List of Popular Tourist Attractions in Canada: The Niagara Falls is Canada’s most famous and major tourist attraction. It is located along the American border which is a massive fall around 57 meters. In 2023, Canada’s tourism accounted for 1.65% of the total GDP that almost reached around 84.4%. Moreover, the number of jobs in the tourism sector also increased by 2.7% during this period. It is expected that the tourism market will grow to about US$16.92 billion in 2028.
We have curated the list of some of the popular tourist attractions that you can plan while having your next visit to Canada.
List of Popular Tourist Attractions in Canada
Canada is a beautiful country which is the second largest country in the World. In Western Canada, people can enjoy the beautiful Rocky Mountains while in Central Canada, visitors can see the impressive Niagara Falls. East Canada’s Atlantic Provinces have Gros Morne National Park’s beauty and in the north, there are vast landscapes of big rivers. Here are the top 10 major and popular tourist attractions of Canada as mentioned below.
Following is the list of Popular Tourist Attractions in Canada.
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Top 10 Popular Tourist Attractions in Canada
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Tourist Attraction
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Location
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Famous For
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Niagara Falls
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Ontario
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Magnificent waterfalls
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Banff National Park & the Rocky Mountains
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Alberta
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Stunning mountain landscapes and outdoor activities
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Toronto’s CN Tower
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Ontario
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Iconic landmark and city views
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Old Quebec (Vieux-Quebec)
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Quebec
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Historic charm and architecture
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Whistler
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British Columbia
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World-class skiing and outdoor adventures
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Ottawa’s Parliament Hill
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Ontario
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Political and cultural significance
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St. John’s Signal Hill National Historic Site
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Newfoundland and Labrador
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Historic site with panoramic view
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Old Montreal
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Quebec
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European ambiance and cobblestone streets
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Polar Bears of Churchill, Manitoba
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Manitoba
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Polar bear watching and wildlife encounters
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Vancouver Island
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British Columbia
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Natural beauty, wildlife, and outdoor activities
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Bay of Fundy
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New Brunswick
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Dramatic tides and coastal scenery
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Victoria’s Inner Harbour
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British Columbia
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Scenic waterfront and cultural attractions
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Details about Popular Tourist Destinations in Canada
1. Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a famous natural location in Canada. It attracts millions of people every year. It is located along the border with the USA. These falls are huge that dropping about 57 meters. People have been fascinated by Niagara Falls and the gorge nearby for more than a hundred years. From the 1800s to the 1900s, loads of brave souls tried to go over the falls in all sorts of homemade boats and barrels. There were also tightrope walkers and other wild stunts, which turned the nearby town into a bit of a circus atmosphere that is still around today.
Niagara Falls is a group of three big waterfalls. They are located on the border of Canada and the United States. Lots of people visit Niagara Falls. It is significant because it provides the electric supply to New York City. The water comes from the upper Great Lakes. These lakes flow into Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The falls were made by ice about 10,000 years ago. They are getting smaller by about 30 centimeters (0.98 feet) each year. If this continues, they will reach Lake Erie in about 50,000 years.
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Niagara Falls
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Location
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Ontario
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Tourist Count
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9.5 Million Per Year
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Type of Attraction
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Natural wonder
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Special About the Spot
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The amount of water flow, Magnificent waterfalls
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Contribution % to GDP
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0.5 %
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2. Banff National Park & the Rocky Mountains
Banff National Park is in the middle of the beautiful Rocky Mountains in Alberta. It holds some prettiest views of Canada, like lakes with blue-green water, mountains covered in snow, and big chunks of ice called glaciers. Tourists can take a nice drive or go for a great walk in Banff. The most special part of the park is Lake Louise. The water there is green and reflects the mountains and glaciers around it. Tourists can easily walk around the lake and enjoy the scenery. Moraine Lake is another stunning lake nearby.
The Icefields Parkway is a really memorable road that goes from Lake Louise to Jasper. It is a big draw for tourists in Banff. At the bottom of the park is the cute town of Banff, where tourists can find lots of places to stay, shop, eat, and have fun at night. Banff is also a big area for winter sports. There are two great places to ski there: Lake Louise Ski Resort and Sunshine Village, which are some of the best ski spots in Canada.
