It’s always a great time to visit Canada, but now it’s particularly poignant. With tariff tensions between the U.S. and Canada, many Canadians are rethinking their travel plans to the States. We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for alternatives to your favourite U.S. travel destinations. Here are some of the most worthy spots in Canada for your vacation dollars.
Western Newfoundland
Instead of Hawaii, Utah or Arizona consider Western Newfoundland. No, really! Western Newfoundland ticks off so many boxes. It delivers breathtaking natural beauty without the crowds, there’s iceberg viewing, whale watching and rich history all without border hassles.
Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne National Park is a spectacular alternative to U.S. destinations like Hawaii, Arizona and Utah, with its glacier-carved fjords, dramatic mountains, and the rare Tablelands—all with incredible hiking, boat tours, and wildlife encounters.
It’s also much less crowded than the more touristy destinations. The best part is that Gros Morne is also affordable, delivering just as much natural beauty for a fraction of the cost.
Green Gardens Trail in Gros Morne National Park rivals Kauai’s coastal cliffs. It features towering sea stacks, lush meadows, seabirds, and wild sheep roaming the rugged landscape—all without tropical humidity.
Western Brook Pond offers a breathtaking boat tour through a glacier-carved fjord, where sheer 2,000-ft cliffs and cascading waterfalls create a scene as dramatic as anything in Hawaii’s Nā Pali Coast.
Canada’s answer to Arizona and Utah is found at The Tablelands. This is the spot where rock from Earth’s mantle was forced to the surface by tectonic activity a gajillion years ago. One of only three places on Earth where you can walk on exposed mantle rock, this Mars-like landscape is unlike anywhere else in Canada.
I walked here with my daughter when she was 9, and we both loved it. Unlike hiking in Moab, Gros Morne offers fresh ocean air and peaceful, uncrowded trails.
Rich History and Maritime Culture Without Border Hassles
Western Newfoundland’s outport communities showcase a vibrant maritime culture, offering a different experience from the quaint harbours of Maine or Cape Cod. If you’re considering New England or Boston for history and culture, Western Newfoundland offers an even deeper and more diverse past.
Port au Choix National Historic Site showcases 6,000 years of Indigenous history, from the Maritime Archaic and Dorset peoples to the Mi’kmaq. Here, you can walk among ancient burial sites, explore archaeological finds, and connect with Indigenous traditions that continue to thrive today—all while spotting the local caribou herd.
Port au Choix is also a scenic and active fishing village. Spots to suss out around town include multicoloured boats at wharves, the local fish plant, and the Point Riche Lighthouse.
While New England celebrates the Pilgrims, L’Anse aux Meadows is all about the Vikings. Norse explorers landed 1,000 years ago—500 years before Columbus at this now UNESCO World Heritage Site.
My daughter loved walking through the Viking settlement, complete with reconstructed sod houses, costumed interpreters, and archaeological remains marking the earliest known European presence in North America.
Intimate Iceberg and Whale Watching
If you’re considering Alaska or California for whale watching and dramatic ocean scenery, Newfoundland and Labrador offers a unique and unforgettable experience.
Newfoundland and Labrador is the only place in Canada where you can see icebergs. Iceberg Alley, running along the province’s coast, is one of the best spots in the world to witness these 10,000-year-old giants floating by.
Unlike Alaska’s glacier cruises, which focus on stationary ice formations, Newfoundland’s icebergs constantly shift, break apart, and change shape, offering a dynamic, ever-evolving spectacle. Every spring and early summer, massive icebergs drift down from Greenland. You can track their progress at IcebergFinder.com.
Newfoundland and Labrador also boast the world’s largest population of humpback whales, returning each year between May and September. While you’ll find whale-watching tours along the US and Canadian coasts, they’re typically uncrowded here.
Smaller, more intimate whale-watching experiences with local guides who have deep seafaring knowledge are what you’ll find here.
The province’s rugged cliffs, deep fjords, and quaint harbours are as stunning as Alaska’s Inside Passage and California’s Big Sur. And the best part? You can spot icebergs and whales from the shore from coastal hiking and walking trails. Take a boat tour to experience these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
How to get to Western Newfoundland?
There’s direct flights from Calgary to Deer Lake Regional Airport (YDF), and Porter and Air Canada flights from Calgary and Edmonton. Air Canada also flies from Fort McMurray to Deer Lake Regional Airport.
Where to Stay in Gros Morne National Park
There are plenty of friendly cabins, inns, motels, and hotels in Gros Morne National Park where you can rest your head. Here are a few of our favourites:
Need Help Planning Your Trip?
