnessing the gently rolling hills of the prairies, visiting the Canadian Badlands, and experiencing farm-to-table meals in the provinces capital city of Saskatoon.

You Should Travel to Saskatchewan if:

• You are passing through
• You want to experience Canada’s prairie landscapes
• You’ve already been to most of Canada and want to see something new

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Manitoba

Home to the polar bear capital of the world, Manitoba offers a few attractions to peak an adventure traveler’s interest. Churchill, Manitoba is the place to visit in this province because of its location right in the direct path of a major polar bear migration. Along with tours to see the polar bears, the city also offers the opportunity to see the Northern lights and whale watching tours to see Beluga whales in the summer months.

You Should Travel to Manitoba if:

• You are interested in Canada’s unique wildlife
• You want more of a raw and remote nature experience

Best Things to Do in Manitoba:

1. Visit Churchill for polar bear, northern lights, and beluga whale tours
2. Explore Winnipeg
3. Partake in outdoor winter sports including snowmobiling, snowshoeing and dog-sled rides

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Ontario

Ontario is my home province and one I have explored quite extensively. Take some of Canada’s best cities and tourist destinations and combine it with some great nature spots, Ontario has a lot more to offer than it first appears.

Ontario boasts Canada’s largest city of Toronto and its capital city, Ottawa. Toronto is a cultural hub and has all the exciting features of a big city. There are a multitude of things to do in Toronto, such as walking on the outside of one of the world’s tallest building, visiting the Royal Ontario Museum, and exploring the Ripley’s aquarium. In addition, one of Canada’s coolest sights to see, Niagara Falls, is only an hour and 20 minutes drive away.

While I can’t say the natural beauty of this province rivals that of BC or Alberta, Ontario does have a lot to offer. If you want the best of the big city with a splash of the outdoors, Ontario also has some national and provincial parks that are absolutely worth seeing. Ontario is also popular in Canada for the cottage life with Muskoka being one of the best cottage country areas in the whole country.

You Should Travel to Ontario if:

• Your priority is Canada’s big cultural cities
• You want to experience the superb cottage life
• You want to visit several of Canada’s top destinations all in one trip
• You are interested in Canada’s capital city

Best Things to Do in Ontario:

1. See all the sights in Toronto
2. View the world-famous Niagara Falls
3. Visit Algonquin Provincial Park (especially if you are interested in seeing the fall colours)
4. Explore beautiful Ottawa
5. Head to Muskoka for a cottage lake getaway
6. Venture out to Tobermory for crystal blue waters and more of Ontario’s beautiful parks
7. Take a canoe trip through Algonquin or Killarney

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Quebec

Out of the best Canadian provinces to travel to for first timers, Quebec is a great option as well. Quebec is a great destination to visit if you are really interested in the cultural aspects of travel. The province is home to one of the oldest cities in North America (Quebec City), which makes it full of a rich history and unique culture. It is also great for visiting one of Canada’s coolest cities, Montreal, and exploring the french culture that stands out from the rest of Canada.

Fun fact, Quebec also produces approximately 75% of the world’s maple syrup supply! While pure maple syrup is expensive and not super common in most countries, it is everywhere in Canada. Especially in quebec. Take a maple syrup tour and learn how it is made. You might even get to try the famous, and slightly ridiculous, maple syrup on a stick, which is made by pouring maple syrup directly onto snow and twirling a stick through it.

You Should Travel to Quebec if:

• You are interested in visiting cultural landmarks
• Your priority is Canada’s big cultural cities
• You are interested in Canada’s maple syrup supply

Best Things to Do in Quebec:

1. Wake up in a winter wonderland in Quebec City’s ice hotel
2. Marvel at one of Canada’s biggest cultural events, Winter Carnival
3. Taste test maple syrup right from the farm
4. Be fascinated by Quebec city’s old history and architecture
5. Enjoy one of Canada’s best cities, Montreal
6. Go skiing or snowboarding at Mont-Tremblant
7. Visit one of the provinces many museums and art galleries in Montreal

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New Brunswick

New Brunswick marks the start of Canada’s East coast maritime provinces. This is a great province to visit if you want to combine exploring vast forests and ocean activities with another unique coastal cultural experience. As one of Canada’s fishing hubs, the seafood is also fantastic!

Keep in mind, this province can be pretty harsh to navigate in the winter. It is definitely still do-able if you are comfortable with winter driving. But I would say for the majority of travellers who don’t live in super snowy areas, you might want to avoid this area in the winter alltogether.

