Top Things to See and Do in Canada: 21 Adventures for 2025

Many men struggle to pick the best spots for a great trip. You can see the aurora borealis year‐round in Canada. This guide on top things to see and do in Canada shows 21 adventures, from Niagara Falls to Banff National Park, and offers map and GPS tips to help you plan each day.

Start here.

Explore Natural Wonders

Chase the aurora borealis across Yukon skies with a DSLR and a waterproof quadcopter. Lace up mountaineering boots and view a glacier through a monocular as you hike Jasper National Park.

See the Northern Lights

Frosty fields in the Northwest Territories host the northern lights. You can see the aurora borealis nearly every night there. The show appears 240 nights a year. Lights peak from October to March in Jasper National Park.

That park holds the second-largest dark sky preserve. Stargazers use an optical tube and a DSLR to record the colors. Tours include clear night gear and a guide.

Men stay warm by checking scores on their phones. They also play on PaySafe casinos Canada while they wait. Rangers track solar storms and alert guests. Busy skies often glow in bright green, pink, and purple.

I watched curtains of green glow across a clear sky.

Walk on a Glacier in Jasper National Park

After chasing the Northern Lights, men head into the Canadian Rockies at Jasper National Park. One morning I strapped crampons under my boots. The guide drove an all-terrain coach over the Columbia Icefields.

That machine rode onto the 10,000-year-old Athabasca Glacier. Tours run from May 3 to October 13, 2025. The air felt sharp and clear, like ice.

I stepped off the Ice Explorer and felt the solid ice beneath me. I saw deep crevasses, bright blue pools, and endless white. The frozen terrain tested my balance and my will. A ranger pointed out meltwater streams under my feet.

I snapped shots of the vast expanse before returning to my vehicle.

Get Sprayed by Niagara Falls

A boat tour offers a close run at the base of Niagara Falls. The vessel sails into mist spun off by the Horseshoe Falls. The spray soaks your gear and pounds you with fresh water. The Journey Behind the Falls tour threads two glass-front decks behind the curtain of water.

Each drop crashes above your head, and the roar rattles your chest.

Visit the Bay of Fundy

After you dry off at Niagara, head east to the Bay of Fundy. You will feel gravity pull in up to 16 meters of tidal change. Roughly 160 billion tonnes of water surge in, then flow back out twice a day.

You can roam a rocky shoreline park, see sea stacks carved by centuries of tides. Watch a river wave climb upstream in minutes in the nearby river town. Check tide tables on your phone to time low tide walks.

Bring binoculars for bird flocks and packs of seals.

I felt the earth breathe under my feet as the waters surged back in.

Adventure Activities

Try dog sledding through snowy forests, join a marine mammal tour off the west coast, ski fresh powder at Whistler, and canoe calm lakes – read on for more.

Go Dog Sledding

Men can ride a sled pulled by huskies across snow fields in Banff. The sport gained status as an unofficial national sport of Canada. Kingmik Dog Sled Tours leads dozens of guests each season.

British Columbia also stands as a top destination for dog sledding. Guides fit each dog with a harness and team lines. Expert mushers teach you speed techniques and endurance skills.

Speed kicks in as the team glides on a groomed trail. The sled has a handbrake and wide runners. Trips start at dawn or dusk for better views of frosted forests. You take turns standing on the runners or sitting in the sled.

Each run lasts two to three hours, depending on weather.

Whale Watching in the Atlantic

After your dog sled run, head east to the Bay of Fundy for whale watching. Boats clear the dock at harbors in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick from May through October. Bring binoculars and wear a life vest on deck.

Guides explain tides and marine life.

Passengers spot baleen giants like fin, minke, humpback, sei, North Atlantic right and blue whales. The Bay of Fundy boasts the world’s highest tides. You drift past sandstone cliffs and subtidal canyons.

This dynamic marine scene thrills each adventurer.

Ski or Snowboard at Whistler

Whistler Blackcomb covers over 8,000 acres. Riders conquer more than 200 runs across varied terrain. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola links Whistler and Blackcomb peaks in minutes.

