Planning a Trip to Canada With Kids
There are so many great locations for family vacations in Canada. Canada is the world’s second largest country and boasts stunning national parks and large metropolitan areas that attract over 16 million tourists annually. There are great Canada trips for every type of traveler. Even though Canada is our neighbor just to the north, we have not explored it as much as we would like. We asked some of our favorite family travel bloggers to recommend their favorite Canada vacation ideas for families and came up with this amazing list of places to visit in Canada with kids.
British Columbia With Kids
#1: Vancouver With Kids
Breathtaking natural beauty, a super-cool cosmopolitan city, outdoor adventure, foodie paradise and world-class shopping – visit “VanGroovy.” Here’s our suggested three-day itinerary for visiting Vancouver with kids:
- Day 1 – A Little Bit of Everything: Head to Granville Island to explore galleries and quaint stores. For lunch delight in the local specialties at Granville Island Public Market. Visit spectacular Kitsilano Beach and let the kids run around the playground. Check out the Museum of Anthropology with First Nations’ art on the University of British Columbia campus. We loved FlyOver Canada, a thrilling virtual ride taking in Canada’s beauty!
- Day 2 – Explore the North Shore: A must-see is the 450-foot Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park. Feel it sway! Explore the Cliffwalk – walkways hanging over the mountain’s edges! Kids will love the Treetops Adventures offering a walk high in the trees. Hop a Skyride to reach Grouse Mountain, a resort area full of adventure.
- Day 3 – The City Center: Explore the Stanley Park 1,000-acre wilderness oasis! Enjoy colorful First Nations Totem Poles, stroll the Seawall and visit the Aquarium. End with an elevator-ride to the 50th floor for unforgettable views from the Vancouver Lookout.
As one of the most beautiful places on Earth, Vancouver is bursting with family-friendly sights and a laid-back vibe!
Recommended by Lisa Grabelle from Hilton Mom Voyage. Find out more from Lisa about a Vancouver vacation.
#2: Whistler With Kids
Whistler is the largest ski resort in North America, located on the west coast of Canada, a two hour drive along the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver. Whistler consistently ranks among the world’s best ski resorts and has developed into a year round destination for skiing, golfing, biking and other activities. Whistler makes the perfect destination for outdoor activities with its mountain setting, whether it’s skiing in the winter, or mountain biking and hiking during the warmer summer months.
The world class skiing is the obvious draw in the winter. Whistler Blackcomb has 200 marked runs, offering something for all ages and abilities. Whistler Kids (the Whistler kids’ ski school) is first class, offering every level of ski and snowboard instruction for children from 3-12 years old. There are even playgrounds on the mountainside to break up the skiing. Once in their teens, kids enter the Ride Tribe Program, up to age 18. Teaching throughout the programs is done in a fun and engaging way. For non-skiers opportunities abound, from ice-skating and snow-shoeing, to tubing and zip-lining. Whistler is a perfect winter destination for families who love to ski or snowboard.
Recommended by Nicky Williams from Go Live Young. Find out more from Nicky about Whistler with kids.
Alberta With Kids
#3: Banff National Park With Kids
Banff is one of the most popular places in Canada and for good reason. Set in the Canadian Rockies, the town of Banff is located in a National Park and is ridiculously gorgeous in any season. Located 90 minutes from Calgary, it makes a great weekend escape and is also a great base for a week-long vacation.
There are so many family-friendly activities to do in Banff in summer, although be warned, summer is the most popular time of year to visit. The main street is a great place to start with its cute shops and mountain views. Make sure to include a stop for beaver tails, Canada’s classic pastry and a kid favorite. The Banff Gondola is another fun activity and provides beautiful views over Banff and the surrounding mountains. There are lots of kid friendly hikes nearby including Johnson Canyon. All visitors to Banff need to visit nearby Lake Louise with its turquoise colored lake. For families who enjoy hiking, we recommend the Lake Agnes Tea House hike at Lake Louise. For families with older children, there is great white water rafting to be had, as well as safe climbing at the Norquay Via Ferrata. Families will also enjoy soaking in the Banff Hot Springs and visiting the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
Winter in Banff is much less busy, but offers so many fun winter activities for active families. There is world-class skiing in the Valley, ice skating on frozen lakes, dog sledding, snow shoeing and even ice castles. After a day full of activity, we definitely felt like we deserved our hot chocolate, poutine and hot tub. No matter which season we visit, we fall in love with the charm of Banff. It’s easy to understand why it is one of Canada’s favorite towns.
