Travel Budget for Cities inCanada

The capital of Ontario, and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city.

Toronto is divided into a handful of districts. These include Old Toronto, which includes the city's downtown area, Etobicoke, which is an industrial and residential area, York, an ethnically diverse area, and Scarborough, which is the greenest area with the most parks.

Despite its large size, it's relatively easy to navigate Toronto with its public transit system. Even so, it is likely easier and faster to drive if you have access to a car. The major exception to this is during rush hour when traffic can be frustratingly congested. Also make note that, while there are no shortage of parking garages, they are usually quite expensive. Public transit is easily the cheapest way to travel throughout the city. The system is also one of the most popularly used systems in North America, next to Mexico City and New York City. The system includes a subway system, a rapid transit line, streetcars and buses. If you're traveling during rush hour, it is best to avoid the buses or streetcars, unless you are on a route where the streetcar has its on dedicated lane. Because of the dense traffic, don't be surprised if you find yourself waiting for half an hour for a streetcar, only to have four reach you at the same time.

There are any number of sights throughout Toronto. Some of the most popular include museums, architectural buildings and parks. Make sure you visit the Art Gallery of Ontario, Royal Ontario Museum, or Ontario Science Centre, among others. Toronto is a great place to simply walk around. Head to Chinatown or wander one of the popular nearby islands. Also try to take in a show as theater is very popular here. Comedy shows are also a great way to pass some time and can make for a wonderful night outing.

While Quebec City is the political capital Quebec, Montreal is the economic and cultural capital. It's also the second largest city in the country. It's a very trendy and vibrant city with an active nightlife and countless activities to enjoy. The city of Montreal is divided into several districts. Most of the neighborhoods of interest to travelers are in Central Montreal. In the Ville-Marie borough you will find Montreal's downtown area with it's many skyscrapers and museums. In the Old Montreal area you'll see most of the historic buildings, and Quartier Latin-Le Village is popular for its restaurants and shopping. Outside of Central Montreal you'll find a few other neighborhoods of interest to travelers. The Little Italy area is known as Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie. The Olympic Park is in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, and in the South West area you'll find Lachine canal and Atwater Market, which is definitely worth a trip.

Getting around Montreal is relatively easy for a larger city. The streets are easy to navigate, and in the more compact areas the most efficient option is simply to walk. You can see a lot of the city by wandering around on foot and simply exploring. If you're looking to visit destinations that are farther apart, there's a good public transit system that includes a metro system and buses. As a tourist you can by full day passes and multi day passes that will save you a significant amount of money.

There are plenty of places to visit in Montreal, but it is highly recommended you head to some of the parks to people watch and relax, particularly if you are in the city during the summer months when the weather is most pleasant. Popular parks worth visiting include Square Saint-Louis, Parc Jean Drapeau, and Parc Maisonneuve and Jardin Botanique de Montreal, but there are countless more that are popular with locals and tourists alike. Also do some research ahead of time and find out if there is a festival going on during your visit. There are a number of interesting festivals and it's a great way to experience some of the city's wonderful and diverse culture.

Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and, at the edge of the prairie and foothills, is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains. If you're headed to Banff of Jasper, this is likely to be your first stop. It's also Canada's 4th largest city and worth a few days visit.

There are a handful of neighborhoods that are worth exploring throughout Calgary. The Beltline and 17th Avenue is the trendiest area, with plenty of restaurants, shopping, and bars and clubs. The nightlife in this area is popular among local celebrities and athletes.

If you're looking for some great shopping head over to Kensington, which is north of the downtown area near the Bow River. It has a bohemian atmosphere, and also has plenty of restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops.

Inglewood is a culturally rich and eclectic area in Calgary that once served as the downtown area. It is also the oldest neighborhood in the city. It's again gaining a trendy feel and has plenty of shops and restaurants, although they are not as dense as the current downtown area.

Calgary has a decent public transportation system such that you do not need to rent a car to travel around the city. The system improved dramatically in 1988 when they hosted the Winter Olympics. There's an efficient light rail systems that covers the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. If you're planning to head further into the suburbs you may need to take a bus. They're not a frequent, but it's an easy system to navigate.

There are some wonderful sights throughout Calgary. You should definitely visit Prince's Island Park. It's an island in the Bow River, and has a handful of wonderful trails. There are also plenty of festivals, particularly in the summer months when the weather is more pleasant.

