Things to Do in Canada 275

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Skip the Flowers. Do This Instead.

Flowers are lovely. For about three days.

If you want to give her something she'll actually talk about come June, give her an experience. Something that gets her out of the house, into the moment, and genuinely surprised you pulled it off.

Here are 10 Mother's Day ideas across Canada worth way more than a bouquet.

A Spa Day She’ll Remember

This one practically plans itself. Book her into a spa and let someone else do the work for a change — think warm mineral pools, a massage, and the kind of quiet that's hard to find anywhere else. Whether it's a mountain retreat in Banff or Whistler, a coastal escape in Tofino, or an urban spa day right in the city, there's no wrong answer. It's the kind of day that feels less like a gift and more like a full reset. She deserves that.

Check out our guide to the best spas in Canada

Wine Tasting in Niagara or the Okanagan

A relaxed afternoon hopping between wineries, glass in hand, with no real agenda — that's a good day. In Niagara-on-the-Lake, estates like Peller, Inniskillin, and Jackson-Triggs are right next to each other, making it easy to wander and linger over lunch with the vines outside the window. In the Okanagan, spots around Kelowna and Penticton give you all of that, plus stunning lake views. Book a tasting, stay for the meal, and suddenly Mother's Day feels like a mini getaway.

Find the best wine tasting tours near you

Whale Watching on the West Coast

For something truly unforgettable, head out on the water. Tofino, Victoria, and Vancouver Island are some of the best spots in the country to catch whales in their element — and watching them surface in the open ocean is one of those moments that stops you in your tracks. The kind that sticks with you long after the day is over.

Find a whale watching tour near you

High Tea, Done Properly

Simple, elegant, and surprisingly special. High tea gives you a couple of unhurried hours to just sit, enjoy, and actually talk. Warm scones, tiny sandwiches, too many desserts — and nobody rushing you out the door. Look for a spot at places like the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver, or the King Edward Hotel in Toronto. You'll find beautiful options in cities right across the country.

If you happen to be in Calgary, we have an article about the best high tea experiences in YYC.

A Scenic Road Trip

Sometimes the best gift is the time itself. Pick a route with views worth pulling over for — the Icefields Parkway in Alberta, the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia, the Sea-to-Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler, or the Fundy Trail in New Brunswick. Pack some snacks and hit the road without a strict schedule. The conversations that happen on drives like that? You can't plan those.

Click here to see our guide to some of the best road trips in Canada

A Sunset Cruise

Water, golden hour, and nowhere else to be. Harbour cruises in Vancouver, Toronto, Halifax, and Victoria make it easy — or head out on a lake closer to home for something a little more low-key. Either way, an evening on the water has a way of making any day feel a little more special. Low effort, high reward.

Find a sunset cruise near you

A Light Adventure Day

It doesn't have to be extreme to be memorable. A walk to a waterfall like Johnston Canyon in Banff or Brandywine Falls near Whistler, a hike to a scenic lookout, or a peaceful trail through a provincial park — sometimes the best experiences are the ones that just get you outside together. Bonus: you'll still have energy for a great dinner after.

A Weekend Getaway

If you really want to go all in — book a night away. A cozy cabin in Muskoka, a boutique hotel in Quebec City's Old Town, or a lakeside lodge in the BC Interior. No chores, no distractions, just a proper change of scenery. One night can feel like a week when there's nowhere you have to be.

Click here to see some options on Expedia

A Garden Stroll in Peak Bloom

Spring is showing off right now, and a garden in full bloom is genuinely beautiful. Butchart Gardens near Victoria, the tulip fields in Ottawa, the Montreal Botanical Garden, and VanDusen in Vancouver are all spectacular this time of year. It's one of those simple, slow, exactly-right-for-the-day experiences. Don't overthink it — just go.

(We covered the best gardens across Canada in a recent newsletter — find it here.)

Brunch — But Actually Special

Brunch still works. It just has to be intentional. Skip the usual spot and book somewhere that feels like a treat — a rooftop patio, a heritage building, somewhere with a menu you wouldn't normally order from. Take your time, order the indulgent thing, and add a mimosa. Put the phones away and make it a moment. That's really all it takes.

