34 | CANADA’S CAPITAL - OTTAWA
www.nitravelnews.com
January 2025
Discovering Canada: The Ultimate Tourist Attractions
A NEW study examined 96 of Canada’s well known tourist attractions and created an index based on weighting three different factors to determine which tourist attractions and their provinces are most popular based off Tripadvisor reviews. The rating, the number of reviews and the percentage of five-star reviews for each were used to calculate an overall index score out of 100 and then create a ranking to determine the top ten. The most popular tourist attraction in Canada is Stanley Park, located in British Columbia, with an index score of 92.5. Stanley Park is one of Vancouver’s most beloved parks which covers 1,000 acres of land. It is home to Canada’s largest aquarium, and you can see beavers swimming in Beaver Lake as well as other wildlife including raccoons, squirrels, and ducks. In 2014, the park was named the “top park in the entire world” on Tripadvisor which increased its popularity massively. The attraction has received 29,250 reviews on Tripadvisor in which 76.74% were five-star reviews.
5. The Outdoors – Adventure Try whitewater rafting, stand up paddle boarding and kayaking on the Ottawa River, some of the continent’s finest, then top it off by ziplining between 2 provinces over the Ottawa River. The Ottawa region is also a cycling enthusiast’s dream destination, with around 800 kilometres (497 miles) of recreational pathways linking natural areas, parks, gardens and national sites. 6. Festivals: Ottawa is a city of celebrations, offer ing visitors a year-round
calendar of parties, festivals and special events. Admire over a million tulips and enjoy
special programming throughout
the city during the Canadian Tulip Festival in May. On July 1, the city celebrates the biggest party in the country, Canada Day. Visitors will also experience a host of music celebrations, including the Ottawa Jazz Festival, Ottawa Chamberfest, and Ottawa Bluesfest, which welcome some of the world’s biggest acts to our city. In winter, Canada celebrates Winterlude, and takes to the ice on the world’s longest skating rink, the Rideau Canal Skateway which is 7.8 kilometres (4.5 miles). 7. Culinary scene:
The culinary scene in Ottawa is in full bloom, with a thriving community of Ottawa chefs and diverse restaurants making names for themselves both at home and abroad. To experience multiple venues in one outing, book a dining tour of one of Ottawa’s great neighbourhoods —[SL1] Take a guided food
tour with C’est Bon Ottawa to explore food shops, farmers’ markets, street food and restaurants. The tasty options are endless! The new Taste of Canada tour should not be missed! 8. Performing Arts: The Capital’s premier performing arts venue, the National Arts Centre, presents
a
full lineup of music, dance and theatre, plus popular touring acts and
shows.
Ottawa also has a t h r i v i n g local theatre scene, including the Great Canadian Theatr e C omp a n y ,
Ottawa Little Theatre, The Gladstone and La Nouvelle Scène. 9. City tours Ottawa is filled with Capital sights and attractions – and just about as many ways to explore and see them. Experience a tour on both land and water with the Lady Dive Amphibus, or enjoy a leisurely cruise on the Ottawa River or the Rideau Canal. Get up close and personal to city sights by joining a walking or cycling tour based on your activity level and interests. 10. Neighbourhoods/Shopping:
Unique Ottawa neighbourhoods offer distinctive shopping, dining and nightlife experiences across the Capital. From the must-see ByWard Market area, to the Glebe’s community feel, to the trendy Wellington West, there’s lots of local flavour to soak up in Ottawa’s varied districts.
Why not complete your experience by enjoying some national treats? Visit, A Taste
of Canadiana in Ottawa, for suggestions.
In second place is CN Tower in Ontario, with an index score of 75.97. Toronto’s CN Tower is the tallest freestanding structure in the western hemisphere and has a glass floor at the top of the tower situated 113 stories above ground. The tower includes a SkyPod level which on a clear day, allows you to see for up to 100 miles. If you are lucky, you can get a view of Niagara Falls and New York State. The attraction has received a total of 25,544 reviews in which 51.24% were five- star.
Old Quebec based in Quebec places third with an index score of 75.54. There are plenty of activities to do whilst in Old Town, including historic excursions and fine dining. There is plenty of architecture to view including the world’s most photographed hotel, the Château Frontenac which has been a precious asset to the city. Other notable key sites to see include: the Petit-Champlain,
Place Royale, and the Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral amongst many others. The city has received 13,671 reviews, 81.95% of which are five stars.
In fourth place is The Butchart Gardens, located in British Columbia, with an index score of 70.09. There are so many beautiful natural wonders to absorb when visiting this attraction and it is split up into different sections with different themes.
These
include the Sunken Garden, the Rose Garden, the Italian Garden, and the Japanese Garden. There is the stunning Rose Carousel perfect for children as well as adults, not to mention the live entertainment, night illuminations and in summer, firework displays on Saturdays. The gardens have received 11,613 Tripadvisor reviews in which 80.66% were rated five-star.
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