Recommended by Dawn from 5 Lost Together. Find out more from Dawn about Banff with kids.
#4: Canmore With Kids
Canmore is one of Canada’s family gems. Often overlooked by its far more famous neighbor Banff, Canmore sits just outside of the National Park, only an hour from Calgary International Airport by car. It is a true natural playground without the same number of tourists. Summers are short but stunningly beautiful. We like to take advantage of the many cycling and hiking trails and pack a picnic to see the hidden waterfall at Heart Creek. Older kids will enjoy camping and kayaking at Kananaskis and Bow Creek.
Winter brings on frozen lakes, ice skating and sledding. The Nordic Centre, famous for hosting many events at the 1988 Winter Olympics, offers kids opportunities to experience snow shoeing, tobogganing, or the bravest can try fat tire winter biking. A real highlight for our kids’ first visit was taking a dog sled ride on the frozen waters of Spray Lakes. The eerie howling in the foot of the magical snow-capped mountains is something they will never forget.
The township of Canmore is small and flat, easy to navigate with a stroller and provides plenty of cafes to warm hands up before heading out for more outdoor fun! Families will enjoy Café Books with a dedicated kids’ corner – and who doesn’t love ice cream year around – pop into Scoopin’ Moose for a treat.
Recommended by Keri Hedrick from Our Globetrotters.
#5: Jasper National Park With Kids
Located along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in western Alberta, Jasper National Park is known for its majestic peaks, glacier-fed lakes and vast wilderness. Jasper National Park is the perfect place for adventurous families looking for an unforgettable family vacation. The park is massive and the options for outdoor activities are endless! For the family that enjoys hiking, there are hundreds of miles of hiking trails from which to choose and hikes suitable for all ability levels. Some famous sights, like Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls, can be reached via a short walk from the parking area or extended for families seeking a little more. Maligne Canyon is suitable for even the youngest hikers since several bridges along the trail allow families to customize the length of the hike.
Families who prefer being on the water can take a cruise on stunning Maligne Lake to visit Spirit Island or book a float trip on the Athabasca River. For panoramic views of Jasper and the Athabasca Valley, take the Jasper SkyTram to Whistlers Summit. There’s so much to see and do, we could easily spend a week in Jasper National Park and still not see it all! With its location just north of popular Banff National Park, Jasper is often overlooked. However, we highly recommend driving up the spectacular Icefields Parkway and adding Jasper to any Canadian Rockies visit!
Recommended by Amy Brahan from Just Go Travel Studios. Find out more from Amy about Jasper National Park.
Manitoba With Kids
#6: Churchill With Kids
Churchill, Manitoba is known both as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World” and the “Beluga Capital of the World.” Summer is Beluga Season and the bulbous critters swim up the Churchill River from the Hudson Bay to calve. In October and November, polar bears gather on the shores of Hudson Bay waiting for sea ice to form so they can hunt seals after a long fast. I’ve visited in August and October and seen both belugas and polar bears on the same trip.
In summer, my family likes walking around town, visiting a couple shops, exploring the Eskimo Museum and hiking on the tundra. In Bear Season, caution has to be taken, because bears wander through town. They just want to get out on the ice and eat, but until it forms, they occasionally satisfy that famous bear curiosity by seeing what’s going on in Churchill. Unfortunately, as the ice forms later in the season and melts earlier, due to climate change, the bears’ fasting period is extending.
There is plenty to do in Churchill for families with a couple days to spare. Our kids loved riding in the Tundra Buggies in search of bears. Since the floor is 12-feet above the ground, the bears can’t reach in, even when they stand on their back feet. Frontiers North guides are great with kids and might even let them drive. They also offer boat tours to see belugas in the summer, as well as guided hikes. To get to Churchill, it’s possible to fly from Winnipeg or take the train from Thompson Falls. There aren’t any roads to the 1,000-person town, so flying or taking the train are the only ways to get there.