However, in the summer New Brunswick has sooo many options for amazing outdoor activities. Want to experience some of the world’s highest tides? Walk along the Bay to Fundy, where the ocean tides will literally fluctuate 15 metres (or 50 feet) in height within 6 hours. There is also some great hiking to be done through amazing old growth forests.

You Should Travel to New Brunswick if:

• You want to experience Canada’s maritime culture
• You love the great outdoors

Best Things to Do in New Brunswick:

1. Experience the drastic highs and lows of the tides in the Bay of Fundy
2. Explore the province’s capital city, Moncton
3. Partake in ocean activities like boating, fishing, jet-skiing and more!
4. Eat fresh seafood
5. Drive the Fundy Trail Parkway for a scenic coastal drive
6. Go whale watching
7. Take a guided kayak excursion around the Hopewell Rocks

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Nova Scotia

Another coastal province on the East Coast, Nova Scotia offers its own set of unique experiences that make it worth your visit. In Nova Scotia, you’ll find some great coastal scenery with beautiful beaches stretching kms long, picturesque fishing villages, and the freshest seafood you could ever experience.

Nova Scotia is also home to Canada’s #1 best island, Cape Breton. The island is known for its gorgeous scenery and charming towns.

You Should Travel to Nova Scotia if:

• You want to experience Canada’s maritime culture
• You want to explore near the ocean

Best Things to Do in Nova Scotia:

1. Hike the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton
2. Visit charming Old Town Lunenburg, with a beautiful waterfront and colourful buildings
3. Explore the province’s capital, Halifax
4. Visit breathtaking Peggy’s Cove lighthouse
5. Enjoy fresh lobster
6. Hike through old growth forests
7. Take a whale watching tour on Canada’s east coast
8. Visit one of the province’s 150 lighthouses
9. Have an ocean beach day

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Prince Edward Island (P.E.I)

Out of the best Canadian provinces to travel to for first timers, PEI doesn’t stand out super far on it’s own. But if you are making a trip out to the maritimes, then P.E.I is a great addition to your itinerary. The island is very small, and I mean tiny. It takes only 3 hours to drive from tip to tip. It definitely wouldn’t be a spot I’d recommend for your entire vacation but it is in close proximity to both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. You can take sea fishing tours, enjoy the unique red sand found everywhere on the island and experience the charm that comes with a small island community.

You Should Travel to Prince Edward Island if:

• You want to add it on to a trip to the other East Coast provinces

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Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador is in my opinion the MOST underrated part of Canada. The province is home to a very distinct and unique culture and can often resemble countries like Norway. Here you’ll find towering fjords and charming coastal towns filled with colourful buildings. If you are looking for a more off-the-beaten-path Canadian experience that will still absolutely blow your mind, then this is the province for you!

You Should Travel to Newfoundland and Labrador if:

• You want to travel off-the-beaten-path
• You want to see some impressive outdoor landscapes
• You want more rugged adventures
• You want to explore a very unique culture

Best Things to Do in Newfoundland and Labrador:

1. Hike amongst fjords in Gros Morne National Park
2. Visit the picturesque Quidi Vidi village, located right on a lake
3. Hike along the coast at Cape Spear lighthouse
4. See the capital St Johns from above at Signal Hill
5. Explore the colourful houses in Jellybean row in St Johns
6. Hike the East Coast Trail
7. Take a boat tour through Iceberg Alley
8. Embark on a whale watching tour
9. Visit beautiful Bonavista
10. Explore Red Bay National Historic site

You May Also Be Interested in: The 37 Best Things to Do in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland

So Which Canadian Province is the Best for Your First Time

Now I know I have just given you reasons to want to travel to almost every Canadian province, but you do still have to choose. Here is what I recommend based on the type of travelling you enjoy most:

For outdoorsy travellers and adventure seekers: British Columbia or Alberta

For urban travellers: Quebec or Ontario

For travellers looking for vast forests and coastal fishery towns: Newfoundland and Labrador or Nova Scotia

For Off-the-Beaten Path Travellers: Newfoundland and Labrador

No matter which Province you choose for your adventure travel experience, you are sure to be blown away. From some of the world’s most famous mountains to the quaint coastal towns, there is something for everyone in Canada.

Happy Adventuring!

* Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. I only recommend products and companies that I use. Thanks for the support!

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