The Top 15 Reasons Why Canada Should Be On Your Travel Bucket List

The Top 15 Reasons Why Canada Should Be on Your Travel Bucket List

If you are wondering where to take your next vacation, consider Canada as your destination. It's the perfect year-round getaway. Incredible wildlife, mountains, and summer and winter sports are just some of the many things you have to look forward to.

Attend famous festivals, eat delicious foods, hike incredible mountains, visit Banff National Park, go skiing and view some of the world's top attractions – Niagara Falls, the Northern Lights and Bay of Fundy, just to name a few.

Canada is also one of the world's top places for animal encounters – go on a hike through the wilderness for wildlife viewing, or see polar bears in their natural habitat on a polar bear tour.

Continue reading for more reasons why Canada should be on your travel bucket list.

Hike the Athabasca Glacier

Athabasca Glacier is part of the Rocky Mountains Columbia Icefield located in Jasper National Park. You will want to visit this glacier soon. It has been shrinking for about 150 years and is losing more than five meters of ice every year. "The U.S. National Climate Assessment said the trend is expected to continue and has implications for hydro-power production, ocean circulation patterns, fisheries and a global rise in sea levels," according to CBCnews.

Culture

Canada's culture has been influenced by both European and American culture. They have unique traditions, some of which include the Belsnicklers; characters that walk through the streets in December giving out candy to children in Quebec, and The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, a 10 day rodeo in Calgary.

Food

If there is one reason to visit Canada, it is for their amazing food. Salmon, bacon, oysters, Rappie Pie, sushi pizza and fiddleheads, are just some of the many foods you should taste.

Festivals

Canada is well known for their summer music festivals. If you like punk rock music, attend the Pouzza Fest, electronic music – Escapade, country music – Dauphin's Countryfest and folk music – Winnipeg Folk Festival.

Niagara Falls

Formed by receding glaciers, Niagara Falls links the international border between the U.S. and Canada. It consists of three waterfalls: The Horseshoe Falls (the most powerful waterfall in North America), the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. The falls are located on the Niagara River and they have a combined fall with the highest flow rate of all of the world's waterfalls.

The CN Tower, Toronto

Located in downtown Toronto is the famous CN observation tower. It is the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. Look straight out from the towers Glass Floor and capture views of Lake Ontario and Toronto's beautiful skyline.

Take a Polar Bear Tour

See Polar bears in their natural habitat on a polar bear tour. Choose to tour on a tundra buggy and even stay overnight in a mobile tundra lodge. Bring your camera to capture photos of these beautiful polar bears in the wild.

Visit Canada’s Wonderland

Canada's Wonderland is a premier amusement park. It features over 200 attractions, 69 thrilling rides and a variety of roller coasters and kid-friendly rides. On a hot summer day, visit Splash Works Water Park. It consists of Canada's largest outdoor wave pool and tons of waterslides. Click here for more information.

Bay of Fundy

Bay of Fundy is one of Canada's natural wonders. It's home to some of the world's highest tides and contains some of the rarest whales on the planet. Explore Canada's history in this incredible coastal environment – dinosaur fossils and Seacliff's. Also go hiking, sea kayaking, tidal rafting or enjoy a boat tour. Click here for more information.

The Canadian Rockies

You can't visit Canada without going to the famous Canadian Rockies. View the spectacular Lake Louise, take a drive along Icefields Parkway, visit the beautiful Athabasca Falls, go on a Canmore Cave Tour, walk along the Johnson Canyon and hike the Tunnel Mountain Trail.

Toronto is One of the Safest Cities in the World

Crime in Toronto is said to be very low. According to the Toronto Police Service, in 2016 there were 194 victims of shootings and 29 victims of homicides. This is extremely low compared to San Pedro Sula, Honduras with a murder rate of 11.03 per 100,000 (World Atlas).

Visit Banff National Park

Banff National Park was Canada's first national park. It contains valleys, mountains, glaciers, meadows, rivers and forests. Go camping, hiking, and view incredible wildlife. It is also home to one of The Planets Best Hotsprings.

Drive Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park

For some of the most spectacular scenery, and a gorgeous views of Canada's national treasures, drive Icefields Parkway. It's a 144-mile drive through the Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks World Heritage Site. Views tons of wildlife, mountain lakes and glaciers. Bonus: You can travel by car, bus, bike, or on foot.

Food and Wine Festivals

Canada is well-known for its delicious food and wine festivals. Some of these include the Victoria's Festival of Food and Wine in July, the Cowichan Wine & Culinary Festival in September, the Edmonton Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival in October and the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo in November.

The BMO Vancouver Marathon

Although this year's marathon has already passed, that doesn't mean you can't start training for next year. The Vancouver Marathon is held every May; it's one of the largest international marathon events in Canada. If the full marathon is too much for you, race in the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon instead. It's a 13.1-mile race with breathtaking scenery and some of the best views of Canada's mountains and cherry blossoms.