Top 3 Canadian Spring Travel Destinations

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There are many great things about spring in Canada!  Maybe you love the melting snow, and the way it leaves a nice thick layer of mud on your car, or the way that the earth can go from a dirty slurry soup to a rock solid miniature contour map when the temperature drops overnight.

Since it is so wonderful, you’ll definitely want to check out these destinations to at least give you a break from the monotony of your usual landscape, if not the up and down weather patterns.  It’s just that time of year!

Since I’m from Western Canada, I’m going to be focusing mostly on places to visit close to home, but I do think that there are many beautiful rural and metropolitan areas back east and in the prairies, so if that’s close to home for you, don’t forget about the Cabot Trail, or the Thousand Islands (as seen above!), as well as Halifax, Charlottetown, Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, or anywhere that’s affordable and close to you.  Even the smallest city has something amazing to see in it!  You just have to know where to look.  If you aren’t at a good place in your budget for a typical vacation, try some little weekend trips to nearby villages or even just visit a winery, farm or b&b for a low budget option.  There’s also the great “staycation” where you explore your hometown.  For more tips on that, check out this article.

If you do have enough scratch to pony up for a plane, train or automobile, here’s the best in the west:

1. Tofino – Beautiful British Columbia is the “best place on earth” for a reason.  Tofino caters to all ages and walks of life. You can expect stunning ocean views, spectacularly refreshing west coast weather (ie: rain and wind!), and a lovely township set up to cater to tourism. Surfing, and the laid back attitude and lifestyle are alive and well in this little town, along with fine dining, and spas to pamper yourself with.  Try Tofino if you’ve always longed for a taste of the Oregon Coast mixed with Orange County.  Nature abounds in both the ocean and on the land here, and you’ll be sure to see it all in spring when the animals are just gearing up for summer!

2. Banff/Lake Louise – The Fairmont Hotel at Lake Louise is the ultimate in luxury, and if you have enough to stay there, you can expect amazing meals, five star views, and the loveliest walk around a pristine glacial lake.  This place is a favourite of tourists, and there’s not secret about why.  It exemplifies all the things that other countries think of when they hear “Canada” – tall snowy mountains, beautiful lakes, soft forests, and a luxurious hotel to use as your own personal base camp.  If you can’t afford the Fairmont, just drop in for the lakeside walk and stay somewhere cheaper.

3. Victoria – This little metropolis on the tip of Vancouver Island is a magnet for all ages for a reason – it has all the amenities of Vancouver, including a large range of ethnic food, a pedestrian friendly “neighbourhood” style that is easily accessible through public transit.  It also boasts a large range of accomodations and activites, including a thriving nightlife scene as well as abundant parks and ocean views.  Pack your bags and the kiddies and be sure not to miss the Royal BC Museum, as well as Miniature World, and the Bug Zoo.  It’s our provincial capital for a reason!

Have you visited my top 3?  What are your top 3?  Let me know in the comments.