Most Beautiful Views in Canada Include Banff, British Columbia, Toronto, Quebec City, Nova Scotia + More

Another day, another travel list.

I can’t take too much issue with MSN’s recent list of 29 beautiful views in Canada. I like that the writers/editors included places in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, rather than sticking to the tried-and-true places.

I’m not sure that these are meant to be in order, from best to “worst.” But I assume that’s the case, which makes me wonder, because I have no idea how you could argue that Cape Breton belongs below the Okanagan Valley or downtown Toronto. I haven’t seen it but I also can’t see Cape Breton being behind the High Level Bridge in Lethbridge, Alberta. The bridge looks pretty cool, but Cape Breton has long been regarded as one of the most remarkable spots in Canada, with one of the best drives in the world.

Anyhow, here’s the MSN top 29, along with some suggestions of my own.

Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta. JIM BYERS PHOTO

1. Moraine Lake, Alberta (no argument here)
2. Icefields Parkway, Alberta (another no-brainer)
3. Capilano Suspension Bridge, British Columbia (nice, but maybe that NOT nice)
4. Niagara Falls, Ontario (hard to dispute this one)
5. Western Brook Pond, Newfoundland and Labrador (glorious spot in Western Newfoundland)
6. False Creek, Vancouver (a fine choice, especially if you visit on a clear day when you can see the mountains)
7. Hoodoos, Drumheller, Alberta (haven’t been, so not quite sure of this one)
8. Signal Hill, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador (I’d include the adjacent Battery area of St. John’s, but a great choice)
9. Thor Peak, Auyuittuq National Park, Nunavut (never been, but it looks amazing)
10. West Point Lighthouse, Prince Edward Island (love that place)
11. Fall Colours, La Mauricie Natonal Park, Quebec (haven’t been to this particular part of the province, but Quebec is fabulous)
12. Okanagan Valley, British Columbia (nice, but I wouldn’t rank it quite this high in terms of views. But definitely for wine!)
13. High Level Bridge, Lethbridge, Alberta (see above comment)
14. Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick (definitely worth it)
15. Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (ditto for an utterly delightful destination)
16. Parliament Hill, Ottawa (solid choice)
17. Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City (no argument from me)
18. Aurora Borealis, Churchill, Manitoba (again, I haven’t been so I can’t say one way or the other)
19. Montmorency Falls, Quebec (a tad high on the scale in my opinion, but a pretty spot)
20. Downtown Toronto (I prefer natural beauty to cityscapes, but downtown T.O. is quite striking from the water)
21. Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia (should be considerably higher on the list)
22. Perce Rock, Quebec (also haven’t been, but definitely on my list)
23. Stanley Park totem poles, Vancouver, B.C. (Love Stanley Park, but the totem poles aren’t the best view)
24. Kaskawulsh Glacier, Kluane National Park, Yukon (haven’t seen the glacier, but Kluane is a great national park)
25. South Nahanni River, Northwest Territories (have read about it, but haven’t had the pleasure of visiting)
26. Inner Harbour, Victoria, B.C. (a fine choice)
27. Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg (a striking building, for sure)
28. Long Beach, British Columbia (nice spot n Vancouver Island)
29. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia (definitely deserving of a top ten spot)

Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the Cabot Trail are one of the world’s best drives. JIM BYERS PHOTO

What’s Missing: 11 Humble Suggestions From Yours Truly

Muskoka, Ontario (sparkling lakes and tree-covered islands north of Toronto)

Waterton Lakes National Park. Alberta (amazing spot with rugged mountain and lake scenery south of Calgary)

Prince Edward Island National Park, PEI (lovely beaches and coastal scenery a short drive from Charlottetown)

Yoho National Park, British Columbia (only an hour from Banff, with towering Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake and more)

Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan (spectacular prairie views in southwest Saskatchewan, with wild bison and tremendous dark-sky viewing)

Tombstone Park, Yukon (impossibly rugged, spiky mountains north of Dawson City)

Haida Gwaii, British Columbia (a mystical spot north of Vancouver Island)

Lake Superior, Ontario (endless vistas of the lake between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie)

Athabasca Dunes, Saskatchewan (hard to reach but sensational sand dunes in the far north of the province)

Pacific Rim Trail, British Columbia (spectacular coastal scenery and world-class hiking)

Thousand Islands, Ontario (splendid, rocky islands in the St. Lawrence River)