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Banff National Park & the Rocky Mountains
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Location
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Alberta
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Tourist Count
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4.13 Million Per Year
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Type of Attraction
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Natural landscape
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Special About the Spot
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Stunning mountain scenery and outdoor activities
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Contribution % to GDP
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1.2 %
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3. Toronto’s CN Tower
The CN Tower is a famous landmark in Canada, towering at 553 meters on the edge of Lake Ontario in Toronto, the biggest city in the country. Up there, tourists can have a fancy meal at the 360 restaurant that spins around, giving them amazing views of the city and the lake. There IS also the LookOut and the Glass Floor, where they can see the whole area. And if they are feeling adventurous, they can try the CN Tower Edgewalk, where they walk outside the building, 116 stories high, with a harness keeping them safe.
Even if tourists do not go up the tower, they will still find themselves looking at it because they can see it from almost anywhere in the city. At night, it lights up in different colors, making it even more impressive.
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Toronto’s CN Tower
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Location
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Ontario
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Tourist Count
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2 Million Per Year
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Type of Attraction
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Landmark / Viewpoint
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Special About the Spot
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Iconic structure with panoramic views of the city
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Contribution % to GDP
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1.8 %
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4. Old Quebec (Vieux-Quebec)
Old Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with historic buildings in both the Upper and Lower Town. The Lower Town, by the St. Lawrence River, has the original settlement and the grand Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Up on the cliffs of the Upper Town are landmarks like the Citadel, Plains of Abraham, Place d’Armes, and the Parque Historique de l’Artillerie.
Tourists love Old Quebec for its rich history. They can watch artists on Rue du Trésor, visit museums like the Musée de la Civilisation, and explore shops and restaurants.
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Old Quebec (Vieux-Quebec)
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Location
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Quebec
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Tourist Count
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13,667 Per Year
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Type of Attraction
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Historic city
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Special About the Spot
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European charm, historic architecture, cobblestone streets
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Contribution % to GDP
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1.5 %
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5. Whistler
Whistler is a renowned ski resort. It is just a two-hour drive from Vancouver. It is not just for winter sports anymore and it is a lively destination all year round. In the summer, you can enjoy golfing, mountain biking, and the bustling atmosphere of the town. Whistler gained global fame as one of the venues for the Winter Olympic Games. It boasts top-notch skiing, hotels, and dining options, along with plenty of outdoor activities and stunning mountain views.
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Location
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British Columbia
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Tourist Count
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Over 2 Million Per Year
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Type of Attraction
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Ski resort and different outdoor activities
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Special About the Spot
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World-class skiing, outdoor adventures
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Contribution % to GDP
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1.1 %
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6. Ottawa’s Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill in Ottawa overlooks the Ottawa River and is home to the Parliament buildings, built in the Neo-Gothic style during the late 1800s. The standout feature is the Peace Tower, which sits between the House of Commons and the Senate. In front of the buildings is the Centennial Flame, lit in 1966 to mark 100 years since Canada’s Confederation, and behind them is a sculpture garden.
During the summer, if the weather is good, you can watch the Changing of the Guard on the front lawn of the Parliament buildings. Below Parliament Hill, there is a lovely pathway that runs alongside the Ottawa River.
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Ottawa’s Parliament Hill
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Location
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Ontario
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Tourist Count
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Over 3 Million Per Year
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Type of Attraction
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Historic site
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Special About the Spot
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Political and cultural significance
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Contribution % to GDP
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1.3 %
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7. St. John’s Signal Hill National Historic Site
Signal Hill National Historic Site sits at the entrance to St. John’s harbor, with views overlooking the city and the sea. In 1901, it made history by receiving the first transatlantic wireless signal. It also played a crucial role in the Seven Years’ War and the War of 1812.