Barclay Mall, is a pedestrian area between Eau claire and Stephen Avenue. There are plenty of shops and a wonderful atmosphere to soak up.

Also make sure you visit Devonian Gardens, Calgary Tower, Chinatown, and Olympic Plaza.

Niagara Falls, Ontario sits on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, across the border from Niagara Falls, New York. Together these cities have claimed themselves to be the "Honeymoon Capital of the World" a status that is probably little more than a marketing ploy. That said, Niagara Falls, Ontario, is perhaps a quainter and more natural version of its American counterpart. The town has existed as a tourist destination for hundreds of years, with its main attraction, obviously, being Niagara Falls. On arrival, it is recommended you head to the Visitor Welcome center which is open between the months of June and August. They can give you advice and suggestions as well as maps and brochures about the area. It's also the place to purchase People Mover bus tickets or the Great Gorge Adventure Pass if you hope to buy these. The People Mover bus system travels along Niagara Parkway stopping at points of interest along the way. It is possible to walk most places, so it is not necessary to ride the bus, but it can be useful to some. You'll find the visitor center at several different locations including, Table Rock Center, the Maid of the Mist, Clifton Hill, and Murray Street.

There are some popular activities and sights in and around Niagara Falls. Perhaps the most popular activity is to take a ride on the boat, the Maid of the Mist, which carries passengers to the base of the waterfalls. Other activities include White Water Walk, which is a boardwalk beside the river, Whirlpool Aero Car, a cable car ride over the Niagara Whirlpool, the Marineland Theme Park, which offers various shows highlighting marine life like dolphins or sea lions, and Skylon Tower which offers an observation deck and revolving restaurant overlooking the waterfalls.

There are plenty of restaurants in the area ranging from budget to high end. Many of the budget restaurants serve cafe or pub style food at a reasonable price. If you're on a particularly tight budget, fast food restaurants are often the cheapest, although not best, options available.

Quebec City is the capital city of Quebec and is situated on the cliffs by St. Lawrence Seaway. It's a midsized city and the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most of the sights of interest are in the Old Town, which is still surrounded by its original walls. Just outside of the Old Town are in Upper Town, or Haute-Ville, and Lower Town, or Basse-Ville. Neighborhoods in these areas which are worth visiting include Saint-Roch, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Montcalm, Vieux-Port and Limoilou. If you want to visit downtown Quebec City head west of the Old Town. Also consider venturing into Levis, which is a town across from St. Lawrence River which can be reached by ferry.

The easiest way to explore Quebec City is on foot. The Old Town is quite compact with many cobblestone streets. You can also head into the nearby neighborhoods, some of which are connected by staircases. You really want to spend as much time as possible wandering through Quebec City as this is the best way to experience the atmosphere and culture of the city. If you plan to venture further than the nearby neighborhoods, there's a decent bus system that is efficient and easy to understand.

The vast majority of the sights in Quebec City are located in the Old Town. In the Haute-Ville area you will find Chateau Frontenac, which is a beautiful, old hotel and the nearby boardwalk, Dufferin Terrace. You'll also find Musee national des Beaux-arts du Quebec, Musee de l'Amerique francaise, and the Citadel.

In Basse-ville, the two main sights include Place-Royale, which is a beautiful public square, and Musee de la civilisation, which can be visited for thirteen dollars.

If you're looking for some interesting ways to see the city there are a handful of options for tourists. These include horse drawn carriages, cruises along the St. Lawrence River, and a handful of walking tours which are offered through a variety of tourist companies.

In British Columbia, Canada, Kamloops is perhaps most famous for the large number of tournaments it hosts, everything from the Strauss Canada Cup of Curling, to the World Fly Fishing Championships. It also hosts Skate Canada, Tim Horton's Olympic Qualifying Bike Race, and the World Junior Hockey Championships among others.

Popular sights around town include MacArthur Island Park, the Riverside Park, the high end shopping center, Aberdeen Mall, Thompson Rivers University, and the BC Wildlife Park. There are plenty of things you can do around town such as swimming at the Riverside Park (when weather allows), golfing, rock climbing, fishing, taking a brewery tour, horseback riding, or even visiting a ranch like the Siwash Lake Ranch, which is a high end tourist ranch with any number of fun activities.

