10 Best Long Weekend Trips in Canada for Families and Couples

Stretching from the Arctic Circle in the north to the United States in the south and from the mountain peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the cosmopolitan streets of Toronto - Canada showcases a rich blend of nature and culture, aesthetic architectural wonders, and world-famous national parks. Anyone planning a weekend getaway will have a tough time deciding where to go. To help you plan a perfect weekend escape, we have compiled 10 best long weekend trips in Canada that will keep your family busy.

Best Long Weekend Getaways in Canada for Everyone

Last weekend, I decided to take the much-need break from work. Well, I didn’t take any leave from the office as I made the most of my weekend. The three-day weekend was enough for me to unwind and relax in nature, rejuvenate the dormant spirit, and return to my workspace fresh and full of energy. Over the years, I’ve been quite keen on taking my weekend trips to various parts of the country. This has helped me in keeping my calm, becoming more energetic at work, and leading a healthier and happier life. While I prefer vacationing with my family, there are times I choose to go alone and enjoy my “me time”.

If we share similar tastes, you are going to love my compilation of the best weekend spots in Canada for families and couples. Let’s check ’em out –

1. Let’s Move to Niagara-on-the-Lake: No, this is not Niagara Falls. Niagara-on-the-Lake, one of the important towns in southern Ontario, lies at the mouth of the Niagara River, on the shores of Lake Ontario. The town is pretty close to the famous Falls and can be made a day trip. Moreover, the region has umpteen wineries. Check them out if you love sampling wine, great wine. While doing so, I recommend stopping at Niagara College’s Teaching Winery. This is Canada’s first commercial teaching winery and is a hub of wine education for both visitors and amateur winemakers.
2. Diehard Watersports Lovers? Lunenburg Should Be Your Next Weekend Hotspot? The port town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the famed fishing ship – Bluenose – that embellishes the Canadian dime. The port town abounds in shoreline with fascinating boat tours and kayaking for weekend goers. Thirsty? Sample great wine at Ironworks Distillery. This place has local cranberry and blueberry liqueurs, apple brandy, rum, and vodka. Plenty of shops, boutiques, and galleries are lined up to test your shopping skills.
3. Head off to Vernon from Vancouver in Just Four Hours: Vernon in British Columbia can be reached in 6 hours from Calgary vacation rentals and 4 hours from Vancouver. Named after a former MLA of British Columbia (Forbes George Vernon), Vernon makes a great weekend escape for people who delight in nature. Also, adventurers will have a wide range of things to do – they are simply spoiled for choice.
4. If You Are an Outdoorsy Type, Head off to Canmore: Located in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, Canmore is a town known for craggy summits such as Three Sisters and Ha Ling Peak. If you are an outdoorsy type, Canmore brings to you activities that would give you an adrenaline rush like horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, and more. Canmore has places that can entertain less sporty visitors too. The lush greenery of the mountain scenery can best be lived by bus, boat, or canoe. For a bird’s eye view, consider a helicopter ride. Come back to earth only to immerse in endless shopping. The town is dotted with umpteen galleries and shops to go binge shopping.
5. Ottawa: For visitors or residents staying in Montreal vacation rentals or Toronto vacation rentals, it wouldn’t take much time to reach Canada’s capital, i.e. Ottawa. Those staying far across can take direct flights to spend a relaxing weekend in Ottawa. Families looking to chill in Ottawa should sneak into the Canadian Children’s Museum at the Canadian Museum of History. The museum has interactive exhibits that talk about the lifestyle of people around the world. Are you traveling with kids? The Canadian Museum of Nature should find a place in your planned itinerary. I suggest adventure enthusiasts head out to Gatineau Park for some amazing hiking, horseback riding, and biking.
6. Victoria and Vancouver Island: Relatively small city, Victoria has its roots in its Colonial past, thus showcasing British traditions. Manicured gardens, verdant wineries, and stretching beaches will surely pique the interests of many.
7. Witness Wildlife at Jasper National Park: At every turn your take at Jasper National Park, you will have the opportunities to immerse in the kaleidoscopic panorama. Wildlife viewing is the primary activity here. If you insist on taking a trek, save this – from Mount Edith Cavell to Maligne Canyon. The park covers a gigantic area of 2.7 million acres of land to trek, roam around, and spot the beautiful wild animals ranging from moose to wolverine to caribou.
8. Baie-Saint-Paul Is a Winter Haven: Don’t want to get out of your comfort zone? Well, that’s a personal thing. But, can you resist when you have a winter haven like Baie-Saint-Paul for a perfect weekend escape from the clamor of Quebec City? Hardly one and half hour ride from your sumptuous Quebec City cabin rental, this winter destination has some plans for you. Thanks to nearby ski hill Le Massif. If winter sport is not your cup of tea, why not check some special exhibitions and regular collection at le Musée d’art Contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul.
9. A Weekend Full of Activities at Banff National Park: Thinking about a weekend trip in Canada with family and not considering Banff? This is not just a mistake, but a blunder. One of the first places to plan your weekend trip should be Banff National Park. Situated in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff offers a lifestyle of a Swiss skiing village.
10. Gros Morne National Park: A World Heritage Site, Gros Morne National Park, the second-largest national park in Canada, takes pride in its moody mountains, barren cliffs, forests, soaring fjords, and beaches. “The park provides a rare example of the process of continental drift, where deep ocean crust and the rocks of the earth’s mantle lie exposed.”

Where to Stay in Canada?

For more space, more privacy, more luxury, and more home-like feeling, we recommend you to choose Canada vacation rentals. Come in varied sizes and types, vacation rentals in Canada from Search Home Rentals can accommodate small as well as large group travelers. You can book a 12-bedroom vacation condo in Montreal for your family to a secluded villa in Vancouver Island for a romantic getaway.

Moreover, staying at vacation rentals gives you the freedom to explore the area and indulge in a myriad of activities. Not only do you get to enjoy the upscale amenities, but also you enjoy the proximity to all major attractions.

Weekend Gateways