Month: December 2025

When the country of Canada is brought up in conversation, many think of the iconic Canadian flag, maple syrup, hockey, or the country’s beautiful wilderness. Due to this, numerous Canadian cities are overlooked when travelers are looking for a new place to check out. Many know of Toronto or Montreal, but there are plenty more to see and explore!

Toronto

Toronto is the largest city in all of Canada with a population of 3 million. It is the capital of the province of Ontario, located in southeastern Canada. Toronto is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario; this forms a part of the border between Canada and the United States. In total, Toronto is only 15 miles from the U.S. border. The closest city in the United States to Toronto is Buffalo, roughly only a 1 hour and 45-minute drive.

The city is known for being multicultural. 46.6% of the city are immigrants, the three most popular countries of birth now in the city are the Philippines, China, and India. Toronto is also Canada’s financial and commercial center. With access to Atlantic shipping via the St. Lawrence Seaway and to major U.S. industrial centers via the Great Lakes, this has enabled Toronto to become an influential international trading center. All these factors make the city what it is today.

On Gate 1’s 10 Day Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City & Montreal with Niagara Falls guided tour, travelers will start their trip with three nights in Toronto. The first day is at your leisure, allowing you to discover Toronto’s restaurants and nightlife on your own. On the second day, learn about the history, culture, and architecture of Toronto on a guided tour. See the bustling downtown district in addition to sites like the CN Tower and St. Lawrence Market. On the final day in Toronto, get ready for a thrilling boat adventure that travels to the foot of the iconic Niagara Falls. Feel the enormous power, get splashed by the sprays, and get “up-close and personal” with one of the most incredible creations of Mother Nature.

Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital of Canada, located in southeastern Ontario. The city’s origins date back to the importance of the Ottawa River. The Ottawa River’s watershed, covering more than 57,000 square miles, facilitated the transport of resources such as minerals, timber, and fur from all over Canada.

Since Ottawa is the capital of Canada, many government buildings are located within the city. It is home to Parliament Hill, the location of the federal government. It also has the Rideau Canal (UNESCO World Heritage Site), and numerous national museums and galleries like the National Gallery of Canada. It is also famous for having numerous festivals, including the Canadian Tulip Festival and RBC Bluesfest. Lastly, Ottawa is a large hub for winter activities, especially skating on the canal during the winter season.

After leaving Toronto on Gate 1’s 10 Day Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City & Montreal with Niagara Falls guided tour, travelers will arrive in Ottawa. The first day in the city is at your leisure. On the second day, begin with a tour of the city’s highlights including the Parliament buildings and the National War Memorial with a local guide. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure or perhaps participate in the optional Ottawa River Cruise. Explore the sights on a Double-Decker cruise while taking in magnificent views of the city from the sparkling waters of the Ottawa River.

Montreal

Montreal is the second most-popular city in Canada and the principal metropolis of the province of Quebec. The city is in southeastern Canada and occupies about three-fourths of Montreal Island. Montreal has a large French colonial history dating back to the 16^th century. It originally began as a missionary settlement but soon became a fur-trading center. What helped Montreal standout was its location on St. Lawarence, this proved to be a key advantage in its development as a transportation, manufacturing, and financial center. Up until the 1970s, it was the large metropolitan center in the country until Toronto overtook that position.

French Canadians are most of the population in Montreal. Many say it is the second largest French-speaking city in the world (behind Paris), though this has yet to be confirmed. Like Toronto, the city was founded on immigration. The architecture of Montreal provides a unique blend of historic charm. This can be seen in Old Montreal’s cobblestone streets then combined with modern day skyscrapers. The city has continued to innovate and evolve, while still respecting its roots.

Montreal is the last city on Gate 1’s 10 Day Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City & Montreal with Niagara Falls guided tour. Travelers will depart from Quebec City to Montreal. Along the way, Gate 1 will stop at Le Cep d’Argent vineyard, one of the oldest wineries in Quebec, for a quick intermission. Upon arrival in Montreal, take some time to explore one of the avant-garde art galleries or explore the Port with its historic buildings, cobblestone streets, market areas, and cafes. The next day, take a city tour of Montreal, view Jacques Cartier Square, McGill University, the Basilica of Notre Dame, and historic Place d’Armes. Ascend Mount Royal to see spectacular vistas including Olympic Park, site of the 1976 Summer Olympics.

