The buzz is real, folks – Canadian domestic travel is exploding! A fresh poll reveals that 82% of Canadian travellers are plotting their next adventure right here at home (up from 75% in previous years). Translation? We’re finally waking up to the incredible destinations that have been winking at us from our own backyard all along. Here’s a look at some of the best hidden gems in Canada.
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Naramata
Tucked away in British Columbia’s sun-kissed South Okanagan, Naramata is that friend who’s effortlessly cool without trying too hard. Just a scenic drive from Penticton (hello, convenient airport with direct flights from Calgary and Vancouver!), this lakeside charmer serves up the perfect cocktail of chill vibes, jaw-dropping lake views, and beaches that’ll make you forget you’re not in the Mediterranean.
The surrounding Naramata Bench is pure eye candy, weaving together bucolic beauty with geological wonder. It practically begs for prime placement on your Instagram feed.
Naramata Wineries
Over 40 wineries are scattered within a 20-minute drive of Naramata. But forget stuffy tastings – these spots know how to have fun. Case in point: JoieFarm Winery’s brand-new Hot Dog Lounge, where retro meets refined reds in the best possible way. Four “dog-licious” creations pair perfectly with their rosé slushies. Yes, you heard right – wine slushies are a thing, and they’re everything you didn’t know you needed.
Adventure Calls (but Make It Scenic)
Mountain biking enthusiasts, prepare for your happy place. Heart-pumping singletrack trails are just minutes away, but the real star is the historic Kettle Valley Rail Trail (KVR). This decommissioned railway turned recreational paradise is pure magic on two wheels.
Hot tip: Start your ride at Glen Fir rest area north of Naramata. Why? Gravity becomes your best friend as you coast downhill on a gentle 2% grade all the way to Penticton. The views are absolutely spectacular, and since you’re practically floating downhill, you’ll actually have time to soak them all in. Plus, the trail spoils you rotten with rest stops, water refill stations, bike repair stands, and yes, strategically placed port-a-potties.
More of a water person? Naramata’s got you covered. Rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards right in the village and glide across the pristine waters of Okanagan Lake.
And don’t even think about leaving without wandering through the village itself – those charming streets are perfect for unhurried exploration and spontaneous discoveries.
For more information, visit Discover Naramata.
Skip the Crowds, Not the Thunder in Niagara Parks
Niagara Falls is one of Canada’s most popular tourist attractions. But here’s the million-dollar question: can you soak up all that natural wonder without feeling like you’re playing a game of tourist Tetris? Absolutely, and we’ve got the insider scoop.
Timing Is Everything
First rule of Niagara: avoid summer weekends like they’re contagious. If you’re stuck with weekend plans, embrace your inner early bird and hit the falls at sunrise, or go full romantic and visit during the golden hour. Trust us, Horseshoe Falls at dawn hits differently – it’s like having a private audience with Mother Nature herself.
But here’s where it gets exciting: there’s a brand-new way to experience this natural wonder that’s about to change the game completely.
Get Ready to Soar
Mark your calendars for August 29th, because that’s when Niagara Parks opens Ontario’s first flying theatre, Niagara Takes Flight. And talk about perfect timing – late August is when the crowds thin out as families scramble to prepare for the back-to-school season. It’s like the universe conspired to give you the best possible experience.
What Is Niagara Takes Flight?
It’s a spectacular 56-kilometre sky-high tour of Niagara Parks’ most jaw-dropping scenery. Using mind-blowing drone footage and next-level tech wizardry, Niagara Takes Flight catapults you into an aerial adventure that’ll have your heart racing.
You’ll dive over churning whitewater rapids, glide past ancient rock formations that have been standing guard for millennia, and zoom across legendary battlegrounds where history was made (remember that War of 1812 when Canada burned down the White House?).
The pièce de résistance? Flying so close to the mighty Horseshoe Falls, you’ll practically taste the mist. This aerial joyride will have you experiencing landscapes that most people only dream of seeing from this incredible vantage point.
Why Visit Niagara Takes Flight?
Whether you’re a Niagara newbie or a seasoned Falls fanatic who thought they’d seen it all, this experience delivers memories that’ll stick with you forever. First-timers get the ultimate crash course in everything that makes this place legendary, while return visitors discover hidden secrets from a totally fresh perspective.
But the adventure starts before you even take flight. Four captivating storytelling chambers set the stage, unravelling Niagara’s epic tale through millions of years of geological drama, jaw-dropping industrial transformations, and the incredible innovations that shaped this natural wonder into the world-famous destination it is today.
For more information, visit Niagara Parks
Here are 7 not-to-miss experiences in Niagara (beyond the falls).
Secret Mountain Spots
Banff in summer is basically Canada’s most beautiful traffic jam. While tourists flock to the iconic spots (and hey, they’re iconic for good reason!), savvy travellers know there’s a whole other side to these mountains that’s surprisingly peaceful. The secret? Think beyond the obvious.
Here’s something nobody talks about in summer: those world-famous ski resorts around Banff National Park? They’re absolute gems, complete with parking that actually exists, incredible hiking opportunities, and restaurants with elbow room.
Ski Hills in Summer
At Sunshine Village, you can sample lift-assisted hiking at Sunshine Meadows – voted Canada’s #1 hike by Lonely Planet. I won’t go into that too much, as I dedicated this entire post to what hiking at Sunshine is like.
But here’s the beauty of Sunshine: you don’t have to be a hardcore hiker to fall in love. Stroll around the village while live music drifts through the mountain air, find your zen in an outdoor yoga class, or treat yourself to the ultimate digital detox at Sunshine Mountain Lodge. We’re talking next-level quiet – the kind where you can actually hear your own thoughts again.
Mount Norquay offers assisted rock climbing along its Via Ferrata. It’s got all the thrill and exposure of actual mountaineering, but with training wheels in the form of a guide, safety equipment and steel cable routes you clip into.
And there’s fantastic grizzly bear viewing from the safety of the gondola or chairlift at Lake Louise Ski Resort.
While you’re in the Lake Louise area, here’s a dining gem that feels like a well-kept secret: The Station. Housed in the former Lake Louise Railway Station, this atmospheric eatery boasts a gorgeous outdoor patio that’ll transport you worlds away from the lake’s bustling crowds. It’s the kind of place where you can actually have a conversation without shouting. (Check out my full review for all the delicious details.)
Do you have a favourite hidden Canadian gem you’d like to share? Drop your recommendations in the comments below and let’s build the ultimate insider’s guide to Canada’s best-kept travel secrets!
