The vast expanse of Canada is home to a diverse selection of cities — all of them worth a visit. Here are a few of our favorites.

• Vancouver (British Columbia): In this stunning West Coast seaport city, modern life and Canada’s native heritage blend into a breathtaking landscape with no shortage of excellent restaurants, luxury hotels and cultural opportunities. Wander the downtown core, which still contains many Edwardian-era buildings; then travel via mini-tugboat to Granville Island to explore the city via an enormous selection of food stalls at the Public Market. For a different perspective, take a kayaking or paddleboarding tour.
• Winnipeg (Manitoba): The historic center of Manitoba’s capital city rests at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers. Once a center for trade for native peoples, it’s become a cultural and arts nexus with a vibrant shopping and dining scene in what was once a warehouse district, and an exciting downtown green space popular for festivals including the Jazz Winnipeg Festival and Winnipeg Fringe Festival Theatre.
• Ottawa (Ontario): Located on the Ottawa River, the capital of Canada is renowned for its gorgeous Victorian architecture, parks and fascinating museums. Enjoy strolling the banks of the Rideau Canal system, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and make time to visit the Canadian Ski Museum, Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Moshe Safdie-designed National Gallery of Canada.
• Toronto (Ontario): While the skyline of this dynamic city says 21st century, there are a host of green spaces including Queen’s Park and High Park that give a feeling of nature within the modern urban environment. There’s a world-class performing arts culture, with a firm base in film and television production. Along with the Canadian Opera Company, Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Canadian Electronic Ensemble, the National Ballet of Canada and the Canadian Stage Company are also based here.
• Montreal (Quebec): Who doesn’t love an island city? Montreal floats atop the Island of Montreal in the Saint Lawrence River where it meets the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The area known as Old Montreal is filled with historic spots that include the Old Port, Place Jacques-Cartier and the Notre-Dame de Montreal Basilica. Modern neighborhoods include Chinatown, Gay Village and the Latin Corner. Visitors can expect great dining and superlative entertainment that includes the renowned Montreal International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and the Montreal World Film Festival.
• Quebec City (Quebec): Perhaps the most European-looking city in North America, this Canadian jewel dates to 1608 and retains a historic, fortified center with winding, cobblestone streets and stone buildings that include La Citadelle fortress at the center of the city’s ramparts. Fine dining, galleries, shops and the iconic Chateau Frontenac hotel add up to perfect getaways that don’t require crossing The Pond.
• Charlottetown: Located on Prince Edward Island (PEI), one of Canada’s eastern Maritime Provinces, Charlottetown may be best known to Americans as the fictional home of Anne of Green Gables, a series of novels by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. The capital of PEI, this charming, serene island city is an excellent place to unwind, dine on fresh seafood and lodge in historic luxury hotels such as the elegant, family-owned The Great George.