Find inspiration for long weekend getaways in Canada
If you want to get away for a bit but you only have a few days to spare, Canada has plenty of exciting travel destinations for a long weekend trip. You can take a short break with friends, family, or on your own to see the best attractions in Canadian cities, explore vast provincial parks, spend time in the country, or enjoy long days on a sunny beach. Best of all, you can find short weekend trips to great destinations close to home. Take a look at the best ideas for long weekend getaways in Canada for a trip with friends or family.
Ottawa for family trips
If you’re looking for a family-friendly getaway, Ottawa is a great choice. The capital city has incredible kid-friendly attractions, such as the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian Children’s Museum, which has interactive exhibits on a variety of topics. Kids will also like touring the Valleyview Little Animal Farm to get up close to livestock or taking a thrilling high-seas trip on a Pirate Adventures themed cruise on the Rideau Canal. After spending time in the city, you can head to nearby Gatineau Park to spend time in the outdoors hiking and horseback riding.
Canmore for outdoor adventure
Located in the Canadian Rockies, Canmore is an outdoor haven with a variety of activities. You can try just about anything in Canmore, from hiking and nature walks to horseback riding to cave diving. If it’s your first time, Canmore has multi-day guided tours that teach you the ropes and ensure you have the best experience exploring the outdoors. Canmore has plenty of urbanite pleasures as well, such as shops, galleries, fine dining, nightlife, and breweries.
Lunenburg for watersports
Located outside Halifax, Lunenburg is a town of rich maritime heritage with stunning beaches and water sports. You could spend your time on the beach, hike in maritime forests, kayak on the sea, or take a boat tour for fishing or whale watching. In town, you’ll find art galleries, boutiques, vintage shops, and seafood restaurants to sample, as well as the Ironworks Distillery. You can tour the distillery to sample local brandy, vodka, and rum infused with seasonal flavours like blueberry and apple.
Prince Edward Island for fun with the kids
Located off the coast in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Prince Edward Island offers plenty of exciting experiences for a long weekend getaway. You can visit Charlottetown, the capital city, to see theatres, art galleries, and historic buildings, or you could spend your time exploring the beaches and trails of Prince Edward Island National Park. Prince Edward Island has incredible attractions for families, such as the Green Gables Heritage Place and the Anne of Green Gables Museum and Matthew’s Carriage Ride. If you want something more relaxing, just enjoy the red-sand beaches, historic lighthouses, and bucolic landscape while dining on fresh seafood in local restaurants.
Baie-Saint-Paul for winter sports
Baie-Saint-Paul is a popular winter sports destination for skiing and snowboarding, thanks to the incredible Le Massif ski hill. The town is wonderful in all seasons, however, and offers rich cultural experiences like art exhibitions and symposiums, lectures, live performances, and more. You’ll love the shopping opportunities in Baie-Saint-Paul’s high-end boutiques and quirky vintage shops. Another draw of the town is the agritourism. You can book artisan food tours to see dairy production, cheesemaking, and other gastronomic delights. Be sure to stop in the cheesemaking museum at Laiterie Charlevoix during your stay.
Vernon for kid-friendly amenities
If you want to relax in the outdoors, Vernon is a gem in the Okanagan region surrounded by several lakes with sandy beaches and quiet surroundings. Families enjoy Okanagan Lake, which has kid-friendly amenities like playgrounds, picnic areas, and quiet waters. For outdoor fun, you’ll be close to the trails of the Ellison Provincial Park and Silver Star Mountain Resort, which has activities in the great outdoors for all seasons. Vernon is also home to numerous distilleries, wineries, and cideries where you can take a tour and sample the local flavours. Culinary tour options include orchards and apiaries.