Visit this section of the Newfoundland Labrador site for trip planning advice specific to the Western Region. Representatives from Western Newfoundland will be at the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show March 29 & 30th, at Stampede Park, BMO Centre. Swing by and ask them your questions.
Niagara Parks in Niagara Falls
There are so many reasons to visit Niagara Falls—which everyone knows is best viewed from the Canadian side. If you’ve got kids, you probably know all about their tricked-out hotel waterslides and all the theme park thrills experienced at Clifton Hill.
Wine enthusiasts who might have planned trips to Napa or Sonoma can explore Niagara’s renowned wine country instead, with over 50 wineries producing award-winning vintages, particularly ice wines that have earned international acclaim.
Niagara’s microclimate creates ideal conditions for lush gardens, hiking trails, and outdoor recreation throughout the year, offering experiences comparable to many popular U.S. destinations but with the comfort and convenience of staying in Canada.
Niagara Parks
I particularly love heading to Niagara Parks. It’s a perfect summer getaway and road trip destination to let your curiosity lead the way.
From exhilarating Class 6 whitewater rapids to the serene Butterfly Conservatory, immersive heritage experiences, and breathtaking views of the iconic falls, there’s something for every traveller.
Tesla: A Spark of Genius – A Must-See Exhibit
Niagara Parks has partnered with the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade, Serbia, to present Tesla: A Spark of Genius, a limited-time exhibit inside the Niagara Parks Power Station until October 13.
Included with general daytime admission and select Adventure Pass products, this immersive experience showcases Tesla’s groundbreaking innovations, hands-on STEM activities, and artifacts that highlight his role in revolutionizing electricity at Niagara Falls. Learn more here.
Hidden Gem: Niagara Falls Illumination from the Tunnel
Probably my favourite thing to do is visit the Niagara Parks Power Station + Tunnel at night.
It’s an unforgettable experience that begins by walking through the 2,200-foot-long underground Tunnel. It leads to a breathtaking observation platform at the edge of the Niagara River. (Just so you know, you’ll probably get sprayed with mist, but that’s part of the fun.)
Here, you can view the illuminated Horseshoe Falls from a unique viewpoint. You can even view the Niagara Falls fireworks from the platform on select nights this summer. Learn more here.
Guests looking to plan ahead can now buy their Adventure Pass Plus online.
How to get to Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls is an easy day trip from Toronto. If you’re not driving, you can take VIA Rail, the GO train, or bus services from several city locations.
Where to Stay in Niagara Falls
The three hotels connected to Fallsview Indoor Waterpark are hard to beat for families.
Sheraton Fallsview
Skyline Hotel & Waterpark
Crowne Plaza Niagara
I loved watching the nightly fireworks from massive windows inside my guest room at Hilton Niagara Falls/ Fallsview Hotel & Suites, where I stayed last summer.
Need help planning your trip?
Read this post on the best experiences in Niagara Falls or this one on how to see the falls from unique perspectives.
Or, visit Niagara Parks for trip planning advice.
Parksville, Vancouver Island
Parksville offers California-like beach experiences with an almost 20 km stretch of sandy beach on the eastern side of Vancouver Island. And fantastically, the tides recede a kilometre from the shoreline.
When the tide’s out, the sun heats up all that sand, so when it comes back in, you can swim in some of Canada’s warmest seawater. Families with toddlers can explore the tide pools when the tide’s out, while older kids can attempt skimboarding.
Beyond the beach, Parksville’s surrounding area delivers diverse experiences rivalling U.S. destinations. There’s world-class golfing, exploring ancient forests in Cathedral Grove (similar to California’s redwood experiences), and wine-tasting tours throughout Vancouver Island’s growing wine region.
The Beach Club Resort
Steps away from the main beach sits The Beach Club Resort, a luxury oceanfront property with spacious condo-style suites and traditional hotel rooms offering panoramic ocean views, private balconies, and resort amenities, including pools and spa services.
Parksville’s moderate climate makes it accessible year-round. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-20s Celsius, perfect for Canadians seeking sun without the extreme heat of southern U.S. destinations.
How to get to Parksville?
Parksville is accessible via several airports on Vancouver Island. Fly into Comox, Nanaimo, or Victoria, then make the short drive to this seaside paradise.
Where to Stay in Parksville
If you want the best of both worlds—a beach and walking distance from town—look to The Beach Club Resort. Onsite amenities include a restaurant and lounge, spa, and complimentary leisure equipment like bikes, kayaks/stand-up paddle boards, and beach gear.
Until May 31, 2025, they’re offering a Spring Reset Sale, where you can save 20% on two-night stays. This offer is available for Alberta and BC residents only and must be booked directly through their website.
Need help planning your trip?
Read this post on 10 Amazing Things to Do in Parksville.
