Canada is a vast country famed for its natural beauty. In addition to the scenery in Canada, each province offers many cities with a diverse array of lifestyle attractions, including busy commercial centers, nearby picturesque sites, cultural destinations, and more.
Let’s look at some of the unique communities across Canada that are in prime locations.
Calgary, AB
Calgary, Alberta’s biggest city, is a major hub for Canadian culture and commerce. It has a busy downtown area with a bustling nightlife, a superb food scene, and a thriving economy powered by the Canadian energy industry. Residents of Calgary brace yearly for the Calgary Stampede—a massive summer event and one of the world’s biggest rodeo festivals. Calgary also offers residents easy proximity to terrific ski destinations, as well as Banff and Jasper, two of Canada’s most scenic natural areas.
Edmonton, AB
Edmonton, Alberta’s capital, is a major city along the North Saskatchewan River that offers many amenities. The ICE District downtown is the center of the city’s nightlife and dining scene. The West Edmonton Mall is the biggest mall in Canada, and one of the largest malls in the world. It includes a water park, shops, and entertainment centers. The aurora borealis can be viewed from Edmonton at specific times of the year as well.
Banff, AB
Banff is a highly-populated resort town in Alberta. This gorgeous city is in Banff National Park, steeped in Calgary’s Rocky Mountains. Banff Avenue houses much of the town’s delicious food options, lively bars, and boutique shops. Outside Banff are thousands of kilometers of the most beautiful natural settings imaginable, including the sparkling Lake Louise.
Sydney, NS
Sydney is the largest community on Cape Breton Island, one of the prettiest parts of Canada’s east coast. Like many Nova Scotia communities, it is centered around a waterfront that flows out to the Atlantic. With its delicious restaurants and high-end lodging options, Sydney is the ideal base to explore all Cape Breton offers. The island is famed for its incredible rugged coastal scenery, roads that wind through forests, and renowned hiking destinations.
Halifax, NS
Halifax is the biggest city on Canada’s east coast. Nova Scotia’s capital, a coastal community with waters that lead into the Atlantic Ocean, is a hub for those who love to get out on the water. Halifax offers unparalleled seafood, native aquatic wildlife to admire, including dolphins and whales, and the famed Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Halifax’s lively downtown includes boutique shops, delectable dining options, frequent festivals, and Argyle Street, one of the city’s cultural centers.
Charlottetown, PE
Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island, is a historic community along the island’s south coast. This is considered the birthplace of Canada; the Charlottetown Conference contributed to the establishment of the nation. Many museums and historical buildings spotlight the city’s role in Canada’s rise. Victoria Row is the busiest area in the city, consisting of entertainment centers, shops, and restaurants that serve locally-caught seafood. Appealing nearby natural sites, including Confederation Trail, surround Charlottetown.
Winnipeg, MB
Winnipeg, Manitoba’s capital and biggest city, is a thriving center for arts, culture, and dining. It has uniquely appealing urban neighborhoods, such as The Forks and the Exchange District, both of which have older buildings converted into shopping, entertainment, and dining destinations. The city has a renowned arts scene comprising numerous major galleries that highlight local creators, and it offers a low cost of living that attracts many new residents.