Underrated Cities in Canada You’ll Fall in Love With

Canada is a country with vast land area. It is divided into many regions and provinces and each has its own highlighting factors. However, many are only aware of a few of the major cities in Canada. These cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, are where there are main attractions. Here are some of the underrated cities in Canada that you’ll fall in love with.

Underrated Cities in Canada You’ll Fall in Love With

You may or may not have heard of some of these cities in Canada. They seem to be less spoken of and explored. Nevertheless, these are beautiful cities that have many attractions that you can visit when you are in Canada.

Edmonton, Alberta

Edmonton is the largest city in this far north on the American continent. Summer calls for long days that will remind you of the midnight sun. It is a great time to get out and about for a walk or enjoy some drinks with a friend in the evening.

In winter, Edmonton is a great place to catch the northern lights. The city also bustles with entertainment like the Fringe Festival and Jazz Festival. You can also catch a hockey game or head to Commonwealth Stadium to catch some football in action.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Although people are aware of Nova Scotia, many international travelers do not plan a trip there to explore the location. Halifax is the capital of the province and is an excellent city break for travelers. There is so much to do in Halifax, including the following:

• Wandering the waterfront
• Walking on the trail
• Going for coastal walks
• Experiencing local cuisine in a wide range of restaurants
• Craft brewing
• Visiting the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Victoria, British Columbia

When speaking of British Columbia, the first location that comes to mind is Vancouver. Places like Victoria often get ignored. You can take a flight or ferry to reach Victoria. The cobblestone streets, cozy cafes, and quirky pubs will make you feel like you are in another world. It’s the perfect place to relax and walk solo or with a friends, soaking in the calm and quaint atmosphere.

Penticton, British Columbia

Penticton is a calm city with less traffic and far away from the vibe of a big city or town. This popular wine-growing town is also the ideal spot for great breweries. You can grab a bike and tour the vineyards and breweries of the area.

Kelowna, British Columbia

Almost all Canadians know about Kelowna, a popular town in British Columbia. However, many international travelers are unaware of the beauty of this region. Located in the middle of Okanagan, Kelowna is the largest city in the region. It also has its own airport. Walking, jogging, and hiking are some of the activities that travelers can do in this location.

Here are a few areas to explore just outside of Kelowna.

• Myra Bellevue Provincial Park
• Knox Mountain
• Wildhorse Canyon

Sherbrooke, Quebec

Sherbrooke in Quebec is an alternative to Montreal, if you want to escape the hustle and bustle. It is one of the main towns in the region and a place where most Quebecers love to go for a weekend or day trip. Winter season calls bikers, hikers, and skiers to come and enjoy the slopes of the area. It also has an excellent bunny hill for novice skiers and kids.

Ottawa, Ontario

Being the capital of Canada, Ottawa is surprisingly an underrated city in the region. However, there is a lot of attractions to visit and a lot to do in Ottawa. Ottawa is also called the “City of Museums” because it has seven national museums. These museums include the National Gallery, the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, the Canadian War Museum, and many more.

If you are in the city in May, don’t forget to visit the Annual Tulip Festival, which is one of the main events in the area.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Winnipeg, which is capital of Manitoba, has gone through a renaissance in the past decade. The city has embraced a great history while facing new challenges in an exciting future. There is an endless list of things that you can do in Winnipeg. Here are a few attractions you can visit in this fascinating city.

• The Royal Winnipeg Ballet
• The Canadian Museum of Human Rights
• The many art galleries
• Folk Festival in the summer
• Festival du Voyageur in February

St. John’s, Newfoundland

St. John’s on Newfoundland is another city that mostly falls under the radar for most travelers to Canada. In fact, Newfoundland as a province, often gets underrated compared to the other provinces in the country. The province received only a little over 180,000 in total in 2021. St. John’s is reminiscent of a mix of Italian and Irish culture as it gives out similar vibes. The city is well-known for its brightly hued buildings built into the rugged coast.

Gatineau, Quebec

Gatineau is situated on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River. It is more in touch with nature than history and culture. You can expect to find more parks and recreational centers than museums and art galleries, in Gatineau. You can go for a walk in the Gatineau Park, which is just a 20-minute drive from the city center. There are also many trails for biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing.

Brandon, Manitoba

Brandon is the second most populated city in Manitoba. However, it has a distinctly rural vibe and a strong connection with nature. You can relax by the Assiniboine River while watching beavers, peregrine falcons, and other rare birds in the surrounding.  A popular attraction in Brandon is the RCA Museum, Canada’s national artillery museum. It houses over 65000 artifacts and examples or artillery and military vehicles.

Abbotsford, British Columbia

Abbotsford is situated in the middle of Fraser Valley, an hour’s drive east from Vancouver. It’s a calm and quaint city with a rural vibe. Here you get to experience nature at its best with orchards, vegetable farms, and wineries. You can also unwind you day at one of the breweries or bakeries in the city.

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, in Saskatchewan, is another underrated city in Canada. The city is called the Paris of Prairies and offers a mix of warm hospitality and modern vibes. Saskatoon is a foodie heaven with everything from bakeries, breweries, and distilleries.

Hamilton, Ontario

Although Hamilton maybe poplar as an industrial city, it stand to be less expensive and home to many Torontonians. The city has a vibrant culture with murals, sculptures, and various artistic creations scattered everywhere. Hamilton also has several museums, including the following:

Final Thoughts

Canada is a large country with an endless number of places to visit. Although cities like Toronto and Vancouver maybe popular, there are several underrated cities that have so much to explore. So, next time you are in Canada, don’t forget to visit and explore the above cities.