Canada
Canada is huge, friendly and wildly scenic, from Rocky Mountain lakes to French-speaking old towns. I have only been to Toronto and Niagara Falls so far, and the rest of the country is high on my list. This guide covers those two plus what I would plan for the rest.
What I did
Visited Toronto.
Saw Niagara Falls.
Where to stay
Toronto: downtown near the Entertainment District or Queen West is the easiest base for transit and nightlife.
Niagara Falls: stay in the town near the falls for views, or in Niagara-on-the-Lake for a quieter, wine country feel.
Banff and Lake Louise: Banff town has the most choice. Lake Louise is pricey and books out early in summer.
Vancouver: Yaletown, Gastown or the West End are walkable and central.
Montreal and Quebec City: the Plateau in Montreal and the walled Old Quebec both feel European.
Getting there and around
Flights: Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal are the main international gateways. Domestic flights are the practical way to cross the country.
Cities: Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver have good transit. Ride apps work too.
Trains: VIA Rail runs between Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, and the Rocky Mountaineer is a scenic splurge.
Road trips: a rental car is best for the Rockies, Vancouver Island, the Maritimes and the Cabot Trail.
Toronto to Niagara: the falls are about 90 minutes away by car, bus or tour.
What to eat
Poutine, fries with cheese curds and gravy, best in Quebec.
Montreal bagels and smoked meat.
Maple syrup treats, including maple taffy on snow in Quebec.
Fresh salmon and seafood in Vancouver and Tofino.
Lobster rolls and chowder in the Maritimes.
Butter tarts and Nanaimo bars.
What to drink
Wine: the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia has lakeside wineries and good reds and whites. Niagara-on-the-Lake is known for icewine, made from grapes frozen on the vine.
Beer: craft beer is strong in every big city, and Quebec brewpubs are a highlight.
Whisky: Canadian rye, sipped neat or in an old fashioned.
Cocktails: the Caesar, like a Bloody Mary with clam juice, is the national drink.
Coffee: Tim Hortons for the classic stop, and strong independent cafes in Montreal and Vancouver.
Don't miss
Niagara Falls, including the boat ride to the base.
The CN Tower and the Toronto waterfront.
Banff, Jasper and the Icefields Parkway, one of the great drives in the world.
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, best early in the morning.
Vancouver and Whistler, with sea, mountains and skiing close together.
Vancouver Island and Tofino, for surf, storms and rainforest.
Old Montreal and Quebec City's walled old town.
The Maritimes and the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia.
Day trips and side trips
Niagara-on-the-Lake and its wineries from Toronto.
Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain from Vancouver.
Victoria by ferry from Vancouver.
Churchill, Manitoba, for polar bears in the fall, a trip for planners.
Whitehorse and the Yukon for northern lights in winter.
Festivals and events
Quebec Winter Carnival: Quebec City, usually in late January and February. Snow sculptures, parades and warm drinks.
Montreal Jazz Festival: Montreal, usually in late June and early July. Free outdoor stages and big names.
Just for Laughs: Montreal, usually in July. The big comedy festival.
Calgary Stampede: Calgary, usually in July. Rodeo, parades and pancake breakfasts.
Osheaga: Montreal, usually in late July or early August. A major music festival with strong electronic acts.
Veld: Toronto, usually in early August. A large electronic and dance festival.
Toronto International Film Festival: Toronto, usually in September. One of the biggest film festivals in the world.
Music and dance
Indie and rock: Canada punches above its weight, with Toronto and Montreal as the main scenes.
Electronic: Montreal is known for house and techno, and Toronto and Vancouver have strong clubs.
Jazz: Montreal is the center of it, especially in summer.
Folk and Celtic: kitchen parties in Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, with fiddles and step dancing.
Dance: salsa, swing and Latin nights in Montreal and Toronto are easy to join.
Photography spots
Toronto skyline: from the islands at sunset.
