Stretching across British Columbia, Alberta, and the Yukon, Western Canada offers an incredible mix of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and vibrant communities. If you're planning a trip and wondering where to start, here are the must-see locations that deserve a place on your itinerary.
Why Visit Western Canada?
One of the things that makes Western Canada so special is its incredible variety. Rather than being centred around one major destination, each region offers something completely different, so you can build an itinerary that matches your interests.
You’ll find plenty to explore, whether you’re travelling for outdoor adventure, wildlife encounters, photography, food and wine, or simply to experience Canada’s natural beauty.
Western Canada is known for:
- Mountain scenery and glacier-fed lakes
- Ancient forests and rugged Pacific coastlines
- Wildlife like bears, elk, mountain goats, whales, and bald eagles
- Hiking, kayaking, skiing, wildlife viewing, and year-round outdoor adventures
- Indigenous cultures that have shaped these landscapes for millennia
📌 Western Canada at a Glance:
| If you love… | Add these destinations to your itinerary |
| Mountains & iconic scenery | Banff, Jasper, Whistler |
| Coastal landscapes | Vancouver Island, Sea-to-Sky Corridor |
| Wine & local food | Okanagan Valley |
| Scenic road trips | Icefields Parkway, Sea-to-Sky Highway |
| Hot springs | Kootenay Rockies |
| Northern Lights | Yukon, Whitehorse |
| Wildlife | Jasper, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve |
British Columbia’s Must-See Locations
©Tourism Whistler / Justa Jeskova, ©DCT / Michael Song
1. Whistler
Just two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler is one of Canada’s most famous mountain destinations. While it’s internationally recognised for skiing and snowboarding, summer reveals a completely different side of the region. Alpine hiking trails, turquoise lakes, mountain biking, and scenic gondola rides make it just as rewarding outside the snow season. If you’d rather leave the driving to someone else, a guided Whistler day tour from Vancouver covers the highlights in one easy trip.
The lively pedestrian village is also part of the experience, offering everything from local cafés and restaurants to outdoor patios and boutique shopping.
Things to do in Whistler:
- Riding the Peak 2 Peak Gondola
- Exploring Whistler Village
- Experiencing indigenous culture at Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
- Mountain biking, ziptrekking, or bungee jumping in the summer
- Skiing or snowboarding at Whistler Blackcomb in winter
💡Did you know? The Peak 2 Peak Gondola spans over 3 kilometres (1.88 miles) without a support tower between the two mountains, and it’s one of the longest unsupported cable spans in the world!
2. The Sea-to-Sky Corridor
The drive between Vancouver and Whistler is often considered just as memorable as the destination itself. Following the coastline of Howe Sound before climbing into the Coast Mountains, the Sea-to-Sky Corridor is packed with scenic viewpoints and worthwhile stops.
Whether you’re visiting for a day or making your way towards Whistler, it’s a route best enjoyed slowly.
Highlights include:
- Shannon Falls Provincial Park
- Sea to Sky Gondola
- Britannia Mine Museum
- Scenic viewpoints overlooking Howe Sound
💡Travelling from Vancouver to Whistler? Check out our full guide on the BC’s most scenic gondola rides, including the Sea to Sky Gondola!
©Tourism Vancouver Island / Ben Giesbrecht
3. Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island offers a completely different side of Western Canada. Instead of towering mountain passes, you’ll discover coastal rainforests, charming seaside communities and rugged beaches.
Victoria blends historic architecture with waterfront charm, while the island’s west coast feels wonderfully wild. In Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, long sandy beaches meet ancient forests, creating one of Canada’s most spectacular coastal landscapes. You can experience both sides of the island with a Victoria day tour or a multi-day Tofino tour from Vancouver.
Places worth adding to your itinerary:
- Victoria’s Inner Harbour
- The Butchart Gardens
- Tofino
- Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
- Cathedral Grove
- Malahat Skywalk
Ucluelet is another charming coastal community just south of Tofino that’s well worth adding to your itinerary. If you’re deciding where to stay, check out our guide comparing Tofino and Ucluelet to help you choose the destination that’s right for your trip.
💡Fun fact: The temperate rainforest found on Vancouver Island is one of the rarest ecosystems in the world, with towering western red cedars and Douglas firs that can live for hundreds of years!
©Destination BC / Kari Medig, ©Destination BC / Abby Cooper
4. The Okanagan Valley
Known for its warm climate and lakefront lifestyle, the Okanagan Valley is one of Canada’s premier wine regions. Rolling vineyards, fruit orchards, and sparkling lakes create a landscape that’s noticeably different from the mountain scenery found elsewhere in British Columbia.
The region is especially popular during summer, when visitors spend their days exploring wineries, relaxing on beaches, and enjoying fresh local produce.
Top experiences in the region:
- Wine-tasting
- Visit Kelowna’s waterfront
- Browse roadside fruit markets
- Paddleboard or kayak on Okanagan Lake
💡Travel Tip: If you’re travelling between Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies, consider making a stop here. Spend a night if time permits, or simply stop for a leisurely lakeside lunch or a visit to a local winery. Either way, the Okanagan Valley is a relaxing place to break up the journey. Late August and September are especially beautiful, thanks to the warm weather and grape harvest season.