You'll find a decent number of restaurants around town. They offer the typical fare, with pizza, pasta, and burgers being popular options. You'll also find the occasional sushi or Chinese restaurant as well as some locally owned home cooked specialty restaurants.

There are a couple of bars and pubs around town. Some of the more popular ones include the Duchess on Tranquille nightclub and Cactus Jacks in the downtown area. There are a handful of hotels around town and a good number of chain hotels such as Knights Inn. There are also many conference style hotels that are designed to handle groups and organizations that are traveling together. These hotels have sprung up in response to the large number of events and tournaments that the town hosts. Two of the more popular options are the Northbridge Hotel and Suites as well as the Thompson Rivers University Residence and Conference Centre.

If you're looking to do a day trip outside of Kamloops, there are some very appealing options. The city of Vancouver is nearby, as is the Sun Peaks Ski Resort, which is only fifty kilometers away. If you want to visit some dude ranches your best option is to head to the Cariboo-Chilcotin region.

Located in British Columbia, Canada, Whistler is most famous as the largest ski area in North America. It is also only a short distance from the city of Vancouver, and offers countless opportunities for snow boarding and skiing. While the town of Whistler is somewhat sprawling, as a tourist you're likely to spend most of your time in the quaint villages that have sprung up around the base of the ski lifts. You'll find most of the areas restaurants, hotels, and shopping in Whistler Village and the Upper Village, which sits at the bottom of Whistler and Blackcomb. Most people choose to walk around the area and there are many pedestrian walkways. Most of the villages are also connected by short trails.

A visit to Whistler is centered around outdoor activities and winter sports. Some favorites of the area include crosscountry skiing, snowboarding, downhill skiing, golfing, hiking, and tennis.

You can find a range of restaurant types around Whistler Village. There's really anything from cheap fast food, perhaps the best option if you're on a budget, to high end, expensive restaurants that usually offer some great views. The on-hill options are also surprisingly reasonably priced. There's a slight mark up, but nothing more than you would expect. You can get a bowl of udon soup for ten dollars or a salmon steak for twelve dollars.

Many people spend the evenings relaxing in one of Whistler's many bars. It's a great way to rest and enjoy yourself after a long day of skiing. This is a great way to meet fellow visitors and swap stories. There are many types of drinks available, but if you're a beer drinker, make sure you try the local micro-brewery beer which is always good.

Hotels also vary dramatically in price and quality. There are some budget options, including a couple of hostels in the area, but most people do not visit Whistler as a budget travel destination. It's generally and expensive vacation, but few would argue that it isn't worth it.

The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because it has such a large area of green space and public gardens. Most people head to Vancouver Island and Victoria on BC Ferries which leaves from Tsawwassen and arrives at Swartz Bay, which is a half hour from Victoria. It is best to make reservation in advance during the peak season, although it is not always necessary.

Most people explore Victoria on foot, particularly the downtown area which is compact and pleasant. There are buses that travel around the town and island. They are reasonably priced and offer a good option if you don't have access to a car and aren't open to walking. Victoria is also one of the most accommodating cities to bikers in Canada. Biking is a great way to experience the city.

There is no shortage of sights around Victoria. Some of the top destinations worth visiting include Beacon Hill Park, Butchart Gardens, the British Columbia Aviation Museum, the Inner Harbour, Chinatown, the Undersea Gardens, and the Royal British Columbia Museum among many other museums and gardens. There are also some wonderful activities you can enjoy on Vancouver Island and in the city of Victoria. Some of the more popular options include whale watching, wine tasting, hiking, and boat cruises.

Dining in Victoria is an experience in and of itself. The city has the highest number of restaurants per capita in North America. You'll find no shortage of options with anything from pubs, to seafood restaurants, to international fare, and outdoor cafes. Whatever your style an budget, you're likely to find something absolutely delicious and uniquely Victorian. It's a microcosm of the west coast restaurants in Canada.

The nightlife is really centered around the downtown area where you'll find the highest concentration of bars and clubs. Taxis are generally reasonably priced, so if you can't walk to your destination, they offer a good option later at night.

Vernon is located in British Columbia, Canada and does have small airport that receives infrequent flights. You're more likely to access the town by flying into Kelowna which is about a forty five minute drive away. A more affordable option if you don't have access to a car is to take a Greyhound bus. Buses arrival frequently from either Vancouver or Calgary and drop you off at the Greyhound bus terminal in town.