Niagara Falls: at night, when the falls are lit.
Moraine Lake and Peyto Lake: blue water in the Rockies.
Old Quebec: the Chateau Frontenac and stone streets.
Drones: Transport Canada rules apply, and national parks generally ban them, so check before you fly.
My experience
I have only been to Toronto and Niagara Falls. Toronto is a big, diverse city that is easy to like, and Niagara Falls is as impressive as you hope. The rest of Canada is high on my list, especially the Rockies and Quebec.
Cost of living
Overall: Toronto and Vancouver: $$$$, about 15% cheaper than New York. Montreal: $$$, about 35% cheaper than New York.
Coffee: about $4
Local lunch: about $15
Dinner for two at a nice restaurant: about $110
Beer or cocktail: about $7 / $14
Ride across town: about $15
Mid-range hotel: about $170 a night, more in the Rockies in summer
Furnished one-bedroom in a good area: about $2,300 a month in Toronto, $2,400 in Vancouver, $1,500 in Montreal
Daily budget: about $100 budget, $220 comfortable, $400+ luxury in Toronto
Canada is cheaper than New York in most cities, though Banff and Whistler cost a premium in peak season. Prices on the tag exclude sales tax. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.
Working remotely
Wi-Fi: fast and reliable in the cities, often 150 Mbps or more. Mountain and northern areas can be patchy.
Coworking and cafes: Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal all have strong coworking and laptop-friendly cafes.
Time zone: six zones. Toronto and Montreal match US Eastern, and Vancouver matches US Pacific.
Visa for longer stays: US citizens can usually stay up to six months as visitors. There is no standard digital nomad visa, so check current rules.
Nomad rating: 4 out of 5. Safe, English speaking and well connected, but costs are not low.
Good to know
Language: English and French are both official. Quebec is mostly French, though Montreal is very bilingual.
Currency: Canadian dollar. Cards and contactless work almost everywhere.
Plugs: Type A and B, 120V, the same as the US.
Entry for US citizens: a passport is needed and no visa for short stays. Check current rules before you go.
Best time to visit: June to September for hiking and lakes, and December to March for skiing, winter carnivals and northern lights.
Tipping: 15 to 20 percent at restaurants and for bar staff and rides.
Water: tap water is safe to drink.
SIM/eSIM: an eSIM is simplest. Rogers, Bell and Telus sell prepaid plans. Roaming from US carriers can be costly, so check your plan.
Useful phrases
English works almost everywhere. In Quebec, a little French goes a long way: Bonjour means hello, Merci means thank you, S'il vous plait means please, and Parlez-vous anglais? means do you speak English.
Nightlife
Canadian nightlife is relaxed and polite. It runs from craft pubs and live music rooms to big city clubs, and Montreal has the liveliest late scene.
When people go out: dinner is early, bars fill from about 9 pm, and last call is usually 2 am, with Montreal staying open later.
Where the action is: Toronto's Entertainment District and Queen West, Montreal's Plateau and Saint-Laurent, and Vancouver's Gastown and Granville Street.
The music: indie, hip hop, house and techno, with jazz in Montreal.
Good to know: the drinking age is 18 or 19 depending on the province. Bring ID, dress is casual to smart casual, and use a taxi or ride app after drinking.
Meeting people
Social scene: Canadians are friendly and polite, and sports, hiking and breweries are easy ways to meet people.
Apps: Hinge, Bumble and Tinder are common, and Meetup is useful in big cities.
Etiquette: a friendly hello and a handshake are normal, and saying sorry and thank you often is part of the culture. In Quebec, greet in French first.
Stay smart: meet in public, watch your drink and tell a friend your plans.
Staying safe
Canada is very safe. Use normal city sense at night in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.
In the Rockies and Tofino, respect wildlife. Keep your distance from bears and carry bear spray on remote trails.
Cold is a real risk in winter, so dress in layers and check road conditions.