The Cabot Tower, built in 1897, stands out at Signal Hill. It was constructed to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Newfoundland’s discovery and now honors Guglielmo Marconi’s reception of the first transatlantic radio signal here in 1901. Inside the tower, there are exhibits on Signal Hill’s history and the development of communications, including a special section on Marconi. From the tower’s top, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the city and the coastline all the way to Cape Spear, North America’s easternmost point.
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St. John’s Signal Hill National Historic Site
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Location
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Newfoundland and Labrador
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Tourist Count
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Over 750,000 Per Year
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Type of Attraction
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Historic site and Scenic viewpoint
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Special About the Spot
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Historic significance, panoramic view
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Contribution % to GDP
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0.3 %
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8. Old Montreal
Old Montreal has pretty old buildings. It is a great place for shopping and eating fancy food. Montreal is a modern city, but Old Montreal, by the water, has a special feel. In Old Montreal, you should check out Rue Bonsecours and the Marché Bonsecours, which is in the old town hall. You can also see the beautiful inside of Notre-Dame Basilica, visit the busy Place Jacques-Cartier, and see City Hall from the 1870s.
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Old Montreal
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Location
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Quebec
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Tourist Count
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Over 9.5 million Per Year
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Type of Attraction
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Historic site
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Special About the Spot
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European ambiance, historic architecture
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Contribution % to GDP
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1.2%
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9. Northern Manitoba, Polar Bears of Churchill
Northern Manitoba is located near the town of Churchill. In this place, polar bears migrate from land to the ice in Hudson Bay. They making it a special sight in Canada. During the fall, tourists visit this small town. They go on tours in special vehicles with strong windows to get up close to the polar bears. The best time to see them is in October or November when they’re waiting for the water to freeze before going onto the ice.
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Polar Bears of Churchill, Manitoba
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Location
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Manitoba
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Tourist Count
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Over 1 million Per Year
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Type of Attraction
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Wildlife watching
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Special About the Spot
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Unique opportunity to see polar bears in their natural habitat
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Contribution % to GDP
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0.2%
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10. Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a quick ferry ride from the mainland but feels like a different world. In Victoria, the capital city, visitors can check out historic landmarks like the Parliament Buildings and the Royal BC Museum. Food lovers will enjoy the local food scene, with fresh seafood and handmade treats. There are plenty of outdoor activities to do, like watching whales and kayaking, biking, and golfing. With its natural beauty and cultural attractions, Vancouver Island has something for every traveler to enjoy.
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Vancouver Island
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Location
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British Columbia
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Tourist Count
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Over 10 million Per Year
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Type of Attraction
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Natural beauty and Outdoor activities
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Special About the Spot
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Scenic landscapes, wildlife, outdoor adventures
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Contribution % to GDP
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1.0%
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People Also Read
List of Popular Tourist Attractions in Canada – FAQs
What are the famous tourist attractions in Canada?
Niagara Falls, Jasper National Park, Banff National Park, Vancouver, Montreal, Quebec City, Gros Morne National Park, Toronto, Churchill, Whitehorse, Okanagan Valley, Ottawa, Athabasca Glacier, Winnipeg,Glacier National Park, Peggy’s Cove are some of the popular tourist destinations in USA.
Which is the best tourist destination in Canada?
Niagara Falls is Canada’s best tourist destination. It attracts millions of visitors each year. It is Located just over an hour’s drive from Toronto, along the American border, these massive falls drop approximately 57 meters.
What are 2 of Canada’s largest tourism destinations?
Some of Canada’s most popular travel locations include Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Banff. Tourism in Canada has been steadily increasing throughout the past two years.
Why is Canada famous for tourism?
Canada greets tourists with amazing scenic beauty and beautiful landscapes. There are snow-capped mountains, exotic beaches, lush green forests and pristine lakes.
Why is Toronto famous?
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and a world leader in business, finance, technology, entertainment and culture.
Why is Vancouver so famous?
Vancouver is known around the world as both a popular tourist attraction and one of the best places to live.
What is the beautiful place of Canada?
Banff is one of Canada’s most beautiful national parks; whether you visit in summer or winter, you’re sure to be dazzled by the destination’s mountains, turquoise lakes (including the iconic Lake Louise), cascading waterfalls, and lush pine forests.
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