Whistler Heli-Skiing packages offer discounts for Epic Pass holders. Snowboarders explore Whistler Village before or after each run. Find smart planning tips at travel hacks.

Canoe through Canadian Lakes

Canada has over two million lakes and rivers. Paull and Hawkrock rivers cater to beginners. Trips include 4 to 6 hours of paddling per day. Canoeists cover 15 to 25 km on each outing.

Tours supply paddles, a navigation tool, and safety gear.

Lakes like Lake Louise sit in Banff National Park near the Canadian Rockies. Canoe routes also reach the St. Lawrence River. You find stretches through Okanagan Valley waters. Paddlers spot wildlife and snap sharp photos.

A waterproof bag keeps gear dry.

Paddling these waters felt like touching the sky.

Scenic Drives

Your GPS navigator guides you along the Sea to Sky Highway, where mountain peaks and fjords line each turn. Digital map layers highlight hidden viewpoints, so you can pause and capture the perfect shot.

Drive the Cabot Trail

Last September, I drove the 185-mile Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island. A GPS device guided me along winding coastal roads. This scenic drive rewards with ocean views. I captured bays on a digital camera.

At a stop, I joined hikers on the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Peak months here run in September and October. This loop offers cliff views and forest trails.

Explore the Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway spans 227 km of mountain road. It links Jasper National Park and Lake Louise, Alberta. Drivers cross the Canadian Rockies and see sharp peaks and snowfields.

Major stops include Athabasca Glacier and Maligne Canyon.

I drove the parkway in July and felt the cold breeze near the glacier. We used a road map and a navigation tool to stay on course. A camera grabbed shots of deep blue ice and sheer cliffs.

Rest areas line the highway, and each lookout tops the one before.

Cultural Experiences

Men can stroll a historic lane with a smartphone app and hear First Nations stories live. They can roam a grand museum and sample local dishes at a food kiosk.

Get to Know Indigenous Groups

Canada holds three main Indigenous groups: First Nations, Inuit, Métis. Tourists learn clan traditions at cultural centers and guided trails. Aboriginal artists showcase beadwork and carvings near Stanley Park.

Visitors spot nine totem poles atop cedar pillars in that park. Local guides share myths from Vancouver Island to Churchill, Manitoba.

Ojibwe Cultural Foundation serves as a museum for language and art workshops. Museum staff teach Anishinaabe words and record oral histories. Stories come alive during drum ceremonies and ribbon dances.

Inuit exhibits highlight life along Hudson Bay and Arctic ice fields. Métis displays feature red sash regalia and fiddle music. Cultural workshops use maps and archives to study totem art.

Walk the Cobblestone Streets of Quebec City

After meeting elders on a remote reserve, I stepped into Vieux-Quebec’s narrow lanes. Quebec City dates back to 1608 and earned UNESCO World Heritage status in the 80s. Local shops and stone walls line the cobblestone streets.

Walkers spot a castle-like hotel and pastel buildings along Rue du Petit-Champlain. I relied on a digital map and audio guide to trace each alley and courtyard. These routes end with views of the St.

Lawrence River and street musicians.

Attend the Calgary Stampede

Quebec City’s historic streets give way to Calgary’s wide skies and the famous Calgary Stampede. It runs July 4 to July 13, 2025. The event draws about one million visitors to alberta’s biggest outdoor rodeo.

Artisans, traders and food stalls fill the grounds. Rodeo athletes chase wild bulls on packed dirt. The show claims the title the Greatest Show on Earth.

Frontier tents offer sizzling steak and local brew. Bands belt out country hits at the grandstand. You catch races on horseback and trick ropers spinning lassos. Crowds roar as special displays showcase alberta’s ranch heritage.

Competition gates open by noon daily. North American riders test skill in saddle bronc and steer wrestling. Fans wear cowboy hats and denim for that western vibe.

Visit the Royal Ontario Museum

After the Calgary Stampede excitement ends, head to Toronto to visit the Royal Ontario Museum. The museum holds 13 million objects across art, history and natural science. One gallery hosts the show “AUSCHWITZ: Not long ago.

