Travelling can be expensive. Even if you find great deals on flights and hotels, sticking to a budget while exploring a new place can be difficult with restaurant and attraction prices skyrocketing. And while there are plenty of great ways to spend your money in Canada, there are also plenty of free parks, museums and activities spread throughout the country, from coast to coast.
From Alberta's magnificent hoodoos to the grandeur of Canada's parliament, click through this gallery to discover amazing Canadian attractions you can enjoy without spending a cent...
Vancouver is full of luscious urban green spaces, but none are as famous or widely-visited as Stanley Park. Comprising a thousand acres of verdant rainforest, the park has it all: beaches, trails, totem poles, tennis courts, a wading pool and plenty of picnic spots. Walking or biking along the park’s six-mile (9km) seawall is one of the best ways to take in the classic Vancouver skyline. Bringing your own bike keeps the experience zero-cost, but rentals are also available nearby.
This gleaming mansion-turned-museum overlooking the city of Toronto is completely free of charge – visitors can even take a complimentary guided tour to get the full scoop on the history of the luxurious home. The museum tells the story of the affluent Austin family who lived in the house during the early 1900s. In addition to enjoying the home’s lavish decor, tourists can walk through the estate’s well-tended gardens.
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Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its European-style buildings and narrow cobblestone streets, the historic district of Old Quebec famously feels like a living history museum. Plenty of money can be spent in the area's many shops and restaurants, but it’s the rustic, laid-back atmosphere of the city that's the real attraction. It won't cost you a thing to stroll among the mostly 19th-century buildings, take in the views, explore old churches and poke your head into the famous Chateau Frontenac hotel.
Accessing the Signal Hill Visitor Centre comes with a small fee, but visitors can make their way up the hill and roam the grounds for free. The hill, which offers a great view of St John’s Harbour, served as a military lookout right the way from the 1640s up to the Second World War, and also played a crucial role in the development of wireless communications. In 1901 Guglielmo Marconi received the first ever transatlantic signal at the hill – sent from Cornwall, England – and in 1920 a tower on the hill transmitted a human voice across the Atlantic for the first time. Today, visitors tend to hike around the area, enjoying the views and basking in its deep historic aura.
This attraction is a tribute to the fictional village of Avonlea from Canadian author LM Montgomery’s much beloved Anne of Green Gables novels (which spawned the popular Anne With An E television series). The makeshift town features the original schoolhouse Montgomery once taught in, as well as a smattering of other historic buildings and newer replicas. It's free to enter the village, though money can easily be spent at the site’s restaurants and gift shops.
Southern Alberta’s Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park features stunning natural rock formations, but the real draw here is cultural. The area is sacred to the Blackfoot people, whose ancestors have been visiting here for millennia. For generations, Indigenous inhabitants etched invaluable pieces of writing and art into the rock formations, most of which can still be viewed by visitors wandering the park’s many hiking trails.
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This historic attraction in Brockville, near the northeast corner of Lake Ontario, became the first railway tunnel in Canada when it opened for business in 1860. Decommissioned in 1970, visitors are now free to walk through the tunnel, which spans a third of a mile (500m) right under the city, starting at the Brockville waterfront. The tunnel is fitted with music and colourful lights (recently updated), which makes for an intriguing experience fit for both families and history buffs.
Hatley Castle – a grand Victoria mansion originally built in 1908 – charges guests for guided tours and takes donations for entrance to its museum, but its gorgeous and extensive gardens can be enjoyed completely for free. The castle sits on a 650-acre estate home to a forest of heritage trees, including giant 250-year-old Douglas firs, as well as meticulously maintained formal rose, Italian and Japanese gardens that were installed as far back as 1910. Look for the classically Japanese stone lanterns and humped bridge.
Have you ever wanted to see the world’s largest nickel? Well, there’s a 30-foot (9m) replica in Sudbury, Ontario. How about a 25-foot (8m) non-edible pyrogy? That’s in Glendon, Alberta. Elsewhere in Canada you might stumble across the world’s largest curling rock (Arborg, Manitoba), a 17-foot-tall (5m) Cheeto complete with finger dust (Cheadle, Alberta), and the world’s second largest Easter Egg (Vegreville, Alberta), all free to be enjoyed by anyone lucky enough to be driving by.
You don’t have to be Catholic, or indeed religious at all, to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of this enormous church on the summit of Montreal’s Mount Royal mountain. Packed with history and topped with one of the world's biggest domes, it is the largest sanctuary in the world dedicated to St Joseph and the largest church in Canada. St Andre of Montreal, the monk who took charge of building the oratory in the early 20th century, is entombed in a special crypt inside. Visitors can also enjoy an outdoor sculpture garden.
