Why Americans need to visit Canada

We're going to cover 12 reasons why 2026 is a perfect time for Americans to visit Canada, but also for the Canadians. This news doubles as your “staycation” bucket list. We don’t want to waste anybody’s time here, so let’s just get right into this. Here are 12 reasons why Canada and 2026 should be on your radar.

Number one, first and foremost, we’re nice. Canada ranks first for friendliest country in the world. We're talking genuine smiles here, helpful strangers, that classic Canadian politeness that makes everybody feel welcome. Canada often ranks as the number one friendliest country in the world in global surveys. According to US News and World Report, an American survey, Canada ranks number one as the friendliest country in the world. Visitors from everywhere say they feel right at home here. If you’re decent, if you’re nice, you’re going to fit right in with that vibe.

Number two, your dollar goes way further. Well, let’s be honest here, right? This is huge. Hotels, meals, activities, shopping — for Americans visiting, Canada feels like an automatic 25 to 30% discount in 2026. Our fellow Canadians, please don’t get upset with us here. There are a lot of Canadian businesses struggling out there. Whether we choose to admit it or not, changes to trading, tariffs, and shipping costs have hurt many Canadian businesses. And we're not talking about big-box stores — we're talking about mom-and-pop local artisans who’ve been hit hard. We welcome our neighbors to the south to come up here, support local businesses, and explore what this beautiful country has to offer, while we Canadians do the same.

Number three, it’s international without the hassle. Short flights, easy drives, same language, different place, different mindset, different experience. We remember when Crocodile Dundee came out in the 80s. Travel to Australia boomed after that, and they used Paul Hogan as a spokesperson to encourage people to travel to Australia. One of the points he made: “Hey, we speak the same language.”

Number four, food that will surprise you. Sure, there’s poutine — we talked about that — but there are plenty of Canadians across the country who’ve never tried it and don’t intend to. We have world-class seafood, unique agriculture, multicultural cuisine, Indigenous food experiences, incredible coffee, and local bakeries. You can have lobster and potato salad with lobster caught fresh that same day in the Atlantic and potatoes grown right across the street near the shore. Oysters. We've had fish and chips that way — fish caught fresh that morning. Cod. The best steak we’ve ever had was in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The cows were raised a block away, and the fresh-picked corn grew in the fields nearby. Truly amazing. Head further west for Pacific salmon, sockeye, and spot prawns. Canada punches way above its weight in food.

One snack in particular we love — and we didn’t know it was Canadian until talking with friends in Texas — is a butter tart. Some of the best butter tarts in the country even have maple flavors. They exist right across Canada. Check them out — you’ll thank us, your waist might hate us. 

Number five, natural beauty without the chaos. Banff, Jasper, Pacific coastlines, Atlantic cliffs — all the postcard scenes often come without the crowds or timed-entry passes. We’ve traveled across the country numerous times. If you go to Lake Louise to take a photo of that famous spot, it’s going to be busy. But there are thousands of similar views across the country, just a little off the beaten path. We're not saying you have to explore an abandoned dirt road or put yourself in danger, but you don’t have to stick to the Trans-Canada Highway either. Take the smaller roads. That’s where you find small restaurants, antique shops, and true mom-and-pop stores.

Number six, waterfalls, lakes — and is this even real? Canada has over 2 million freshwater lakes. We’ve mentioned this before: Shannon Falls, Squamish, and thousands of turquoise lakes and waterfalls across the entire country, just off the beaten path.

Number seven, festivals that actually feel alive. The Calgary Stampede, Montreal Jazz Festival, street festivals coast to coast — Canada knows how to celebrate without turning everything into a theme park. We also have massive global events happening this year, like the FIFA World Cup coming to Toronto and Vancouver. Wine tours in Niagara and the Okanagan. Powwows happen across the country — a celebration of culture, dance, crafts, and food. If you’ve never been to one, make sure you drop by.

Number eight, authentic Indigenous experiences. Guided cultural tours, storytelling, food, history, land-based learning from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. Profound, educational, and genuinely authentic. They’re open to everybody.

Number nine, adventure is everywhere. For those who are more active, hiking in the Rockies, kayaking in coastal waters, mountain biking, zip-lining in the forest, paddling remote lakes — Canada is built for adventure.

Number ten, wildlife you don’t see back home. Moose, bears, whales, wolves, bald eagles, snowy owls migrating. This isn’t a zoo — this is Canada being Canada, with expert guides.

Number eleven, world-class winter. We need to change the narrative on winter. It’s magic, not misery. Enjoy the snow. Accept it. Ski Whistler or Banff. Skate the Rideau Canal in Ottawa — the world’s largest skating rink, 7.8 km. The capital turns into a giant hockey line. People actually skate to work. Winter here is not just cold — it’s an experience.

Number twelve, Northern Lights like you’ve never seen. Yukon and the Northern Territories offer some of the best viewing experiences on Earth, far from the crowds fighting for the perfect shot. We’ve seen the Northern Lights as far south as Durham Region, Ontario, but it’s nothing like further north — Yukon, Northern Territories. Top tier. Shout out to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and Churchill, Manitoba, for some of the most frequent viewing spots. 

So, 12 reasons Canada in 2026 is absolutely worth the trip. Americans, come see us. Canadians, let’s explore our own backyard. We ask just one thing in return, and it’s simple: leave it as you found it.