Recommended by Mel Harrison from Traveling Mel. Find out more from Mel about Churchill with kids.
#7: Winnipeg With Kids
Winnipeg, a Canadian prairie city and capital of the province of Manitoba, was our hometown and home base for almost 25 years. From a local’s perspective, Winnipeg is a very family friendly city. Its size is very manageable, and the most important sights can easily be visited within a couple of days. However, families planning a longer stay will not run out of amazing and unique things to do.
Families can fly to Winnipeg from any Canadian city and from many US cities. And in the summer, there are direct flights from London available. We highly recommend staying in downtown Winnipeg. The number one, family focused place in the city, and located right downtown, is The Forks, which has been a trading place for First Nations people for over six thousand years.
At The Forks in the summer, families can eat some delicious food, listen to buskers singing, take a boat ride or dance salsa outdoors. In the winter, we love to skate on the frozen Assiniboine River – one of the longest skating trails in the world! For the youngest visitors, don’t miss the Manitoba Children’s Museum located right at The Forks. It’s a giant indoor playground filled with many educational opportunities. If your kids like theater, take them to the Manitoba Theatre for Young People.
And any time of the year, we enjoy visiting the Winnipeg Zoo or several of Winnipeg’s world class museums. Don’t miss the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. It’s never too early to learn about this important topic. Also visit the Manitoba Museum to learn about this province’s history, geography and its people. And for an amazing nature preserve right in the city, we recommend Fort Whyte Alive any time of the year.
But don’t just stop at Winnipeg. Manitoba boasts over 110,000 lakes, where families can fish or just relax on the beach. And northern Manitoba’s subarctic region is home to the largest polar bear population in the world.
Recommended by Bea from PackYourBags. Find out more from Bea about visiting Manitoba.
Ontario With Kids
#8: Niagara Falls With Kids
Niagara Falls is one of my all time favorite places to visit in Canada because it is so versatile. The falls themselves attract many tourists throughout the year, but the area itself is vibrant, fun and easy. Both sides of the falls offer amazing attractions. We loved walking under the falls in the Cave of the Winds experience and particularly enjoyed the Maid of the Mist or Hornblower boat that took us into the falls itself.
Families looking for a bit more adventure can book a jet boat and whizz along the rapids of the Niagara River. For a fun filled day, stay on the Canadian side and visit the family orientated museums such as Ripley’s Believe it Or Not or the hilariously BAD wax museum. For a quieter, more peaceful experience, we enjoyed strolling around the Niagara Falls State Park on the American side.
For evenings, we enjoyed the many bars and restaurants found on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and for a special romantic splurge, we headed up to the top of the Skylon Tower. We also loved taking the evening boat into the falls to watch the fireworks and see the falls lit up – a nightly event that added something special to our trip.
Recommended by Katie from Creative Travel Guide. Find out more from Katie about Niagara Falls.
#9: Niagara-on-the-Lake With Kids
Niagara-on-the-Lake is not be confused with Niagara Falls, as it’s the Napa Valley of Canada and most vineyards are kid friendly. While in Niagara Falls, we decided to continue our drive to Niagara-on-the-Lake which is located approximately 12 miles from Horseshoe Falls. This picturesque town epitomizes old town charm and is a direct contrast to its much more commercial neighbor. The proximity to Niagara Falls means that it’s easy to go back and forth between the locations and truly enjoy everything that this town located on the shores of Lake Ontario and the mouth of the Niagara River has to offer. While the town is known for its wineries, it has many family friendly activities. We highly recommend the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, which combines a thrill ride with historical information regarding the Canadian Underground Railroad. Families can pack food and enjoy a picnic and views at Queen’s Royal Park, followed by Anne of Green Gables – PEI inspired soda and ice-cream at COWS Ice Cream Shop on Queens Street.
Recommended overnight accommodations: Oban Inn & Spa. Additional must do experiences in Niagara-on-the-lake include: Fort George National Historic Site, Walkers Country Market, explore the Prince of Wales Hotel and take strolls around Queen Street.
Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel. Find out more from Ruth about the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours.
#10: Toronto With Kids
Our family isn’t usually big on tourist hot spots when we travel, but the CN Tower in Toronto is hands-down our favorite thing to do in Ontario’s largest city. Glass elevators rocket up to the Look Out Level at 1,136 feet high and the panoramic views of the city of Toronto are simply unbeatable. On clear days, you can see all the way to Niagara Falls! One floor below is the Glass Floor, where those daring enough can walk out on the glass floor panels where it looks as if you’re walking on Toronto. Our boys are always brave enough to try it, but mom and dad have to really work up the courage! The grounds around the CN Tower are also a beautiful place to explore. The outdoor Toronto Railway Museum is right at the base of the CN Tower and is popular with young train lovers. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is also located right at the base of the CN Tower and you’re only a short walk from the beautiful waterfront- so it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring this part of Toronto!
Recommended by Lissa from Roots Wings and Travel Things.
Quebec With Kids
#11: La Malbaie With Kids
As part of a summer road trip in Canada, I decided to spend a night in the town of La Malbaie with our family. Fortunately we had friends who own a house in La Malbaie and graciously offered to host us for the evening. I packed up our kids from our last night in Quebec, and we got in the car to make our two-hour drive to La Malbaie. La Malbaie is a town in the countryside of Charlevoix. It literally means “bad bay.” Charlevoix is a gorgeous provincial strip nestled between the Laurentian mountains and the St. Lawrence River.
I planned a stop at the Chutes Sainte-Anne along the way to visit the waterfalls. The entire circuit took 45 minutes consisting of pathways, stairs, and bridges above the falls. There were many areas to stop and snap a photo of the falls. About 20 minutes outside of the town of La Malbaei is the Maritime Museum, where we learned about the rich maritime history of the area. I took the family to explore schooners, tug boats and a sawmill as well as exploring the shores of the Saint Lawrence River.
In the morning I woke up everyone for a whale watching experience with Croisieres AML. They offer a zodiac boat or a boat cruise. We all wanted to do the zodiac, but there are age restrictions and our youngest was too young. He and my husband took the boat cruise and I went with the older two kids on the zodiac. We saw humpbacks and plenty of minke whales. The entire excursion lasted three and a half hours.
We spent the afternoon at Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. We took a nice relaxing hike at The Pointe-Noire Interpretation and Observation Centre and spent an hour or so looking out at the Saint Laurence while relaxing and enjoying the views. I insisted on a visit to the Fairmont hotel in La Malbaie; A Chateau-styled hotel overlooking the Saint Lawrence River. We parked and walked in to check out this former Canadian National railroad palace. I took the kids into the Vergers Pedneault shop in the hotel, which makes some of the best artisanal cider in Quebec. We stocked up on apple jams, cider vinegar, and elegant (grownup) ciders, including an amazing dessert cider. Before leaving La Malbaie, we also picked up some terrific pastries and great coffee at Pains d’Exclamation for the ride home.
Recommended by Ali Netzer from Five Family Adventurers. Find out more from Ali about 24 hours in La Malbaie.
#12: Montreal With Kids
For families who want to be transported to another country and culture and want to give kids a European experience without the transatlantic flight, definitely visit Montreal for a weekend, week or longer! It is easily to fly to Montreal from all points in the United States or take the Amtrak from New York City (and connecting east coast cities) or, as we did, drive into Canada as Montreal is less than an hour from the NY-Canada crossing on I-87.
A visit to Montreal affords traveling families great sight-seeing – we recommend visiting Jardin Botanique or Insectarium, hiking on Mont Royal, taking the funicular to the top of the Tour Olympic, eating dinner in Vieux Montreal, cruising on the river from the Port of Montreal, touring the Notre Dame Basilica and exploring one of the many Montreal museums. A trip to Montreal made us feel like we had been transported to a quaint French city. Although everyone we met was bilingual, French language was definitely the default. The food, architecture, culture and life felt far more European than North American. For my kids, this was a great first trip abroad, a chance to practice some French and begin to learn that not everyone lives like them! We had so much fun exploring Montreal!