Vernon has some relaxing places to explore and fun activities to participate in. Silver Star is the local ski hill which is a fun place to pass some time. There are a good number of golf courses nearby as well including Predator Ridge, Hillview Golf, The Rise Golf Course, and Vernon Golf and Country Club. You could also relax on the shores of either Kalamalka or Okanagan Lakes, both of which are quite nice. A trip to Davison Orchards is a fun way to pass some time as well. You'll also find all the major big box shopping stores around town if you need to pick something up.

You'll find plenty of chain restaurants around town and lots of fast food options. There are also a handful of local restaurants, some of which are worth checking out. These include Blue Heron Water Front Pub and Restaurant, Sir Winstons Pub, Squares Four Pub, and Kelly O'Brians. If you want to have a picnic you can head to the Safeway Deli and pick up some ready made food. There's also a food court at Village Green Mall. You'll also find Mexican food at Little Tex and some decent Italian food served in large portions at The Italian Kitchen. The Super 8 is where you'll likely spend the night as it has reasonable prices and is in good shape.

In many ways Vernon feels like most other towns around North America, but if you find yourself here with some time to spare you can find a handful of activities that will help you see it has it's own personality and some nice, unique qualities.

The capital of Alberta, Canada, Edmonton has a population of just over one million people in its metropolitan area. It is also North America's northernmost city of this large size. It's a beautiful place to visit because of the North Saskatchewan River Valley which has over one hundred kilometers of hiking trails, wildlife spotting, and overlooks. The valley has a string of parks which are wonderful to visit. In addition to the beautiful, outdoor setting and activities, Edmonton also offers the largest shopping mall in North America, West Edmonton Mall. It's also a city with a lot of culture including a lively theater scene, many different festivals, and no shortage of sporting events you could attend.

Edmonton has several different districts, each of which has its own character. Central Edmonton is the oldest area of the city and has the glitzy skyscrapers and many of the city's attractions. South Central Edmonton has more of a college vibe as it is where the University of Alberta is located. The West End has the West Edmonton Mall and the area to go for shopping.

Some of the more popular sights around town include the Alberta Legislature, the Art Gallery of Alberta, the Royal Alberta Museum, Fort Edmonton Park, Elk Island National Park of Canada, the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, and seeing the Aurora Borealis or northern lights.

Dining in Edmonton is relatively diverse, but you'll find most of the restaurants in one of two areas. The downtown area has both chain and local restaurants and is a good place to explore for interesting food. Also head to Whyte Avenue which has some interesting restaurants. West Edmonton Mall is another good place to hit up for a meal.

Hotels are spread throughout the city but you'll find the highest concentration of budget options on either the south side of the city or in the deep east central area. There are also some budget hotels further out in the suburbs.

Hope, located in British Columbia, Canada, is a small town in the far east of the Fraser Valley. It's at the cross section of several major highways making is a pass through point for many visitors to the area. Hope is also the location of the filming of the 1980's film Rambo: First Blood, a fact which many locals take much pride in.

There are a handful of places worth visiting in town. If you have time, swing by the Hope Arts Gallery or Doc's Carving Gallery, both of which have artwork from locals. Also visit the Hope Visitor Centre & Museum for an overview to the area. If you are particularly interested, there's a self-guided walking or driving tour of areas featured in the Rambo: First Blood filming. Outside of town there are some great outdoor activities which include whitewater rafting on the Frasier River, mountain biking, and playing a round of golf at the Hope Golf Club. If you're interested in whitewater rafting there are a handful of companies around town that can set you up with an organized, guided trip. There are also hiking trails outside of town. Ask for a brochure and map at the visitor information center before you head out of town.

There are a small handful of restaurants in town where you can grab a bite to eat. The Blue Moose Cafe has an attached internet cafe and live music on some evenings. Skinny's Grille is a good option for a sit down meal, or if you're looking for something international, there's even a Korean restaurant nearby, Kimchi Japanese & Korean Restaurant which has be sushi and Korean food. Hope Pizza Place is also a reliable option of you're looking for quick and simple.

There is no shortage of cheap motels in town, most of which are located in the downtown area. You'll find many chains and a handful of locally owned places, most at a reasonable price.