Once the largest shopping mall in the world, the massive West Edmonton Mall is still a sight to behold. Obviously there are plenty of great ways to spend money here: alongside the more than 800 shops there's also a giant waterpark, a bowling alley, a karting track, an underground aquarium, an escape room, two mini-golf courses, a skating rink and an amusement park. But you can walk around, window shop and take in the over-the-top sights – including an indoor lake complete with a pirate ship – without spending a dime.
Get off the main road and explore the interior of British Columbia via this decommissioned railway line originally built in 1915. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail snakes along a 400-mile (650km) route from Hope to Castlegar, serving up stellar views to cyclists and hikers as they move through the forest. One of the most popular sections is at Myra Canyon near Kelowna, known for its series of scenic trestles and relatively flat terrain.
While any trip to Niagara should include a visit to the Falls (which you can also see for free from the city of Niagara Falls), visitors should also stop at the Floral Clock on the scenic Niagara Parkway. Measuring 40 feet (12m) in diameter, the clock is designed, planted and maintained by students of the nearby Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, and there are new blooms there every season. Want more? Head to the Botanical Gardens where you can see over 80,000 annual plants and award-winning gardens spread across 99 acres, for a small fee.
The magnificent buildings on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill are iconic symbols of Canada – and they’re completely free to visit. Parliament’s main Centre Block building is closed for major renovations until at least 2030, but visitors can tour the House of Commons in the West Block, the heritage rooms in the East Block and the temporary home of the Canadian Senate in Ottawa's former train station. There’s even an immersive multimedia experience that allows users inside the Centre Block while it’s under construction.
The Bay of Fundy is known for its incredibly strong tidal waters (it has the highest tides in the world), which result in some dramatic natural phenomena. The Reversing Falls Rapids occur where the tidal waters of the bay collide with water emptying from the St John River, causing a 'natural tug-of-war' between the two bodies that can cause the river to seemingly flow in reverse. Visitors can view the whole thing from a bridge in Fallsview Park, or a lookout at nearby Wolastoq Park.
Tall wooden buildings known as grain elevators – used to store wheat and other grains – were once a common sight on the Canadian prairies, but these days they've mostly been replaced with concrete towers. One of the best places to see old grain elevators is the Inglis Grain Elevators National Historic Site, with five intact wooden elevators still standing neatly in a row. Admission is charged for tours, but it is free to simply take in the grandeur of these towering historic structures.
Open as a public park since 1912, Lynn Canyon Park has for decades been a beloved spot for hikers, forest bathers and anyone in need of a quick nature hit. The popular Baden Powell Trail cuts through the park, crossing Lynn Canyon with the help of the majestic Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, a swaying structure that stretches 160 feet (50m) over the rocky cliffs and rushing waterfalls below, and through a thick canopy of lush forest.
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St Thomas is the first elevated park in Canada – but what exactly is an elevated park? In this case, it’s a public green space built on an 850-foot-long (259m) decommissioned railway bridge perched 95 feet (30m) above the road below. Similar to attractions like the High Line in New York, there are benches to sit on, and stunning views of the Kettle Creek Valley. The park is open daily free of charge, and dogs on leads are also welcome to visit.
One of the most bustling parts of the city, Halifax’s boardwalk-lined waterfront is always full of life and the scent of sea air. With two-and-a-half miles (4km) to explore, there's plenty to see and do without having to reach for your wallet. Watch boats go by, pose for photos in front of public art pieces, relax in one of the signature orange hammocks on the boardwalk or enjoy the panoramic views of the Halifax skyline.
Most Canadian cities have public libraries that double as meeting spaces, but the new Central Library in Calgary is truly special. The four-storey building is a work of art both inside and out, winning plaudits in Architectural Digest and The New York Times for its sleek aesthetic and attention to detail. The library is worth visiting just to see the building, but once inside visitors can read books, stream films and documentaries or kill time in the central open plaza.
Located well north of the Arctic Circle, it makes sense that the local Catholic church in Inuvik is designed to mimic the shape and look of a snow-covered igloo. Officially known as Our Lady of Victory, the striking exterior of Inuvik’s unique 'igloo church' offers one of the best photo opportunities in this northern community. Tours of the interior are also available during the summer months.
Encompassing Des Braves Park and the famous Plains of Abraham, Quebec City’s answer to Central Park is the site of some of the most significant military engagements in Canada’s history, including a pivotal battle between the British and the French during the Seven Years' War. You can pay a fee to visit the Plains of Abraham Museum or simply enjoy the park's wide open spaces while looking out over the magnificent St Lawrence River. Activities are also programmed in the park throughout the year.
Canada’s natural beauty is one of the main reasons people visit, and few things anywhere are as beautiful as the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Caused by solar particles interacting with gases in the atmosphere near Earth's magnetic poles, this all-natural lightshow can appear across the country, but you’re most likely to see it in the far-north during the darkest parts of winter.
