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

As a born and raised Canadian, I’ll help you decide the best province in Canada to travel to for your first time! This post will go into full breakdowns of each province, the best things to do there, and which is best for different traveler types.

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Canada is enormous, with jagged rocky mountains in the West, rolling hills in the central prairies, two major ocean coasts, culturally vibrant cities like Montreal, Vancouver, or Toronto, and so much maple syrup!

As the second largest country by landmass, it would take 106 hours of straight driving to get coast to coast. Unless you have endless time and budget, you should choose a specific area of Canada to explore in depth.

So what is the best place to visit in Canada for the first time?

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 has its own list of exciting things to do. So how do you decide? Which is the best province to visit in Canada? I can help!

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

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What is the Best Part of Canada to Visit For You?

British Columbia

When looking at the best Canadian provinces to travel to for first-timers, British Columbia is a top choice. It is by far my favourite of all the provinces to visit in Canada.

BC produces many of the images that people envision when they think of traveling to Canada. It has snow-capped mountains, outdoor adventures like hiking, bungee jumping, and whitewater rafting, and vast forests stretching for endless miles.

It is also home to one of Canada’s largest and most popular cities, Vancouver (host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games).

On one side of BC, you’ll find the Rocky Mountains in Yoho, Glacier, and Katooney National Parks. On the other, you’ll find coastal cities, Victoria Island with its famous surfing spot (Tofino), and other famous mountains like Whistler.

If you have a lot of time in your itinerary, you could combine a BC trip with its neighbouring province, Alberta, to see Banff National Park. They share a border and a mountain range.

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 (Vancouver)

Best Things to Do in British Columbia:

1. Snowboard, ski, or hike in Whistler (Whistler is open year-round for different season activities)
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 the Olympic Village
7. Go surfing in Tofino
8. Visit the orchards and rolling mountains of interior BC in Okanagan Valley
9. Experience Yoho National Park
10. Visit the natural beauty in the Vineyards of Osoyoos

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Alberta

Alberta is home to Banff National Park, which is arguably the most popular destination in Canada.

Banff’s mountains are part of the Rocky Mountain Range that crosses over into BC. There is also another extraordinary park north of Banff, known as Jasper National Park. Jasper feels way less crowded than Banff and is a must-visit if you are in Alberta.

Alberta is also home to two popular Canadian cities, 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 want to hike and summit some peaks
• You want to check off one of Canada’s most popular outdoor destinations

Best Things to Do in Alberta:

1. Visit one of Canada’s most photographed spots, Moraine Lake
2. Hike through the mountains in Banff
3. Drive the jaw-dropping road between Banff and Jasper, the Icefields Parkway
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 worth your time.

Saskatchewan is largely occupied by flat prairies and farm fields. There’s nothing noteworthy to do in this province when compared to the rest.

If you happen to be travelling to Saskatchewan to visit family or something, there are some things to do. You can see the Canadian Badlands, experience farm-to-table meals in Saskatoon, or witness the gently rolling prairie hills.

You Should Travel to Saskatchewan if:

• You are passing through
• 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.

Manitoba, in general, is not worth travelling to unless you have a very specific adventure in mind. It is home to the polar bear capital of the world, known as Churchill.

Churchill is in the direct path of a major polar bear migration. There are tours that bring you to see the polar bears in their natural habitat. In addition to bears, Churchill is also famous for its Northern lights and beluga whale-watching tours.

In Churchill, they have extra Northern lights activity with the aurora borealis dancing in the sky 300 nights of the year!! If you are interested in these unique wildlife encounters and complete immersion into rugged nature, Churchill, Manitoba might be for you!

You Should Travel to Manitoba if:

• You are interested in Canada’s polar bears or beluga whales
• You want to see the Northern lights
• You want more of a raw and remote nature experience

Best Things to Do in Manitoba:

1. Take a polar bear tour in Churchill
2. Spot Beluga Whales in the summer months in Churchill
3. See the Northern lights in Churchill
4. Explore Winnipeg (the province’s capital city)
5. Partake in outdoor winter sports including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and dog-sled rides

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Ontario

Ontario is home to vast forests, so many lakes, and Canada’s biggest city, Toronto. While BC and Alberta’s outdoor scene is about hiking in the dramatic mountain landscapes, Ontario’s outdoor scene revolves around cottage country on its thousands of lakes in massive forests.

Ontario is my home province and one I have explored quite extensively.

Toronto is a cultural hub with glass skyscrapers, one of the tallest buildings in the world (CN Tower), and a downtown that never sleeps. Toronto is also only 1 hour and 20 minutes drive away from the famous Niagara Falls. Ottawa, Canada’s capital city with parliament hill, is also a 5 hour train ride away.

If you are looking to explore the big city of Toronto with a splash of outdoor cottage life in Muskoka, then Ontario might be a great option for you.

You Should Travel to Ontario if:

• Your priority is Canada’s big cultural cities
• You want to experience Canada’s best 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. Sightsee 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 great for those interested in culture. This province is home to one of the oldest cities in North America (Quebec City) and one of the coolest cities in Canada, Montreal. Quebec is the French-speaking province 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 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 with ocean activities. As one of Canada’s fishing hubs, the seafood is also fantastic!

New Brunswick can be pretty harsh to navigate in the winter. It is still doable if you are comfortable with winter driving.

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 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 in Fundy National Park. Or swim at one of the ocean beaches in Shediac.

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 km’s long, picturesque fishing villages, and the freshest seafood.

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 in Fundy National Park
7. Take a whalewatching 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 all Canada’s provinces, PEI doesn’t stand out on its 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 or Ireland. Newfoundland and Labrador have 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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