Some of the options we’ve featured on the blog include:

• Best Brunch in Edmonton

• Best Brunch in Ottawa

Want an Easy Win (and 15% Off)?

If you’re not sure what she’d love most… let her decide.

Our Canada Bucket List Scratch-Off Cards turn Mother’s Day into 50 surprise adventures across Alberta, BC, and Ontario.

Scratch one, go do it, repeat.

👉 It’s part gift, part game, and a pretty fun way to make sure you actually spend time together this year.

Oh, and use code “mom” to get 15% off!

One Last Thing…

At the end of the day, it’s not about how much you spend—it’s about doing something together she’ll remember.

And trust me… she’ll remember this a lot longer than flowers.

International Departures (Brought to you by Loreto Baja Sur)

The Mexican Destination Canadians Haven’t Discovered Yet

There’s a part of Mexico most Canadians haven’t discovered yet.

It’s called Loreto—a small coastal town in Baja California Sur that’s been around for over 300 years… yet still feels like a secret.

Recognized as a Pueblo Mágico—a “Magical Town”—Loreto blends cobblestone streets, local charm, and a coastline that looks like it belongs on a postcard—without the crowds.

And now, with direct flights from Calgary with WestJet (October - April), it’s easier than ever to get there.

This is the kind of place you go when you want Mexico… with a little more meaning.

Why Loreto Feels Different

Loreto isn’t trying to compete with big resort destinations—and that’s exactly why people fall in love with it.

It was the first Spanish settlement on the Baja Peninsula, and that history still shows up everywhere—from centuries-old missions to the slower pace of daily life.

Instead of mega-resorts, you’ll find locally owned hotels, friendly faces, and a community where visitors are genuinely welcomed in.

It’s the kind of place where you don’t just visit—you connect.

The Setting Is Unreal

Set between the desert mountains of the Sierra de la Giganta and the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez, Loreto has one of the most dramatic landscapes in Mexico.

And it’s not just pretty—it’s protected.

The surrounding waters are part of a UNESCO-recognized marine park, home to hundreds of species and some of the most vibrant ecosystems in North America.

Translation: this isn’t just a beach trip… It’s an experience.

If you’re the kind of traveller who likes discovering places before everyone else does… this might be your next trip.

Watch

Back in 2023, I was lucky enough to go on a wild adventure with my mom, mixing luxury (with Maple Leaf Adventures) and soft adventure in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest. If you’ve ever been keen on visiting one of the wildest places on Earth while enjoying delicious chef-prepared food and top-notch service, check out this video below…

Beaver Bites

• Move over, Italy, the world's best pizza is made in Montreal. Mirko D'Agata, executive chef of Pizzeria 900, was named Pizza Maker of the Year at the 2026 International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas, beating hundreds of competitors from around the world, including a large contingent from Italy. With over 30 locations across Canada, you don't need to go far to taste what the judges called the best pizza on the planet.
  
  

• Vancouver just proved it has the best bar scene in Canada — the city hosted North America's 50 Best Bars for the second year running, with eight Canadian bars making the list, led by The Keefer Bar, claiming the title of Best Bar in Canada after jumping 21 spots from its 2025 ranking.
  
  

• A jaw-dropping new winery just opened in the Okanagan — Azhadi Vineyards near Kelowna blends striking Persian-inspired architecture with Okanagan wine, and it might just be unlike anything else in Canada.
  
  

• A rare Van Gogh, a Renoir, and an Emily Carr walk into a Calgary gallery — a new downtown space is showcasing masterworks by Renoir, Van Gogh, Lawren Harris, and Emily Carr, some on display for the first time in decades.
  
  

• Cape Enrage won't open this summer — the beloved Bay of Fundy lighthouse site is shuttered for the season after the New Brunswick government cut $100,000 in provincial funding.
  
  

• Flying this summer? Brace your wallet — WestJet has raised baggage fees for the third time in three years, with checked-bag prices jumping by $10 at airport check-in, citing soaring jet fuel costs.

💡 WORK WITH US

We’re starting to feature more destinations, attractions, and travel experiences like these across our newsletter, website, and social channels.

If you’re part of a tourism board, hotel, or experience and want to be featured in front of 60,000+ Canadian travellers each week, feel free to reply or reach out—we’d love to collaborate.