Not far away.” until September 2025.

Pair this visit with dinner high above at the CN Tower. Kids enroll in Saturday Club or attend ROMKids Junior.

Iconic Landmarks

A steel spire looms over the skyline, and GPS apps guide visitors to a sky‑high bistro.

A frozen ribbon cuts through downtown, while electric skiffs ferry guests across pearl‑like river clusters.

Dine on Top of the CN Tower

Men climb the glass elevator to the 360 Restaurant at the CN Tower. It sits high above Toronto, offering views of Lake Ontario and the skyline. The dining room rotates every 72 minutes.

Guests spot the distant Niagara Falls on clear days. Staff pour local beers and Ontario wines.

Chefs craft Canadian menus with fresh, sustainable ingredients. You taste maple‑glazed salmon, wild mushrooms from Jasper National Park. The kitchen also features seasonal produce from Okanagan Valley farms.

Every dish pairs flavor with local pride.

Skate the Rideau Canal Skateway

I strapped on ice skates and glided across the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa. The world’s largest naturally frozen rink stretches 7.8 kilometers. It opens in late January after crews flood and smooth the ice.

Locals and visitors share the path past stone bridges and heritage locks.

From personal experience, I learned to track a weather app for clear skies and to measure ice thickness. A GPS app guides skaters along this ribbon of ice instead of crowded streets.

I felt frost nip at my cheeks but kept a steady pace. This unique skating route ranks high among winter adventures in Canada.

Cruise the Thousand Islands National Park

After gliding on the Rideau Canal, turn south toward the St. Lawrence River. You can join City Cruises Canada tours from Gananoque, Ontario. Crew track routes on marine charts and use GPS to stay on course.

The national park spans almost 2,000 islands along the river. Passengers spot Boldt Castle and Heart Island during the voyage.

Unique Wildlife Encounters

Spot ice bears roaming the tundra near Churchill, Manitoba through a telephoto lens. Watch killer whales breach off British Columbia’s coast with local biologists guiding the boat.

See Polar Bears in Churchill

Men flock to Churchill, Manitoba for polar bear encounters. That town claims the polar bear viewing capital title. Canada holds 64–80 percent of the world’s polar bears. You reach these giants via vessel, rotorcraft, or overland buggy.

Guides set up scopes along the Bay’s edge. You watch massive bulls and playful cub pairs from safe hideouts. Cold winds whip across flat tundra. Each sighting feels raw, wild, unforgettable.

Spot Orcas on the West Coast

I joined a whale watching tour off the coast of British Columbia. I scanned waves with binoculars and marine radar. A pod of orcas cruised near Vancouver Island. The island hosts two communities of these giants.

I learned southern Vancouver Island offers peak sighting times from May to October. The northern region runs hot in July and August. The Inside Passage boat ride brings you close.

I saw a male breach just yards away. I caught the spray on my face. My camera lens snapped tails and dorsal fins. The guide shared pod numbers and behaviors. I felt the boat rock with each echo.

Whale watching here feels epic and raw.

How Will Exploring Canada Change in 2025?

Virgin Atlantic will add daily flights from London to Toronto on March 30, 2025. That route slashes travel time and boosts access to Lake Louise and Banff National Park. Men can book a flight and chase the Aurora Borealis in Jasper National Park.

App makers offer tools to track the best viewing spots. Guides lead small groups in Stanley Park using mobile apps to chart scenic drives. Firms roll out easy booking tools for ski or snowboard trips at Whistler Blackcomb.

Quebec’s Abitibi-Témiscamingue region will launch Indigenous-led water-themed tours on the St. Lawrence River. Local guides share Mi’kmaq heritage stories on wooden canoes. Prince Edward Island will debut Pituamkek National Park Reserve to protect tribal lands.

Guests find displays on Mi’kmaq culture near the Bay of Fundy. Athletes will gather in Vancouver and Whistler for the Invictus Games from February 8-16, 2025. Spectators can use GPS apps to find medal events and food trucks.

Visitors can fully enjoy their trip as they plan eco-friendly adventures.

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