5. The Kootenay Rockies
Less visited than Banff but every bit as beautiful, the Kootenay Rockies reward travellers looking for quieter adventures. Here you’ll find turquoise lakes, natural hot springs, heritage towns, and some of the Canadian Rockies’ most photogenic scenery.
The Kootenay Rockies are home to diverse landscapes and charming communities, from the turquoise waters of Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park to the colourful heritage streets of Nelson. This is a quieter, slower-paced side of the Canadian Rockies.
Alberta’s Must-See Locations
©Travel Alberta / Roth + Ramberg, ©DCT / Lisanne Smeele
1. Banff National Park
Few places capture the beauty of the Canadian Rockies quite like Banff National Park. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are among the most photographed places in Canada, and it’s easy to understand why. Their brilliant turquoise waters, framed by towering Rocky Mountain peaks, have become defining images of Banff National Park.
Beyond the famous lakes, Banff offers scenic hiking trails, wildlife viewing, mountain gondolas, and a lively town centre that’s easy to explore on foot. The simplest way to see it all is on a guided Banff tour, with the mountain roads left to someone else.
Don’t miss these signature experiences:
- Canoeing on Lake Louise
- Visiting Moraine Lake
- Walking Johnston Canyon
- Riding the Banff Gondola
- Exploring Banff Avenue
💡Did you know? Banff became Canada’s first national park in 1885, making it one of the oldest national parks in the world.
©Travel Alberta / Jeff Bartlett, ©Travel Alberta / North Grove Creative
2. Jasper National Park
North of Banff lies Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. While equally spectacular, Jasper offers a quieter atmosphere and a stronger sense of wilderness.
Its pristine lakes, rushing waterfalls, and abundant wildlife make it a favourite for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Don’t leave Jasper without visiting:
- Maligne Lake
- Spirit Island
- Athabasca Falls
- Pyramid Lake
💡Jasper National Park is also part of one of the world’s largest accessible Dark Sky Preserves, making it one of Canada’s best places for stargazing.
3. The Icefields Parkway
Often described as one of the world’s greatest scenic drives, the Icefields Parkway connects Banff and Jasper National Parks through 232 kilometres (144 miles) of breathtaking mountain scenery.
Rather than rushing from one end to the other, take time to stop frequently. Some of the highway’s most memorable viewpoints are found just minutes apart.
Highlights include:
- Columbia Icefield
- Athabasca Glacier
- Peyto Lake
- Bow Lake
- Sunwapta Falls
👉Travel Tip: One of the most memorable experiences along the Icefields Parkway is the Columbia Icefield Adventure, where you’ll board a specially designed Ice Explorer to travel onto the ancient Athabasca Glacier. As you continue your journey, keep an eye out for wildlife. Elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and even bears are often spotted along the parkway!
4. Waterton Lakes National Park
Located in southern Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park is where prairie grasslands meet the Rocky Mountains. It’s smaller and quieter than Banff or Jasper, but no less beautiful.
Visitors come to Waterton Lakes National Park for its peaceful lakes, colourful canyons, and scenic viewpoints, all without the crowds often found in larger parks.
💡Did you know? Waterton Lakes National Park and neighbouring Glacier National Park in Montana together form the world’s first International Peace Park, established in 1932.
While there are many ways to explore the Canadian Rockies without a car, joining a guided tour is one of the easiest and most convenient options. Discover Canada Tours offers a range of multi-day Rocky Mountain tours, with carefully planned itineraries that take you to many of the iconic destinations featured in this guide.
©Gov’t of Yukon / Jonathan Tucker, Bison Yukon Wildlife Preserve, Cathie Archbould
Yukon: Canada’s Northern Wonder
For travellers looking to venture beyond the Rockies, the Yukon offers a completely different perspective on Canada. Vast wilderness, Gold Rush history, and dramatic northern skies create unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
1. Whitehorse
As the Yukon’s capital, Whitehorse is the gateway to northern adventure. Walk along the Yukon River, explore Miles Canyon, and, from late August through March, keep an eye on the skies for the Northern Lights.
2. Dawson City
Once the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush, Dawson City is rich in history and character. Wooden boardwalks, preserved heritage buildings, and panoramic views from Midnight Dome make it one of the Yukon’s most memorable destinations.
👉 Winter is one of the best times to experience the Yukon. Beyond the spectacular Northern Lights, visitors can enjoy activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and relaxing in natural hot springs, making it one of Canada’s most rewarding cold-weather destinations.
Experience Indigenous Cultures Across Western Canada
Long before these destinations became popular with travellers, they were (and will continue to be) the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples who have lived on and cared for these lands since time immemorial.
Across Western Canada, visitors can deepen their understanding of the places they explore through Indigenous-led experiences, including guided walks, storytelling, cultural centres, art galleries, and traditional knowledge shared by local communities. Taking the time to learn these stories offers a richer perspective on the landscapes, wildlife, and history of the region.
Explore Western Canada, One Journey at a Time
No two destinations in Western Canada are quite the same. From the coastal beauty of Vancouver Island and the iconic Canadian Rockies to the untamed wilderness of the Yukon, every region offers its own unique landscapes, experiences, and stories waiting to be discovered.
Ready to start planning? Discover Canada Tours offers guided journeys to many of the destinations featured in this guide, with thoughtfully designed itineraries, comfortable transportation, and knowledgeable local guides to help you experience the very best of Western Canada!
