Enjoying A Long Weekend In Canada

This post is a collaborative post. As always, all opinions and ideas are entirely my own.

If you enjoy, nightlife, the outdoors, shopping, sassy accommodations and maybe some competitive ice sports, Canada is the country for you to visit. All throughout, Canada has multiple cities and magnificent stops for anyone to see. Some you might not even know existed!

In a word (or two), Canada is pretty cool. Being the second-largest country in the world, there are tons of unique experiences all over the country. Four different seasons can be felt on the same day in different parts of the country. That’s pretty nuts.

I traveled to Canada back in November of 2019 and have had a craving to go back and experience more. Just the vastness of this land is fascinating. So whether you’re looking for alternative travel destinations to add to your travel board or just wanting a change of scenery, Canada is sure to grab your attention and satisfy your wanderlust.

Nightlife

Guilt & Co.

My main reason for traveling anywhere are the after-parties. I love to know how people go out and celebrate in other lands! There is something for everyone to enjoy in Canada as the country does have a reputation for excellent nightlife.

Plenty of breweries around as well as retro clubs and fine dining options. I’ve never had a more perfectly crafted cocktail than my Jade Statue at The Diamond in Vancouver. There is something for all, with a whole host of exciting bars and clubs that stay open until late. A lot of people remark that Canada has a holiday feel, with everyone being so friendly and the nightlife being so good. Plus they have cobblestone streets in a lot of areas giving everything a sort of hometown feel. Plus live bands are huge in Canada but are not very common. If you see a bar offering live music get there early! 

Sports Teams and Arenas

Rodger's Stadium- Canucks Hockey Game

Okay, fun side story. When I was in Canada it was during The Jonas Brother’s reunion tour and they were playing IN CANADA at the Roger’s Arena two feet away from my hotel, Hotel Blu. I pleased with my boyfriend to just come with me but instead, we settled on attending a hockey game instead. Ultimately he won that battle but we ended up having a blast at the Canucks vs St. Luis Blues game. Anyway, I digress.

If you are interested in ice hockey, you simply must plan your stay so that you can go and see a game. Even if you don’t know the teams playing. This is the official national sport, so no one does hockey like Canada. There are a lot of great hockey teams in Canada, including Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadians. Check the hockey schedule before your trip and book your tickets. I say splurge for the lower bowl seats. You want to be as close to the action as possible in my opinion.

Shopping

Gastown? More like Gas-Me-Up town

Bring your wallets y’all, because we’re about to do some big spending. Canada has a great selection of shopping options for people to enjoy. You will find all of the typical retail brands and designer stores here within malls that are built for royalty. They host plenty of fashion weeks and do not skimp on labels. Take a walk down any street and you’ll see tons of mom and pop shops as well as eateries for a quick bite.

Sight Seeing & Outdoorsy Stuff

Photo Credit to my brother because this is STELLAR.

Canada is like all forests. They have so many national parks and greenery, there is nothing but sights to see. If you’re an extreme hiker, taking the Grouse Grind up to the top of Grouse Mountain is a major hike on a lot of outdoorsy folks bucket list. Plus, it will save you $60 from taking the gondola up. Banff National Park is another breathtaking view that everyone should experience. Gorgeous bodies of water and mountains that will make you want to breathe in as much air as possible. It is so freakin’ pure up there. Check out Canada’s outdoor options and see if there is something that sparks your interest. There is something for everyone.

Accommodation

Hotel Blu Vancouver

By far one of my favorite countries for hotels. You can find swanky modern spaces or traditional Bed and Breakfasts. You can find pretty inexpensive rooms in Canada. The prices in the city are generally lower than a lot of other places in the US, so you can spend your money elsewhere like on really yummy maple syrup or their famous Ice Wine.

Typically, I start my search on Expedia to get an idea of pricing and keep my eye on it throughout the week. Generally speaking Wednesday afternoons or late nights tend to have the best prices. I’m not sure why but that’s when I typically tend to book. Read reviews to see what previous stayers have had to say about their experience at the hotel you’re looking at. Check out different cities and areas too if you're still unsure about which town to visit. Accommodations in Kamloops are popular when making the most of everything that Canada has to offer or in Vancouver for the city thriller.

Canada is certainly a place you should consider visiting if you want to have a fun weekend away. The best part is, that’s all you need is a weekend. You can see so much in just a few days even though this landmass is huge! From shopping and nightlife to ice hockey and great food, there is something for everyone to enjoy, so start searching for cheap rooms in Canada today.