One of the most familiar sights in Canada, the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove is a national icon. Visitors to this small East Coast community can walk up to the lighthouse and watch the waves dramatically crash on the rocks without paying a cent. There’s more to see than the lighthouse though – be sure to poke around the adjacent village filled with fishing boats and old lobster traps for a postcard-perfect slice of maritime charm.
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Montreal is famous for its vibrant markets and Jean Talon is perhaps the best-known of the bunch. Even if you have no intention of spending money, experiencing the buzzing atmosphere of this open-air market, one of the largest in North America, is a must. Despite the chilly Montreal winter, the market is open year-round, with walls going up around the exterior in cold weather. Enjoy the sights and smells of the vendors’ wares and look out for special events throughout the year.
Another natural attraction created by the Bay of Fundy's powerful tides, these sandstone caves are submerged during high tide. They can only be approached by boat during that time, but at low tide you can explore them on foot – walking to the entrances across the ocean floor. Visitors can wonder at the natural rock formations, enjoy chowder at the nearby restaurant or do a spot of birdwatching across the bay. Be sure to consult local tide tables ahead of time if you’re planning to check out the cave interiors.
Drumheller is in the heart of Alberta’s dinosaur country, and no natural feature is more connected with the province’s prehistoric geography than the otherworldly rock formations known as hoodoos. Formed over the course of millions of years, a number of these flat-topped sandstone pillars are grouped together on this easy walking trail just outside Drumheller. For more of a challenge, there are a host of other more testing Badlands hiking routes nearby.
Technically part of Signal Hill, Fort Amherst is worth seeing in and of itself, as it was once the location of a fortification originally built in 1777. That fort no longer exists, but visitors still flock to the site to view the Fort Amherst Lighthouse, a traditional red and white tapered lighthouse that was built in 1951 to replace a dilapidated predecessor. It’s free to walk up to the lighthouse and take pictures overlooking the Narrows leading into St John’s Harbour.
An eclectic neighbourhood and shopping district in the centre of the city, strolling the vibrantly colourful streets of Kensington Market is a quintessential Toronto experience. There are plenty of shops and places to eat, but merely window shopping at the many vintage clothing stores, taking in the smells and sounds of the open-air food stalls and people-watching are enough to keep most visitors engaged and entertained for hours.
Located at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers in the heart of urban Winnipeg, the area now known as The Forks has been a traditional gathering place for over 6,000 years. The area is now home to a market, world-class museums including the Children's Museum and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and ample outdoor space for wandering and enjoying the wide range of public art. During the cold Winnipeg winter, the area turns into an icy wonderland with space to skate, ski and snowshoe.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is North America’s best-preserved 19th century ’slackwater’ canal, where engineers built dams to drown rapids along the route, rather than cutting a canal around them. It links the Ottawa River with the Cataraqui River and Lake Ontario at Kingston, with picturesque walking trails following the route. At various points, pleasure boats and kayakers fill the historic locks, most of which are still intact and operated by specially trained Parks Canada lockmasters. In winter the canal freezes over and becomes a popular place to ice skate.
At 410 feet (125m) above sea level, Queen Elizabeth Park sits at the highest point within the city of Vancouver, offering stunning views over downtown and to the mountains beyond. This former rock quarry has been transformed into one of most beautiful and well-maintained gardens in the world, with manicured lawns and seasonal floral displays and winding trails that take visitors through enchanting, wooded forests. Wandering through the 128-acre gardens is free, although there is a small entrance fee to visit the Bloedel Conservatory, a dome-shaped tropical conservatory filled with exotic plants and birds.
At 75 feet high (23m), Athabasca Falls may not be tall by Rocky Mountain standards, but it is one of the most powerful. When the snow melts in spring, 4,000 cubic feet of water per second (113cu/ms) rumbles along a narrow gorge before tumbling into a swirly chasm carved out of sedimentary rocks, all framed by beautiful Mount Kerkeslin looming overhead. As you follow the clearly marked trails, you’ll hear – and feel – the falls before you see them. Take care, because the fine spray makes parts of the trail slippery.
Everybody loves a puffin and one of the best places to see them is at the gorgeous viewing site at Elliston in Newfoundland. This windswept spot on the Bonavista peninsula offers the closest encounters with puffins on land in the whole of North America, with these comically beautiful creatures landing on cliffs literally within touching distance. Visit between May and September for the most intimate encounters. Admission to the site is free but, as always, donations are appreciated.
Legend has it that Al Capone once spent time hiding out in this friendly city in southern Saskatchewan, desperate to evade the authorities. These days however, it is better known as the mural capital of North America, with over 47 giant outdoor murals dotted around its charming downtown. The murals depict important moments in Mooses Jaw's history, pay tribute to the industries that made it thrive and honour fallen soldiers as well as the Lakota Sioux, Cree, Assiniboine, Metis and other first nation people who made camp in the valley here.
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