Best Canadian Cities to Visit For Culture

Château Frontenac, Quebec city, Canada. Photo by Wilfredor – Wikimedia Commons

Best Canadian Cities to Visit For Culture

Canada is a great option for Americans looking to travel abroad. It’s close, affordable, and famously accommodating.

When most people imagine a Canadian vacation, they imagine soaring vistas and awe-inspiring landscapes. However, there’s more to Canada than just its natural beauty.

What travelers tend to overlook is that Canada is also home to some of the most unique and tourist-friendly cities in the world. Whatever your idea of a fun and exciting city might be, there’s a good chance Canada has one that fits the bill.

We have compiled five of the best to help you plan the perfect escape north of the border.

Canadians are rightly proud of their country’s cultural heritage. After all, Canada gave the world IMAX movies, The Handmaid’s Tale, Drake, Avatar, Emily Carr’s landscapes, and Trivial Pursuit. 

1. Montréal has a unique cultural output

Panorama 360 of Basilique Saint-Patrick, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Photo by Wilfredor – Wikimedia Commons

Montreal’s unique cultural output can be attributed to the triple influence of English, French, and First Nations artists living in the city. For fine art visits, try the Place des Arts complex in downtown Montréal.

This cultural complex has six theatres – including an open-air venue – and hosts ballet, opera, plays, and concerts. Take in as many shows as possible by staying at the eco-friendly Boxotel, less than a 1-minute walk from the Place des Arts.

If you are in search of something a bit unusual, visit the atmospheric Ateliers Grover – a former knitwear factory, which now hosts a collection of artist studios and regular open days. After you’ve finished marveling at all the work, take a walk down Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Rue Saint Dominique to see some of the city’s dramatic street art.

2. Winnipeg is an oft-overlooked destination

Graffiti under a bridge in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Photographed in February 2020 Please attribute to Lorie Shaull if used elsewhere. Photo by Lorie Shaull – Wikimedia Commons

Winnipeg is an oft-overlooked destination but the Manitoban city is a rising star in Canada’s cultural landscape. ‘Friday art nights’ are a mainstay of the local cultural calendar, as venues across the city open their doors to showcase new exhibitions.

Work from First Nation artists is especially popular, so make a trip to Urban Shamen. This Aboriginal artist-run center features multimedia, sculpture, photography, and performance art.

It’s also a 4-minute drive from the Graffiti Gallery and the Plug-In Institute of Contemporary Art. If you’re only in town for a short trip, stay in the Exchange District at the Alt Hotel Winnipeg.

Winnipeg, affectionately referred to as “The Peg” by many Canadians, is the capital city of the central Canadian province of Manitoba. With a population of between 700,000 and 800,000 people, the city is comparable to Seattle, Washington – albeit twice as spacious.

Situated at the forks of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers, Winnipeg is home to a unique blend of sights, cultures, and history. While it may not get the same tourist attention as some of the other cities on this list, Winnipeg is truly a hidden gem nestled into the central Canadian prairie.

3. Ottawa hosts Canada’s largest cultural festival

Royal Canadian Mint Ottawa 3jun2004. Picture of the Royal Canadian Mint building on Sussex Drive in Ottawa, Ontario. Photo by RealGrouchy – Wikimedia Commons

Ottawans are fanatical about festivals. The city hosts the annual Winterlude (Canada’s largest cultural festival) and music lovers travel from all over the world to attend the Folk Music Festival, RBC Bluesfest, TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, and the electronic Escapade Music Festival.

 Fill your visit with music by staying at the boutique Brookstreet Hotel and spending an evening in their Options Jazz Lounge. It is practically impossible to book a visit to Ottawa that doesn’t coincide with a festival, but if you manage it, there’s still plenty of mesmerizing culture on offer.

 The National Arts Centre is home to the NAC Orchestra and independent theatres like The Gladstone, Ottawa Little Theatre, and the Absolute Comedy Ottawa run year-round programs.

4. Toronto has a network of narrow streets surrounding Queen Street and Spadina Avenue

Toronto Skyline as viewed from Centre Island on June 21, 2020. Picture by Aaron Davis – Wikimedia Commons

 Toronto is a city with a bit (or a lot) of everything. The film, fine art, theatre, street art, music, literature – whatever you’re into, you’ll find it here. For a special introduction to the city, start by exploring the network of narrow streets surrounding Queen Street and Spadina Avenue.

 Known as ‘Graffiti Alley’, this area features over a kilometer of vivid street art and you can stay a short walk away at these advantageously- situated apartments.  

If possible, organize your trip to Toronto to coincide with the first Thursday of the month and you’ll be able to attend the Art Gallery of Ontario’s alternative art party. Known as AGO First Thursdays, these events bring together local and international artists to showcase art, music, and ideas in a spectacular evening that often trips over into Friday morning.

Situated along the northern shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto is Canada’s largest and most populous city by far. It is home to about 2.8 million people – which is comparable to cities like Chicago or Houston in the United States.

For travelers who want the big-city experience, Toronto is one of the best options in Canada. In terms of how much one ought to save to travel to Toronto, it is a lot as it is an expensive city to stay in.

Toronto is one of the priciest cities in Canada.  If you are willing to sacrifice some creature comforts like table-service dining and hotel accommodations, you can have an enjoyable visit to Toronto for about $150 (US) per person per day.

5. Québec City is named the world’s leading City of Culture

Québec City, Canadá. Photo by Wilfredor – Wikimedia Commons

It is named the world’s leading City of Culture in 2016, Québec’s provincial capital is a cultural playground. To understand the Quebecois culture, pay a visit to the French at the Musée de l’Amérique francophone, a museum dedicated to the cultural and historical impact Québec’s diverse population has had upon the city.

Moving from the past to the present, make sure to book tickets to the latest Cirque Du Soleil production. This internationally-adored circus troupe has given Québec City a reputation for thrills and innovation when it comes to performance arts. Experience Québec’s unique brand of opulent luxury at its best and check into the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac,, or opt for home comforts at Le 235.

6. Vancouver is Canada’s eighth-largest city

View of Vancouver from Stanley Park, Canada. Photo by Diego Delso – Wikimedia Commons

Vancouver is one of those destinations that has something for everyone. With a population of just over 600,000 (roughly the same as Baltimore, Maryland).  Vancouver happens to be Canada’s eighth-largest city.

Within its borders are some of the finest restaurants, museums, and performing arts experiences in the entire country. There are even a variety of nearby opportunities for travelers looking to experience some of Canada’s famed great outdoors.

The area is home to first-rate parks, paddling tours, biking, and even golf. Vancouver is an exceptional destination for tourists looking for a diverse array of what Canada has to offer while also having access to first-rate accommodations and amenities.