Recommended by Harmony Skillman from Momma to Go. Find out more from Harmony about kid friendly things to do in Montreal.
#13: Quebec City With Kids
Families looking for a winter destination to visit with kids should look no further than Quebec City, Canada. With its European charm (without the jet lag), amazing French food and unique history as a walled city, there is plenty to visit and keep the kids engaged. Quebec City International Airport makes arrivals easy with its close location to the city.
We timed our visit to coincide with the German Christmas markets and snow fun, including a toboggan ride in front of the famous Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Families looking for more snow adventure can head over to the Valcartier resort, only 30 minutes from the city for its indoor water park and over 20 snow tubing tracks. The historic walled city is easy to explore by foot and that adds to its charm with beautiful streets filled with shops and places to eat. Be sure to stroll along Rue du Petit Champlain and enjoy a nice meal at the kid-friendly restaurant Le Lapin Sauté. From there, head a couple blocks over to the Museum of Civilization where kids can let loose while exploring a mystical forest, testing out their STEM lab and exploring the exhibit OBSERVE, where not everything meets the eye!
Recommended by Chelsea Kelly-Sipe from Pack More Into Life. Find out more from Chelsea about Quebec City with kids.
Nova Scotia With Kids
#14: Bay of Fundy With Kids (New Brunswick and Nova Scotia)
The Bay of Fundy is home to the highest tides in the world, and its a perfect vacation destination for outdoor-loving families. It is located between the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada. The world-famous tides can fluctuate between 29 and 52 feet. In some places, the tides recede more than three miles from shore during low tide, allowing visitors to explore the ocean floor. One of our favorite places to explore Fundy’s tides, as well as an abundance of recreational opportunities, is in Fundy National Park.
Fundy National Park encompasses 80 square miles (206 km) of rugged coastline and Acadian forest, where families can find more than 60 miles (100 km) of hiking trails, four front-country campgrounds, beautiful cascading waterfalls, freshwater lakes, and even a heated, saltwater swimming pool.
We stayed at the relatively quiet Point Wolf campground, which was a great base camp for exploring all that Fundy National Park has to offer. Highlights of a trip to Fundy National Park include hiking the Matthew’s Head Loop trail, which is a 2.8-mile coastal trail that is perfect for kids, eating super fresh seafood in the nearby town of Alma, and kayaking the bay with Fresh Air Adventure Tours. The nearest airport is in Halifax, which is a four-hour drive from Fundy National Park. The area surrounding the park is quite rural, so the best bet is to rent a car to have the freedom to explore.
Recommended by Tara Schatz from Backroad Ramblers. Find out more from Tara in her Fundy National Park Camping Guide.
#15: Halifax With Kids
Halifax is the capital city of the province of Nova Scotia, located on the Atlantic coast of Canada. This second smallest Canadian province is often overlooked by visitors to the country, but traveling families should make it a priority to visit. It’s possible to fly direct to this province from several Canadian and US cities. And, it is easy to get here from Europe, especially from the UK. Nova Scotia (meaning New Scotland) has daily flights to and from Great Britain.
Halifax is great for families for several reasons. For one, it is a great place for those who like a perfect mix of city and nature. When hiking in the city, we feel like we’re in a forest. Here is our list of favorite things to see and do in Halifax with kids:
- Walk along the Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk
- Have a lobster chowder
- Visit Halifax Seaport Farmers Market
- Climb aboard HMSC Sackville, a naval ship from World War II
- Visit the Citadel Historic Site
- See the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
- Take a ferry from Halifax to Dartmouth
- Visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
- Visit Peggy’s Cove (45 minute drive from Halifax) to see the iconic lighthouse
- Visit the town of Lunenburg (1 hour, 15 minute drive from Halifax), a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Go to the beach. Our favorite is Crystal Crescent Beach.
Halifax is a foodie’s paradise and wonderful vacation destination for families.
Recommended by Bea from PackYourBags. Find out more from Bea about great places to eat in Halifax.
3 comments
This came out really great! I would love to visit Vancouver, Quebec City or the maritimes one day!
Ahhhhh I want to do all these things! Now that both my kids have passports, I’m looking to travel more in Canada.
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