24 Hours Of The Great While North
Day travel isn’t as difficult as you think. Across the United States and Canada, there are small pockets of cities that are close enough to each other that you don’t even have to pay for a night at a hotel. Visiting Canada, even just for 8 hours, is a great way to shake up your routine, spend some time doing something new, and even get some decent shopping done.
1. Victoria, British Columbia
Located close to the American border, around a 3-hour drive from Forks, Washington, sits the beautiful city of Victoria. The city is well-loved for its colonial architecture, whale watching, and its environmental sustainability practices.
2. Niagara Falls, Ontario
Situated on the Ontario-New York border, Americans are very familiar with these twin cities named after one of the 7 wonders of the world. You can spend a day witnessing the most powerful of the three waterfalls, known as Horseshoe Falls, buy some (legal) moonshine, visit a wax museum, and even take a trip to the city’s well-loved Hershey store.
3. Montréal, Québec
Montréal is situated less than an hour from the Vermont border, making it the ultimate day trip spot for American tourists. Spend your day visiting the biosphere, climbing Mount Royal, or enjoying some well-loved French food and drink in the city’s bustling downtown.
Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash
4. Saint John, New Brunswick
Located just an hour out from Maine’s Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, you can enjoy one of Canada’s oldest cities without having to go far. You can travel the city by ferry, visit one of its many museums, or visit the town's ultimate tourist destination: the Bay of Fundy.
Michael & Diane Weidner on Unsplash
5. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
This northern Canadian town operates similarly to Niagara Falls, in which both the Ontario and Michigan towns have the same name. This town is well-loved for its ski slopes, plane museum, and vast array of space for all-season outdoor activities.
6. Kingston, Ontario
Situated 40 minutes from the Wellesley Island Border, Kingston, Ontario, is often considered the midway point between the province’s capital, Toronto, and the nation’s capital, Ottawa. The town is home to plenty of museums, water sports activities, historic sites, tours, and performances.
7. Winnipeg, Manitoba
Situated under 2 hours from both the North Dakota and Minnesota borders, Manitoba’s capital is home to a nature oasis, The Forks market, sports and entertainment games at the Canada Life centre, and offers a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities.
8. Lethbridge, Alberta
Just an hour out from the Montana border, Lethbridge is one of the province's largest cities. It’s often considered the commercial, educational, financial, industrial, and transportation centre of southern Alberta. The city is well-loved for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, fresh food, and its gorgeous temperatures, thanks to the Rocky Mountain range.
9. Kelowna, British Columbia
Around 2 hours from the Washington border, this lakeside town offers a much different way of life compared to the province’s coastal area. The city is revered for its beauty and is home to countless trails, wineries, and a bustling art and culture scene.
10. Vancouver, British Columbia
One of the closest cities to the western American border, Vancouver is well-regarded as one of Canada’s most famous cities—and for good reason. The city is home to gorgeous beaches, trails, parks, and mountain ranges. You can spend the first half of your day engaged in the city’s various outdoor activities, and spend your night enjoying the luxury food and shopping of downtown.
11. Québec City, Québec
Situated 2 hours out from the Maine border, the historical Québec City is the place to visit for food, art, and history. The province’s capital feels like a step back in time, with its Historic District being certified as a UNESCO World Heritage site back in the 80s.
12. Thunder Bay, Ontario
Under an hour away from the Grand Portage State Park border in Minnesota, Thunder Bay is one of the largest cities to check out in Northern Ontario. There are plenty of art galleries, studios, outdoor activities, and regional-focused food for you to enjoy.
13. Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is located around an hour out of the Niagara Falls border, and serves as a perfect halfway point between the border and Toronto. The city is well-loved for train tours, its historic sites, art galleries, heritage museum, and bar crawls.
14. Toronto, Ontario
Ontario’s capital is around an hour and a half out from the Niagara Falls border, and is packed with experiences to keep you entertained. Visit the city’s museum and art gallery, take in a concert at one of its many entertainment venues, or explore the wide variety of neighborhoods that make this city such a cultural centre.
15. Fredericton, New Brunswick
New Brunswick’s capital is just over an hour away from the Maine border, making it an excellent choice for day trips. This historic town is home to a wide variety of water sports, with a plethora of beaches, mountains, lighthouses, and waterfalls available for you to check out. If shopping and dining are more your thing, the city is full of markets, restaurants, and microbreweries all set amidst its Victorian architecture.
16. Calgary, Alberta
A bit of a hike, sitting around 3.5 hours from the Montana border, Calgary is worth every second. The city is home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, an urban oasis that feels like you’re experiencing the province’s more rural setting, plenty of public art, and numerous shops and restaurants to enjoy.
17. Sherbrooke, Montréal
Around 45 minutes away from Newport, Vermont, is the smaller, lesser-known town of Sherbrooke. This city is known for being the heart of Québec’s eastern townships. It is home to an educational farm, art galleries, a nature museum, and picturesque parks along the Rivière Saint-François.
18. Estevan, Saskatchewan
Only 15 minutes from the North Dakota border, Estevan offers a peek into Canadian life. The city has several museums, art galleries, and golf clubs, in addition to its Woodlawn Regional Park. If you’re hungry, you can also visit the famed Tower Cafe, a restaurant that’s famous for its unique pizza options.
19. London, Ontario
Approximately an hour and a half away from Marysville, Michigan, lies one of the largest cities in the most southern part of Southern Ontario. London is a bustling city, largely in part due to Western University, making it a great spot for shopping, eating, or general gallivanting.
20. Abbotsford, British Columbia
This small town is only 15 minutes from the Washington border, allowing you to experience the beauty of BC without having to dive too deep into the heart of Vancouver. Abbotsford is home to a thriving local food scene, as well as biking, museums, art centres, and heritage sites.
