Canada offers something for just about every traveler in every season. Not only is it popular for skiing and boarding with amazing powder in the winter, but there is a long list of reasons to visit in the summer months too.
Beat the Heat
While some people love the hot temperatures of summer, the sunburn and sweat-inducing humidity aren’t for everyone. The average daytime high throughout the season is rather comfortable, around the mid-70s Fahrenheit, with temperatures in cities like Brampton, Ontario typically around 75 to 80 degrees. That’s a whole lot more pleasant than those 100+ degree temperatures often found in the southern regions of the U.S. Visit places like beautiful Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, where you can enjoy those idyllic temperatures on gorgeous beaches while watching for wildlife like dolphins, seals and whales.
Ride the Rocky Mountaineer
A Canadian train trip offers the ultimate excursion, with the Rocky Mountaineer providing one of the best, running from mid-April through mid-October. It will bring you through top spots in the Canadian Rockies, including Banff and Lake Louise, as well as the mountain and water surrounded city of Vancouver.
Marvel at the Beluga Whales in Churchill, Manitoba
Northern Manitoba’s Hudson Bay coastline is home to the world’s largest popular of beluga whales in the summer, with over 57,000 of the smiling creatures showing up here after the ice breaks. You can take a variety of tours to see these playful “sea canaries” with their unique high-pitched whistles and often humorous personalities.
Paddle Among Orcas off Vancouver Island, British Columbia
One of the world’s best places for close encounters with orca whales in the wild is in the waters between northern Vancouver Island and the mainland in British Columbia. Kayaking tours are available in the summer with everything from day- to multi-day trips that offer the opportunity to paddle right alongside them in their natural habitat.
Outdoor Adventure
Outdoor adventure abounds no matter what the season, but once the snow melts and summer has arrived there are a wealth of options, like hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and golfing. Many of the ski resorts open up their slopes for mountain biking and hiking during the summer, including Banff which offers some of the most breathtaking views in the country.
The Festivals
From beer and food to music and art festivals, the summer hosts a wide range of fun events throughout Canada. You can plan a visit around Vancouver’s Dragon Boat Festival in June, the famous Calgary Stampede in July or perhaps plan to come during the second half of August for the Canadian Exhibition in Toronto, the country’s version of a Midwestern state fair.
The Lighthouses
Summer is the perfect time to visit Canada’s famous lighthouses, from Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia and Cape Spear in Newfoundland to Fisgard Lighthouse on San Juan de Fuca Strait in British Columbia, the first build on the western coast.
Experience Multiple Cultures Without Crossing the Ocean
Canada offers a multicultural experience, including opportunities to delve into French and British heritage with some cities looking as if they’ve been taken from Europe and plopped right down into Canada, like Quebec City in Montreal. If you hope to enjoy many of its different cultures, you’ll want to come in the summer so that you can take it in without having to worry about driving through blizzards.
See the Bears
There’s nothing like seeing a grizzly bear in its natural habitat, and the very best months to witness them are in August and September in places like Glendale Cove in British Columbia.
Witness Moraine Lake at Its Bluest
Moraine Lake is one of the most popular sights in Banff National Park, and early summer is when it’s at its best. This is when the water levels rise, and it turns into a surreal shade of blue – marveling at it should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.
