Moraine Lake and the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park, Alberta
North America

Canada

Photo credits

My Canada so far is Ontario: a packed 48 hours in Toronto and a few days on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. It's a good fit if you want a city weekend with an easy add-on of waterfalls and wine country.

In Toronto I'd start at Casa Loma, walk over to the Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square, stop at the Hockey Hall of Fame and save the evening for dinner at the 360 Restaurant at the top of the CN Tower. Then I'd drive to Niagara for Journey Behind the Falls, the boat ride from the Canadian side and a slower last day in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

June to September is the easy window for weather. If you're coming from the U.S., bring your passport: you need it to cross into Canada, even for a day trip to the falls.

Quick facts

Best time
Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar
June to September offers the best weather for sightseeing and national parks, while December to March is ideal for skiing, winter sports, and viewing the northern lights.
Currency
Currency
CAD (Canadian dollar)
Language
English
Language
English, French
Time zones
Multiple time zones…
Multiple time zones across six standard zones: UTC-03:30 to UTC-08:00 (standard) and UTC-02:30 to UTC-07:00 (DST), with regional exceptions in Saskatchewan and Yukon.
Power plugs
Type A/B
Power plugs
Type A / B, 120V
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe to drink
Budget
$120–$260 USD/day
$120–$260 USD/day
Getting around
Fly between provinces
Fly between provinces, VIA Rail for the scenic routes, and a rental car for the Rockies; Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver have good transit.
Visa (US citizens)

Not required for tourist stays up to 6 months.

Entry requirements on travel.state.gov
Safety
Level 1Exercise normal precautions

US State Dept advisoryUpdated Jun 5, 2026

Check visas & entry rules for your passport

Places to explore

Explore destinations in Canada

  • Toronto, Canada
    City · Canada
    Toronto
    Guides, climate & practical tips
  • Casa Loma
    City · Canada
    Niagara Falls Canada
    Toronto to Niagara Falls, Canada: 3-Day Ontario Road Trip Itinerary

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Weather in Canada

Typical monthly averages, not a live forecast

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