Canada is filled with urban gems that tourists and locals alike love to explore, but not all are part of Canada’s iconic urban sites like the CN Tower, Old Montreal, and Stanley Park. These other sites may be lesser-known, but they are filled with charm, history, entertainment, and unforgettable experiences. They’re sites that offer you a glimpse into local life while giving you an enjoyable getaway. From the historic charm of Montreal to the allure of the Yukon and Canada’s coasts, make sure to add the following urban secrets to add to your travel bucket list.
Montreal: Hidden Markets and Cultural Microcosms
Montreal is known for its art, culture, and cuisine, and while there are plenty of well-known sites worth visiting, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Notre-Dame Basilica, there is plenty to take in beyond them that are just as worthwhile.
One notable stop is the Mile End neighborhood, named for its location at the edge of the city’s limits. It’s a charming multicultural area where many Irish, Italian, Polish, and Jewish immigrants settled in the early 20th century. These influences shaped a diverse culinary scene with a variety of cafes and restaurants that deliver popular dishes like Montreal bagels and fine coffee. The neighborhood also becomes a hub of live music in the evenings and boasts stunning architecture from a range of styles.
Montreal is also teeming with markets where foodies will find even more cuisine to explore, fresh produce to enjoy, and plenty of local artisan products to peruse. Notable among them is Jean-Talon, one of Montreal’s most beloved open-air markets with widespread appeal.
Toronto: Indie Art, Graffiti Alleys, and Creative Clusters
As one of the country’s best-known cities, Toronto is known for a wide range of attractions, far beyond the CN Tower that stands out on its skyline. Like Montreal, it’s known for its art and culture, though it offers a very different urban experience, one that’s more modern compared to Montreal’s classic European feel. The city has a thriving sports scene with the Raptors and Blue Jays drawing large crowds on game nights. It also has a surprising art scene, and not just the works found in formal environments like the Art Gallery of Ontario and TIFF (the Toronto International Film Festival).
Toronto has a vibrant street art collection, with Graffiti Alley standing out as a must-visit for art enthusiasts. Graffiti Alley is located near the busy stretch of Queen Street West and spans four blocks. You’ll get to experience the art and essence of the city over these four blocks, giving you a taste of life in Toronto. If you’re looking to dive deeper into the city’s art, programs like StreetARToronto (StART) and ArtWalk support local creators and help visitors navigate the city’s creative sites to see the ever-evolving art scene.
Vancouver: Waterfronts Beyond the Seawall
Vancouver is a thriving city where nature and urban life collide. Residents can enjoy stunning vistas and forest walks and then step out for a fine dining experience or a night of dancing later that day. For tourists, many different sites in the city draw them in—but when you wander off the beaten path, you’ll experience even more of the city and get an authentic taste of what it’s like to be a Vancouverite.
Explore nature and parks by visiting Lynn Canyon Park and taking the Greenheart Tree Walk at the UBC Botanical Garden, shaded by old-growth trees. For quieter but still enjoyable waterfronts, explore False Creek and New Brighton Park.
Indigenous Casinos: Cultural Encounters with a Twist
There are over a dozen Indigenous casinos in Canada where players can test their luck on a variety of classic casino games. These casinos might not be known for being the highest payout casinos Canada has to offer, but they hold a few other qualities that make them appealing. They also provide opportunities to learn about Indigenous culture, art, and more.
Alberta’s Grey Eagle Resort & Casino is an example of this—it allows guests to unwind and enjoy their time away from daily life while trying traditional Indigenous cuisine fused with modern favorites.
Halifax: Maritime History and Coastal Living
Halifax is home to a four-kilometer waterfront boardwalk that beckons tourists to take in stunning harbor views and pop in and out of the city’s museums and restaurants. While the boardwalk is certainly worth visiting, if you’re looking to discover hidden gems, you’ll want to wander further inland. There you’ll find the inviting Pleasant Park, perfect for long walks through greenery, and perhaps too macabre for many, the Fairview Lawns Cemetery, where 121 Titanic victims are buried—a tragedy with a close connection to the city. On a lighter note, there are a few must-see sites for architecture aficionados and foodies—the city’s south end is filled with historic homes and buildings and the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market.
Dawson City: The Yukon’s Gold Rush Town
When you think of urban, the Yukon may not be the first place that comes to mind, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t urban amenities to visit. The territory, largely known for its rugged landscapes, drew many people to its region during the Klondike Gold Rush. These individuals had hopes and dreams of striking gold and setting themselves up for a comfortable life.
A city deeply tied to this history is Dawson City, and today, that history is still on full display. Mining remains one of the top industries, but that’s not the only way the Gold Rush legacy lives on. The buildings and architecture still recall the time when the Gold Rush was in full swing, and the city’s museums explore the era and its impacts.
The Gold Rush brought over 30,000 people to the once small community, and it has remained a city since—though the number of visitors and residents has declined significantly. While Dawson City may not be a hub of urban culture in the way we expect a large city to be, its fascinating history and once dense population offer insight into the evolution of urban life, making it well worth a trek to Canada’s north.