Vancouver

Now, onto the western side of Canada. Vancouver is in southwestern British Columbia. It is the major urban center of western Canada and the focus of one of the country’s most populous metropolitan regions. The city is just north of the U.S. state of Washington. From Seattle, Vancouver is only a 2 hour and 35-minute drive. The city originally was inhabited by several Native American (First Nations) peoples until a trading post, Fort Langley, was set up by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1827 near the mouth of the Fraser River. Surprisingly, Americans had a large impact on the development of Vancouver as it developed. Thousands of miners from California flooded the region in the 1860s, mainly for the gold rush in the Cariboo Mountains. Even the name ‘Vancouver’ was suggested by an American.

Vancouver is also known for its beautiful scenery, including mountains, rainforests, and the Pacific Ocean. A few key places to check out when visiting are Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre park featuring trails, beaches, and the Seawall (North America’s third largest park). Take a trip up Grouse Mountain, it’s a local ski hill that has some of the best views of the entire city. And make sure to visit Granville Island if you’re looking for a more local feel, this is a neighborhood known for its public market, shops, and restaurants.

Travelers can experience this beautiful city on Gate 1’s 7 Day Tastes of British Columbia Stay & Explore tour. You will have three nights in Vancouver, plenty of time to see the city. Begin your first morning in Vancouver with a visit to both Stanley Park and Granville Island. Spend the afternoon at leisure or join the optional Capilano Suspension Bridge & Grouse Mountain tour. Stroll across the iconic bridges and explore treetop walkways over the lush rainforest. Continue to Grouse Mountain for a gondola ride through the forest and take in sweeping mountainous views while learning about the area’s native species like grizzly bears and salmon. On the third day in the city, travelers can explore Vancouver on their own, or they can participate in the optional Full Day Whistler Tour to visit world-famous Olympic Venues and spot diverse wildlife. Admire an eagle’s-eye view from Cypress Mountain and get up close to Shannon Falls, British Columbia’s third-tallest waterfall. Visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center and learn about Nation’s participation and presence in Whistler.

Edmonton

Now leaving the Pacific Coast and heading more inland, we arrive at Edmonton. Edmonton is the capital of Alberta, it lies along the North Saskatchewan River in the center of the province. Transportation was key to the settlement and development of Edmonton. The North Saskatchewan River was a large part of the historic fur trade, this established trading posts near present day Edmonton. In the early 1900s, railways, roads, oil and gas pipelines, and an international airport helped turn the city into a transportation center known as the “Gateway to the North”.

Edmonton is also known as the “Festival City”, it hosts over 50 annual festivals a year. Another popular part of the city’s culture is their love for the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers. The team saw major success between 1984 and 1990 as five Stanley Cups were brough back to the city. And another fun fact, Edmonton is one of Canada’s sunniest cities, receiving around 2,300 hours of sunshine per year.

If interested in visiting this sunny city, travelers can book Gate 1’s 9 Day National Parks of Canada with Lake Louise guided tour. Travelers will have two nights in Edmonton on this tour. The first day is all to yourselves, go out and explore the city before meeting up with your Gate 1 tour manager the next day. Begin the second day at Elk Island National Park, founded as a wildlife refuge for preservation of elk herds in the area and influential in re-establishing the bison population in Western Canada and the U.S. Today, the park is a sanctuary for bison, moose, elk, beaver, and other small animals. Then, explore the exhibits of the Royal Alberta Museum before returning to the hotel.

Canadian Cities Have Something For Everyone

Whether you’re trying to see Toronto due to its cultural impact, view Parliament Hill in Ottawa to see the federal government, or just appreciate the Pacific Coast’s natural beauty in Vancouver, Canadian cities have something for everybody. To check out the rest of Gate 1’s Canada itinerary, click here. And if you’re interested in Gate 1’s entire North American itinerary, click here to view all the tours.