Hugging the northwestern shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto is a vibrant metropolis that centres around a cluster of soaring skyscrapers. Get your bearings from the top of the iconic CN Tower or escape to the picturesque Toronto Islands, then sample the city’s gastronomy at the historic St. Lawrence Market. For a cultural fix (with some beer tasting thrown in), spend a day exploring the cobblestone streets of the Victorian-era Distillery District.

Gateway to one of the world’s most famous waterfalls, Niagara Falls lies on the western shores of the Niagara River, just across the Rainbow Bridge from the U.S.A. Soak up the spectacular views from the Niagara Falls Observation Tower and feel the Horseshoe Falls’ spray on the “Maid of the Mist” boat tour or marvel at its sheer power from the “Cave of the Winds’” Hurricane Deck.

Boasting more than 2,400 lakes within its borders, Algonquin is the oldest provincial park in Canada and one of its most popular. Explore the ruggedly beautiful Barron Canyon or delve into the area’s forestry history at the recreated camp of the Algonquin Logging Museum. You can spot moose while canoeing along one of the scenic waterways, then follow the banks of the Oxtongue River along the Whiskey Rapids Trail.

Comprising more than 1,800 islands in the St. Lawrence River, the Thousand Islands have served as a getaway destination since the late 19th century. Its endless shorelines have made it a recreational hub for everything from kayaking and diving to swimming and fishing, with a good dose of history thrown in. Explore the secret passageways of Singer Castle on Dark Island, then cruise to the German-inspired Boldt Castle on aptly-named Heart Island.

Serving as the Canadian capital, Ottawa is a dynamic city where the country’s French and English speakers converge. Aside from world-class museums and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rideau Canal, it’s home to striking national landmarks such as Parliament Hill with its Victorian Gothic architecture. Get a bird’s eye view of the city from the 1920s Peace Tower, then discover the cosmopolitan vibe of Ottawa’s diverse neighbourhoods.

One of the oldest industrial cities in Canada, Trois Rivieres centres around the heritage-listed buildings of the Rue du Ursulines. Delve into the local history at the riverfront museum of Boréalis or gain an insight into Québécois cultural life at the Quebec Museum of Folk Culture. You can spend a night behind bars at the adjacent Old Prison of Trois-Rivières, then experience the birthplace of the iron industry at Forges du Saint-Maurice.

Centred around a charming, UNESCO-listed Old Town, Quebec City is a hub of French Canadian culture along the Saint Lawrence River. Admire the historic stone buildings that line its narrow, winding streets and be awed by the city’s majestic basilicas, then get some retail therapy in the charming Quartier Petit-Champlain. A short hop north from Quebec City will see you amidst the natural splendour of Montgomery Falls Park.

At the confluence of the Saint-François and Magog rivers, Sherbrooke is a culturally rich city that’s been nicknamed the “Queen of the Eastern Townships”. Its urban core is dotted with fine museums, historic theatres and a mid-19th-century prison while the leafy trails of Mont Bellevue Park invite you to escape into the great outdoors while hiking, mountain biking or cross-country skiing.

Clustered on an island in the Saint Lawrence River, Montreal is a pulsing city that’s watched over by the triple-peaked Mt. Royal. Explore the cobblestoned streets of Vieux-Montréal and the bohemian boutiques of Plateau before discovering Montreal’s legendary foodie culture at the Jean-Talon Market. Works by Canadian artists are on show at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts while the city’s foundations are revealed at the Pointe-à-Callière Museum.