Fun and unique ideas to discover or rediscover Canada

Looking for something exciting and different to do in the coming months? From coast to coast, there are plenty of cool diversions to be found across Canada.

Kick back at a natural hot spring

The sublime pleasure of relaxing in hot, mineral-filled water while surrounded by mountain views is hard to beat, and the coming months are the perfect time to head to Alberta and BC to do just that. There are resorts built around hot springs throughout those provinces, but some of the most spectacular ones are located in national parks operated by Parks Canada — Miette, Radium and Banff Upper Hot Springs, all with heaps of accommodation choices nearby for a perfect break. 

Explore Montreal’s classic old diners and delis

Now is the perfect time to indulge in comfort foods, and what better place to do that than Montreal’s classic diners where hearty meals are always on the menu? First stop should be Wilensky’s Light Lunch, which is like stepping into a museum that happens to serve amazing sandwiches and was featured on the TV show Mind of a Chef with David Chang. Mister Steer has been serving burgers made of the very best kosher beef since 1958 and has often been voted the best burger restaurant in the city in the many decades it has been open. Schwartz's Deli is famous for good reason — its smoked meat sandwiches are perfection and if you do have to line up to get in, it’s always worth the wait — but likewise Zytynsky's Deli has legions of loyal fans who swear their sandwiches are the best too.

Plan an artsy weekend in the Prairies

Both Saskatoon and Manitoba have blossomed into arts and culture hubs in recent years with many galleries, festivals, and art events. Saskatoon’s vast new gallery, the Remai Modern, is a stunning new addition to the city that was once called the Paris of the Prairies because of its abundance of art and culture. The Winnipeg Art Gallery recently opened a fantastic new Inuit art centre — Qaumajuq — filled with Indigenous art and sculptures. Both cities have hip neighbourhoods that are lots of fun to explore too, and first-time visitors are often surprised by how much they fall in love with these prairie cities.

Be a beachcomber in Prince Edward Island

The romance of windswept beaches is easy to enjoy all across PEI when you travel outside of high season. Rent yourself a beautiful beach house (a fireplace is a must of course) and plan to explore as much of the province as possible by walking its shores. There are many trails that web their way across and around PEI, so if you are willing to dress accordingly and don’t mind a little cold weather, this can be a great time to explore them. For city dwellers, this is the ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Rent a tiny house on the east coast of Newfoundland

Thanks to the tiny house revolution of the past few years, there are tons of awesome tiny houses and bunkies to rent all over Newfoundland’s east coast that offer amazing views and a cozy place to spend a few days. Often located in spots that are near-impossible to find accommodations in high season, you’re likely to find these adorable accommodations at favourable rates. Plus, if you love to hike and a little bit of wind and rain doesn’t put you off, you’ll be able to explore some of this province’s most beautiful routes and have them pretty much to yourself.

Travel to a new city and take a cooking class

Why not expand your recipes repertoire or polish up your baking skills? There are tons of fun spots in pretty much every major city in Canada that offer cooking classes, as well as social cooking events over weekends, that specialize in all kinds of cuisines. Once you’ve done the class, spend the rest of your city break exploring wonderful restaurants and cafes in the name of research! Another great way to explore any city’s foodie culture is to sign up for a food tour.

Ensure that your fall travel plans are fully protected by purchasing travel insurance before you go.