Five Fabulous Places to Visit in Canada this Fall

Canada has been closed to international travellers for 18 months, but borders are re-opening today to fully vaccinated Americans, with other countries to follow on September 7th. With some of the highest vaccination rates in the world, safe, friendly cities, and vast swaths of spectacular wilderness to explore, Canada makes a perfect late summer or early fall travel destination.

We’ve compiled a (very!) short list of five of our favourite Canadian destinations. Of course five places doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of the breadth and depth of all there is to see and do in Canada, but we hope it inspires and acts as a catalyst for further research.

Five Fabulous Places to Visit in Canada this Fall

Quebec CityBienvenue à Quebec! Canada's oldest city is also its most charming, and the closest you’ll come to feeling like you’re in Europe without leaving North America. With winding cobbled streets, centuries-old stone houses and a lively sense of joie de vivre filling the air, Quebec City is a wonderful place to explore francophone culture.

Your guide will lead you on an entertaining walk through Vieux Quebec, where the 17th and 18th century homes and lively European- influenced street life makes it hard to believe you're still in North America. Savour a café au lait from a local coffee shop. Learn about the Battle of Abraham in Battlefields Park and gaze at the imperious Chateau Frontenac, towering over the fortified town. Quebec City is a spectacular place to visit year round with its lively summer season, the beautiful colours of spring and fall, and world-class Carnival in winter.

Prince Edward IslandHaving recently been given the royal stamp of approval by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Edward Island is no stranger to the limelight. But long before Wills and Kate stepped onto its red sand shores, this bucolic Canadian island was attracting visitors from all over the world. A local guide can show you why PEI has been enchanting people for years.

Charlottetown, the island's small and friendly capital city, is a great place to explore the shops, restaurants and history of the island - and perhaps to enjoy a scoop of delicious Cows ice cream and catch a musical performance of Anne of Green Gables. Outside of town, your guide will take you on a lovely pastoral drive to Cavendish and North Rustico, with their legendary red sand beaches. Try Malpeque oysters, and at the end of the day, a lobster supper is certainly in order. PEI is a true Canadian Maritime paradise.!

Kananaskis Country, AlbertaSouthern Alberta's Kananaskis Country is a magnificent part of Canada's Rocky Mountains, and a true paradise for hikers. Quieter than neighbouring Banff or well-known Jasper, it's a great place to discover the majesty of the Canadian wilderness.

Your guide can meet you in Calgary, Canmore or Banff, depending on where you are staying, then transport you to a trailhead that best suits your abilities and interests. In Kananaskis you'll have every type of terrain at your feet, from a gentle river stroll, to ridge walks, alpine lakes, summits and meadows. Head to Sheep River Valley or Livingstone mountain range for early fall trips, as they stay free of snow the longest. In late summer, hike to Warspite Lake, Rae Glacier, Pipers Pass, Mist Mountain and many more - the possibilities for outdoor adventure are endless!

YukonImagine: the Yukon is as big as Spain, but only 40,000 people live here. Over 80% of this northern territory is pristine wilderness with moose still outnumbering humans by far. The Yukon offers rich living-history, a vibrant culture, stunningly unique geography, and epic scenery. It’s a place for adventurers, no question.

Yukon is blessed with a long season for viewing the Northern Lights: from mid-August all the way through to April. Your guide, based out of Whitehorse, has chased those magnificent dancing lights in many regions of this Canadian territory and will lead you to the perfect viewing sites - away from city light pollution and fog. Enjoy a campfire and be served homemade pemmican - an indigenous tradition and Canada's oldest power bar - and hot Yukon herbal tea.

VancouverThere are few cities in the world that can boast the sort of natural attractions Vancouver can, while still maintaining a vibrant, multi-cultural, big-city vibe. Using public transit here, you can visit the beach, climb a mountain, and go for dim sum in a single day. Cycle the Stanley Park seawall, learn about local indigenous culture, or browse a busy farmer's market. See the serene Sun Yat Sen Gardens in Chinatown, and enjoy an Italian coffee along Commercial Drive, learning about the city's distinct neighbourhoods as you go. An endless variety of experiences await!

No place is perfect, but the fact that Vancouver is consistently recognized as one of the best places in the world to live has got to count for something! This beautiful west coast city is also home to ToursByLocals headquarters.

ToursByLocals is a proudly Canadian company, and we’ve been missing our international visitors! Consider this a warm invitation to come and see us sometime soon, and all the surprises that Canada has to offer.