The most beautiful weekend road trips in Canada
Hit the road
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Yukon: Whitehorse to Dawson City
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Yukon: Whitehorse to Dawson City
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British Columbia: Nanaimo to Tofino
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British Columbia: Nanaimo to Tofino
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British Columbia: Vancouver to the Fraser Valley
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British Columbia: Vancouver to the Fraser Valley
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The river valley makes for some of the most fertile farmland in Canada and many local food producers welcome visitors for either formal or self-guided tours. History lovers can also stop at the Fort Langley National Historic Site, an interpretive centre that served as a working Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading post 150 years ago.
British Columbia: Vancouver to Whistler
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Just the name of road from Vancouver to Whistler – the Sea to Sky Highway – is enticing. The route, which actually terminates just north of Whistler in Pemberton is only 101 miles (163km) long, but it’s worth slowing down and taking the time to drink in the coastal views and stop to learn about British Columbia’s rich Indigenous history from the Cultural Journey interpretive kiosks posted along the way.
British Columbia: Vancouver to Whistler
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British Columbia: Kelowna to Osoyoos
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British Columbia: Kelowna to Osoyoos
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While the lakes and surrounding desert-like landscapes are beautiful, the geography of the area is also prime for grape growing. The highway is dotted with wineries, many of which offer tours and tastings to the public. The famed Golden Mile Bench, BC’s first official wine sub-region sits on the southern part of the journey between Oliver and Osoyoos, featuring wineries like Culmina Family Estate, Tinhorn Creek, and Road 13.
Discover what else to see in the Okanagan with our guide
Alberta: Banff to Jasper
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Alberta: Banff to Jasper
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The Icefields Parkway gets its name from the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains. One of the Icefield’s “toes,” the Athabasca Glacier, can be accessed at about the halfway point of the journey, with its edge within walking distance of the main road. The glacier can be further explored via an on-site discovery centre, snow coach tours, and the Glacier Skywalk, a glass-floored platform that juts out 918 feet (280m) over the Sunwapta Valley. Find out more about Canada's beautiful national parks with our guide.
Alberta: Calgary to Bar U Ranch
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Alberta’s Bar U Ranch National Historic Site offers a rare hands-on picture of Canada’s Wild West. The ranch dates back to the late 1800s and now offers interactive learning experiences to help visitors understand what life would have been like for Western Canada’s pioneering cowboys and cattle ranchers. The ranch is near the village of Longview, in the heart of Alberta’s still very active cattle ranching country.
Alberta: Calgary to Bar U Ranch
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Alberta: Edmonton to Drumheller
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Alberta: Edmonton to Drumheller
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Those seemingly extraterrestrial hills also conceal a treasure trove of prehistoric fossils, making Drumheller the dinosaur capital of Canada. The Royal Tyrrell Museum is a world-class paleontology centre, full of awe-inspiring dinosaur exhibits. For something a little less serious, the World’s Largest Dinosaur sits at the visitor centre in downtown Drumheller. Guests can climb a stairway inside of the dinosaur and stand in its open mouth to get a better view of the town. You can find more brilliant destinations for dinosaur fans here too.
Northwest Territories: Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk
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Northwest Territories: Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk
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Saskatchewan: Regina to Moose Jaw
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Moose Jaw is one of Canada’s more well-known cities, not because it’s particularly big and bustling, but because of its uniquely Canadian name. The municipality leans into its reputation – it actually has dubbed itself “Canada’s Most Notorious City.” The drive from Saskatchewan’s capital city Regina is a fairly quick one at just 44 miles (71km), but it does lead drivers through some spectacular Saskatchewan farmland.
Saskatchewan: Regina to Moose Jaw
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Saskatchewan: Saskatoon to Great Sand Hills
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Saskatchewan: Saskatoon to Great Sand Hills
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Manitoba: Winnipeg to Gimli
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Manitoba: Winnipeg to Gimli
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Ontario: Toronto to Niagara
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Ontario: Toronto to Niagara
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Ontario: Toronto to Muskoka
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One of Ontario’s many lakeside cottage getaways, Muskoka is just a little more than a two-hour drive north of Toronto. It sits between Georgian Bay, which is part of the Canadian side of Lake Huron, and Lake Couchiching with approximately 1,600 smaller lakes scattered in between. All of that lakeside property gives visitors plenty of opportunities to relax or play by the water.
Ontario: Toronto to Muskoka
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Ontario: Windsor to Stratford
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Ontario: Windsor to Stratford
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Stratford, located on the Avon River (it’s all named after the Stratford in the UK), is best known for its Shakespearean theatre festival. The city was first settled in 1828 and its rich history is apparent at every turn. While theatre is Stratford’s calling card, visitors can also take in various parks and gardens or hit the self-guided Stratford Chocolate Trail to try some treats. Stratford is also the former home of Justin Bieber and fans can download a map of the singer’s childhood haunts.
Ontario: Ottawa to Perth
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Ontario: Ottawa to Perth
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Quebec: Montreal to Centre-du-Québec
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Quebec: Montreal to Centre-du-Québec
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Quebec: Quebec City to La Mauricie National Park
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Quebec: Quebec City to La Mauricie National Park
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The natural beauty of La Mauricie is enough of an experience on its own, but the park is also near the city of Shawinigan, which sits right on the Saint-Maurice River. It’s also not far from the luxurious Baluchon eco-tourism resort, a secluded property that features a fine dining restaurant, outdoor activities, and a Nordic spa.
New Brunswick: St. John to the Bay of Fundy
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New Brunswick: St. John to the Bay of Fundy
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Prince Edward Island: Central Coastal Drive
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Prince Edward Island: Central Coastal Drive
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The Green Gables Shore features PEI’s most famed sites, particularly those connected to L.M. Montgomery’s beloved Anne of Green Gables novels. The route goes through the Cavendish area, which is home to the Green Gables house as well as some key museums. The Red Sands Shore is a bit quieter and more relaxed, full of small coastal villages and cosy coves.
Nova Scotia: Cabot Trail
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Nova Scotia: Cabot Trail
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Nova Scotia: Halifax to Lunenburg
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The east coast of Nova Scotia is home to some of the most postcard-perfect towns in all of Canada, including the famously charming fishing village of Lunenburg. Founded in 1753, the town is a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its planned layout and traditional wooden architecture. Today Lunenburg is popular with tourists because of its history and delicious seaside seafood restaurants.
Nova Scotia: Halifax to Lunenburg
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The drive from Nova Scotia’s capital city of Halifax is about 62 miles (99km) and can be completed in about an hour and 15 minutes, but it’s worth making a detour to Peggy’s Cove in St. Margarets Bay. Peggy’s Point Lighthouse is probably the most photographed lighthouse in all of Canada, while the rest of the site offers a glimpse of life in a traditional Maritime fishing village. Find out more about what to see in Nova Scotia.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Viking Trail
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Newfoundland and Labrador: Viking Trail
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If Gros Morne isn’t enough, the Viking Trail continues northwards to L’anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, located at the tip of Great Northern Peninsula. The archeological site is the only confirmed Norse encampment in all of North America, and its artefacts are estimated to be over 1,000 years old. Today the site features a recreated base camp and costumed interpreters as well as original artefacts.
Newfoundland: Irish Loop
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Newfoundland: Irish Loop
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As they travel towards the bottom of the peninsula, visitors will find Ferryland, one of the oldest European settlements in North America, where archeologists have found remnants of homes built in the 17th Century. Fans of more recent history will also want to stop at the Cape Race lighthouse, which received the distress call from the doomed Titanic in 1912.
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